Bhutan; Nature, Culture & Heritage

The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular of all mountain flights. One can see Mt. Everest, Kanchen Junga, Makalu and other peaks in Bhutan such as Jhomulhari and Jichu Drake. The first gift from Bhutan will be the cool, clean fresh air as you step out of the plane. Your Bhutanese escort from Bhutan will greet you on arrival, and then drive you the short distance to the hotel Olathang. Paro is a picturesque valley with quaint clusters of hamlets amid terraced paddy fields. Although the site of the nation’s first airport Paro still retains tradition by way of architecture and farming. Afternoon drive to visit National Museum,Ta dzong, an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. The museum boasts antique thangka, textiles, weapons and armour, household objects and rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts. Below the Museum is the Paro Rinpung Dzong, built in 17th century to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The dzong is now used as an administration centre and school for monks.The evening ends with a walk through Paro’s main shopping district. Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast drive the winding road to the Drukgyal Dzong, the ruined fort, which was once defended this valley from Tibetan invasions and on your way back visit Kyichu Lhakhang one of the oldest temple in Bhutan (7th century). Lunch served at a restaurant in Paro town. After lunch visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. This dzong was converted into the National Museum in 1968. The museum boasts antique thangka, textiles, weapons and armour, household objects and rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts. We also visit the Rinpung Dzong, built in 17th century to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The dzong is now used as an administration centre and school for monks. Late afternoon drive to Thimphu,the modern capital of Bhutan. The drive will take around 1½ hour. Thimphu has a population of about 98,000. The town is made up of just three lines of shops and is the only capital in the world without traffic lights. Check In at hotel. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Morning visit the Weekend Market, where everyone goes to buy fruits and vegetables, rice, grains, chilies and other fresh foods. The crowded stalls offer many colorful local items such as yak tail dusters, butter tea cups, turquoise from Nepal and Tibet and musical instruments and then drive towards the north of Thimphu valley and glimpse Dechhenchholing Palace amid the forest of pine trees along our route. We continue our drive further on till we reach at the base of Tango Monastery. From here we walk for 2 hours to reach the top, where we visit the monastery. Founded in the 13th century, Tango Monastery is a monastic school founded by Lama Gyalwa Lhanampa. The current buildings are 15th century and constructed by the memorably named ‘divine madman’, Lama Drukpa Kuenley. Residing at Tango today is an important reincarnate lama recognized to be the seventh reincarnation of Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye. After our visit we walk back to the motorable point and then drive back to Thimphu for lunch. After lunch take a walk in the beautiful Thimphu Valley and visit a Memorial Chorten, National Library, School of Arts and Crafts and then evening visit the Handicrafts Emporium, which has all types of Bhutanese handicrafts for sale. Evening ends with a walk through Thimphu’s main shopping areas. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

After breakfast depart to Punakha, an ancient capital of Bhutan. Leaving Thimphu the road climbs steeply through a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochula pass (3,050 m). This pass often offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges. After stopping for tea and the view, we descend along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha and drive to visit Punakha Dzong, winter seat of the Je Khenpo and the Monk Body, remarkably located between the rivers of the Mo (Female) Chu and Pho (Male) Chu. Afternoon take a hike up to Nyizergang Chorten (Kham Yueley Chorten) which sets majestically on a hill top promontory across the river. The hike is around forty minutes one way through the terraced rice fields. Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast drive to Wangdue, one of the major towns and district headquarters of Western Bhutan where we make a short stop to view the Wangdiphodrang Dzong dramatically located on the spur of a hill at the confluence of the Tsang Chu and Dang Chu rivers and then drive over the Docho-la pass (3050 m) to Paro. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

After an early breakfast served at your hotel and drive you a short distance to the airport where your Bhutanese escort from Bhutan will bid you farewell at Paro airport. Good-bye and happy journey back home.