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DAY 01. ARRIVE PARO
(BY DRUK AIR FLIGHT):
Your guide will receive you from the airport and
drive you to the hotel. After Tea or coffee, drive to
the ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong, built in 1647 by the
Great Shabdurng Ngawang Namgyal, father and unifier of
medieval Bhutan, the Dzong was destroyed by accident
fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the
great victories it was built to commemorate. In a clear
day one can see an unforgettable view of Mt. Jhmolhari
(7,314). On the way back, visit Kichu Lhakhang, built in
659 A.D by the Tibetan King Srongsen Gampo. The
monastery is one of his 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 other neighboring countries.
Dinner and Overnight in Hotel.
DAY 02. PARO, EXCURSION TO
TAKTSHANG MONASTERY:
After breakfast a short drive takes you to Satsam
Chorten, the trail climbs through beautiful pine forest,
many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an
occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. Stop for a
rest their and light refreshments at the Taktshang
Jakhang (cafeteria) and then walk a short distance until
clear sight seen of Taktshang monastery. The primary
Lhakhang was built around Guru Rimpoche's meditation
cave in 1684 by the Penlop of Paro, Gyaltse Tenzin
Rabhay. The incredible monastery clings to the edge of a
sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley
below. Legend has its Guru Padmasambhaya, the tantric
mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in 746 A.D.
After lunch, visit Ta Dzong (built in 1656 and renovated
in 1968), an ancient watchtower, which is now the
National Museum. Below the museum is the Romping Dzong
(literally meaning "Heap of Jewels"), the central of
civil and religious authority in the valley, built in
1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. In Evening, drive to
Thimpu. Overnight in hotel.
DAY 03. PARO -
THIMPHU SIGHTSEEING:
After breakfast, visit the National
Memorial Chorten (1974) which was built in the honour of
the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk of Bhutan. Then visit
the National Library, which stocks a collection of
ancient Buddhist manuscripts, and the Painting School
where traditional arts are still kept alive through
instruction in the art of painting Thanks (scared Buddha
religious scrolls). After lunch drive to the Traditional
Medicine Institute where medicines are prepared
according to ancient practices, and to Lungtenzampa to
observe the Royal silver smiths and Bhutanese paper
factory at work. 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 (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). Finally visit the
Handicrafts Emporium followed by shopping for souvenirs
in the shops of Thimphu. Overnight in Hotel.
DAY 04. THIMPHU -
PUNAKHA:
After breakfast, drive to Punakha via Dochula pass.
If weather is clear, stop for a while at Dochula pass to
view Higher Himalayas. On the way, visit Chimi Lhakhang,
which is also known as "the Temple of Fertility ". 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 serves as the seat of
the Government. The construction of the Dzong was
foretold by Guru Rimpoche, who predicted, "A person
named Namgyal arrives at a hill that looks like an
elephant". A small building they called Dzong chu (small
Dzong) which houses a statue of Buddha. It is also 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 this
vision, the architect conceived the design for the new
Dzong, which in keeping with the traditional, was never
committed to paper. The Dzong was named Druk Pungthang
Dechen Phodrang (Place of Great Happiness). The war
materials captured during the battle with Tibetans are
preserved their. Punakha is still the winter residence
of Je-Khempo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the
new national Assembly there in 1952. After Lunch,
Excursion to Khamsung Yulley Namgyal Choling Monastery.
Dinner and Overnight in Hotel.
DAY 05. PUNAKHA -
GANGTEY:
Wangdiphodrang Dzong (from outside) built in
1638. Legend relates that as the people were searching
for the site of the Dzong; four raves were seen flying
away in four directions which were considered an
auspicious sign representing the spread of Buddhist
religion to the four points of the compass. The Dzong is
situated at the confluence of Mo Chu and Rang Chu
rivers. Drive to Gangtey. Visit Gangtey Gompa. Gyalte
Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind re-incarnation 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 monastery and is
affiliated to other Nyingmapa monasteries including
Tamshing in Bumthang. Explore Phobjikh valley which is
famous for Black Naked Cranes during winter. After
lunch, explore the valley. Dinner and Overnight in Guest
House.
DAY 06. GANGTEY - THIMPHU:
After breakfast, drive to Thimphu. After lunch, visit
Folk Heritage Museum and Excursion to Cheri Monastery.
In the evening, drive to Paro. Dinner and Overnight in
Hotel.
DAY
07. DEPARTURE:
Early in the morning, drive to the airport and
farewell. |