Explore Bhutan
(Paro, Thimphu, Gangtay, Phobjikha and Punakha)
(Ref : OWTBHU7)
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Accommodation / Meals inc |
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1 |
Arrive Paro. Drive to Thimphu. As you enter Paro valley, you will see the Paro Dzong (Fort), the National Museum and the Paro town. Drive through the fascinating valley of Paro to Thimphu. A mixture of rice fields, apple orchards and farm houses. After passing the confluence of Thimphu and Paro rivers, the road ascends and the valley turns into a narrow gorge before widening out at Namseling, and soon the quaint shrubs of Thimphu begins to appear. Thimphu is the capital and is the only large settlement in Bhutan. Thimphu has a special charm and it is fascinating to sit and watch a gathering of local people in the town square, wearing their traditional dress, and going about their business in a typically unhurried Bhutanese way. Depending on time you can visit the memorial Chorten built in memory of third king Jime Dorji wangchuk by the order of her late Mother Ashi Phuntsho Choden in 1774. Stroll in the town, buy souvenirs from Bhutan as you like. |
(Lunch / Dinner) Hotel Dragon Roots. |
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2 |
Thimphu Sightseeing Following breakfast, you enjoy full day of sightseeing that includes: National Library: It holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts, manuscripts and also modern academic books. Handicrafts Emporiums: It displays wide range of products such as beautifully woven fabrics for man & women, crafted products & other decorative items. National Institute for Zorig Chusum (thirteen traditional arts & crafts). The Royal Government of Bhutan has sponsored and established this national institute since the year 1971 mainly to preserve and promote culture and to contribute to the country's economy through quality products and services. In the course of history Bhutan has developed a unique artistic tradition, which has played a vital role in modeling its distinct cultural heritage and this tradition is reflected in thirteen traditional arts & crafts. Traditional medicine Institute: It was established with the help of Italian government to improve traditional medicine. The rich herbal medicines abundant in the kingdom are prepared here. Tashichhodzong: The biggest fort of Bhutan built in 1648. It houses secretariat building, King's throne room and other government offices. It is also the summer residence of Chief Abbot. Folk Heritage Museum: One of the oldest house in Thimphu, having been restored and transformed into Folk Heritage Museum in the year 2001 under the patronage of Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo. This museum is meant to serve as an account of everyday rural life for the young urbanized generations and as a place for preserving objects related to this life, in case this way of life disappears as time passes. Textile Museum: This museum was inaugurated under the patronage of Queen Ashi Sangay Choden in June 2001. Many intricate designs of Bhutanese textiles are displayed here. It will also serve as center for conservation, restoration and documentation of Bhutanese textiles. |
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) Hotel Dragon Roots |
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3 |
Thimphu-Gangtay (Phobjikha valley) Following breakfast, drive to Gangtay the winter habitat of black-necked cranes. The road climbs for about an hour till you reach a pass at Dochula at an altitude of 3150M. Weather permitting, this pass offers the most spectacular view over the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas. After hot cup of tea/coffee at the Dochula tourist's café, continue to descend a long way to Punakha & Wangdue through temperate forest then a semi-tropical zone where orange trees, banana trees and cactuses are found in abundance. Stop in wangdue for lunch. After lunch, visit the Wangdue dzong, the administrative centre of Wangdue built in 1638 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the one who unified Bhutan in the 17th century. After the dzong, continue to drive through Wangdi town to about 12 km and the road ascends gradually passing through deep gorges, small villages and road workers' camps. The scenery is certainly stunning so you need to make occasional stops to take beautiful pictures en route. In places the road is literally carved out of impressive cliff sides that will give you a slight pinch. On arrival at Gangtay, visit Gangtay Monastery situated on top of a knoll that rises from the valley floor. The monastery is surrounded by a village inhabited mainly by families of monks who take care of this monastery. This monastery was founded by Pema Thinly, the grandson of Pema Lingpa in 1613 and became the first Gangtay Trulku. After visiting the monastery, drive further down to the valley of Phobjikha where you can spot the cranes. |
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) Hotel Dewachen |
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Phobjikha-Punakha. Distance: 85km, Time: 3 hours Following breakfast, take a stroll and visit some of the farm houses of Phobjikha. Then head to Punakha via the same road past Wangdue town until reaching a place called Metsina junction and from here the road to Punakha leads to the right. It is convenient to stop in Wangdue for lunch and after lunch; you can visit Chime Lhakhang en route before you arrive to Punakha. This temple is dedicated to famous Drukpa Kagyud Lama "Drukpa Kuenley". The temple is situated on a hillock above Yoakha village.
