Itineraries — Fall 2010: Cross Country — Spring 2011: Cross Country Tour  | Festivals Tour

— Paro to Thimphu — We rise at 6 a.m., pack up and after a quick breakfast drive 45 minutes to Chelila Pass at 12,000 feet.  This pass provides a panoramic view of the northern and western Himalayan mountain ranges as well as Haa and Paro Valleys, and with the magic light of sunrise breaking over the Himalayas, we will photograph spectacular mountain and forest scenery. We then head for Thimphu, a 4-5 hour drive.  Along the way as we near the junction of the old road we are on and the new Paro-Thimphu highway, we will stop for a picnic lunch.  When we arrive in Thimphu we check into the five-star (by Bhutanese standards) Kisa Hotel--the rest of the afternoon is A la carte, just ask your guide and driver to take you to any one of the places listed below.  On the top of our list we always recommend a visit to Zorig Chuksum, The School for Thirteen Arts and Crafts.  This institute was established in 1971 and students from across Bhutan come to learn the traditional arts and crafts.  Robin authored a story on this school for Tashi Delek magazine--it’s available on the Rainbow web site.  For the remaining hours of the day you are free to roam the streets of Thimphu, Bhutan’s capitol and largest city with 45,000 residents.  By western standards and compared to other Bhutanese centers of commerce, Thimphu is the only center that rates being called a city.  There are no traffic lights here--one was installed and quickly removed after citizens complained--but there are two traffic huts in the center of the main road that provide shade for white-gloved policemen who wave their arms in slow motion, reminiscent of tai chi.  Small shops line the street, mostly catering to the locals.  There are a few “tourist shops” but you must seek them out.  Meet back at the hotel lobby at 6 p.m. for dinner in a local restaurant

Overnight Kisa Hotel.