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Day 01. Arrive at Paro:
Fly and arrive Paro by Druk Air. You will be received by
the representative from Bhutan Agent. Over night in Hotel.
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 Wang
chuck, 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: (72 Kms, 3 hours
drive).
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 15th century. 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.
Over night in Hotel.
Day 04. Punakha - Paro:
After breakfast, drive to Paro. On the way, visit
Simtokha Dzong, built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1627.
After Lunch, visit the Ta dzong, an ancient watchtower,
which has been, since 1967, the national museum of Bhutan
then visit Rimpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) built in 1646 by
Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The Dzong presently houses
administrative offices. In the evening, visit the 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 8th century
and Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 05. Departure:
Early morning, drive to the Airport and Farewell. |
