Bhutan – Happiness is a Place!
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Duration8 Days
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Region
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Best Time
- April - September
Introduction
Timeless traditions, unique architecture and stunning Himalayan scenery combine to make Bhutan the most fascinating of all the Himalayan kingdoms. As well as awe-inspiring mountain vistas, Bhutan will afford you the opportunity to experience first-hand the legendary hospitality and open hearted happiness of the local people. Far Horizon takes you on a unique journey through the beautiful and picturesque kingdom of Bhutan - one of the last Shangri-las of the world. This Himalayan kingdom is a preserve of the living history of the Lamaistic Buddhist culture. Immerse yourself in the unique culture of Bhutan – visit Thimphu, Punakha and Paro.
Tour Highlights
- Accommodation in twin sharing room as per the above mentioned hotels or similar in the room category specified.
- 7 Breakfast and 7 Dinner
- Vehicle (Hyundai SUV) for transfer and city tour
- All currently applicable taxes.
Destinations Covered
Thimphu
The Beating Heart of BhutanIt is a charming capital city that is nestled in the Himalayas with the magnificent sites of the Raidak River which passes through it which is often called as the Thimphu River.
Punakha
The Land of Red RicePunakha is one of the 20 districts located in Bhutan. This place was the previous capital of Bhutan up until 1955 after which the capital was changed to Thimpu. This place is in a close proximity to Thimpu and one can easily reach here by means of car. This place is usually warmer in winter and colder in summer. Located at the height of 1200 m this place is known for its extensive rice cultivation.
Paro
The Gateway to the Last Himalayan KingdomThis beautiful Paro valley is about 2250m above the sea level. Paro is believed to be one of the first valleys to have received the influences of the Buddhism. The wide and fertile Paro valley has both an ancient and a modern face.
Detailed Itinerary
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Day 1
Arrive Paro and drive to Thimphu (Approx. 55 kms / 1.5 hours’ drive)
Thimphu
Arrive Paro and drive to Thimphu. On arrival, check-into the hotel.
Thimphu, earlier a small settlement was developed in to a town and became the new capital of Bhutan. The city sprawls across the western slopes of the Wang Chuu river valley, with several government offices located around Trashichoe Dzong, the 17th Century fortress monastery is today the seat of Bhutanese government. The main thoroughfare is lined with shops, restaurants, retail arcades and public buildings. With the population of about 90,000 it is perhaps still the world’s only capital city without a traffic light.
In the evening, go for an exploratory walk around Thimphu Main Street and Market area.
Breakfast & Lunch will be on your own.
Overnight at the hotel (D)
Accomodation -
Day 2
Thimphu
Thimphu
After breakfast, drive to Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang). Located at a short drive from Thimphu city Centre, visitors can get a good overview of the Thimphu valley from the Buddha point (Kuensel Phodrang). You can pay your obeisance and offer prayers to the Buddha, the largest statue in the country and then walk around and take a glimpse of the valley.
Then, visit 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.
Afterwards visit to Textile and Folk Heritage Museums, a fascinating testimony of the Bhutanese living traditions.
Post lunch, visit the National Library, housing an extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts and the Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the Painting School) where students undergo a 6-year training course in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts.
Then, drive to Takin Preserve. The Takin is national animal of Bhutan, and looks like a cross between a cow and goat.
Later in the afternoon visit 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.
Evening time can be spent strolling through the government-run Handicrafts Emporium and local crafts bazaar, to browse through example of Bhutan's fine traditional arts. Here you can buy hand-woven textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings, jewelry, interesting items made from local materials.
Lunch will be on your own.
Overnight at the hotel (B, D)
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Day 3
Thimphu - Punakha by road (Approx. 75 kms / 3 hours’ drive)
Punakha
After breakfast, drive to Punakha across Dochu La. Located at a height of 3,088m/ 10,130 ft, Dochula is a scenic location with chorten, mani wall, and prayer flags which decorate this highest point on the road. If skies are clear, it may be possible to see the following peaks from this pass in the order left to right: Masagang (7,158m), Tsendagang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m ), Jejegangphugang (7,158 m), Kangphugang (7,170 m ), Zongphugang (7, 060 m ), a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana - finally Gangkar puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m.
En-route take a excursion to Chimi Lhakhang. The Chimi Lhakhang, situated on a hillock in the Centre of the valley, is also known as the temple of fertility. It is widely believed that couples who do not have children and wanting one, if they pray at this temple, they are usually blessed with a child very soon. A walk through the village near the temple will give you rare glimpses into the daily life and lifestyle of the villagers.
Afternoon visit Punakha Dzong or (Palace of Great Happiness), built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, at the junction of the Phochu and Mochu rivers. This majestic dzong served as both the religious and the administrative center of Bhutan in the past. It measures some 600 by 240 feet and has a six-story, gold-domed tower. Inside are courtyards and religious statuary that hint at the depth of history and spiritual tradition embodied here. Your guide will illuminate your understanding of this intricate culture that is exotic to us, though long established here.
