Day 01
Arrive
Paro (By Druk Air flight): Our Guide will receive you at the airport and
drive you the short distance to the hotel. After Tea, drive to the ruins of the
Drukgyal Dzong 16 km up the valley 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). On the way back,
visit Kichu Lhakhang, built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Srongsen Gampo.
Dinner and over night in Hotel.
Day 02
Paro,
sightseeing and Excursion to Taktsang Monastery: A very special day, with
an excursion to view the spectacular Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) monastery - After
breakfast a short drive takes us to Satsam Chorten, from there a 2 hour horse
ride till the viewpoint point 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 1684by
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
favourite consort.
After Lunch, visit Ta Dzong (built in1656 and renovated in 1968), an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. Below the museum is the Paro Rimpung Dzong (literally meaning “Heap of Jewels”, built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the centre of civil and religious authority in this valley. A short walk takes you to the base of the dzong and across a traditional cantilevered, covered bridge. In the evening, drive to Thimphu. Dinner and over night in Hotel.
Day 03
Thimphu
Sightseeing: The day begins with a visit to the National Memorial Chorten
(1974) built in honour of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and the Dupthop
Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan. We 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 we
drive to the Traditional Medicine Institute where medicines are prepared
according to ancient practices and to Lungtenzampa to observe the Royal silver
smiths and Bhutanese paper factory at work. Other highlights include a visit to
the Tashichho Dzong, 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
1627 and finally visit the Handicrafts Emporium followed by shopping for
souvenirs in the shops of Thimphu. Over night in Hotel.
Day 04
Thimphu
- Punakha: (72 Kms, 3 hours drive). 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, visit Chime Lhakhang, which was built by
Lama Drukpa Kuenley. He subdued the demons with his “ Magical Thunder bolt”.
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 and 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 in Hotel.
Day 05
Punakha
– Gangtey – Trongsa: We start early today. After breakfast drive to
Trongsa via. Gangtey. Enroute sightseeing in the valley of Wangdiphodrang, it
includes: visit to Wangdiphodrang Dzong (from outside) built in 1638. Legend
relates that as the people were searching for the site of the Dzong, four
ravens were seen flying away in four directions. This was considered auspicious
sign, representing the spread of Buddhist religion to the four points of the
compass. The Dzong is situated at the confluence of Mo Chu and Tang Chu rivers.
Drive further to Gangtey. While in Gangtey, visit Gangtey Gompa. Gyaltse Pema
Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa founded the Temple
in 1613, and Tenzin Legpai Dhendup, the second re-incarnation, built the temple.
The present Abbot, Kunzang Pema Namgyal is the ninth re-incarnation. It is a
Nyingmapa monastery and is affiliated to other Nyingmapa monasteries including
Tamshing in Bumthang. Explore Phobjikha valley, famous for the Black Necked
Cranes during winter. Packed lunch will be served at Gangtey. After Lunch,
drive to Trongsa. Visit Trongsa Dzong, the most impressive dzong in Bhutan,
built in its present form in 1644 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa, the official who was
sent by Shabdrung to unify eastern Bhutan and enlarged at the end of the 17th
century by Desi Tenzin Rabgay. Trongsa Dzong is the ancestral home of the
present Royal Family and first two hereditary kings ruled Bhutan from this
Dzong. Then Visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watch tower. The chapel inside the Ta
Dzong is said to be dedicated to the Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyal. Over night
in Hotel.
Day 06
Trongsa
- Bumthang : After breakfast, drive to Bumthang. Lunch at Bumthang.
After lunch, visit Jakar Dzong, which literally means “The Castle of White Bird”.
The current structure was built in 1667 and is said to be the largest Dzong in
Bhutan and then visit Lamey Goemba, a large palace and monastery built in 18th
century by Dasho Phuntsho Wangdi. Visit Jambay Lhakhang said to have been built
by King Srongsen Gampo of Tibet in the year 659 on the same day as Kichu
Lhakhang in Paro. The temple was visited by Guru Rimpoche during his
visit to Bumthang and was renovated by Sindhu Raja after Guru Rimpoche restored
his life force. Under the temple is said to be a lake in which Guru Rimpoche
hid several Terma. In October one of the most spectacular festival, “Jambay
Lhakhang Drup” is staged here. Over night in Hotel.
Day 07
Bumthang
Sightseeing: After breakfast, Visit Chakhar (Iron Castle) Lhakhang, it is
the site of the palace of the Indian King, the Sindhu Raja who invited Guru
Rimpoche to Bumthang. The Original palace was made of Iron and hence the name
Chakhar. The saint Dorji Lingpa built the Current building in 14th century. Its
correct name is Dechen Phodrang. We then visit Kurjey Lhakhang that is named
after body print of Guru Rimpoche, built in 1652 by Minjur Tempa. Visit
Tamshing Lhakhang (Temple of the good message), established in 1501 by Pema
Lingpa and is the most important Nyingmapa temple in the kingdom. After lunch,
visit Membartsho (Literally means “Burning Lake”), a short distance up the road
leading to Tang valley. The Terton Pema Lingpa discovered several of Guru
Rimpoche’s hidden Terma / relics here. In the evening, visit Mathra factory
& Cheese Factory. Over night in Hotel.
Day 08
Bumthang
– Wangdi Phodrang: Early breakfast, drive to Wangdiphodrang. Packed
lunch will be served on the way. Over night in Hotel.
Day 09
Wangdiphodrang
– Thimphu: After breakfast, drive to Thimphu. After lunch, Excursion to
Tango Monastery. Dinner and over night in Hotel.
Day 10
Thimphu – Paro Airport: Early
Morning, drive to the airport and Farewell.
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