BHUTAN – THE KINGDOM OF HAPPINESS !
Nestled on the slopes of the Himalayas, Bhutan is a land of mystery that few Westerners have had the chance
to tread. A mid - way between the past and future, this country is not an ordinary country. While fitting into the
modern world needs to occur, the Kingdom has maintained its traditional culture ancestral
Buddhist monasteries (Dzong) perched on the hills, the snow-capped peaks vertiginous valleys of pastures
and forests of tropical South will not fail to interest lovers of trekking and nature preserve
You can see monks transcribing ancient Buddhist texts on their computers and archers dressed in traditional
costumes using bows and arrows the most modern
During festivals, people put on their finest suits and dresses before joining the Dzong where the monks,
wearing the face masks of animals and deities grimacing, perform dances that are as exorcisms, incantations
and meditation, sound drums that repel demons ...
The grace of this mysterious kingdom nestled in the Himalayan forest, the delicacy of his poetic language, the
beauty of the songs and dances of Bhutanese party enchant travelers at the end of the world ... In Bhutan!
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BHUTAN – PHOTO TOUR
Taktsang Monastery
Taktsang Monastery -II
Memorial Chorten
Memorial Chorten- II
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Trashichhoe Dzong
Trashichhoe Dzong - II
Ta Dzong (National Museum)
Drukgyel Dzong
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DETAILED ITINERARY
DAY 01
Late evening
ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive Delhi by International flight.
Welcome at the airport and transfer to hotel.
OVERNIGHT : HOTEL IN DELHI.
DAY 02
0800 Hrs
DELHI / PARO (Flight) / THIMPU
After breakfast, check out of the rooms & transfer by coach to Delhi
international airport.
1200 hrs
Depart by flight Druk Airways KB 205 for Paro.
1450 hrs
On arrival at Paro airport, received by our representative and transfer to
Thimphu (55 km, approx 2 hours drive), the modern capital town of Bhutan.
En route, visit Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress of the country which
now houses the School for Buddhist studies.
Arrive Thimphu and check-into Hotel.
Thimpu (7,600 ft) – the capital town Bhutan, and the centre of
government, religion and commerce, it is a unique city with unusual
mixture of modern development alongside ancient traditions and it
maintains a strong national character in its architecture style.
Time free to walk around the streets of Thimpu.
Return to hotel.
Evening
Buffet dinner at hotel.
OVERNIGHT : HOTEL IN THIMPHU.
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DAY 03
Morning
THIMPHU
After breakfast at hotel, depart for the sightseeing of the city of Thimpu.
The capital town of Bhutan and the centre of government, religion and
commerce, Thimphu is a unique city with unusual mixture of modern
development alongside ancient traditions. Although not what one expects
from a capital city, Thimphu is still a fitting and lively place. Home to civil
servants, expatriates and monk body, Thimphu maintains a strong national
character in its architectural style.
Visit the following: the National Library, housing an extensive collection of
priceless Buddhist manuscripts; the Institute for Zorig Chusum
(commonly known as the Painting School) where students undergo a 6year training course in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts.
Later visit Textile and Folk Heritage Museum, a fascinating testimony of
the Bhutanese material culture and living traditions.
Return to hotel
Buffet lunch at the Hotel.
Afternoon
Depart for the visit of King's Memorial Chorten continuously
circumambulated by people, murmuring mantras- and spinning their prayer
wheels. Construction of this landmark was the idea of Bhutan’s third king,
His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (“the father of modern Bhutan”) who
has wished to erect monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed
in 1974 after his untimely death, it serves both as a memorial to the Late
King and as a monument to peace.
Thereafter, the visit of Trashichhoedzong, “fortress of the glorious
religion”. This is the center of government and religion, site of monarch’s
throne room and seat of Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built in 1641 by the
political and religious unifier of Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it
was reconstructed in 1960s in traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails
or architectural plans.
Time free to visit around the local market.
Return to hotel.
Evening
Buffet dinner with traditional dance & music of Thimpu at the hotel.
OVERNIGHT : HOTEL IN THIMPHU.
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DAY 04
THIMPHU / PUNAKHA
Morning
After breakfast at hotel, depart drive to Punakha (77 Kms / Approx 2 ½ hrs
drive)
Enroute visit of Dochu-la Pass (3,088m/10,130ft) and admire the
chortens, Mani walls, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on
the road. Sights on the way include the Semtokha Dzong, “the place of
profound tantric teaching”, stands sentinel on a hillock a few kilometers out
of town. This Dzong now houses the Institute for Language and Cultural
Studies.
Continue towards Punakha.
