When you explore Asian textile tour don’t miss Bhutan textile tour or textile in Bhutan which is a living textile museum of Himalaya. The Bhutanese textiles are the highest form of art and spiritual expression. The indigenous knowledge and unique skills on textiles have been passed down for generations. By exploring these unique and authentic textiles of Bhutan, visitors are made to wonder on how the mountain people were able to craft one of the most traditional yet sophisticated weaving cultures in the history of civilization. This tour provides opportunity to explore and experience various kinds of textile weaving and dyeing. Besides, you also get to see magnificent Dzongs, temples, monasteries and stupas, real Buddhist culture and philosophy, villages to feel and experience rural Bhutan. While on tour, you will also learn more about Bhutan’s friendly and ever smiling people, their traditions and way of life. You will explore the scenic beauty of rural Bhutan by walking between the rolling hills and virgin forests filled with wild flowers and fragrance. Visitors can also plan their travel to Bhutan coinciding with one of the vibrant religious festivals of eastern Bhutan, the region which is also famous for textile weaving.
Day 01 : Arrive Paro
The flight to Paro is most spectacular in the entire Himalayas. Flight along the Himalayan range over the foothills offers fascinating views and an exciting descent into the Kingdom. As you disembark from the aircraft you will be greeted by the cool, clean and fresh mountain air of Bhutan. After immigration formalities and baggage collection, you will be received by our representative, and will drive you to the hotel.
Later, you will visit Kyichu temple to receive blessing for the tour ahead. Built in 7th century, Kyichu temple is one of the oldest and most sacred shrines in Bhutan. Along with the visit, you will explore the beautiful valley of Paro, which presents a rich culture, scenic beauty and hundreds of myths and legends. In the evening, take an exploratory walk around town’s main street.
Overnight at the hotel in Paro (Altitude 2200m).
Day 02 aro
9am: Excursion/Hike to Tiger’s Nest
Time: 5 hours
Taktsang or the Tiger’s Nest is a famous and sacred monastery of Bhutan, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. Guru Rinpoche, the second Buddha arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated inside this monastery and hence it is called the ‘Tiger’s Nest’. This site is so sacred that the spiritual fulfillment of a Buddhist is said to be incomplete without visiting the Tiger’s Nest at least once in their lifetime.
After lunch, drive to Drukgyel Dzong, with a picturesque village nestling below the ruins. If lucky, on a clear sunny day, you will have a splendid view of Mt. Jhomolhari (7314m) from the approach road to the Dzong. Visit nearby farm house which provides you an interesting glimpse into the lifestyle of farming family. You will also visit a Carpet Weaving factory.
Overnight at the hotel in Paro (Altitude 2200m).
Day 03 aro – Thimphu
Distance: 55km, Travel time: approx 1.5 hours
After breakfast, visit Ta Dzong. It was built to defend Rinpung Dozng during inter-valley wars of the 17th century. Since 1967 Ta Dzong is serving as the National Museum of the country and holds fascinating collection of art, relics, religious Thangkha paintings and Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps.
From Ta Dzong, walk down the trail to Rinpung Dzong or Paro Dzong built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal , the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan. The Dzong houses the monastic body of Paro, the office of district administration and district court. It is also the venue of popular Paro Tshechu, held once a year in spring.
Later, drive to Thimphu, the capital town of Bhutan with en-route at Chuzom, the confluence of Thimphu and Paro rivers. Three different style of stupas ; Tibetan, Nepalese and Bhutanese adorn the confluence. Shortly, before reaching Chuzom, you will see on your left Tschogang Lhakhang or the “temple of the excellent horse”. It is a private temple, built in 15th century, as the result of visitation from Balaha, the excellent horse, a manifestation of Chenrezig, the Buddha of Compassion.
En-route stop to visit Simtokha Dzong (oldest dzong), built in 1627. The Institute for Language and Cultural Studies is located here. The most noteworthy artistic feature of this dzong is the series of over 300 finely worked slate carvings behind the prayer wheels in the courtyard.
