The tiny kingdom of Bhutan seems more like a fairytale country. Enclosed by towering mountains, its remoteness has, for the most part, made it unique. It is also ruled by a benevolent king committed to making Gross National Happiness a priority amongst his people. Bhutan is surely one of the happiest places on earth. The landscape is as pristine as it is breathtaking and the Bhutanese, who practice Buddhism as a way of life not just a religion, are welcoming. Recognizing the importance of the country’s natural beauty, Bhutan has stunning five star resorts, embodying the best of both worlds – the wisdom of the East with the comforts of the West.
This morning you will be met and chauffeured to the New Delhi airport to connect to your flight to the city of Paro in the Himalayan Kingdom of the Bhutan.
Flying into Paro you will have your first amazing views of the Himalayan peaks including Mount Everest. As you descend into the valley you will fly over mountains that seem close enough to touch. Upon arrival our crew will receive you and drive you to Thimphu, about an hour’s drive.
The road from Paro to the capital follows the ancient Paro and Thimphu rivers passing through a number of picturesque hamlets. Upon arrival at Thimphu you will check into the luxurious Taj Tashi.
After check-in, you will visit the Memorial Stupa of the Third King of Bhutan. This prominent temple with its golden spires, is one of the most important religious landmarks in Bhutan. It is customary for the locals and pilgrims to circle around the stupa and to set the prayer wheels spinning to ensure good Karma amidst the sounds of wind chimes and prayer flags flapping in the breeze.
Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, is slowly emerging from isolationism. This landlocked nation still doesn’t have its own trains or traffic lights and is the last country in the world to get television. Thimpu did have one traffic light but it was not favored by the King who replaced it with a more practical traffic policeman. Even now there is a sense of wandering into “paradise lost” in this Kingdom in the Clouds. Today we'll visit Changangkha Lhakhang, Motithang Mini Zoo, National Library and Archives, Folk Heritage Museum and if time allows, Tashichhodzong.
Changangkha Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan was built in the 15th century. The temple sits on a knoll above the city. There is a wonderful view –seen through floating prayer flags - of the valley and the charming white and green roofed houses of Thimpu below.
Motithang Mini Zoo is located in one of the residential areas of the city. Here you will be able to see the national animal, the takin, a very curious cross between a goat and a moose.
The National Library and Archives holds a collection of over 1,000 books on Buddhism as well as important traditional manuscripts and wood blocks.
Folk Heritage Museum is a typical Bhutanese house, the oldest restored house in Thimpu. The museum displays items relating to everyday rural life. The School of Traditional Arts is next door.
And Tashichhodzong, the impressive seat of the Royal Government of Bhutan houses the throne room of the King and the buildings, especially the temples, are finely carved.
After breakfast, you will be driven to Punakha, a three hour drive at the most, via the Dochula Mountain Pass (3150 mts) 10,000ft. To reach the summit we will follow a narrow highway, the curves of the road often lined with white prayer flags – symbols of prayers floating up to heaven. From the Pass you have breathtaking views of the whole Eastern Himalayan Mountain range. The descent to Punakha winds through various temperate zones from forest to orange groves to rice paddies on the valley floor.
On arrival in Punakha you will check into the Amankora hotel.
After lunch, we will drive to Karbisa in the rural countryside to visit Khamsung Yuelley Namgyal Stupa for a 2-3 hour hike, more of a gentle walk from the roadside through farmland up to the stupa.
In the morning you will be driven to Old Punakha town and visit the recently renovated Punakha Dzong with beautiful woodworks and paintings. Punakha was the country’s winter capital for over 300 years and consisted primarily of the dzong, one of the country’s most important.
Drive to Wangdi and visit the Wangdi Dzong and Wangdi village town. This fortress was built to protect the area of evil spirits.
After lunch in Wangdi, drive to Dochula pass for evening tea and then on to Paro for the night. Spend two nights in the comfort of the Uma Paro resort in a quiet pine forest above the Paro Dzong.
After a leisurely breakfast (try the local buckwheat pancakes with Bumthang honey), you will visit Drugyal Dzong to see the ruins of the dzong built on a rocky spur. The fortress defended the valley in the 17th century from Tibetan Invasion.
Saving the best for last, you will drive back to Satsam Chorten and hike to Taktshang Lhakhang, the incredible Tiger's Nest Monastery, which clings to a cliffside. This marks one of the holiest sites in the Himalayan world. The entire complex is built without nails, in the traditional Bhutanese style. The round trip hike will take about 4 hours and lunch will be served in the cafeteria at the view point. On the way back to the hotel (if you aren’t too exhausted from the hike) we plan to visit the 7th Century Kichu temple, The National Museum and Paro Dzong.
The National Museum is located on a particularly beautiful promontory overlooking the valley.
Paro Pingpung Dzong, “the fortress of the heap of jewels” is approached over a charming covered bridge. It houses a collection of both ancient and modern religious dress and artifacts. This is a working monastic community.
In the evening explore the town of Paro.
This morning you will be met and chauffeured to Paro International airport to connect to your flight to Delhi.
On arrival in Delhi you will be met at the airport for your flight to onward destinations.
