Glimpse of Bhutan Tour
Glimpses of Bhutan: Our shortest Bhutan extension tour is designed to introduce
you to the timeless wonders of the Dragon Kingdom. You encounter the ancient
dzongs (fortresses) and monasteries, relish the idyllic Bhutanese countryside,
and visit Thimpu, the quaint capital city. The strategically located Drugyel
Dzong defended the Paro valley against the Tibetan invasion in the early 17th
century.
The watch tower of Ta Dzong now houses the National Museum,
highlighting aspects of Bhutanese history and culture. The Rinpung Dzong is the
administrative center and a school for monks. You visit the 15th century
Changangkha monastery in Thimpu. On your return to Paro, you stop at the
Simtokha Dzong, the first building in Bhutan. This is a fascinating introduction
to this magical Himalayan kingdom
ITINERARY:
Day 01: Arrive Paro
The first thing you will notice
as you disembark is the transparent purity of air and the absence of noise. The
Paro valley has kept its bucolic nature inspite of the airport and the existence
of development projects. Fields, brown or green depending on the season, cover
most of the valley floor, while hamlets and isolated farms dot the countryside.
The houses of Paro valley are considered to be among the most beautiful in the
country. Paro is believed to be one of the first valleys to have received the
imprint of Buddhism.
Afternoon: Visit the National Museum (Ta-Dzong).
Once the watchtower for the Rinpung Dzong, it was converted into the National
Museum in 1968. The museum stands on a promontory overlooking the Paro valley in
all its glory.
Visit the Paro Rinpung Dzong. A flagstone path rises gradually
from a beautiful wooden bridge with shingle roofing and abutted by two
guardhouses, to the Dzong. Today, the Dzong is the seat of the district
administration as well as the home for the monastic school. The central tower
(Utse) of the Dzong, with its superb woodwork, is one of the most beautiful in
the nation. The Dzong was built in 1645 A.D.Check in at Hotel
Evening:
Thimphu Town
Overnight: Thimphu
Day 02: Thimphu
Sightseeing
Thimphu lies in a wooded valley, sprawling up a hillside on
the West Bank of the Thimphu Chhu [Chhu means River]. Thimphu is unlike any
otherworld capital. Small and secluded the city is quiet and there are never the
traffic jams familiar in other Asian Capitals. It is often said that Thimphu is
the only world capital without traffic lights. Thimphu's main shopping street is
a delight not so much for what you can buy there, but for the picturesqueness of
the architecture and national costume. Beautiful weaves in wool, silk and
cotton, basketwork, silver jewellery, thangkas and other traditional crafts of
the Kingdom are available in various Handicraft Emporiums.
Morning: Visit
the Memorial Chorten, a huge stupa built in memory of the third King who reigned
from 1952-1972.Visit the National Library where ancient manuscripts are
preserved. Visit the Painting School where traditional art is still
preserved. Artists are taught to paint Thankas here (sacred Buddhist
scroll). Visit the Handicrafts Emporium where one can buy Bhutanese textiles
and other arts and crafts. Visit the Weekend market where vendors from
throughout the region arrive on Friday afternoon and remain till Sunday. Here
you will find indigenous goods, handicrafts, locally produced goods,
etc.
Afternoon: Visit Semtokha Dzong. This is the oldest fortress in
Bhutan, built in 1629 A.D. by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It also houses the
largest monastic schools in the country. Visit Tashichho Dzong - the main
secretariat building. It is from here that the King and other prominent civil
servants run the country. The Head Abbot and the central monastic body also
reside here during the summer.
Visit Pangri Zampa Monastery, situated
just beyond Dechencholing Palace (5 km. from Thimphu). This temple was the first
residence of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal when he arrived in Bhutan in 1616 A.D.
Ngawang Chogyel, the great ancestor of the Shahdrung, built it during the first
quarter of the 16th century.
Shopping [Optional]
Evening:
Dinner/Reception.
Overnight: Thimphu
Day 03: Thimphu ~ Paro
[Excursion to Taktsang Monastery]
Transfer to Paro for 03 hrs hike to the
Taktsang Monastery. Taktsang is the most famous of all Bhutanese monasteries. It
is perched on the side of a cliff 900 m above the floor of the Paro valley,
where the only sounds are the murmurs of the wind, and water and the chanting of
the monks. The name Taktsang means 'Tigers Nest'; the Guru is said to have flown
on the back of a tigress to the site of the monastery where he meditated in a
cave for three months.
The monastery itself is closed to tourists except
by special permit. However the one-hour walk to the viewpoint, where there is a
small wooden teahouse provides a close-up view of the monastery. It's also a
good warm-up hike if you are going trekking.
Overnight:
Paro
Day 4 Depart from Paro:
Early breakfast at the hotel and
then Drive to Paro International airport to fly your onward
destination
Note: Designed itinerary is a sample itinerary
intended to give you a general idea of trip to Bhutan. We can create an
itinerary to suit as your needs and interest one you give your interest and
travel timeframe.
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