You will now enter Thimphu, the main capital town of Bhutan and the center of government, religion and commerce. The city is a unique mixture of modern development and ancient traditions. With the population of about 90,000 it is the world’s only capital city without a traffic light.
In the evening, take an exploratory walk.
Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu. (Altitude 2400m)
Day 04 :Thimphu
Morning: You will visit the Institute of ZorigChusum or Arts & Crafts School, where 13 traditional crafts are taught including weaving, embroidery, painting, carpentry, carving, sculpture, casting, black smiting, bamboo work, gold & silver smiting, masonry, leather work and paper work. This institute not only helps to preserve the beautiful heritage but also imparts skill and knowledge to future generations, to keep the heritage alive. Also visit Handmade Paper Factory, National Library which holds vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts; Folk Heritage Museum and the Institute of Traditional Medicine where ancient healing arts such as acupuncture and herbalism are practiced.
Afternoon: a special visit to Textile Museum. The textile museum opens its exhibition on six major themes – warp pattern weaves, weft pattern weaves, role of textiles in religion, achievements in textile arts, textiles from indigenous fibers and the royal collection. You will find the crowns of Bhutan’s Kings, namzas (dresses), the first version of Royal Crown and other accessories used by members of Royal family. A brief and simple talk on Bhutanese textiles weaving is possible.
Later, drive to National Memorial Chorten known as ‘Fortress of Glorious Religion’, built in honor of His Late Majesty, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. Another interesting visit of the day will be the one to Trashichhoedzong.
Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu(Altitude 2400m).
Day 05 : Thimphu – Punakha
Distance: 72km, Travel time: approx. 3 hours
Morning: Today, you need to start early and drive to Punakha across Dochula pass (3080m). On your journey, you will enjoy fascinating mountain views, chorten, maniwall and prayer flags with refreshing breakfast at Dochula cafeteria. If skies are clear, you will view the following peaks from this pass (left to right): Masagang (7,158m), Tsendagang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m ), Jejegangphugang (7,158 m ), Kangphugang (7,170 m ), Zongphugang(7, 060 m ), a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana – finally GangkarPuensum(7,497m), the highest peak in Bhutan.
From Dochula, you will have an hour’s downhill walk through magnolia, hydrangea, vibernam and evergreen oaks, wild orchids and then to the highway where the car will receive and drive you to the Punakha Valley.
En-route, take an easy walk though paddy fields to visit Chimi Lhakhangor the “fertility temple” of Lama Drukpa Kuenley, popularly known as the “Divine Madman”. You will also walk into a traditional village house to see the women weaving.
In the afternoon, drive a short distance to Punakha Dzong, the winter seat of Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot) and the ancient capital of Bhutan (until 1955). Located between the rivers of PhoChhu(Pho-male) (Chhu-river) and Mo Chhu(Mo-female), the Dzong is surrounded by myths and legends.
Overnight at the hotel in Punakha (Altitude 1300m).
Day 06 unakha – Wangduephodrang – Gangtey (Phobjikha)
Distance: 85km, Travel time:approx. 3 hours
Morning: drive to Wangduephodrang Dzong, sitting on top of the hill at the confluence of PunakhaChhu and Tang Chhu rivers, it is town’s most visible feature. Visit Wangduephodrang shops, meet a traditional weaver, and see the spinning of nettle fiber and weaving of cloth on a back-strap loom.
From Wangduephodrang, drive to the glacial valley of Gangtey, the home of the rare and endangered Black-Necked crane. The valley of Gangtey is one of the most beautiful spots in Bhutan.
Afternoon: visit Gangtey Monastery and enjoy the nature trail walk from the Monastery to roosting place of the cranes. In the evening, visit the small centre of carpets weaving.
Overnight at Gangtey (Altitude 3000m).
Day 07 :Gangtey – Trongsa
Distance: 84 km, Travel time: approx 3.5 hours
Morning: explore Phobjikha valley. Hopefully, you will sight some black necked cranes, if you are there at the right time of year. Later, drive to Trongsa across Pele-la pass (3,300m/10,830 ft). This pass is traditionally considered the boundary between western and central Bhutan. Further down the road, stop to visit Chendbji Chorten erected in the 18th century by a Tibetan lama to cover the remains of an evil spirit that was subdued. It is built in the Nepalese style, with painted eyes at the four cardinal points.
