Welcome to Bhutan
6 DAYS
Day 01: Arrive Paro Bhutan
Fly into Paro by Drukair flight ( Royal Bhutan Airline) or Bhutan Airlines . After immigration and customs formalities, you will be received by your local Bhutanese tour guide from Himalayan Horizon Travels.
You can drive to the hotel, check in and refresh with some tea / snacks/lunch or do sight seeings straight and then stop for lunch. (The choice is yours)
Paro is one of the most beautiful valleys in Bhutan, Tranquil and unpolluted, it`s upper reaches are carpeted by thick blue pine forest and it`s elegant farm houses with the prayer flags, exude a quiet and understated air of prosperity.
You can start your sight seeing with the visit to Kyichu Lhakhang, which is revered as one of the two oldest temples built by a Tibetan emperor Songtsen Gyampo during the seventh century on the body of the ogress which was to be tamed by the construction of temples on it`s focal points. One hundred and eight temples were built. And Kyichu Lhakhang fell on the left knee of the giant ogress.
The next visit is the National Museum situated on the hilltop overlooking the Paro Dzong ( fortress) which was the sole purpose and the valley. It exihibits a large collection of painted scrolls, along with appliqué and embroidered thangkas. It also houses a large collection of masks for the mask dances performed by the monks during the festivals in the monasteries and Dzongs. It has numerous statues and also adequate infomations on Bird life of Bhutan and other animals.
In the evening stroll around Paro town and you may visit local Bhutanese handicraft stores.
Dinner & overnight at a hotel in Paro.
Day 02: Paro –Thimphu
Distance: 54 km & estimated driving time: 1 hour
After breakfast, drive to Thimphu, which will take you through Chunzom (confluence of Pachu- the river flowing through Paro valley & Wangchu –the river flowing through Thimphu valley). On the way, stop to experience the 14th century iron suspension bridge built by Thangtong Gyalpo. Born in 1385, western Tibet, Thangtong Gyalpo is said to have built 108 iron suspension bridges in his life time.
National Memorial Chorten, chorten literally means ‘ seat of faith’ and Buddhists often call such monuments the ‘Mind of Buddha’. This Tibetan style stupa was built in 1974 to honour the memorandum of the late third King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. This is one place where the elderly locals comes to spend the day in circumambulation and chanting prayers with prayer beads.
Kuenselphodrang, The massive statue of Buddha measuring 51.5 meters, making it one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world.is located atop a hill overlooking the valley is a beautiful site to cherish.
Bhutan Postal Museum-The museum tells the story of Bhutan’s progress and development through the evolution of communications and postal system in the country. You can also get personalized Bhutanese postage stamps with your photo on them.
School of Traditional Painting of Arts and Crafts where students undertake a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan.
Folk Heritage Museum– A living museum of rural life which provides visitors and tourists with fascinating insights into the Bhutanese culture and the way of life. The Folk Heritage Museum is set inside a three storied, 19th century traditional house.
Motithang Takin Preserve.Bhutan`s national animal, Takin with the botanical name Budorcas Taxicolor Whitel associated with religious history and mythology. It is a very rare mammal with a thick neck and short muscular legs.
Tashichhoe Dzong, a fortress of the glorious religion. It was built in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel and was reconstructed into present structure by the late King, His majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the year 1962-1969. It houses the secretariat building, the throne room and the office of the king, and the central monk body.
End the day with a visit to the archery ground to witness Bhutan`s national game.
Stroll around in town and Dinner.
Day 03 : Thimphu-Punakha/Wangdue and Punakha Tours and sightseeings
Distance: 71 km & estimated driving time: 2 ½ hours
After breakfast, drive to Punakha which is about 2 and half hours drive from Thimphu. About 45 mins drive from here, we stop at Dochula Pass (3,100 mts) which offers visitors the first spectacular view of the snow capped eastern Himalayan Range consisting of peaks averaging 6000 mts to 7000mts above sea level of the virgin mountains that we treasure and preserve as sacred.
This pass is beautified with 108 chortens ( stupas ) and a cafeteria by its side
On the way, stop for lunch at Metsina village and then visit the Devine Madman’s Monastery-Chhimi Lhakhang, famously known for its fertility shrine, where one can receive a special fertility blessing. It was built by Lama Ngawang Chogyal in the honour of Lama Drukpa Kuenley who is one of Bhutan`s favourite saints and a fine example of Tibetan Buddhism of “ crazr wisdom” thus he was also called the Devine Madman.
