Fly into Paro by, Bhutan’s National Airlines. The great snow-capped peaks of the inner Himalayas rise up to the heavens can be seen during clear weather. As the plane approaches Bhutan, if you look down farmhouses as dots on the hillsides can be seen.
As the aircraft enters the Paro valley, you will see Paro Dzong on the hillside overlooking the Paro Chu (river), with Ta Dzong, formerly a watchtower and now the National Museum, above it. You will be received by the representative from World Tour Plan, who will be your Bhutan travel guide throughout your tour. Drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan, which takes approx. 1hr, check into a hotel. After getting refreshed visit to the National Memorial Chorten built in 1974, to honor our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. We will then visit the National Library, stocked with ancient Buddhist manuscripts, and the Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thangkas (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls). After lunch or light snacks, we drive towards Traditional Medicine Institute where medicines are prepared according to ancient practices. Other highlights include a visit to the Tashichho Dzong, the seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). We drive to Simtokha Dzong; the oldest Dzong of Bhutan built by Shabdrung in the year 1627 and finally visit the Handicrafts Emporium followed by shopping for souvenirs in the shops of Thimphu town. Overnight stay in Thimpu.After breakfast, drive to Punakha via Dochula pass. If the weather is clear, we stop for a while at Dochula pass to view Higher Himalayas. On the way, stop a while to view Chimi Lhakhang, which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley in the 15th century. He subdued the demons with his “Magical Thunderbolt”. The Temple is also known as “the Temple of Fertility”.
Lunch at Punakha. After lunch, visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal which is situated between Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the Government. The construction of the Dzong was foretold by Guru Rimpoche, who predicted, “...a person named Namgyal will arrive at a hill that looks like an elephant”. There was a smaller building here called Dzong Chu (Small Dzong) that housed a statue of Buddha. It is said that Shabdrung ordered the architect, Zowe Palep, to sleep in front of the statue, while Palep was sleeping; the Shabdrung took him in his dreams to Zangtopelri and showed him the palace of Guru Rimpoche. From his vision, the architect conceived the design for the new Dzong, which in keeping with the tradition, was never committed to paper. The Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). The war materials captured during the battle with Tibetans are preserved here. Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the new national Assembly here in 1952. Overnight stay in Punakha.After breakfast drive to the valley of Wangdiphodrang. We will visit the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong which was founded by the Zhabdrung in 1638 atop a high ridge between the Punak Tsang Chhu and the Dang Chhu.
Drive further to Limbukha village which is accessible by feeder road from Punakha and Wangdue. Limbukha farmers are known for growing Bhutan's famous red rice which is supposed to have medicinal values. Limbukha is also known for its love of peace and tranquillity. In the late afternoon, hike to Khamsum Yuley Chorten. Khamsum Yuley Namgay Chorten was built in the 1990s and took a period of nearly 10 years. It majestically located on a ridge, with amazing views of the countryside. It is located in the idyllic countryside north of Punakha; about 30 minutes’ drive from town. From the parking, it is another 45 minutes uphill walk through the rice fields and the return portion downhill takes around 30 minutes. After return walk back, there is an option to walk along the riverside, following the ancient trail that goes through farmlands, homes, Sonagasa village and arrives near Punakha Dzong. This extra walk takes another two hours or so. It is particularly interesting for those interested in birding and to enjoy the walk viewing the countryside. Overnight stay in Punakha.After early breakfast, drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan, check into the hotel. After getting refreshed visit Changangkha Lhakhang which is an old fortress-like temple and monastic school perched on a ridge above Thimphu, south-east of Motithang. It was established in the 12th century on a site chosen by Lama Phajo Drukgom Shigpo. There is an excellent view of Thimphu from the courtyard.
After lunch drive to Buddha Dordenma Statue, this massive statue of Shakyamuni measures at a height of 51.5 meters, making it one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world. The Buddha Dordenma is located atop a hill in Kuenselphodrang Nature Park and overlooks the Southern entrance to Thimphu Valley. Overnight stay in Thimpu.After an early breakfast, we will be driving to Paro and after completing the check-in formalities and getting refreshed its time for exploring the beautiful township. We start our Paro tour by visiting Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower, which has been, since 1967, the national museum of Bhutan; and then visit Rimpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. In the afternoon, visit the Drukgyel Dzong, now in ruins was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate the victory over the Tibetan invaders in 1644. The evening is at your leisure.
Overnight stay in Paro.After breakfast, hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’. The climb up to the viewpoint will take around 1 1⁄2 hours and from there you will enjoy a spectacular view of the monastery clinging to the side of the cliff. Stop for refreshment at the View Point Cafeteria. Then walk further up to the monastery which will take about 1 hour. The principal Lhakhang (monastery) of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. After visiting the monastery, walk back down to the road on the way stop for lunch at the viewpoint cafeteria and then walk further down to the road point. On the way visit Kichu temple, one of the 108 temples built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. The evening is for your own leisure.
Overnight stay in Paro.After the breakfast, our representatives will bid a fond farewell to the magical kingdom in the sky and wish you a happy journey back home. Depart for Paro airport for your onward flight with full of Bhutanese nostalgia.
At zerodegreel
every moment will someday make you look back and want to experience it all over again.