The landscape around Trongsa is spectacular. About an hour later, you will have the first view of the impressive Dzong before the winding road suddenly leads you to the town.
Overnight at Trongsa (Altitude 2300m).
Day 08 :Trongsa – Bumthang
Distance: 68km, Travel time: approx 3 hours
Morning: visit to Trongsa Dzong. Built in 1647 by the Zhabdrung, it is one the most impressive Dzongs in Bhutan. Then visit Ta Dzong on the hillside above the town, built as a watchtower to guard Trongsa. It is now a museum that represents a harmonious balance between tradition and modernity.
After lunch, proceed to Bumthang, one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the holy heartland of Buddhism. The 68 km journey takes about 3 hours. The road winds steeply up to Yutong-la pass (3,400m/11,155 ft), and then descend through dense coniferous forest to enter into a wide, open, cultivated valley, known as Chumey valley.
In Chumey valley, visit Yathra Weaving Centre. ‘Yathra’ is a hand-woven fabric made from wool of yak and sheep. It is made in vibrant colours giving it a special and attractive look. Bumthang being a cold place is famous for its Yathra weaving and produces woolen clothes, bags, scarves etc in unique pattern.
Overnight at the hotel in Bumthang (Altitude 2600m).
Day 09 :Bumthang
Bumthang consists of four main valleys – Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura with altitude varying from 2,600m to 4,000m / 8,520 to 13,125 ft.
Morning: visit Kurje Lhakhang. It is one of the most sacred places in the kingdom as Bhutan’s “patron saint”, Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) meditated here. An hour walk to the north of Kurje Lhakhang leads to Tangbi monastery, founded in 1470 by Shamar Rinpoche of the Kagyupa religious school. The monastery has two sanctuaries and a temple of terrifying deities. Later, from Kurje monastery, we will walk toJambey Lhakhang. This temple, erected by the Tibetan King SongtsenGampo in the 7th century, is one of the two oldest in Bhutan (the other being Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro).
Afternoon: visit Tamshing Lhakhang, founded in 1501 by PemaLingpa. It contains interesting and ancient Buddhist wall paintings. Later on we will visit Jakar Dzong, “the dzong of the white bird”.
In the evening, visit local handloom weaving house and meet weavers andtheir family.
Overnight at the hotel in Bumthang (Altitude 2600m).
Day 09 :Bumthang – Mongar
Distance: 187km, Travel time: approx 7hours
The journey continues towards east of Bhutan, winding through more rugged terrain. The 7 hour drive provides spectacular views en route. We will drive up into the hills above the valley and visit en route Membar tsho, a wide spot on the Tang Chhu (chhu – water / river) and considered to be one of the greatest pilgrimage sites of Bhutan. Continue travelling further passing Ura village, before a gradual ascend to Thrumshing-la pass (4,000m/13,125 ft),the highest point on Bhutan’s motor able road network. Then the road gradually descends to the alpine valley of Sengor, with wonderful views of cascading waterfalls and the hills of eastern Bhutan along the highway. Within hours, vegetations change from alpine to subtropical as we drop down to the valley floor. The descent stops at 700m/2,300ft, where we cross the Kurichu river. We ascend again through pine forests, maize fields and eastern hamlets to reach Mongar town, high on a gentle slope above the valley.
Picnic lunch at a scenic spot en route to Mongar.
Afternoon: visit Mongar Dzong, built in the 1930s and one of Bhutan’s newest dzongs, but constructed in the same way as all previous dzongs, without either plans or the use of nails.
Evening: exploratory walk around Mongar. The main street of Mongar town is flanked by many interesting local shops and a vegetable market. Many economic activities are seen in this small town.
Overnight at the hotel in Mongar (Altitude 1600m).
