Under the Sky

A very unique and special offering from Bhutan Travel Buddies that takes you through an experience that we hope will remain with you for a long time to come. Under the sky - has been referenced in many religion and philosophical references on the basic fact that we all are one under the sky irrespective of our species, caste, creed or color. It is our initiative to let you explore in this modern technological era where almost everything of our day to day tasks are done by machines, computers, telecom gadgets. Imagine how it would be to spend 6 Days /5 Nights with no phones, internet, computer/laptop, machines and who knows even without electricity.
Gear up for this amazing tour where peace of mind is guaranteed along with loads of hands-on activities that awaits you. Just to name a few - live in a bago (hut made out of wooden planks with just the basic amenities, food cooked in earthen pots or aluminium pots by firewood (you would be cooking some of the meals), help the host to cultivate or harvest food crops ranging from paddy, rice, radish, potatoes or pluck apples and peaches, take to market place to sell it. Even a bland simple dish would be delicious and savoury after a tiring day at field and thats when you know hungry stomach needs no 5 course meals. Under the sky, life is led in so many ways about which we hardly know or have not seen. This is one opportunity to experience life in the highlands of the himalayas and retrospect on the beauty of life and diversity in the way people live their life under the Sky.

Journey

Day 1 : Thimphu

  • Arrive in Bhutan through Paro international Airport. Representative from Bhutan Travel Buddies will welcome you to Bhutan and receive you. After a refreshing Tea/Coffee, proceed towards Thimphu (1 hour drive). Check in at hotel. Sight seeing in Thimphu and a nice cultural program in the evening. Night halt at Thimphu

Day 2 : Punakha

  • After breakfast we start our Under the Sky tour and we will request you to switch off your electronic gadgets and communication devices. We will go to Punakha and visit a village there. Interact with villagers and experience their day and night life. Night halt in village.

Day 3 : Punakha

  • Wake up in the morning and help your host to prepare breakfast and enjoy it. After breakfast, you will escort your host to give a helping hand in his day activities. Come back for lunch. After lunch you will be taking the tour of the village and meeting people. A nice hot stone bath will follow in the evening to release the tension. A cultural show to make the evening more entertaining. Dinner and a good night rest.

Day 4 : Bumthang

  • Move towards Bumthang. Meet the host in Chumey and stroll around the village. Night halt in village.

Day 5 : Bumthang

  • Get up early in the morning and join the host in his/her day activities. It can be harvesting paddy to plucking fruits, harvesting vegetables and take it to market to sell it to shops and stores. After a nice warm hot stone bath, spend the evening by the fire place and enjoy the folk songs and dance. Help the host to prepare dinner and relish it. Night halt at village.

Day 6 : Phobjikha

  • After breakfast, bid farewell to your host and move towards Trongsa. Short sight seeing in Trongsa and lunch at Trongsa after which we head towards Phobjikha.

Day 7 : Thimphu

  • Hike around Phobjikha and visit the Gangtey Goenpa. Spend some quality time in the wilderness of Phobjikha. After lunch proceed towards Thimphu. Now you can switch on your phones & gadgets. Night halt in Thimphu

Day 8 : Seeoff

  • After early breakfast, drive to Paro international airport. Awaken Bhutan Tours & Treks will see you off at the airport and give you a warm farewell wishing you a safe journey to your next destination.

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Your Personal Details

What is included?

  • * All night stay at 3 star hotel and bago/huts/tents
    * All transportation throughout the tour
    * All meals(B/L/D) throughout the tour
    * All entry fees to monuments and museums
    * Complimentary mineral water bottle
    * Expert & well experienced guide service
    * Airport pick & drop
    * Government Royalty
    * Doctor consultancy only
    * Sleeping mat
    * Pillow & pillow case

What is excluded?

  • * Airfare cost
    * Upgrade to 4 & 5 star hotels
    * Upgrade to luxury vehicles
    * Upgrade to specific language guide
    * Personal purchases & expenses
    * Cost escalation due to natural calamities
    * Cost escalation due to delays
    * Travel insurance

Things to Carry?

