Glimpses of Bhutan

Trip Itinerary

Day 01. Kathmandu - Paro - Thimphu: There is a flight from Kathmandu to Paro at 9:55 Hrs. and reach Paro at 1100 hrs. Flight No. KB 203. Our representative will receive the group at the airport and then drive to Thimphu. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 02. Thimphu Sightseeing: After breakfast, sightseeing 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 the Father of Modern Bhutan. Then visit the National Library, which holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist manuscripts followed by a visit to the 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 the 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. En route stop for 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 the 15th century. Route sightseeing in the valley of Wangdiphodrang includes a 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 an auspicious sign, representing the spread of religion to the four points of the compass. The Dzong is situated at the confluence of the Mo Chu and Tang Chu rivers. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 04. Punakha - Thimphu: After breakfast, drive to Thimphu. After lunch, visit the Folk Heritage Museum, Sangay Gang View Point, an excursion to Tango Monastery meet a Lama, or visit a Bhutanese home. Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Day 05. Thimphu - Paro: After breakfast, drive to Paro. On the way, visit Simtokha Dzong, built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1627. While in Paro, Visit the Drukgyel dzong, now in ruins was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate the victory over the Tibetan invaders in in1644; the dzong name means indeed "victorious Druk". The Dzong was used as an administrative center until 1951 when a fire caused by a 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 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 the national museum of Bhutan since 1967. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 06. Departure: Early morning, drive to the Airport and Farewell