Built in 1499 by his descendent Ngawang Chogyel. This temple is popularly know as "temple of fertility" and is the pilgrim site for women who are unable to bear children. Drive to Punakha and visit the Punakha Dzong. It is the most impressive dzong in Bhutan situated in the confluence of Phochhu & Mochhu (male & female rivers). It looks like a giant ship with excellent wood work and detail of paintings. It was here that the first King was crowned in 1907. It was capital of Bhutan until 1955 when it was shifted to Thimphu. This dzong was also built by Shabdrung in 1637. Punakha dzong is still serves as winter resident of the chief abbot of Bhutan and houses both administrative & religious centre of Punakha district. |
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) Hotel Zangtopelri |
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5 |
Drive to Paro via Thimphu Following early breakfast, we drive to Thimphu via the same road crossing over Dochula pass. On arrival in Thimphu you can do your last minute shopping and after lunch a 2 hour drive to Paro. |
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) Hotel Gangtay Palace |
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Paro sightseeing and Excursion to Taktsang Monastery Following breakfast, drive 10km north through the beautiful valley of Paro and hike to Taktsang (tiger's Den) monastery hanging on a cliff 800m above the valley. In the 8th century Guru Rimpoche flew here on the back of a tigress in one of his eight forms called Guru Dorje Drolo and meditated for 3 months in a cave and converted Paro valley into Buddhism. Later in the 17th century, the 4th temporal ruler of Bhutan Tenzin Rabgye built this present temple and named it Taktsang meaning; tiger's lair in the same spot where Guru meditated. This temple is one of the most sacred and also a pilgrimage centre for Buddhists from all over the world. It was completely burnt down in 1998 and re-built with help from the Bhutan government, individual donors and financial supports from other nations. It takes 2 hours to ascend to the closest view point (we obtain special permit for you to enable you to visit even inside of the monastery if you are interested) and 1 hour descend to the valley. Stop at tourism café situated half way for refreshment. After lunch, continue to walk down to the bottom of the valley where your vehicle is waiting. Drive further north and visit the Drukgyel Dzong (fortress of victorious Drukpas). It was burnt in 1951 by the tilting of butter lamp in the middle of the night so in present days it remains as ruins preserved as monument. It was built in 1647 after Bhutan stand victorious against Tibetan invasion. On your way back, visit Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest and the most sacred temple in Bhutan built in 7th century by Tibetan king Songtsen Gompo. The legend says that he built 108 temples throughout the Himalayan regions in a single day to subdue the demoness who was terrorizing the whole of Himalayan region. Drive to visit Ta-dzong (national museum) an ancient tower, which served as watch tower to the Paro Rimpong Dzong until 1968 when it was converted into museum. The museum collection includes displays of spectacular thankas (religious scroll painting), ancient artifacts dating from 7th century onwards, beautiful Bhutanese stamps, temple with tree of wisdom depicting the history of Buddhism, collection of animals, birds & butterflies and the good collection of ancient armors such as canons, guns, shield, bows & arrows, spears etc. |
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) Hotel - Paro |
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Fly to Onward destination |
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Pricing and Details
(Prices quoted based on 2 persons sharing a double
room. Prices in UK sterling. ( USD / Euros prices are approx guide
price )
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Items not included :-
Tour Notes
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