Day
01:Arrive Paro
Fly into
Paro by Druk Air, Royal Bhutan Airline. The great snowcapped 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 at the Paro airport by your tour guide and car from
Bhutan All Seasons Tours & Treks. After completion of airport
formalities, you will drive through the lovely Paro valley to
your hotel.
After lunch,
visit the National Museum,housed in Ta dzong
( watchtower). Here an intriguing collection of artifacts provide
a wonderful introduction to the rich culture and heritage of the
Kingdom. Then visit Paro Ringpung Dzong ( fortress),
a fine expample of Bhutanese historic architecture. From the Dzong,
take a walk down to Nyaimi Zampa. a traditional
canteliver bridge.
In the evening
stroll around the Paro town, free mingle with people and visit
local handicraft stores. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Paro
Day
02:Paro – Thimphu,Thimphu Tour & Sightseeing
Driving distance:
54 km
Estmated
travel time: 1 hour
After breakfast,
travel to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. The road runs down
through the Paro valley, to Chuzom (Confluence) at the entrance
to the valley, where the Paro and Thimphu rivers meet. Three chortens
(Stupa) on the riverbank at this place, each in a different style,
mark the confluence of the two rivers. The road passes along a
narrow valley with high, rocky cliffs on the left, and then the
valley opens out into farmland on the approach to Thimphu. Simtokha
Dzong, “the place of profound tantric teaching”, stands
sentinel on a hillock a few kilometers out of town. This dzong
now houses the Institute for Language and Culture Studies.
On arrival at Thimphu, check into the hotel. After refreshments,
sightseeing in Thimphu valley which includes visits to some of
the following depending on your interest and time availability::
-
The
National Library, housing an extensive collection
of priceless Buddhist manuscripts.
-
The
National Institute of Traditional Medicine,
where Bhutan’s famed traditional herbal medicines are
compounded and dispensed.
-
The School of Traditional Arts and Crafts(commonly
known as Zorig Chusom) where students undergo a 6-year training
course in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts.
-
The National Textile Museum, which is a good
place to see the art of Bhutanese traditional weaving kept
alive and preserved through exhibition and has a good collection
of old textiles which are rich in colors and designs. Women
weaving intricate designs can also be seen here.
-
The
Folk Heritage Museum, an outdorr museum that
gives an insight into Bhutanese rural life.
-
The
Takin Preserve, which houses the national animal
Takin,found only in Bhutan.
-
Tashichhodzong,
“the fortress of the glorious religion”. This
is the center of government and religion, site of the monarch’s
throne room and seat of the Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built
in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan,
Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was reconstructed in the 1960s
in traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural
plans.
-
The National Memorial Chorten, continuously
circumambulated by the faithful, murmuring mantras and spinning
their prayer wheels. Construction of this landmark was the
idea of Bhutan’s third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji
Wangchuck (“the father of modern Bhutan”) who
had wished to erect a monument to world peace and prosperity.
Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it serves both
as a memorial to the Late King and as a monument to peace.
Then stroll around town and visit local handicraft stores.
overnight at hotel in Thimphu.
Day
03:Thimphu-Punakha/Wangdue-Thimphu
After breakfast, travel
to Punakha through Dochu la pass (3088m)
where you will visit Druk Wangyel Chortens ( 108 stupas) and Druk
Wangyel Temple. Then refreshments at Dochula Resort and then drive
on to Punakha.
Afternoon
visit the following:
-
Punakha
Dzong ( fortress) which
is located on the island of phochhu ( male river)
and mochhu ( female river).
-
Divine
Mad Man's Monastery ( Chhimi Lhakhang) which is famously known
for its feritility shrine from which one can receive a special
fertility blessing.
Then travel
back to Thimphu through the same route.Overnight at hotel in Thimphu
Day
04:Departure from Paro
After breakfast,
drive for an hour to the Paro Airport where Bhutan All Seasons
will see you off for your onward journey.
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Bhutan Tour Itineraries