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GLIMPSE
OF BHUTAN
Duration:
5 days
Season:
March-May / September-December
Day 01. Arrive
at Paro:
Upon arrival at Paro airport, received by representative of
Bhutan Yak Adventure Travel and drive to Thimphu (60 kilometers). Dinner and
overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 02.
Thimphu Sightseeing:
After breakfast, sight seeing in Thimphu. It includes:
Visit to TashichhoDzong (Fortress of the Glorious Religion), built in 1641
by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and reconstructed in 1961 by the Late King, His
Majesty King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who is regarded as Father of Modern
Bhutan. Then visit the National Library, which holds a vast collection of
ancient Buddhist manuscripts followed by visit to Painting School, famous
for carving and free hand art. After lunch visit the National Memorial
Chorten, a monument dedicated to the Third King of Bhutan. His Late Majesty
King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The inside paintings and statues provide a very
rare insight into Buddhist Philosophy. Then visit Handicrafts Emporium to
see the exquisite artistry of traditional crafts and textiles. Evening free
for shopping and leisure. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 03.
Thimphu - Punakha - Wangdi - Thimphu:
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. While in
Punakha, 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. After Lunch, drive to Wangdi Phodrang. Enroute stop a while to
view Chimi Lhakhang also called the "Temple of Fertility" built by Lama
Drukpa Kuenley also popularly known as "Devine Mad man" in 15thcentury.
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 religion to the four points of the compass. The
Dzong is situated at the confluence of Mo Chu and Tang Chu rivers. Drive
back to Thimphu. Over night in Hotel.
Day 04.
Thimphu - Paro:
After breakfast, drive to Paro. On the way, visit Simtokha
Dzong, built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1627. Visit the ruins of
Drukgyel dzong, now in ruins was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to
commemorate the victory over the Tibetan invaders in1644; the dzong name's
means indeed " victorious Druk ". The Dzong was used as an administrative
center until 1951 when a fire caused by butter lamp destroyed it. Then visit
Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest and most sacred monasteries dating
from the introduction of Buddhism in the 8thcentury and then visit Rimpung
Dzong (Paro Dzong) built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The Dzong
presently houses administrative offices. After lunch visit the Ta dzong, an
ancient watchtower, which has been, since 1967, the national museum of
Bhutan. In the evening a two hours drive to Thimphu, check in hotel. Dinner
and overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 05.
Departure:
Early morning, drive to the Airport and Farewell
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