Bhutan – Land of Thunder Dragon

Bhutan is a spectacular experience as one flies over the great peaks of the Himalayas. Paro is home to many of Bhutan’s oldest temples and monasteries. On arrival, take an orientation drive through the picturesque Paro Valley with its quaint clusters of hamlets amid terraced paddy fields. Afternoon walking tour of the markets and visit to a typical Bhutanese farmhouse.

Choose from one of the following sightseeing option:

A. Hike to Taktsang:

The trip involves walking on narrow mountain trails and some steep climb. After breakfast, drive to Satsam Chorten to begin hiking to Taktsang Monastery’s viewpoint. The terrain to the monastery climbs through beautiful pine forests. Taktsang means “Tiger’s Nest”, built around a cave where Guru Rimpoche meditated. The 8th century monastery is perched on a rock overlooking a sheer drop and clings seemingly impossibly to a cliff of rock at 9678 feet above the valley floor. Stop at local villages on the way. Afternoon, visit Ta Dzong National Museum, one of the best in Asia; whose exhibits include an ancient watch tower and a fine collection of natural and historic artifacts, old Thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons. Later, walk through the market followed by a visit to a typical Bhutanese farm house

B. City Tour:

Visit Kyichu Lhakhang, said to have been built by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet in 659, Satsam Chorten and Rinpung Dzong also known as the Fortress of the Heap of Jewels, the old ruined fortress of Drugyel Dzong an ancient monastic and administrative complex/fortress, from the ramparts of which the Bhutanese repelled Tibetan invaders. On a clear day, you will be overawed by the sight of the 24,000 feet white-domed peak of the sacred Mt Jhomolhari that looms overhead. Afternoon, visit Ta Dzong National Museum, one of the best in Asia; whose exhibits include an ancient watch tower and a fine collection of natural and historic artifacts, old Thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons. Later, walk through the market followed by a visit to a typical Bhutanese farm house.

This morning, drive through spectacular mountain vistas and peaceful countryside to Thimphu, a small, charming capital city in the heart of the Himalayas at 8,500 feet. After lunch, visit the Memorial Chorten, built in 1974 in memory of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, exhibiting a multi-storied stupa and numerous paintings providing a rare insight into Buddhist philosophy. The National Library, houses a vast collection of ancient Buddhist Manuscripts, the Academy of medicine, the Indigenous Medicine Hospital, where herbal medicine, acupuncture and the ancient art of healing is practiced. Visit The Folk Heritage Museum and National Textile Museum. Thangkha Painting School is where young students learn the traditional arts and crafts.

Leaving Thimphu, the road climbs steeply through a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochula pass (3,050 meters). This pass offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges, descending along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha (1,350 meters). En route stop at Simtokha Dzong built in 1629 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, a theological university. Today, it is the winter seat of Je- Khenpo (the Chief Abbot) and the Central Monk Body. Visit Punakha Dzong (1250 meters), built in 1637 by the first Shabdrung of Bhutan, Ngawang Namgyal, serving as a religious and administrative center of Bhutan. Stroll through the town market before returning to Thimphu.

Visit the Zilukha Nunnery, meet with Buddhist nuns to learn about their life and Buddhism. Visit the Mini Zoo to see the Golden Takins, Bhutan’s national animal. Stop at a traditional paper factory where paper is made from Daphnia and Edgeworthia shrub. Visit a silver and goldsmith village. Time to shop at the Handicrafts Emporium to buy traditional crafts and textiles also wander through Thimphu’s bazaar.

After breakfast, travel overland to Paro.