As you step in this village you will see paintings of phalluses on the walls of the houses, flying phalluses hanging from the rooftops making it the most photographed village in Bhutan.
Lunch on the way back at a spectacularly located restaurant for the view of the village, rice fields and the monastery.
Then, drive to Punakha, which has been inextricably linked to some of the most momentous events in the Bhutanese history and deserves its reputation as one of the most beautiful and significant regions at the heart of Bhutanese culture. Punakha had served as the capital of Bhutan until 1964 and the 1st National Assembly was held there. The Dzong is historically important and stands as the symbol for a unified Bhutan.
Then visit the Punakha Dzong, located in the middle of the Pho – Chu (male river) and the Mochu (female river). The dzong was built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal (the person who unified Bhutan) to serve as the religious and administrative seat of the region. It was here that the dual system of government was introduced in the 17th century and in 1907, the enthronement of the first King Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck also took place in the hall of the Dzong.
Damaged over the centuries by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the dzong has been fully restored in the recent years by the 4th King Jigme Singye Wangchuck. At the dzong, you can see the highest standards in woodwork. It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful Dzong in Bhutan..
Overnight a hotel in Punakha.
Day 04 : Punakha-Paro
On reaching Thimphu, we visit Simtokha Dzong which is the first Dzong built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang namgyel which houses one of the most important Protector Deity of Bhutan. It is now a Shedra (College for the monks).
You can either have lunch in Thimphu or continue further to Paro for Lunch.
(You can ask your guide to book a lunch at a farm house and also experience the lifestyle of a typical farmer, if you are interested )
Visit Dumtse Lhakhang, an unusual chorten – like temple built in 1433 by the iron bridge builder Thangtong Gyalpo.The murals inside this temple is said to be one of the finest in Bhuatn and its three floors represents hell, earth and heaven.
Evening tea at the hotel.
Dinner at the hotel
Day 05 : Thimphu-Paro & A Hike to Paro Taktsang Ghoempa(Tiger’s Nest Monastery)
Apart from the beautiful valley and landscape, Paro houses one of the sacred religious monastery in Bhutan which is very popular in the Buddhist world called Taksang, ( Tiger`s Nest ).
After Breakfast we drive for less than half an hour to the parking from where we will start our hike. It`s about 3 hours hike up with a stop at the cafeteria which is halfway for tea/coffee and snacks .We hike through an ancient trail filled with water driven prayer wheels and prayer flags.
After the rest at the cafeteria for some drinks and as we ascend towards the monastery, You will see, what is an architectural wonder and why it is the most visited sight in Bhutan by both locals and tourists. The monastery stands at a sheer rock facing the valley. It is difficult to comprehend how the monastery was built in the 17th century which speaks to itself about Bhutan`s architectural strength that existed for a long time.
It is believed that Guru Padmasambhava ( The Lotus Born ) also known as the second Lord Buddha flew on a Tigress in one of it` s wrathful forms to subdue a evil spirit who was residing at the place where the monastery now stands. Guru meditated in the cave for 3 months after subduing the evil spirits. Since then many great Buddhist masters meditated in this cave which is open only once a year on the day of the Birth Anniversary of Guru which falls in June and July according to the Lunar calendar we follow.
We are not allowed to carry our cameras and mobile phones inside so we have to leave it at the Gate.
After the visit, we descend to the cafeteria for lunch and this cafeteria caters lunch cooked from the traditional wooden stove purely vegetarian but they do some eggs at times.
It`s about another one hour walk down to the parking where your car will be waiting.
Then you will drive up the Paro valley to visit Drukgyel Dzong ( in ruins), a 17th century fortress that used to keep invading Tibetan forces at bay and it was destroyed by fire in 1951.
You can drive to Town for a last minute shopping and a final stroll around in Paro town
In the evening you may relax in the traditional hot stone bath.
Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Paro.
Day 06: Departure from Paro Bhutan
After breakfast,our guide and driver from Himalayan Horizon Travels will drop you at the Paro International Airport and bid you fare well for your onward destinations.
TASHI DELEK and Thank you!