Day 10 :Mongar – Lhuntse
Distance: 74 km, Travel time: approx 3 hours
Morning: drive to Lhuntse, one of the most rural and isolated districts in Bhutan. The landscape is adorned with views of stark cliffs and gorges, beautiful conifer and pine forests, and remote villages with rice, millet and corn fields. Lhuntse Dzong, built in 1654 on a rocky outcrop provides a beautiful sight.
Kurtoe region of Lhuntse is the ancestral home of Bhutan’s Royal family. In the evening, you can stroll around Lhuntse town before sitting down to a relaxing dinner.
Overnight tented accommodation.
Day 11 :
Lhuntse – Khoma – Lhuntse
Kishuthara excursion: walk from Khurbazam to Khoma Village (around 2 hours each way over clear flat paths), where the most famous and expensive textiles are woven in silk and cotton. Khoma village is famous for distinctive ‘Kishuthara’ weaving and it is the main income source for the villagers. Kishuthara is a silk on silk weaving technique with intricate hand laced patterns. It is the most expensive textile in Bhutan and highly sought after by collectors. It is a full day excursion where you can see the technique of weaving from local villagers and as well as a good opportunity to interview and try your hand at weaving. The other famous weaving area is GonpaKarpo (four hours walk from the bridge), a remote village clustered around a sacred monastery. The weavers of this village feel their weaving is superior because of the special blessing from the deities of this sacred site.
Overnight tented accommodation.
Day 12 :Lhuntse – Ranjung
Distance: 215km, Travel time: approx 7-8 hours
After breakfast, drive to Rangjung. Check into Rangjung guesthouse. After lunch, visit Radhi village. Radhi is famous for raw silk, which is known as “bura”. You can also witness women weaving raw silk. Overnight at the guesthouse in Rangjung.
Day 13 :Ranjung – Khaling – Trashigang
Distance: 126km, Travel time: approx 5 hours
After breakfast, drive to Khaling. Visit National Institute for the Disabled (NID), which caters to the educational needs of the disabled people in the country. In the afternoon, visit the Weaving Center which is operated by the National Women’s Association of Bhutan. Here you can see the girls weaving different types of textiles out of back strap loom. If time permits, we can also visit a private weaver to see the techniques of Bhutanese dyeing.
Overnight at the hotel in Trashigang.
Day 14 :Trashigang
Excursion to Tashiyangtse
Today, we will visit Tashiyangtse, a small, pretty, quiet town. The place is well known for making wooden bowls and containers, which are said to be the best in Bhutan. Also, visit the Arts School and the ChortenKora. Along the way to Trashiyangtse you will stop at the Gom Kora temple, behind which is a large black rock. It is said that Guru Rimpoche meditated in a rock cave that you can see the impression of his thumb, his hat, and his body on the rock. You will also visit the abandoned iron chain-link bridge behind the village of Duksum. It is the last remaining bridge of those built by a Tibetan bridge builder named Thangthong Gyalpo in the 15th century.
Overnight at the hotel in Trashigang.
Day 15 :Trashigang – SamdrupJongkhar
Distance: 175km, Travel time: approx 6 hours
Morning: visit Trashigang Dzong, standing at the extreme end of a rocky outcrop far above the river gorge. It serves as the seat for the district administration and part of the dzong is occupied by the local Drukpa monastic community.
Later proceed to Bhutanese border town of SamdrupJongkhar. Trashigang — SamdrupJongkhar highway was built in 1965 and the journey takes about 6 hours. Along the way, pass by Sherubtse College, the only college in the country founded in 1978. Also visit the Zangtho Pelri temple built in 1978 by the late Minister of Home Affairs. Further ahead, Deothang town en route is the centre of technical training college and road maintenance head quarters for the east. From here the road descends fairly rapidly to the plain through a dense tropical forest with an abundance of teak, bamboo and ferns.
Overnight at the lodge in SamdrupJongkhar.
Day 16 : Depart SamdrupJongkhar
Distance: 100km, Travel time: approx 2.5 hours
After breakfast, you will be picked up by our Indian counterpart. You will exit Bhutan and travel to Guwahati.
