Sierra Club Outings | Culture of Bhutan: Villages, Dzongs, and a Festival

Highlights:

Immerse yourself in the customs and traditions of a land untouched by the West
View dazzling Himalayan peaks, visit small villages and hike rural landscapes
Witness the spirited Punakha Festival and the rich cultural sights in the Bunthang Valley
Explore the Buddhist approach to species and ecosystem protection

Includes:

All lodging (twin sharing accommodations), meals and transportation within Bhutan
All entrance fees, government taxes and visa fee
The interpretive and guiding services of a local guide, well versed in Bhutanese culture and customs

The dates of this trip have changed from what was originally published. If you have questions, please contact us.

This cultural tour of Bhutan encompasses all of what the country is best known for. We will take leisurely hikes to remote villages, nestled among temples and monasteries and the beautiful countryside. This trip allows us to enjoy the tradition-steeped daily life of friendly Bhutanese people. We will stay in local family run lodges and mingle among the local people. The trip coincides with the Punakha Festival, which provides the unique opportunity to witness colorful mask dances and religious festivities.

We�ll visit several Dzongs- ancient fortresses located on strategic hilltops. Now they usually house large monastic communities. As our plane from Bangkok descends toward the Paro airport, we will catch magnificent views of the world's highest peaks, which give way to lush green valleys. Below, the air is clear and scented with the fragrance of pines. Temple-studded hills and prayer flags dotting the landscape signal that where we are about to land is no ordinary place. From the Paro Valley we continue by road through the lush valley of Thimphu and on to Punakha. We explore the country through the Phobjikha valley, winter home to the rare black-necked cranes, and then onto the enchanting valleys of Trongsa and Bumthang, which played a key role in influencing Bhutanese history, culture and religion. This route will take us through the temperate zone with great biodiversity, ranging from lush forests of conifer, rhododendron, and magnolia to orchid draped oaks, banana trees and cactus plants. During clear weather, the high passes we cross will provide spectacular views of high snow capped peaks whose elevations range up to 25,000 feet.

DAY 1: Bangkok to Paro, Bhutan
On arrival in Paro our national guide and driver will be waiting to greet us. After lunch, we'll visit the National Museum (Ta Dzong) which contains works of art, handcrafts, costumes, armor and even stamps. We can thus get an idea of the cultural and ecological richness of Bhutan in a very short time. Then we'll hike down to Rimpung Dzong.

DAY 2: Paro Sightseeing
We’ll drive up the valley to visit the Drukgyal Dzong built in 1647. On a clear day one can have a magnificent view of Mt. Chomolhari, at 23,990 feet. Going around the fortress is a 30 minute beautiful, leisurely hike. We'll continue to Satsam Choren and to Kyichu Lhakhang, built in the 7th century by a Tibetan king.
After lunch we drive to Thimhu, the capital city.

DAY 3: Thimphu Sightseeing
Sightseeing in Thimphu will include some of these places, dependnig on what is open: the Bhutan Heritage Museum, the Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive, the National Library, the Textile Museum, the traditional gold and silver workshop, weaving center, a visit to King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk Memorial Chorten, a monastery for the nuns the Medicine Institute, where traditional medicines are prepared according to ancient practices and the traditional incense factory.

DAY 4: Thimphu-Punkha
At the Thimphu weekend market we'll see vendors from villages throughout the region. Here Thimphu residents bargain for the best food. At the northern end of the market is a collection of stalls called the indigenous and handicraft section where we find locally produced goods, including religious objects, baskets, fabrics, and different hats from minority groups.
Leaving Thimphu the road climbs steeply through a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochula Pass (10,000 ft.). From here we have panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges. We descend to the fertile valley of Punakha (1,350 meters/ 4,430 feet). Before proceeding to to our hotel we will hike up to the Chimi Lhakhang temple on a small hilltop, about 40 mnutes round trip. This temple is dedicated to the great 14th century yogi, Drukpa Kuenley or popularly known as “Divine Madman” to westerners.

Day 5: Attend Punakha Festival
At Punakha we come upon the majestic Dzong situated between the two rivers, Pho Chu and Mochu (male and female river). Inside the Dzong the festival will be ongoing most of the day with various masked dances. This colorful spectacle is a photographer’s delight. However, the festival is not something put on for tourists not and a pageant or entertainment but a serious religious ceremony that is performed to seek the protection and happiness of themselves and all sentient beings. That is why the schedule is not quite predictable or promoted for tourists. Nevertheless, a lively, friendly atmosphere prevails and we can meet the local people, exchanging information and making friends. A fair is held around the grounds of the Dzong.

