Wild – In Nepal

December 1, 2017

Bhutan At A Glance

December 10, 2017

Published by admin at December 10, 2017

Shangrila Bhutan

Customizable Tour: 5 Nights 6 Days

Bhutan is a traveler’s paradise, particularly for those who are seeking to take a break in the lap of nature. Covered in lush green forests, home to gushing waterfalls and rivers and the perfect spot to just sit by and view the spectacular Himalayan Ranges, Bhutan is stunning in every sense of the word.

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day Wise

Day 1 – Bhutan Welcomes You (Arrival in Paro)

Fly into the Himalayas with Druk Air, Bhutan’s National Air Carrier. The green walls of the hills known as doors or gateways, into Bhutan from the plains of India rise ever higher as the plane flies north towards the Tibetan border. Silvery rivers rush along the valleys, waterfalls plunge down the forested mountainsides, and to the north, the great snowcapped peaks of the inner Himalayas rise up to the heavens. Farmhouses dot the hillsides on either side of the plane.

As the aircraft enters the Paro valley, look down and you will see the Paro Dzong on the hillside overlooking Paro Chu (river) with Ta Dzong, formerly a watchtower and now the National Museum, above it.

Received by our representative at the airport and transfer to Thimphu, the modern capital town of Bhutan.

Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu. (Meals included – Dinner)

Day 2 – Thimphu

After breakfast, sightseeing in Thimphu valley including a visit to the following: the National Library, housing an extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts; the Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the Painting School) where students undergo a 6-year training course in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts. Later visit Textile and Folk Heritage Museum, a fascinating testimony of the Bhutanese material culture and living traditions.

After lunch, visit King’s Memorial Chorten continuously circumambulated by people, murmuring mantras and spinning their prayer wheels. Construction of this landmark was the idea of Bhutan’s third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (“the father of modern Bhutan”) who has wished to erect a monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it serves both as a memorial to the Late King and as a monument to peace.

Then, visit the government-run Handicrafts Emporium and local crafts shops, to browse through example of Bhutan’s fine traditional arts. Here you can buy hand-woven textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings, jewelry, interesting items made from local materials.

Evening visit Trashichhoedzong, “fortress of the glorious religion”. This is the center of government and religion, site of monarch’s throne room and seat of Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built-in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was reconstructed in the 1960s in traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans.

Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu. (Meals included – Breakfast & Dinner)

Day 3 – Thimphu/ Punakha ( 75 Km, 3 hours drive)

After early breakfast, drive up to Dochu-la pass (3,088m/ 10,130 ft) stopping briefly here to take in the view and admire the chorten, mani wall, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road. If skies are clear, the following peaks can be seen from this pass (left to right): Masagang (7,158m), Tsendagang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m ), Jejegangphugang (7,158 m ), Kangphugang (7,170 m ), Zongphugang (7, 060 m ), a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana – finally Gangkar puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m.

Later visit Punakha Dzong, Built strategically at the junction of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative center of the region, Punakha Dzong has played an important role in Bhutan’s history. Damaged by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the Dzong has been fully restored by the present King.

After that drive to Wangduephodrang visiting Dzong and local market. The district of Wangduephodrang is also famous for its bamboo products, slate and stone carvings.

Overnight at the hotel in Punakha. (Meals included – Breakfast & Dinner)

Day 4 – Punakha / Paro (125 km, approx 4 hours drive)

After breakfast drive to Paro en route visit Simtokha Dzong. This dzong, built in 1627 is the oldest in Bhutan. It now houses the Institute for Language and Culture Studies.

Afternoon in Paro, visit Ta Dzong, once a watchtower, built to defend Rinpung Dzong during inter-valley wars of the 17th century, Ta Dzong was inaugurated as Bhutan’s National Museum in 1968.

Afterwards, walk down a hillside trail to visit Rinpung Dzong. Built-in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal , the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan, the Dzong houses the monastic body of Paro, the office of the Dzongda (district administrative head) and Thrimpon (judge) of Paro district. The approach to the Dzong is a traditional covered bridge called Nemi Zam.

Overnight at the hotel in Paro. (Meals included – Breakfast & Dinner)

Day 5 – Paro

After breakfast drives up the valley to view the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong. It was from here that the Bhutanese repelled several invading Tibetan armies during the 17th century.

Then take an excursion to Taktsang Monastery, the most famous of Bhutanese monasteries. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery hence it is called “Tiger’s Nest”. The excursion to monastery takes about 5 hours for round trip.

While return to Paro town visits en route Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom.

Overnight at the hotel in Paro. (Meals included – Breakfast & Dinner)

Day 6 – Depart Paro

After early breakfast at the hotel, drive to the airport for flight to your onward destination. Our representative will help you with exit formalities and then bid you farewell.

(Meals included – Breakfast)

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About Destination

Paro

Located in the Paro Valley of Bhutan, the eponymous town of Paro is dotted with several historical sites. Paro is the perfect destination for anyone who prefers to spend time by themselves in the lap of nature, far from the madding crowd. The main street is adorned with colorful wooden shops, houses, and restaurants. The Taktsang Palphug Monastery popularly known as Paro Taktsang is a Buddhist temple situated in the upper portion of the Paro Valley and is a beautiful monastery. Guru Padmasambhava, who introduced Buddhism to Bhutan, meditated here for three years, three months, three weeks, three days and three hours. You will be able to witness the famous dzong style of architecture if you visit Rinpung Dzong, which is an intricate wooden structure made of large beams that are held together without a single nail! The National Museum of Bhutan is actually a ‘ ta dzong’ (meaning Watchtower) that was later renovated to host the museum. Shaped like a conch shell, the museum has an excellent collection of Buddhist thangkas. However, note that you will not be allowed to enter with a camera, but you can click pictures of the building and its surrounding areas.