Tour to Western Bhutan
Destination : Kalimpong - Phuntsholing
- Thimpu - Dochula - Jakar- Paro Dzong
Duration : 08 Days 07 Nights
Interested? Contact for
Details
DAY 1 : Kalimpong
The
first gift from Bhutan will be the cool, clean fresh air as you step
out if the plane. You will be received by our representative, in a
traditional way and drive to Hotel Gangtey Palace or similar.
Day 2 : PARO (2,200m/7,218ft)
This beautiful valley encapsulates a rich culture,
scenic beauty and hundreds of myths and legends. It is home to many of
Bhutans oldest temples and monasteries, the countrys only airport,
and the National Museum. Mt. Chomolhari (7,300m) reigns in white glory
at the northern end of the valley, its glacial waters plunging through
deep gorges to form the Pa Chu (Paro river). The Paro valley is one of
the kingdoms most fertile, producing the bulk of Bhutans famous red
rice from its terraced fields.
Sightseeing will include visit
to following places:
Drukgyel
Dzong:Located 15 KM away towards north. This dzong, with a picturesque
village nestling below its ramparts, was built in 1646 by Shabdrung
Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders.
Though largely destroyed by fire in 1951, the towering outer walls and
central keep remain an imposing sight. On a clear day, there is a
splendid view of Mt. Chomolhari from the approach road to Drukgyel
Dzong.
Rinpung Dzong: The
fortress of the heap of jewels was built in 1646 by Shabdrung
Ngawang Namgyal on a hill above the township. The approach to the
Dzong is through a traditional covered bridge (called the Nemi Zam)
and then up a paved stone path running alongside the imposing outer
walls. The valleys annual springtime religious festival, the Paro
Tsechu, takes place in the courtyard of the dzong and on the dance
ground on the hillside above.
Ta Dzong: On a ridge
immediately above Rinpung Dzong is Ta Dzong, built as a watchtower to
protect Rinpung Dzong. ( Ta means to see in Dzongkha, so the
watchtower of a dzong is always called a Ta dzong ). On account of
their function, watchtowers are always round in shape. In 1968 Paros
Ta Dzong was inaugurated as the National Museum, and now holds a
fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings,
Bhutans exquisite postage stamps, coins and handicrafts, together
with a small natural history collection.
Farm Houses: The natural beauty of Paro
valley is enhanced by picturesque farm houses dotted about the fields
and on the hillsides. The two to three-storied Bhutanese farm houses
are handsome in appearance, with colorfully decorated outer walls and
lintels, and are traditionally built without the use of single nail.
All houses follow the same architectural style. A visit to a farm
house gives an interesting glimpse into the lifestyle of a farming
family.
Day 3 : Paro Sightseeing:
Morning hike up to the Taksang Monastery
(Tiger's nest). The climb up to the view point will take around 3
hours and enjoy the stunning view of the monastery, where Guru
Padmasambava landed on the back of a Tiger in the 8th century, and
meditated for three months. The monastery was later built in this holy
place in 1684. After lunch in the cafe walk back to the road point and
drive to Hotel. Walk around the main street and overnight at Hotel.
Day 4 : Paro-Haa-Thimphu:
Start the day early for drive to Ha via
Chele-la pass. 4 Km away at Bondey village the road to Haa diverts
towards the right hand side and the climb up towards the chele-la pass
starts. After driving through Plue pine & Rhododendron forest for
45 KM you reach Chele-la pass ( 4200 meters). From this point one can
have a superb views of mount Chomolhari & Jichu Drakey. This is a
very good place to walk around for few minutes enjoying the view.
Drive on to Ha descending all the way for another 22 KM (under a hours
drive), finally reaching Ha. The Ha Dzong is presently occupied by
military, but the view from outside is stunning. After picnic lunch
visit to the famous Monastery Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple) followed
by visit to Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple) The central shrine in
Lhakhang Nagpo is said to have no difference with that of Lhasa JOWO
in Tibet. The construction of the Lakhang Karpo is believed to have
been assisted by the locality. As a result the place came to be
locally known as Hay meaning surprise which later became Haa due
to the differences in interpretations and pronunciations of different
people over time.
The three giant hills looming over the
fringes of Haa valley were called Me Rig Puen Sum especially after
the incidence of the Lhakhang Kdarpo construction. Today the three
hills are popularly known as RigSum Goenpa signijfying three
deities-Jambayang Chana Dorji and Chenrizig.
