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Glimpse Of Bhutan |
| (4 nights / 5 days Cultural Tour) |
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| Day 01: Arrive at Paro |
Upon arrival
at Paro airport, received by representative of
Yak Adventure Travel and drive to Thimphu
(60 kilometers). Dinner and overnight at the hotel
in Thimphu. |
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| Day 02: Thimphu - Punakha -
Thimphu |
(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 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 elephants. 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.
Enroute stop 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 15th century. Enroute sightseeing
in the valley of Wangdiphodrang, it includes:
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 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.
Drive back to Thimphu in the evening. Over night
in Hotel. |
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| Day 03: Thimpu - Paro |
After breakfast,
sight seeing in Thimphu. It includes: 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 the National Library, which
holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist manuscripts
followed by visit to Painting School, famous for
carving and free hand art and Folk Heritage Museum.
After lunch, Excursion to Cheri
Monastery. In the evening, visit Tashichho Dzong
(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 Father of
Modern Bhutan. Then visit Handicrafts Emporium
to see the exquisite artistry of traditional crafts
and textiles. In the evening, drive to Paro. Dinner
and over night in Hotel. |
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| Day 04: Paro Sightseeing |
After breakfast
a short drive takes us 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.
We stop for a rest and light refreshments at the
Taktsang Jakhang (cafeteria) and then walk a short
distance until we see, clearly and seemingly within
reach, Taktsang monastery. The primary Lhakhang
was built around Guru Rimpoche's meditation cave
in 1684 by 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 in 747 AD, flew here on the
back of a flying tiger, Dorji Drolo, said to be
his favourite consort.
After lunch, visit the Ta dzong,
an ancient watchtower, which has been, since 1967,
the national museum of Bhutan then visit Rimpung
Dzong (Paro Dzong) built in 1646 by Shabdrung
Ngawang Namgyal. The Dzong presently houses administrative
offices. In the evening, visit the Drukgyel dzong,
now in ruins was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal
to commemorate the victory over the Tibetan invaders
in1644; the dzong name's means indeed "victorious
Druk". The Dzong was used as an administrative
center until 1951 when a fire caused by 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 Dinner and overnight at the hotel
in Paro |
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| Day 05: Departure |
Early morning, drive to the
Airport and Farewell. |
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