Glance of Bhutan
4 DAYS
Highlights
- Splendor of Bhutanese Art, culture, traditions, architecture, flora and Fauna amongst others.
- Pristine environment with forest coverage enveloping almost all parts of the country, life style of people and the living art and architecture epitomized in Bhutanese Handicraft and textile industry.
Day 1 : Delhi / Kathmandu /Bangkok/Singapore– Paro
Arrive at Paro international Airport. The flight will be a breathtaking experience as you will be able to see the treasures of the Himalayas, embodied in majestic forms, such as Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, Jumolhari, Mount Jichu Drake and others. The landing at Paro is considered challenging, which will thus make you have an enthralling experience as only about a dozen pilots are licensed to fly in.
Representative from Himalayan Horizon Travels will meet you at the airport. 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 will visit Paro Dzong (Fortress on a heap of jewel).Built in the 17th century which houses the monastic body of Paro and houses the Office of the governor of Paro. It’s a great view of the beautiful and charming Paro valley with the Glacial river running down south.
It will be about more than an hour`s drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan.
Upon reaching hotel, tea/coffee with snacks will be served as a welcome drinks.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight : Thimphu Hotel
Day 2 : Thimphu
It can be said that Thimphu is Bhutan in a miniscule. People from all parts of Bhutan live in the capital. The capital also houses the treasures of Bhutan.
Our excursion of Thimphu starts with a visit to Memorial Chorten (Stupa) built in the memory of the late third king of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk in 1973.
The next stop will be at Kuenselphodrang, where construction of the biggest Buddha statue in the country is near completion and from here we can have a good view of Thimphu valley stretching to the North with the Thimphu Dzong ( Fortress) as the spot light and Simtokha Dzong (Fortress) to the south.
Changangkha monastery built in the 12th century will be our next destination. This will be followed by a visit to the Takin Zoo, Takin is the national animal of Bhutan and is one of the endangered species of animal thus supported by the WWF. Then we stopped at a Nunnery from where we can get the best view of the the Thimphu Dzong ( Fortress ) in a celluloid.
After Lunch, we will be visiting the Handicraft Emporium and a souvenir shop for some shopping followed by an Archery match which is our national game.
We will have a stroll around in Thimphu town, the capital city of Bhutan before leaving for the visit to Trashichodzong (Thimphu Dzong) at 5 pm, which is the most important landmark of Thimphu. This massive structure houses the office of the King and the throne room. It is the summer residence of the monastic body and also houses the headquarters of different ministries of Bhutan.
Dinner at the Hotel
Halt : Thimphu Hotel
Day 3 : Thimphu – Paro
It`s about more than an hour`s drive to Paro but on the way we visit Simtokha Dzong, the oldest Dzong built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1629. It houses the Shedra ( College for the monks ). There was an Tibetan invasion in this Dzong which was defeated by the supernatural powers of Zhabdrung. It has an overlooking view of Thimphu valley from the south and the first king of Bhutan also ruled from this Dzong.
On the way before reaching Paro we stop at Chuzom (The place where rivers meet) ,Thimphu river and Paro river meets here before flowing south where we have the first Hydro Power of Bhutan built.
And about 10 mins drive , we have an Iron Suspension Bridge which is about 600 years old built by Thangtong Gyalpo, the Leonardo Da Vinci from our side of the world. He is considered as a reincarnation of God of Wisdom. He was the one who composed the Tibetan Oprah, discovered treasures, built monasteries, built 108 iron suspension bridges and lived till the age of 125 years.
Upon reaching Paro, we have lunch in town.
After lunch we visit the oldest temple in Bhutan Kyichu Lhakhang built in the 7th century by a Tibetan King , Songtsen Gyampo. This temple is a very sacred temple in Bhutan and the Bhutanese believe that they must visit this once in their life time.
Before we check in the Hotel, we will have a stop in town to buy the needs for the hike tomorrow to the Tiger`s nest which will definitely be one of the highlights of your trip in our country.
Tea / coffee with snacks as a Welcome drink.
Dinner at the Hotel
Day 4 : Taksang ( Tiger`s Nest)
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 for some tea/coffee and snacks which is halfway.
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 get nearer to the monastery, You will see, what is an architectural wonder and why this 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 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 opened 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 our car will be waiting. We can drive to Town for for a last minute shopping and a final stroll around.
( You can experience the Hot Stone Bath if you want to but for this you have to inform your Guide from Day 3rd so he can organize it. We believe that it cures muscle aches and joint pains.)
Tea/coffee with snacks on reaching the Hotel.
Dinner at The Hotel.
Day 5 : Departure
After breakfast, our representatives will drive you to the airport and bid you farewell.
We wish you a safe journey back home and Happy Life ahead.
Tashi- Delek” (Thank you and Farewell)