The Glimpse of Happy Bhutan will take you to the fascinating, mysterious and beautiful land. This will help you to experience inner peace, out of busy world. Get to know people, its rich culture and the history different from your world, which will make you, feel immensely refreshing

Day-1. Arrive to Paro. Drive on to Thimphu

The first gift from Bhutan will be the cool, clean fresh air as you step out of the plane. After completing your visa formalities and immigrations, you will be greeted by our representative in a traditional way. We will continue on out of the airport and drive on to Thimphu (2300m/7,900ft approx). The capital town of Bhutan and the center of government, religion and commerce, Thimphu is a lively place, an interesting combination of tradition and modernity. Home to civil servants, expatriates and the monk body, Thimphu maintains a strong national character in its architectural style. It’s about an hour and half drive to Thimphu, and upon reaching Thimphu, check in to the hotel, and after a brief rest we will visit the:

National Memorial Chorten: The building of this chorten was originally the idea of His Majesty the third Druk Gyelpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (“the father of modern Bhutan”) who had wish to built a monument to world peace and prosperity, but was unable to give shape to his wish in his lifetime due to pressures of state. After His Majesty’s untimely death in 1972, his mother and Cabinet resolved to fulfill his wishes and erect a memorial that would perpetuate his memory and also serve as a monument to peace. The National Memorial Chorten was consecrated on July 28, 1974. The finely executed wall paintings and delicately fashioned statues within the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy.

Tashichhodzong: The “fortress of the glorious religion” was built in 1641 by Founder of Bhutanese state Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and rebuilt by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk in the 1960’s. Tashichhodzong houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body. It is open to visitors during the Thimphu Tsechu (Festival held in autumn) and while the monk body is resident in its winter quarters in Punakha. And later spend the evening strolling through the city center.

(Dinner & overnight at the hotel)

Day-2. Thimphu sights.

We will begin our day’s sights with a visit to the following sites:

Buddha Point: This massive statue of Shakyamuni measuring 51 meters, making it one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world.

The statue is made of bronze and is gilded in gold. 125,000 smaller Buddha’s statue has been placed within the Buddha Dordenma statue, 100,000 8inche tall and 25,000 12inch tall statues respectively. Each of these thousands of Buddha’s has also been cast in bronze and gilded. The throne that the Buddha Dordenma sits upon is a large mediation hall. The Buddha Dordenma is located atop a hill in Kuenselphodrang Nature Park and overlooks the Southern entrance to Thimphu Valley. The statue fulfills an ancient prophecy dating back to the 8th century A.D that was discovered by Terton Pema Lingpa (Religious Treasure Discoverer) and is said to emanate an aura of peace and happiness to the entire world.

Weaving centre: Is at the south end of Thimphu produces authentic Bhutanese hand- woven textiles. You can watch weavers at work (not Sunday) and photos are allowed. A finely embroidered kira can take nine months.

Changangkha Lhakhang: Founded and built by great Buddhist master in 12th century, this popular temple, perched like a fortress on a ridge above central Thimphu, hums with pilgrim activity…parents traditionally come here to get auspicious names for their newborns or blessings to their young children from the protector deity Tamdrin.

The Takin: Royal government of Bhutan choose this takin as National animal of Bhutan in 1985.The takin is preserve in the motithang area of Thimphu, this animal is the native of Bhutan, Myanmar, China. The takin is docile creatures whose unique appearance attracts special attention. Local legends attribute the creation of these animals in Bhutan by 15th century saint name Drukpa Kuenly popularly known as the Divine madman.

Zorigchusum: (thirteen arts and craft) this institute, commonly known as “painting school,’ operates four-to-six year’s courses that provide instruction in Bhutan’s thirteen traditional arts. Where the students are train in different fields of arts and craft. Than just walk down to the Folk Heritage museum is set inside a three storied, 19th century traditional house.

National Library: was established in 1969 and is relocated in new Bhutanese style building inaugurated in 1984. It contains an important collection of foreign books of Bhutan, the Himalaya and Buddhism as well as a unique and very rich series of Bhutanese and Tibetan books, manuscripts and xylographs. Also library has famous largest book in the world.

