Day
01. ARRIVE PARO AND PROCEED TO THIMPHU This morning ensure to reach
the airport atleast 2 hours prior to the departure time of the flight. 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. Upon arrival our
representative will meet you at the airport and he will be your tour guide
for the entire trip. After keeping your baggage in coach, proceed to
Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. The road runs down through the valley, to
Chuzom (Confluence) at the entrance to the valley, where the Paro –
Thimphu rivers meet at Chuzom. Three Chortens on the riverbank at this
place, each in different style, mark the confluence of two rivers. Shortly
before reaching Chuzom, you will see on your left
Tschogang Lhakhang, “the
temple of the excellent horse”. It is a private temple, built in
15th century, as the result of visitation from Balaha, the excellent horse,
a manifestation of Chenrezig, the compassionate Buddha. The road passes
along a narrow valley with high, rocky cliffs on the left, and then the
valley opens out into farmland on the approach to Thimphu. Upon arrival in
Thimphu, check in at your hotel and relax for sometime. In the evening you
could just walk around the town to get the feel of it. Dinner will be served
in the hotel.
Stay overnight in Thimphu.
Day 02. THIMPHU - DOCHULA PASS - PUNAKHAThis
morning after the breakfast, proceed for the tour of Thimphu city. Start the
tour with
Memorial Chorten built in memory of the late King; Visit
the
handicrafts Centre School of Fine Arts (Thangka painting and
other traditional arts) where the traditional arts are being revived by the
government, also visit the
Indigenous Medicine Hospital, where
herbal medicine, acupuncture and the ancient art of healing that was passed
down from Tibet is still being practised today. Enjoy your lunch either at
the hotel or at the famous Pizzeria or at the oldest Swiss Bakery. In the
afternoon take
a scenic drive on the mountain route towards the
former capital of Bhutan, passing through
Dochula pass (Alt: 10,000ft).
Soon you reach Dochula Pass at 10,000 feet where a large
Chorten and
a forest of
prayer flags greet you. On a clear day you can view an
endless chain of Himalayan Peaks such as Gangar Punsum (24,000 ft), the
highest unclimbed peak in the world, Ganchenta, Teri gang, table mountain
among other all above 20,000 ft. On the way down you will see the
magnificent
Punakha Dzong, the winter residence of the Je Khenpo and
the monks of Tashichhodzong. Upon arrival check in at the hotel and
thereafter, visit the
Punakha Dzong, the winter residence of the Je
Khenpo and the monks of Tashichhodzong.
The Dzong is situated at the
confluence of two mighty glacial rivers,
the Mo Chu and Pa Chu,
which descend from the lofty heights of the Himalayas, and was the capital
of the kingdom in olden times. Dinner will be served in the hotel.
Stay overnight in Punakha.
Day 03. PUNAKHA - THIMPHU - PAROThis morning after an early
breakfast
hike on to
Chhimi Lhakhang situated near the river
on a small plateau. It was built by the famous "divine madman"
Drukpa Kuenley; a famous pilgrim site for infertile women who wish to bear
children. Thereafter drive back to Paro, enroute stopping at Thimphu for
lunch and remaining sightseeing. After the lunch proceed to visit
Changgangkha
temples; Drubthrob nunnery; Folk and Textile museums; and then visit the
Tashichhodzong, seat of the Royal Government and Central Monastic Body,
it was rebuilt in the early 1960's after a fire destroyed most of the
building. The amazing thing about this building is that it was built without
a single drawing or a single nail! After the visit, drive down for an hour
and reach the Paro valley. This evening is free for you to relax or just go
down the city centre and walk around. Dinner will be served in the hotel.
Stay
overnight in Paro.
Day 04. IN PAROThis
morning after breakfast, we hike up to
Taktsang monastery (The Tiger’s
Nest), for people unaccustomed to the altitude it takes about three
hours at an average walking speed to reach the temples. Enroute stop at
teahouse for a refreshing drink and have an excellent view of the monastery.
The path may at times appear to somewhat hair-raising but it is well defined
and there is no danger whatever of falling off. Taktsang monastery is one of
the most venerated pilgrim sites of the Himalayan world and it contains 13
holy places.
Taktsang, the “Tiger’s Lair”, gets its
name from the story of its foundation. In the 8th century, Guru Rinpoche
came to Taktsang in a miraculous manner, flying on the back of a tigress
from Khenpajong in the region of Kurteop. According to Bhutanese tradition,
the tigress was a form taken by one of the Master’s consorts for the
occasion.
Guru Rinpoche meditated for three months in a cave at
Taktsang and converted the Paro valley to Buddhism. Lunch will be served in
Takstang cafeteria. Return walk is all down hill and takes about one
& half – hour. In the afternoon proceed to northern part of the
valley to
Drukgyel Dzong ruins that was once a strategic post to
withhold invading Tibetan forces from the north. Thereafter visit the
Ta
Dzong, originally built as watchtower, which now houses
National
Museum. The extensive collection included antique Thangka paintings,
textiles, weapons & Armour, household object and a rich assortment of
natural and historic artifacts. Later visit the
Paro Dzong, also called
Rinpung Dzong –
Fortress of a Mountain of Jewels, which is
now the seat of administration and an institute for monks Dinner will be
served in the hotel.
Stay overnight in Paro.
Day
05. LEAVE PAROThis morning in time proceed to airport to board Druk
Air flight for onward destination.