DAY 6: Punakha-Tongsa
The drive to Trongsa takes approximately six hours passing through the central valley, and offering breathtaking scenes rich with flora and fauna. We then climb steadily passing through semi-tropical vegetation and then to Pele La Pass (10,989 ft.) During clear weather we can view the high snow-capped peaks, including Mt. Chomolhari. From here we will hike downhill for about an hour through forest of dwarf bamboo where quite often yaks are grazing.
Entering the Trongsa valley we'll see the immense Trongsa Dzong sticking out into the gorge of the Mangde River. The view from the Dzong extends for many miles and in former times nothing could escape the vigilance of its watchman.

DAY 7: Trongsa-Bumthang
We'll explore the Trongsa Dzong, built in 1647 and the scene of many important historical events in the making of modern Bhutan. The drive from Trongsa to Bumthang will take approximately two hours. Enroute, we will stop at Domkhar Palace, which was built in 1937 and used as the summer residence of the second King Jigme Wangchuk.
At Zungney village, many weavers are working with their scarves tied on their heads in the Bumthang style. Bumthang is the general name given to a complex of four valleys-Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura. Nestled in the barley fields and apple groves, Bumthang has an individuality that charms its visitors and separates it from other regions. The deeply spiritual regions of Bumthang are shrouded in religious legend.

Day 8: Bumthang Sightseeing
The drive to Ura Valley which takes about two hours. From the Serthangla Pass we see the valley below and will start hiking downhill through the ancient mule track. From the pass it is about a 30 minute hike down to the Ura Temple. After visiting the temple we can walk through the village which is situated at 10,000 feet. Being surrounded by a cobblestone wall gives it a medieval look. Continue walking to the village school where we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch. The children will no doubt come and greet us with a cheerful, “Good Morning.”

Day 9: Bumthang Sightseeing - Drive to Trongsa
At the Jambay Lhakhang temple we will start our walk through the scattered and clustered villages of Jakar, visiting more temples and monasteries and walking over a swinging suspension bridge. We can stop to converse with villagers, monks and children who love to practice their English. In the evening we make the return drive to overnight in Trongsa.

Day 10: : Trongsa-Phobjikha
We start our drive back westward taking the same lateral highway on which we drove in. But from Pele Pass we will detour into the beautiful glacial valley of Phobjikha(9,840 feet). This valley is the winter home for hundreds of endangered black-necked cranes that migrate here from the Tibetan plateaus. We’ll hope to see them dancing in the marshy ground and feeding themselves on the bamboo roots.
From Phobjikha Pass we will start walking downhill to the Gangtey Monastery. The ground is thick with the high altitude dwarf bamboo, the yaks favorite foood. We will probably encounter yaks and if lucky, the Red Panda and many bird species. Overnight at a lovely new hotel in the valley.

Day 11: Phobjkha-Thimphu
The visitors’ center is sponsored by World Wildlife Fund and tells us more about the black-necked crane. Afterwards we’ll start our four hour drive to Thimphu with several stops enroute for pictures of the northern snowcapped mountans and leg stretch. There shoud be ample time to explore Thimphu, the relatively big city with wonderful shopping.
This evening we are invited to a celebration dinner and cultural dance at a private residence.

Day 12: Thimphu-Drive to Paro
After lunch we drive back to Paro, where there will be more free time to explore and shop.

Day 13: Excursion to Taktsang Monastery
After breakfast we will be driven to the hike starting point to view the spectacular Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Lair). The trail to the monastery climbs about 2,000 feet through beautiful pine forest, takes 3-4 hours to the rest place. After stopping there for a refreshment some will want to continue all the way up to the monastery. Built in the 1600s, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. It is believed that Guru Padmasambhava, the Tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan landed here on the back of a flying tiger. When you see the monastery, flying tigers don’t seem so impossible after all.
Another option for those who do not wish to make this hike will be a leisurely walk down a country road and/or free time in Paro.

Day 14: Depart Bhutan, Fly to Bangkok
We will depart on a flight from the Paro airport at about 10 a.m. Our plane will land in Bangkok at about 4 p.m.

To allow for possible but unlikely delays of baggage or flight misconnections, trip members are strongly urged to leave the United States no later than February 28, so as to be in Bangkok by March 1. The trip leader will provide trip members with a list of hotels near the Bangkok airport and will set up times for trip members to meet to enjoy meals together.