Later, other Buddhist saints like Guru
Rinpoche and Machi Labdorn came to the Jungney Drag in Haa and
blessed the locality. The principal religion followed is Drukpa
Kagyud.
After the arrival of Zabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the chief
guardian deity of Haa became Ap Chundu.
Later in the afternoon drive to Thimphu
(109 KM). One the way to Thimphu you come across 2 more dzong, one at
Betikha 34 KM enroute and another on at Dobji 65 KM after Ha. Arrive
late and check in at Hotel River view or similar.
Day 5: THIMPHU (2,400m/7,875ft)
The capital town of Bhutan, and the center of
government, religion and commerce, Thimphu is a lively place, an
interesting combination of tradition and modernity. Home to civil
servants, expatriates and the monk body, Thimphu maintains a strong
national character in its architectural style.
Sightseeing will include following:
National Memorial Chorten: The building of this
chorten was originally the idea of Bhutan's third king, H.M. Jigme
Dorji Wangchuck ( the father of modern Bhutan ), who had wished to
erect a monument to world peace and prosperity, but was unable to give
shape to his idea in his lifetime due to pressures of state. After His
Majestys untimely death in 1972, the Royal Family and Cabinet
resolved to fulfill his wishes and erect a memorial that would
perpetuate his memory and also serve as a monument to peace. The
National Memorial Chorten was consecrated on July 28, 1974. The finely
executed wall paintings and delicately fashioned statues within the
monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy.
Tashichhodzong:
The fortress of the glorious religion , was initially erected in 1641
and rebuilt by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the 1960s. Tashichhodzong
houses some ministries, His Majestys secretariat, and the central
monk body. It is open to visitors during the Thimphu Tsechu (held in
autumn) and while the monk body is resident in its winter quarters in
Punakha.
National Library:
The National Library was established in the late 1960s primarily to
conserve the literary treasures which form a significant part of
Bhutans cultural heritage. It now houses an extensive collection of
Buddhist literature mostly in block-printed format, with some works
several hundred years old. This collection, known as the Choekey
Collection, mainly comprises Buddhist literature written in Choekey,
the religious script of Northern Buddhism, but also includes works
written in Tibetan and in Dzongkha, Bhutans national language. There
is also a small Foreign Books Collection, stock of which mainly
comprises works written in English, with subject interest on Buddhist
studies, Bhutan, the Himalayan region and neighboring countries. &
Institute for Zorig Chusum: Commonly known as the Painting School, the
Institute offers a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and
crafts of Bhutan. On a visit one can see students learning the various
skills taught at the school.
Day 6: Thimphu-Punakha:
Drive to
Punakha (70 Km) via Duchula pass. An hour drive from Thimphu will take
you to this pass (3050 meters), from here one can have superb view of
the Mountain ranges on a clear day. Drive on to PUNAKHA
(1,300m/4,265ft)
Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan until
1955 and still it is the winter seat of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot).
Blessed with a temperate climate and fed by the Pho Chu (male) and Mo
Chu (female) rivers, Punakha is the most fertile valley in the
country. Afternoon Sightseeing will include visit to Punakha Dzong:
Placed strategically at the junction of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers,
the dzong was built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as
the religious and administrative center of the region. Damaged over
the centuries by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the dzong
has been fully restored in recent years by the present monarch.
Followed by visit to WANGDUEPHODRANG (1,300m/4,265ft) Located south of
Punakha and the last town before central Bhutan, Wangduephodrang is
like an extended village with a few well-provisioned shops. The higher
reaches of the Wangduephodrang valley provide rich pastureland for
cattle. This district is famous for its fine bamboo work, stone
carvings, and slate which is mined up a valley a few km. from the
town. Wangduephodrang Dzong: Stretched along the hilltop above the
confluence of the Punakha Chu and Tang Chu rivers, the imposing
Wangduephodrang Dzong is the towns most visible feature. Drive back
to Hotel for overnight stay.
Day
7 : Punakha-Paro ( 124 Km and 5 hours drive) enroute visiting Simtokha
Dzong:
This dzong, built in 1627 by
Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, stands on a low ridge 8 km. down the valley
from Thimphu. The Institute for Language and Culture Studies is
located here. The most noteworthy artistic feature of this dzong is
the series of over 300 finely worked slate carvings behind the prayer
wheels in the courtyard. Drive on to paro and overnight at Hotel
Gangtey palace
Day 8:
Early morning drive to Airport to catch flight
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Tour