To explore the Bhutanese Authentic craft product we visit Craft Market is located in the heart of the Thimphu city, it has thankas, bamboo wears, textiles, woodcarving, jewelry, books, pottery, traditional boots and all kinds of Bhutanese souvenirs.

Farmers Market: people from across the country (especially from the west parts of the country) come to Thimphu to sell agriculture produce and a whole gamut of goods in the market, farmers market is a place where people from all walks of life , congregate to buy the entire weeks rations. Besides being apparently exotic, some vegetables and fruits are mouth –watering and delectable.

Hand Made Paper Factory: uses traditional methods to produce the authentic Bhutanese paper known as Deh-sho. The factory uses the bark of two tree species, the Daphne tree and Dhekap tree in the manufacture of traditional paper. Visitors can observe the entire process of producing handmade paper using ancient traditional methods that have been practiced for generations. You can even try your hand at this ancient craft and make some paper of your very own as a souvenir. Deh-sho was originally used by monasteries for woodblock and manuscript books and also for writing prayer books.

(Dinner & overnight at the hotel)

Day-3. Depart to Punakha.

After breakfast in route to Punakha will stop at Simtokha Dzong: The name Simtokha literally means “Atop a Demon” and the legend associated with the dzong’s construction tells us that it was built in order to subdue an evil spirit that was a harassing travelers’ in the region.

It was constructed in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal; it is the oldest dzong in Bhutan. The dzong was modeled after the Gyal Gyad Tshel Institute of Ralung (Tibet) and is quite distinctive as its Utse or central tower has twelve sights. Now we will drive up to Dochu-la pass (3,088 m/10,130ft) stopping briefly here to take in the view and admire the chorten, money walls, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road. If skies are clear, the high Himalayan peaks, towards the north east will be revealed in all their glory. On a clear day, the following peaks can be seen from this pass ( left to right ) Masagang (7,158m), Tsendegang (6,960m), Terigang(7,060m), Jejegangphugang (7,158m), Kangphugang(7,170m), Zongaphugang(7,060m) a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana, and finally, the Gangkhar Puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan (7,497 m).

After crossing the Dochu la pass, we reach the village of Lobesa, where we will hike to the nearby Chimi Lhakhang, a temple dedicated to the “divine madman”, and eccentric monk from the 15th century famous for his many amusing, Rabelaisian folk lore stories. From there on Punakha Dzong: Punakha dzong is the most beautiful dzong’s in the country built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1637. It is located between two rivers Phochu (Male River) and Mochu (Female River). It is the winter residence for the Central Monk Body and Administration center for the district and also it was old capital of Bhutan till 1951.

(Dinner & Overnight at the Hotel)

Day-4. Punakha to Paro.

We will retrace our steps back towards Paro valley. En-route we will stop at Dochu la Pass for while and continue, upon reaching Paro we will visit the Ta Dzong, formerly a watchtower and now the National Museum. The museum collection includes ancient Bhutanese art and artifacts, weapons, coins, stamps and a small natural history collection.

Then walk down a hillside trail to visit the Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) situated at a commanding height overlooking Paro valley. Built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646, this Dzong now houses Paros’ monk body and the offices of the civil administration and is symbolic as the religious and secular center of all affairs of the valley. Further towards north of Paro town the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang: one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo. The building of this temple marks the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan.

(Dinner & Overnight at the hotel)

Day-5. Taktsang (Tigers’ Nest) Excursion.

In the morning, take an excursion to Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tigers’ Nest. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche, founding father of the Bhutanese form of Mahayana Buddhism, arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery.

The main structure was severely damaged by fire in 1998, but after many years of painstaking restoration work, the complex has now been fully restored to its former glory. Upon our return from the hike, visit a traditional farmhouse for an opportunity to interact with a local family and learn something of their lifestyle. Later, Take a walk and stroll along the main streets of Paro town for a few handicrafts shops.

(Dinner & Overnight at the hotel)

Day-5. Fly Out.

After an early breakfast in the hotel, than we drive to the airport for flight to onward destination.

Tashi Delek