The round trip fare to Paro, Bhutan is about $790 in addition to the trip cost. The leader will provide participants with information for purchasing those tickets, which will be on Druk Air, the airline of Bhutan. The flight to Paro, Bhutan leaves very early on the morning of March 3. The trip ends on March 16th, with the arrival into Bangkok in the late afternoon. Trip participants should schedule their return flights no earlier than March 17.

All accommodation in Bhutan will be in small lodges and hotels which have hot running water, electricity, and very attentive staff who delight in contact with foreign visitors. Meals will be in hotel dining rooms, local restaurants and some picnic lunches. Vegetarian preferences can be accommodated on request.

This is not a rigorous trip, and most of the day walks are flexible enough to allow everyone to enjoy them at their own pace. You are encouraged to enjoy the sights along the way, and to visit with the Bhutanese you meet. There are some long bus rides along the narrow and very winding road. Anyone prone to motion sickness needs to consider this factor. Trip members need to be sure to bring along their spirit of adventure. They should take pleasure in experiencing a very different culture and be comfortable traveling with a group. Above all, they must be flexible and adapt easily to unpredictable weather. Most of the lodges are fairly rustic and very simple. We will be served the very best available of regional food but Bhutan is not noted for its cusine and is limited in variety. Day time temperatures will vary between 40-70 degrees, depending on the elevation. Nighttime temperatures will drop into the 30�s. Electricity outages are common. We might experience some precipitation, but most days should be sunny. Leader approval is required. Medical forms need to be completed by all trip members and an up-to-date physical exam may required as well. We will be in remote and far from any modern medical services.

Each participant will need either one or two duffel bags and one day pack. The one or two duffel bags and their contents should conform to Druk Air's baggage weight restrictions of 44 pounds. Participants will be responsible for any excess baggage charges should they exceed the 44-pound limit. Additionally, a day pack, which can be carried on the Druk Air plane, can hold up to 10 pounds. A complete list of clothing and packing items for the trip will be sent to participants upon acceptance.

Thanks to its isolation, small population, mountainous terrain, and the national religion of Buddhism, which stresses the sanctity of all life, Bhutan's forests and wildlife are largely intact. As a result, this tiny kingdom, in contrast to all of its neighbors, possesses the last truly large-scale ecosystem in the Himalayas. A World Wildlife Fund alert letter states that "Nowhere is there more potential for conservation success than in Bhutan. Many conservationists consider Bhutan the last best hope for comprehensive conservation action in the Himalayas." The kingdom is steering a path toward sustainable development and has begun one of the world's toughest environmental campaigns. It aims to preserve the country's natural bounty even at the cost of economic growth.

The King of Bhutan and the National Assembly have ruled that a minimum of 60 percent of the country must remain as forest for all time! Whether Bhutan can succeed will depend on how well the country can deal with the pressures that have overwhelmed so many developing nations. Most Bhutanese rely on wood for heat and cooking. The high birth rate has prompted an aggressive family planning program. Free education is giving rise to a new generation of young people beginning to question the nature-first paradigm. Television and the Internet have created great interest in what the West has to offer. Protecting not just nature but culture is a huge priority for Bhutan. The Bhutanese people constitute one of the most interesting and least disturbed cultures in the world. The monarchy, government, and its more enlightened citizens see Bhutanese people almost as if they were an endangered species. Given the massive Westernizing influence all around its borders, Bhutan has adopted the philosophy that environmental and cultural preservation are the only means to maintain its survival as an independent country.

The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.

The leader for this trip will be Mary O'Connor. Mary began leading Sierra Club trips twenty-five years ago on the rivers of the western United States as an outgrowth of her interest in the preservation of wild and natural rivers.

Her interests in Geography and Ethnology have taken her to over 75 countries of the world and also into leading international trips. She has led numerous trips in Central and South America, several countries in Africa, as well as Ireland, Canada and Alaska. She greatly enjoys sharing her enthusiasm for travel and learning about other countries.

Mary recently retired from teaching elementary school and looks forward to having more time for enjoying nature, wilderness and other cultures.

Please contact Mary for further information about this trip and questions about the itinerary, difficulty and transportation. She looks forward to sharing this adventure with fellow Sierra Club members and will be glad to communicate with anyone interested in the trip.

E-mail: moc2504@aol.com