Lunch will be on your own.
Overnight at the hotel (B, D)
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Day 4
Punakha – Wangduephodrang – Punakha
Punakha
After breakfast, a beautiful hike (total about 2 hours round trip walk) takes you to the regal Khamsum Yuelley Namgel Chorten, which was built by the Queen Mother of Bhutan to remove negative forces and promote peace, stability and harmony in the changing world. The Chorten dominates the upper Punakha Valley with commanding views across the Mo Chhu river and up towards the mountainous peaks of Gasa and beyond.
In the afternoon visit to Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang (nunnery). Perched on a ridge amid pine trees and overlooking valleys of Punakha and Wangduephodrang, gleams the magnificent structures of Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang(Temple). The temple houses a 14-foot main bronze statue of Avalokiteshvara (Chenrigzig chagtong chentong). Other statues include those of Guru Padmasambawa, Gautama Buddha, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, Tsela Namsum, the 21 Taras and Tsepamay (Buddha of longevity). The Avalokiteshvara statue, one of the biggest in the country, was the handiwork of entirely local Bhutanese artisans.
Later, proceed for an excursion to Talo village. The village of Talo (alt. 2,800m) which is scattered along the hill slopes, known for its cleanliness and hygiene among Punakha villages. Talo Sangnacholing is built on a plateau and has majestic view of surrounding villages. The beautiful farm houses of the village have its own flower gardens and on the hill slope corns and sweet peas are grown in abundance.
Later in the afternoon drive back to Punakha.
Lunch will be on your own.
Overnight at the hotel (B, D)
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Day 5
Punakha - Paro by road (Approx. 125 kms / 4.5 hours’ drive)
Paro
After breakfast drive back to Paro descending back down from Dochu La, follow the way back up the dramatic Wang Chhu and Paro Chhu river valleys, before crossing through Paro town towards the north end of the valley.
En route visit Simtokha Dzong, one of the oldest fortress of the country and known as the place of profound tantric teaching. This dzong now houses a school for the study of the Dzongkha language.
Later in the day after checking into hotel, proceed to visit Ta Dzong, originally built as Watchtower, which now houses National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons & armour, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts.
Then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, meaning (“fortress of the heap of jewels”), which has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore such as four friends, the old man of long life, the wheel of life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount. Sumeru and other cosmic Mandala.
Lunch will be on your own.
Overnight at the hotel (B, D)
Accomodation -
Day 6
Paro
Paro
After breakfast excursion to Taktshang Monastery (approx. 5 hours round trip walk). It is one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is called ‘Tiger’s Nest’. This site has been recognized as a most sacred place and visited by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 and now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime.
Later in the afternoon drive to Drukgyel Dzong, a ruined fortress where Bhutanese warriors fought Tibetan invaders centuries ago. In the early 1954, the Drukgyel Dzong was completely destroyed by fire and today only the ruins remains. The snowy dome of sacred Chomolhari, "mountain of goddess'' can be seen in all her glory from the approach road to the Dzong.
While return to the hotel, along the way, visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo. The building of this temple marks the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan.
In the evening, proceed for an exploratory walk around Main Street and market area.
Lunch will be on your own.
Overnight at the hotel (B, D)
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Day 7
Paro (full day excursion to Haa valley)
Paro
After breakfast, full day excursion to Haa valley, en route taking a short stop at Chelela pass. At an elevation of 3,988 meters, Chelela is considered to be one of the highest motor able passes in Bhutan. About an hour’s drive along a thickly forested road, this pass is a botanical paradise. The pass provides stunning views of the sacred mountain Jumolhari and Jichu Drake. It is also marked by hundreds of prayer flags fluttering in the wind.
Haa valley also known as ‘the Hidden-Land Rice Valley’ lies along the three distinctive sister hills (Meri Pun Sum). These hills present a breathtaking view, like heaps of flour in the middle of valley. They appear equal in height, in a line and upright without touching one another. Haa valley is one of the most picturesque places in the country.
Visit Lhakhang Karpo (White temple), established in the 7th century by Tibetan King Songtsen Gempo. According to legends, a black and white pigeon were released to select the site for temples and the white pigeon landed on the foothills of the three towering mountains worshipped as ‘Rigsum gonpo’ and is where this temple stands today.
Then visit, Lhakhang Nagpo (Black temple), also built in 7th century by Tibetan King Songtsen Gempo and situated towards the north of Lhakhang Karpo. Lhakhang Nagpo serves as the seat for the guardian deity ‘Da Do Chen’. The principal relic of the monastery is the Choe-Lung-Truel Sum. Both these temples stand as the guardian sentinels keeping watch at the south entrance of Haa valley.
Further explore exotic Haa valley and later in the afternoon, drive back to Paro.
Evening is free at leisure.
Lunch will be on your own.
Overnight at the hotel (B, D)
Accomodation - Day 8 Depart Paro
