BHUTAN INTRO TOUR

You will be welcomed and received by the Guide at the airport and transfer to Hotel. Room allocation and there will be a short free time for refreshing. Then, drive to Ta Dzong (built in1656 and renovated in 1968), an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. This unusual round building architecture is said to be in the shape of a conch shell. The centerpiece of this Museum is a complex four-sided carving depicting the history of Buddhism and its propagation. One side is Sakyamuni and the great teacher Atisha, representing the Sakya School. On the next is Geylupa, one of the disciples Buddhism. Another is Nyingma lineage, the head is Guru Padmasanva, and the final is Drukpa Kagyu with the figure of Vajra Dhara. Below the museum is the Paro Rimpung Dzong (literally meaning "Heap of Jewels", built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the center of civil and religious authority in this valley. Here you can see finest example of Bhutanese architecture. En-route visit Kichu Lhakhang, built in 659 A.D by the historical famous king Srongsen Gampo. This Monastery is one of the 108 monasteries built across the Himalayan region by the King to subdue the Demons that lay across the Himalayan region. The rest of the monasteries lie in other neighboring countries. In the evening drive to the ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong, built in 1647 by the Great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father and unifier of medieval Bhutan, the dzong was destroyed by accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. Explore the ramparts and on a clear day experience an unforgettable view of Mt. Jhomolhari (7,314 m).

Dinner and overnight in Hotel at Paro.

After breakfast, go for excursion to Taktsang (Tiger's nest) Monastery. A short drive takes us to Satsam Chorten, from here a 1 hr. trek till the viewpoint of the monastery. The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. We stop for a rest and light refreshments at the Taktsang Jakhang (cafeteria) and then walk a short distance until we see, clearly and seemingly within reach, Taktsang monastery. The primary Lhakhang was built around Guru Rimpoche's meditation cave in the 1684 by the Penlop of Paro Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, flew here on the back of a flying tiger, Dorji Drolo, said to be his favorite consort.

After lunch drive to Thimphu and visit the National Memorial Chorten (1974) built in honor of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, "The Father of Modern Bhutan". Built in a typical style, there are numerous religious paintings and the complex tantric statues reflecting both the peaceful and wrathful aspects of Buddhist deities. This Chorten is also a center of worship for the people living in Thimphu . Then visit to Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan. Visit Changkha Monastery (this monastery was built in 15th century by the lama Phajo Drugom Zhipo) where the new born child of Thimphu valley are taken to receive 1st blessing from a High Lama. Drive to Mini Zoo, where Takin, the national animal of Bhutan can be seen. This particular animal is found only in the Himalayan region and the head of this animal looks like that of a goat and body of a cow/yak. Before sun set we drive to Sangay Gang view point (2685 meters) to have view of the Thimphu valley.

Dinner and Overnight in Hotel at Thimphu

After breakfast, 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). We can visit in different class rooms, where different students follows a comprehensive course that starts with drawing and progresses through painting, wood and slate curving, and statue making. Visit Traditional Medicine Institute where medicines are prepared according to ancient practices.

After lunch visit the folk Heritage Museum and Handicraft Emporium for the shopping various Bhutanese arts and crafts. In the evening drive to Paro.

Dinner and over night in Hotel at Paro

Breakfast, and drive to Airport to fly to Kathmandu.