Travelling and visiting the very best of the happiness kingdom, in a most relax and leisurely pace, including the spiritual journey to experience inner happiness and opportunity to learn about Bhutanese culture and history …. Where you will feel and experience the true Bhutanese lifestyle.
Tour Highlights
- Visit National Memorial Chorten
- Visit Tashichhodzong
- Visit the largest statues of Buddha in the world
- Visit Weaving centre
- Visit Changangkha Lhakhang
- Visit Takin Zoo
- Visit Zorigchusum School
- Visit National Library
- Visit Farmers Market
- Visit Hand Made Paper Factory
- Visit Simtokha Dzong
- Visit Druk Wangyal Chorten and Lhakhang
- Visit Chimi Lhakhang
- Visit Punakha Dzong
- Visit Gangtey Monastery
- Visit Pelela pass and Chendebji chorten
- Visit Trongsa Dzong and Taa Dzong
- Explore Bumthang valley
- Visit Jambay Lhakhang
- Visit Kurjet Lhakhang
- Visit Tamshing Lhakhang
- Visit Jakar Dzong
- Explore Chamkhar valley
- A day excursion to Ura valley
- Visit Mebarsho (Burning Lake)
- Witness Mt. Gangkhar Puensum.
- Visit traditional weaving house and explore traditional texitle Uathra etc.
- Visit Paro Taa Dzong and Rinpung Dzong
- Visit Kyichu Lhakhang.
- Excursion to Taktsang Monastery or Tigers Nest.
Day-1. Arrive to Paro. Drive on to Thimphu
The first gift from Bhutan will be the cool, clean fresh 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 – Gangtey Valley.
Today we start early and drive towards Gangtey; Gangtey is one of the few glacial valleys in Bhutan and chosen home of Black necked crane which migrate from the center Asiatic plateau to escape its harsh winters. Explore Gangtey and also visit to Gangtey Monastery, the only Nyingmapa Monastery in Western Bhutan.
(Dinner & overnight at hotel)
Day-5. Gangtey to Bumthang Valley.
After early breakfast we drive to Bumthang Valley across Pele la pass (3,300m), the traditional boundary between east and west. Chendebji chorten built in 18th century by a lama named Shida; it is Nepalese in style with eyes painted at four cardinal points. Upon arrival at Trongsa valley we will visit the Trongsa Dzong, the largest in Bhutan and built in 1647 that houses the local administration and the monastic body. Ancestral home of the ruling dynasty. In olden days the dzong commended the passage between east and west Bhutan. We also visit the Ta Dzong, and ancient watch tower, above the main Dzong, which is now converted into a Museum. After that we will continue our drive crossing the Yotong la pass (3,400m) to Bumthang valley.
(Dinner & Overnight at the hotel)
Day-6. Bumthang sights.
After breakfast we will visit the sights, Bumthang valley (described as “one of the most beautiful spot in the Himalayas” this lovely valley is the religious hard land of the nation and home to some of its oldest Buddhist temples and monasteries. Tales of Guru Padmasambhava and the Tertons (“Religious treasures- discoverers”) still linger in this secret region. We will spend the day with visits and hikes to some of the most important Buddhist sights of the kingdom. Our journey takes us to the Jambey Lhakhang: This Lhakhang was built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo. It is one of 108 monasteries which he built to subdue evil spirits in the Himalayan region. Its present architecture appearance dates from the early 20th century. A short walk from there on will take us to the Kurje Lhakhang: located further along the valley, Kurje Lhakhang comprises three temples. The one on the right was built in 1652 against the rock face where Guru PadmaSambhava mediated in 8th century.
The middle temple is built on the side of a cave containing a rock with the imprint of the Gurus body and is therefore considered to be the most holy. The temple on the left was built by Ashi Kesang the queen mother. These three temples are surrounded by 108 chorten walls. We then move on toward the Tamshing Lhakhang: located across the river from Kurje Lhakhang, this temple was founded in 1501 by Terton Pema Lingpa, a re-incarnation of Guru Padmasambhava. There are very old religious paintings around the inner walls of the temples which were restored at the end of the 19th century.
We end our walk here and the drive back to the hotel for lunch.
After lunch, we will on to the Jakar Dzong: constructed in 1549 by the great grandfather of the Zhabdrung, the Dzong was initially built as a monastery. It was upgraded in 1646, after the Zhabdrung had firmly established his power. Jakar Dzong is now used as the administrative center for Bumthang valley, and also houses the regional monk body. Spent rest of the day leisurely in the small town of Chamkhar.
(Dinner & Overnight at the hotel)
Day-7. Bumthang (Ura Valley Excursion).
From Jakar to Ura is about 48 km (one and half hours’ drive) en-route we will stop by to visit the famous Mebartsho: locally known as the burning lake. Legend has it that the great master Terton (Discoverer of Buddhist treasures) jumped into this river with a burning lamp and re-emerged with the lamp still burning. We will continue our journey; the road climbs through amazingly open countryside, only occasionally running into forest. Sheep pastures line the road up to 20 km. behind the southern tip of the Tang valley. The road crosses Sherthang la pass (3,600m), on the approach to which there is a magnificent view of Mt. Gangkhar Puensum. Village in Ura have clustered houses, which is quite unusual in Bhutan. Above Ura Village (3,100m) there is a new temple is dedicated to Guru Rinpoche. Inaugurated in 1986, it contains a huge statue of the Guru and remarkable wall paintings of the cycle of his teachings. There’s a short hike from the pass down to the village of Ura.
Within the last 25 years Ura has been transformed from a marginal community to a prosperous valley. Later in the afternoon, we will drive back to Jakar.
(Dinner & Overnight at the hotel)
Day-8. Bumthang – Punakha.
Route back we will stop at Chumey valley to visit a traditional weaving house, were locals weave traditional textile call Yathra by using yak and sheep wool, which is originated from the valley itself. We will follow the road towards Punakha, whereby we will have a pit stop at Yotong la pass (3,410m) to stretch enjoy the fresh air and scenic beauty of the lower valley and Black Mountain in the further Southwest. Drive again through Trongsa valley and across Pele la pass (3,400m) to Punakha.
(Dinner & Overnight at the hotel)
Day-9. 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-10. 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-11. Fly Out.
After an early breakfast in the hotel, than we drive to the airport for flight to onward destination.