Itinerary

Day 01. Arrive Paro:
Your guide from Bhutan Dragon Adventures will receive you at the airport and drive you the short distance to the hotel. After tea, we will drive to the ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong 16 km up the valley. Built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father and unifier of medieval Bhutan, the Dzong was destroyed by accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. Explore the ramparts and on a clear day experience an unforgettable view of Mt. Jhomolhari. On the way back to Paro, visit Kichu Lhakhang, built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan King Srongsen Gampo. This Monastery is one of the 108 monasteries built across the Himalayan region by the Tibetan King to subdue the Demoness that lay across the Himalayan region. The rest of the monasteries lie in neighboring countries. Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 02. Paro, Excursion to Taktshang Monastery:
This will be a very special day, with an excursion to view the spectacular Taktshang (Tiger’s Nest) monastery. After breakfast a short drive takes us to Satsam Chorten and from there a two hour horse ride to the viewpoint point of the monastery. The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. We stop for a rest and light refreshments at the Taktshang Jakhang (cafeteria) and then walk a short distance until we see, clearly and seemingly within reach, Taktshang monastery. The primary Lhakhang was built around Guru Rimpoche’s meditation cave in the 1684by the Penlop of Paro Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay. This incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, flew here on the back of a flying tiger, Dorji Drolo, said to be his favourite consort.

After lunch, we will tour Ta Dzong. Built in1656 and renovated in 1968, it is an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. Below the museum is the Rimpung Dzong, literally meaning “Heap of Jewels,” the centre of civil and religious authority in the Paro Valley, built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. In the evening, drive to Thimphu. Overnight in hotel.

Day 03 Paro – Thimphu Sightseeing:
The day begins with visits to the National Memorial Chorten (1974) built in honor of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and the Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan. We then visit the National Library, stocked with ancient Buddhist manuscripts, and the Painting School where traditional art is kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thangkas, sacred Buddhist religious scrolls, and other arts. After lunch we drive to the Traditional Medicine Institute where medicines are prepared according to ancient practices. Other highlights include a visit to the Tashichho Dzong, seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot of Bhutan. Finally we drive to Simtokha Dzong; the oldest Dzong of Bhutan, built by Shabdrung in 1627. The day ends with a visit to the Handicrafts Emporium followed by shopping for souvenirs in the shops of Thimphu. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 04. Thimphu Sightseeing:
After breakfast, we tour Folk Heritage Museum, the Textile Museum, Changangkha Lhakhang and Philatelic office. After lunch, there are visits to the Royal Silversmiths and a paper making factory. Overnight in hotel.

Day 05. Thimphu – Punakha: (72 Kms, 3 hours drive).
After breakfast, we begin the drive to Punakha via Dochula pass. If the weather is clear, we will stop for a while at the pass to view the higher Himalayas. On the way to Punakha, we will stop to view Chimi Lhakhang, which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley in 15th century. He subdued the demons with his “Magical Thunder- bolt.” This Temple is also known as the “Temple of Fertility.”
Lunch in Punakha, after which, we will visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and 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 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.” Here the war materials captured during the battle with Tibetans are preserved. Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and, in 1952, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the new national Assembly here in. In the evening, we will hike to Khamsung Yulley Namgyal Choling Monastery. Overnight in hotel.

Day 06. Punakha – Gangtey:
After breakfast we will drive to the beautiful valley of Gangtey. Enroute we will visit to Wangdiphodrang Dzong 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. On arrival in Gantey, we check into Gangtey Gompa House. Then we visit Gangtey Gompa Monastery, from outside. Gyaltse Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa founded the Temple in 1613, and Tenzin Legpai Dhendup, the second re-incarnation, built the temple. The present Abbot, Kunzang Pema Namgyal is the ninth re-incarnation. It is a Nyingmapa monastery and is affiliated to other Nyingmapa monasteries including Tamshing in Bumthang. We still have time to explore the beautiful Phobjikha Valley, most famous for being the winter home of black-necked cranes. Dinner and overnight at the Guest House.
Day 07. Gangtey – Trongsa – Bumthang: After breakfast, we drive to Trongsa. Our first stop is the Trongsa Dzong, the most impressive dzong of Bhutan, built in its present form in 1644 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa, the official who was sent by Shabdrung to unify eastern Bhutan. It was enlarged at the end of the 17th century by Desi Tenzin Rabgay. Trongsa Dzong is the ancestral home of the present Royal Family and first two hereditary kings ruled Bhutan from this Dzong. We then get to see Ta Dzong, an ancient watch tower. The chapel inside the Ta Dzong is said to be dedicated to the Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyal. After lunch, we will drive to Bumthang and overnight in hotel.

Day 08. Bumthang Sightseeing:
After breakfast, we tour the Jakar Dzong, which literally means “Castle of White Bird.” The current structure was built in 1667. Afterwards we visit Lamey Goemba, a large palace and monastery built in 18th century by Dasho Phuntsho
Wangdi, and Jambay Lhakhang, built by King Srongsen Gampo of Tibet in the year 659 on the same day as Kichu Lhakhang in Paro. The temple was visited by Guru Rimpoche during his visit to Bumthang and was renovated by Sindhu Raja after Guru Rimpoche restored his life force. Under the temple is said to be a lake in which Guru Rimpoche hid several Terma. In October, one of the most spectacular festivals in Bhutan, “Jambay Lhakhang Drup” is staged here.

After lunch, we have a visit to Chakhar Lhakhang, the “Iron Castle.” It is the site of the palace of the Indian King, the Sindhu Raja who invited Guru Rimpoche to Bumthang. The original palace was made of Iron. The saint Dorji Lingpa built the current building in 14th century. Its correct name is Dechen Phodrang. We then visit Kurjey Lhakhang. It is named after a body print of Guru Rimpoche and was built in 1652 by Minjur Tempa. Finally we see Tamshing Lhakhang, “Temple of the Good Message,” established in 1501 by Pema Lingpa and is the most important Nyingmapa temples in the kingdom. In the evening, after dinner, we will see Membarstho which literally means, “The burning Lake.” Overnight in hotel.

Day 09. Bumthang – Thimphu (212 kms):
Early breakfast, drive to Thimphu. Overnight in hotel.

Day 10. Thimphu – Paro:
After breakfast, we visit Simtokha Dzong built in 1627 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. This Dzong is the oldest Dzong in Bhutan and presently houses a Monastic school. Then we stroll in the town and visit the Handicraft Emporium and other shops. After lunch, we drive to Paro where our final sightseeing is a typical farm house. Overnight in hotel.

Day 11. Departure:
Early morning, drive to airport and farewell.

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