Archery Tour

During the flight into Bhutan, one will experience breathtaking views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Mount Chomolhari and Jitchu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be met by your Cypress Himalaya Tours representative and Lama G. After completion of arrival formalities, including the processing of your visa (please bring your copy) we will drive to Thimphu. After lunch explore Thimphu city.

Overnight – Thimphu (7576 ft)

This morning, we will drive to Kuensel Phodrang and see the second-largest seated Buddha; locals call it “Buddha Point”. Then, we will take a trip to The Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as Traditional Arts School of Bhutan) where students undertake a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts & craft of Bhutan. We’ll visit the Traditional Medicine Institute where the ancient healing arts are still practiced. We will drive to the valley north of Thimphu city to visit Pangri Zampa Temple (25 min drive approx), which is now the seat of the monastic college of astrology. We can get an astrology reading at the college. Visit Memorial Chorten built in 1974 in the memory of our third king, a multi-storied stupa that will introduce you to the vitality of Tantric Buddhism. In the evening we will have a leisure time in the city.

Overnight – Thimphu (7576 ft)

The Archery match will begin with the Marchang Ceremony (offering of wine to the holy spirits). It is believed that the prayers appease the deities for good luck and the successful completion of the occasion.

Overnight – Thimphu (7576 ft)

On the way to Punakha is the Dochu la pass (1004ft) from where a beautiful panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain ranges can be seen, especially on clear winter days. The beauty of this place will capture your heart by the sight of The Druk Wangyel Chorten, a 108 stupas built for the well being of all sentient beings by the eldest queen mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck. Punakha has a temperate climate and its rich fertile valley is fed by the Phochu (Male River) and Mochu (Female River) rivers. In Punakha we will hike to Chimmi Lhakhang, most popularly known as the temple of fertility. The temple was built in the 15th century as a dedication to Lama Drukpa Kuenley, known as the divine mad man and considered one of Bhutan’s favorite saints. The hike to this temple will take us through a village surrounded by beautiful rice fields and it will take us only 50 minutes (round trip). We’ll visit the Punakha Dzong built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (the unifier of Bhutan) in 1637. It stands majestically at the junction of the two rivers, Phochu (Male River) and Mochu (Female River).

Overnight Punakha (4624ft)

Today, we will compete against the best archers from the Punakha Valley.

Overnight Punakha (4624ft)

Today, we will drive to Trongsa and it is about 6 hours drive approximately from Punakha. We start early for the fabulous drive to the central valleys of Bhutan through the breathtaking beauties and serenity of Bhutan’s rich flora and fauna. As we cross the fertile valley of Punakha and enter into the valley of Wangdue Phodrang, we take an opportunity to photograph the oldest village in Bhutan dating back to 17th century. We then climb steadily passing through semitropical vegetation and then to Pele la pass (3,300 m/10,989ft.). During the clear weather we can view the high snow capped peaks specially the Mt. Jhomolhari (7,314m/24,355ft.). From here we will decent about 3 hours to Trongsa. Upon arrival, we will visit the majestic Trongsa Dzong, built in 1647; this Dzong was the source of many important historical events in making of Modern Bhutan.

Overnight- Trongsa (7150ft)

Today, before driving towards Bumthang we will visit the Trongsa Tower Museum built as a watch tower the Ta Dzong. We’ll than resume our drive to Bumthang crossing the Yotongla Pass (3,424m/11,234ft.) and into the first four valley of Bumthang known as Chumey where we will make a stop to observe the weavers weaving the famous Bumthang fabric known as Yathra. From the Chhume valley it will take 40 minutes drive to Chhoekor valley where we are going to halt our night. In the evening we will explore Bumthang town.

Overnight- Bumthang (8528ft)

Today, we’ll spend the day visiting the Jampa Lhakhang (temple), one of the oldest temples in Bhutan dating back to 7th century. We’ll visit Kurjey Lhakhang (the body imprint temple). It is believed that the body imprint was left on the rock where the Guru Rinpoche (precious master) had meditated. We will hike (approx 30 min) to Tamshing Lhakhang, the temple that was built by the treasure discoverer in the 16th century.

Overnight- Bumthang (8528ft)

Today, we will compete against the best archers from the Bumthang valley.

Overnight- Bumthang (8528ft)

Today, we will drive to Phobjikha valley, the largest wetland and a designated conservation area in Bhutan. It lies adjacent to the Black Mountain National Park (now named as Jigme Singye Wangchuk National Park after the 4th King). Because of the presence of a large flock of black-necked cranes, which come to Bhutan form Tibet in late October and leave in early spring, it is one of the most important wildlife preserves in the country. We will visit Gangtey Goempa one of the largest and the oldest Ningma Monastery in the country which dates back to 15th century.

Overnight- Phobjikha (9514ft)

Today, we will drive towards Paro and it is approximately 6 hours drive from Phobjikha Valley. In Paro, we will visit a farm house, have a traditional bath known as ‘Hot stone bath’ and later, we will enjoy an authentic Bhutanese dinner.

Overnight – Paro (7478ft)

This morning, we will visit the Rimpung Dzong to see the painting of the great saint Milarepa, considered as the master of meditation by the Bhutanese and believed to have attained enlightenment in a lifetime. Dzongs are large monasteries and district administrative centers, which were once strategic forts. We’ll visit the Tibetan style stupa, Dumtse lhakhang which was built in the mid fourteen century. We will also visit the Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan dating back to 7th century.

Overnight – Paro (7478ft)

Today, we will compete against the best archers from the Paro valley.

Overnight – Paro (7478ft)

After an early breakfast, we will hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Taktshang Goemba). The trip is an uphill walk of about three hours and an hour and half hike to the café where there is also clear vantage view where you can enjoy the stunning view of the monastery. The legend of Taktshang (Tiger’s Nest/Lair) evolves form Tantric mythology when, in 747 AD, Guru Rimpochhe (Padma Sambhava) chose a cave on this sheer rock face to meditate and, assuming his wrathful form, Guru Dorji Droloe, he subdued the local deity, converting into spiritual protector of Taktshang. Some people living in the valley saw the tigress lying by the cave and thought to be tiger’s lair. Thus, the name tak (tiger) tshang (lair) came into existence and became one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in the Buddhist world. For Bhutanese; we have to visit this monastery once in a life time.

Overnight-Paro (7478ft)