  • * Warm clothing
    * Sleeping bag
    * Basic medical kit
    * Raincoat during May, June, July
    * Torch/flash light
    * Hand gloves
    * Hiking/converse shoes
    * Sunglasses
    * Skincare ointments
    * Photography equipments

Attractions


Memorial Chorten


Built in 1974 to honor the third Druk Gyalpo, His Majesty the 3rd King of Bhutan Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1928–1972), it is one of the most prominent landmark of Thimphu. People from everywhere come here to do the Chorten Kora (going round the chorten). It looks magnificent a great place to visit and pray


Buddha Dordenma


Buddha Point is a gigantic Shakyamuni Buddha statue completed construction on September 25th 2015 celebrating 60th birth anniversary of fourth king His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck. It houses 100,000 8-inch-tall and 25,000 12-inch-tall gilded Buddhas respectively, each of which, like the Buddha Dordenma itself, will be made of bronze and gilded in gold. it will be one of the largest Buddha rupas (Form of the Awakened One) in the world, at a height of 169 feet (51.5 meters). Big ground in front makes it a nice place to stroll around and enjoy the scenic beauty of Thimphu


Changangkha Lhakhang


Lam Phajo Drugom Zhipo built it in 12th century, one of the oldest lhakhangs in the country. Lam Phajo Drugom Zhipo chose the site and the monastery houses Chenrizig (Avolokitesawara), an 11-headed, thousand-armed manifestation as the central statue. New born are brought here for naming them


Zorig Chusum


In 1680, Ngawang Namgyal, the Zhabdrung Rinpoche, ordered the establishment of the school for instruction in the thirteen traditional arts. Although the skills existed much earlier, it is believed that the zorig chusum was first formally categorised during the rule of Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye (1680-1694), the 4th Druk Desi (secular ruler). You get to witness artisans & craftsman in action in these 13 different crafts & arts which is rare view in today's machine manufacturing era. It trains the Bhutanese students on all the 13 crafts and is leading the race to preserve the culture of Bhutan


Tashichho Dzong


Traditionally been the seat of the Druk Desi (or "Dharma Raja"), the head of Bhutan's civil government, an office which has been combined with the kingship since the creation of the monarchy in 1907, and summer capital of the country. The original Thimphu dzong (the Do-Ngön Dzong, or Blue Stone Dzong) was built in 1216 by Lama Gyalwa Lhanapa (1164-1224). In 1641 Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal took over that Dzong from the Lhapa Kagyu, reconsecrated, and renamed it Tashichö-dzong. Tashichö Dzong has been the seat of Bhutan's government since 1968. It presently houses the throne room and offices of the king, the cabinet secretariat and the ministries of home affairs and finance. Lowering of the national flag in the evening around 5 pm is an event not to be missed and the lights during the night makes it a visual treat.


Takin Preserve


Takin - the national animal of Bhutan is a peculiar animal with head of a goat and body of a cow, is believed to be created by Lama Drukpa Kuenlay - The Divine Madman upon his follower's request to show a miracle. He created it by attaching the skull of a goat and bones of a cow. It is an area of 3.4 hectares (8.4 acres). It is a collaborative effort of the Royal Government of Bhutan and World Wide Fund, WWF (Bhutan), including a traditionally styled entrance gate, a small information center, signage and trash receptacles.


Simtokha Dzong


It is the 1st Dzong built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1629 in Bhutan. Earlier called Sangak Zabdhon Phodrang (Bhutanese language meaning: "Palace of the Profound Meaning of Secret Mantras") is a small dzong in size compared to other dzongs in Bhutan. It is believed that the dzong provided protection against a demon which had disappeared into a rock close to the site and hence taken the name 'Simtoka' meaning "simmo" (demoness) and 'do' meaning "stone". The Buddhist school of Linguistics was established as part of the dzong.


Punakha Dzong


Also known as Pungtang Dechen Photrang Dzong (meaning "the palace of great happiness or bliss"). Built by Ngawang Namgyal, 1st Zhabdrung Rinpoche, in 1637–38 and houses sacred relics of the southern Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, including the Rangjung Kasarpani and the sacred remains of Ngawang Namgyal and the tertön Pema Lingpa. It is the winter capital of Bhutan and 2nd largest dzong. It is listed as a tentative site in Bhutan's Tentative List for UNESCO inclusion