Punakha served as a capital of Bhutan till 1955. In spite of four
catastrophic fires and an earthquake that destroyed many historical
documents, Punakha Dzong houses sacred artifacts and the embalmed
body of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. The Dzong is one of the most
spectacular dzongs in the country situated at the confluence of two rivers.
On arrival in Punakha check in at the hotel
Buffet lunch at the hotel.
Afternoon
Proceed for the city sightseeing of Punakha visiting :
Punakha Dzong, "palace of great happiness" was built in 1637 by
Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal after Simtokha Dzong and is located
strategically between the confluence of Pho Chu and Mo Chu Rivers. The
Dzong, which was damaged by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake,
has been fully restored by the present King. Punakha served as the capital
of the country until second king who moved the capital to Bumthang as
summer and Trongsa as the winter. It was here on 17th December 1907,
Bhutan's first king, Sir Ugyen Wangchuk was crowned as the first
hereditary ruler of Bhutan. It is also the venue for Punakha Festival held in
February or March.
Chhimi Lhakhang, it's a 20 minutes walk across fields through the village
of Sopsokha from the roadside to the small temple located on a hillock in
the centre of the valley below Metshina. Ngawang Chogyel built the temple
in 15th century after the 'divine Madman’ Drukpa Kuenlay built a small
chorten there. It is a pilgrim site for barren women.
Evening
Buffet dinner at hotel.
OVERNIGHT : HOTEL IN PUNAKHA
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DAY 05
Morning
PUNAKHA / PARO
After breakfast, drive to Paro (150 Kms / Approx 5 hrs drive)
The beautiful valley of Paro encapsulates within itself a rich culture, scenic
beauty and hundreds of myths and legends. It is home to many of Bhutan’s
oldest temples and monasteries, National Museum and country’s only
airport. Mount. Chomolhari (7,314m) reigns in white glory at the northern
end of the valley and its glacial water plunge through deep gorges to form
Pa Chhu (Paro river). Paro is also one of the most fertile valley in the
Kingdom producing a bulk of the locally famous red rice from its terraced
fields.
Arrive Paro & check into hotel.
Buffet lunch at hotel.
Afternoon
Visit Ta Dzong - National Museum of Bhutan is a cultural museum in the
town of Paro in western Bhutan. Established in 1968, in the renovated
ancient Ta-dzong building, above Rinpung Dzong under the command of
His Majesty, the King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the third hereditary Monarch
of Bhutan. The necessary infrastructure was created to house some of the
finest specimens of Bhutanese art, including masterpieces of bronze
statues and paintings.
Then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, the fortress which has a
long and fascinating history.
Return to hotel.
Evening
Buffet dinner at hotel.
OVERNIGHT : HOTEL IN PARO
DAY 06
Morning
PARO
After breakfast excursion to Taktsang Monastery (approx 5 hrs walk,
horse can be arranged for this excursion).
Taktsang is one of the holiest places in Bhutan the monastery is perched
on a high granite cliff overlooking the northern Paro valley. This place is
especially venerated because of its association with Guru Rinpoche, who
is said to have flown to Paro Taktsang in the form of Dorji Drolo, mounted
on a flaming dakini-tigress in the 747A.D.
Picnic lunch at Taktsang cafeteria.
Afternoon
Continue visit to Drukgyel Dzong, the ruined fortress. From the Dzong,
there is fascinating view of Mount Chomolhari.
Return to hotel.
Evening
Gala dinner in private hall with traditional dance & music of Bhutan.
OVERNIGHT : HOTEL IN PARO
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DAY 07
0530 Hrs
PARO / DELHI (Flight)
After an early breakfast, transfer to airport
0900 Hrs
Depart by Druk Air flight KB 204 to Delhi
1100 Hrs
Arrive Delhi – meet and transfer to hotel.
1230 Hrs
Buffet lunch at the hotel
1400 Hrs
Distribution of keys and installation in the rooms.
1600 Hrs :
Proceed for the visit of Qutab Minar – it is the world's tallest brick minaret.
Construction commenced in 1193 under the orders of India's first Muslim
ruler Qutub-ud-din Aibak, and the topmost storey of the minaret was
completed in 1386 by Firuz Shah Tughluq.
Thereafter, drives past the Secretariat buildings, President’s House, India
Gate (42m high stone memorial arch bearing the names of 85,000 Indian
Army soldiers who died in the campaigns of World War-I, the Northwest
Frontier operations of the same time and the 1919 Afghan fiasco).
2000 Hrs
Buffet dinner at the hotel
Late evening
In time, transfer to International airport
DAY 08
DEPART DELHI
Depart by International flight for onward destination
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