One of the most unusual Buddhist saints who came to Bhutan in 15th century was Lam Drukpa Kunley, the "divine madman". His outrageous nature of teachings often involved strong sexual connotations and used his phallus as the most important symbolic tool for all his teachings, and to destroy demons and evil spirits. Under the guise of thoughtless womanizing, one of the Lama's greatest gift to countless beneficiaries was children. Every year hundreds of people from all corners of the Bhutan make pilgrimages to Chhime Lhakhang, an ancient monastery near Punakha, dedicated to fertility and founded by Lam Drukpa Kuenley, to pray for children. They get blessed by a symbolic phallus which represents the sign of fertility and other relegious objects of the Lam. It will take only few stories of the Lam to understand why everyone in this magical kingdom believes that the Lam's blessings will help a woman conceive.

Your Itinerary

Day 01 : Arrive in Paro O/n Hotel .L.D.
If you are lucky, you will have glorious views of the snowcapped Himalayas on the way to Paro (8000'). The remarkable and steep descent into the Paro Valley is an awe-inspiring begining to an adventure of a lifetime.      Day 02 : In Thimpu. O/n Hotel BLD.
In Thimphu, we will have a variety of activities from which to choose. Some sights we hope to visit: Textile Museum, School of Arts and Crafts, National Library, Folk Art Museum, Memorial Chorten, Weekend Vegetable Market, Cheri Monastery (optional day hike), an Archery Match, Tashichho Dzong...

Day 03 : Thimpu-Punakaha O/n Hotel BLD.
Drive to Punakha/Wangdi and visit the Punakha Dzong and the Chhime Lhakhang, an ancient monastery near Punakha, dedicated to fertility and founded by Lam Drukpa Kuenle.

Day 04 : Punakha-Bumthang O/n Hotel BLD.
Travel to Bumthang - A driving day with extraordinary views! Drive through beautiful forests of rhododendron and fields of dwarf bamboo, breathtaking scenery of the landscape, green meadows, beautiful wildflowers, gushing waterfalls and constanly changing vegetation.

Day 05 : In Bumthang O/n Hotel BLD.
Bumthang sightseeing and attend Jambay Lhakhang Festival and Fertility Blessing CeremonyBumthang is one of the most beautiful and sacred areas of Bhutan, known for the visits of Guru Rinpoche, the second Buddha, when he was bringing Buddhism from Tibet to Bhutan in the 8th century.

Day 06 : In Bumthang O/n Hotel BLD.
Attend Jambay Lhakhang Festival and Fertility Blessing Ceremony

Day 07 : Bumthang- Trongsa O/n Hotel BLD.
Drive to Trongsa, The Tongsa Dzong, built in 1647, is the largest dzong in the country. It is the ancestral home of the Royal Family, and both the first and second kings ruled the country from Tongsa.

Day 08 : Trongsa- Gangtey O/n Hotel BLD.
Drive to Gangtey Gompa/Phobjikha Valley, We'll cross back over the magnificent Yutong La and Pele La passes on our way to the hidden valley of Phobjikha (9840'). The rare Black Neck Cranes migrate from Tibet to Bhutan in mid November and use the swampy center of the valley as their winter residence. The valley, circled by pine covered mountains, is one of the most beautiful in Bhutan. We'll be staying in a rustic guesthouse (there is no electricity in the valley) that was formerly a traditional Bhutanese home.

Day 09 : Trongsa- Thimphu O/n Hotel BLD.
This morning we will explore the valley and visit the magnificent Gantey Gompa (a "gompa" is a monastery). The Gompa is perched on a ridge overlooking the valley. It is directed by Gantey Tulku, the ninth reincarnation (a "tulku" is a reincarnate) of Pema Lingpa-a famous Buddhist saint and teacher. We will visit the courtyard of the Gompa and one of the temples. In the afternoon, we'll return to the main road and travel west to Thimphu, perhaps stopping for lunch at Wangdiphodrang.

Day 10 : Thimpu-Paro O/n Hotel BLD.
We'll leave Thimphu in the morning for our last stop, two nights in the spectacular Paro Valley. We will begin with a visit to the impressive Ta Dzong, the watchtower of the Paro Dzong which now houses the National Museum.

Day 11 : In Paro O/n Hotel BLD.
We will conclude our visit to the Dragon Kingdom with a hike to the magical monastery known as Taktsang (the "Tiger's Nest). Taktsang is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in the Himalayan World. The monastery itself is perched on a granite cliff that drops 2,000 feet to the valley floor. The name is derived from a legend that Guru Rinpoche flew across the mountains to this spot on the back of a tigress, reaching a cave in which he meditated for three months, converting the Paro Valley to Buddhism during his stay.

Day 12 : Final day, after Breakfast drive to Paro Airport.Tashi