Chimi Lhakhang


Also know as Chime Lhakhang stands on a round hillock and was built in 1499 by the 14th Drukpa hierarch, Ngawang Choegyel, after the site was blessed by the "Divine Madman" the maverick saint Drukpa Kunley (1455–1529) who built a chorten on the site. Believed to be the Temple of Fertility, pilgrims & women visiting are blessed with wooden phallus (have been intended to drive away the evil eye and malicious gossip) decorated with a silver handle. Lama Drukpa Kuenley is revered for his unorthodox ways of teaching Buddhism by singing, humour and outrageous behaviour, which amounted to being bizarre, shocking and with sexual overtones


Dochula Pass


Built on the pass overlooking Thimphu valley on one side and Wangdue/Punakha on the other, it is on the way to Punakha from Thimphu on a hill top where 108 memorial chortens or stupas known as "Druk Wangyal Chortens" have been built by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk, the eldest Queen Mother. Apart from the chortens there is a monastery called the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang (temple), built in honour of the fourth Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Singye Wangchuck.


Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten


Built by Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck for the well being of the kingdom, it's people and all sentient beings took 9 years to complete this magnificent 4 storied Chorten showcasing the expertise and marvel of Bhutanese architecture, art & paintings. Lovely view of Punakha valley awaits you after a hike on 30 to 60 minutes from the suspension bridge.


Jakar Dzong


Also known as Jakar Yugyal Dzong built on the site of an earlier temple established by the Ralung hierarch Yongzin Ngagi Wangchuk (1517–1554) when he came to Bhutan. Jakar Dzong may be the largest dzong in Bhutan, with a circumference of more than 1,500 metres (4,900 ft). The name Jakar is derived from the word bjakhab, meaning "white bird". It is believed that a roosting white bird signalled the proper and auspicious location to found a monastery around 1549 and this dzong was built there. It has a unique structure and make a great view of Chamkhar valley of Bumthang


Jambay Lhakhang


Also known as Temple of Maitreya is believed to be one of the 108 temples built by Tibetan King Songtsän Gampo in 659 CE on a single day to pin down an ogress to earth forever. The best known of these temples are Jokhang in Lhasa, Kichu in Paro, Bhutan and Jambay Lhakhang in Bumthang, Bhutan.It is a pilgrimage site for buddhist from around the world


Kurjay Lhakhang


One of the holy places where body imprint of Guru Rinpoche can be witnessed. It is believed that when Sindhu Raja of Bumthang fell very sick due to powerful local dieties like Shelging Karpo, he invited Guru to come to his rescue. Guru drove all the deities to a cave and meditated in the cave for 3 months and left his kurjey (body imprint) upon which the deities were subdued and Raja got well. Also a cypress tree that is believed to have sprouted from the walking stick of Guru Rinpoche is still there till today. It is also the final resting place of the previous three kings of Bhutan


Mebartsho


Or the burning lake in the Tang Valley near Bumthang, is related with Guru Rimpoche, who discovered his first terma (traditions of revelation in Tibetan Buddhism, Bön and the Greater Himalayan region) in the lake in 1475. As per legend Terton Pema Lingpa had a vision of the sacred treasures that Guru Rimpoche had hidden within the lake, centuries earlier. No one believed him. In order to prove his claims, Pema Lingpa held a butter lamp in his hand as he jumped into the lake. He re-emerged holding a chest and a scroll of paper with the butter lamp in his hand still burning bright. That's how the lake got it's name - Mebartsho (the burning Lake)


Wangdicholing Palace


Built in 1857, it is the first royal palace of Bhutan. 1st and 2nd Kings of Bhutan resided here and was the main summer residence. It is built on the site of a battle camp of the Trongsa penlop, Jigme Namgyal (father of 1st King of Bhutan). Interesting site to see is the five giant prayer wheels turned continuously by water.


Gangtey Goenpa


Established in 1613 by the first Peling Gyalsé Rinpoche or Gangteng Tulku, Rigdzin Pema Tinley (1564–1642), who was the grandson of the great Bhutanese "treasure revealer" Terchen Pema Lingpa (1450–1521), it overlooks Phobjika valley, famous for the black necked cranes (rare and extinct). It is an important monastery of Nyingmapa school of Buddhism, the main seat of the Pema Lingpa tradition.


Black Necked Crane Information Centre


Initiated by the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN), the Black-Necked Crane Information Centre provides all information that you need to know about black necked cranes. It has telescopes for you to view the cranes. Journals, books and variety of print, audio-visual resources on the cranes will leave you with an everlasting fondness for this beautiful and rare cranes found only in Bhutan and Tibet.

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