Glimpses of Bhutan

After breakfast, visit the National Memorial Chorten built in memory of the late King in 1974. Visit the 15^th century Changangkha temple. After lunch, visit National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved, School of Arts & Crafts, and Government Handicrafts Emporium. In the evening we go and see Takin (National Animal) at the sanctuary and go to the viewpoint of Thimphu city and watch the sun set over the city. We drive back to Thimphu and wander around the streets. Overnight stay at hotel in Thimphu.

The drive begins with an ascent to Dochula pass at an altitude of 3150m/10,332 ft. On a clear day, you can see the whole range of Bhutanese Himalayas from here. The pass has 108 Druk Wangyel Chorten. From here we descend to Punakha. Continue driving a little further ahead of Wangdue Phodrang and take a short and beautiful hike to Chimi Lhakhang, the monastery belonging to the monk, Drukpa Kinley. It is about 30 minute walk across field from the road to the temple. The trail leads across rice fields to the tiny settlement of Pana, meaning ‘field’. It then follows a tiny stream downhill to Yoaka and across more fields before making a short climb to Chimi Lhakhang.

From here we drive to Punakha for a late lunch. Check into the hotel. After lunch, visit the Punakha Dzong, the former winter capital and present administrative seat of the district. The Dzong lies between the two rivers Po Chu and Mo Chu, meaning the male and female rivers. It was built in 1637 AD. Overnight stay at the hotel in Punakha.

After breakfast depart for Paro. Lunch Enroute. On the way visit the Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress built in 1629 AD. The Dzong now is a Buddhist college for the monks. Upon arrival check in at hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel in Paro.

Today is an exciting day and probably our toughest in terms of physical activity. We are to visit Tiger Nest, Taktsang the famed site where the mythical Buddhist teacher Guru Padmasambhava alighted upon the back of a tigress. The walk up is fairly steep, about half way through we catch sight of Taktsang and the stunning location of the monastery as it seems to cling to the edge of the cliff encourages us onwards. We refresh ourselves with some tea and biscuits and continue upward. Suddenly we find ourselves at the edge of a cliff and right on the opposite cliff is Tiger Nest. We climb the stone steps down to a small bridge, light some butter lamps and start climbing up, the final leg on the way to heaven! And suddenly we are there and bowing in reverence to the deity in the inner sanctum. This is the high point of the tour in more ways than one!

On our way back to Paro we visit Kitchu Monastery. A little away from Paro is the National Museum and the Rinpung Dzong and to complete our tour we visit them. Overnight stay at the hotel in Paro.

Post breakfast we get dropped at Paro airport for Final Departure.

End of arrangements…