Bhutanese beatitude

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  ARRIVAL IN PARO-THIMPHU

  Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be greeted by your guide at the exit of the arrivals hall. You will take time to acclimatize to the altitude. Departure for Thimphu, check-in at the hotel and tasting of Bhutanese cuisine. Afterwards, you will visit the National Memorial Chorten, built in honor of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. Thimphu Dzong, the largest Dzong in Bhutan, is also the seat of the office of the King of Bhutan. Every Saturday and Sunday, most of Thimphu's population gathers on the banks of the river, where the Centenary Farmers' Weekend Market is held. Here, villagers from the valley and other nearby villages come to sell their agricultural products. Afterwards, we will go to Kuenselphodrang Nature Park, where the 169-foot bronze statue of Buddha Dordenma, Buddha of the Vajra Throne, is located. It is one of the largest Buddha statues in the world. You can enjoy an evening walk around Thimphu after dinner.

• day 2

  THIMPHU-PUNAKHA

  Dochula Pass - The 108 chortens were built by the current Queen Mother of Bhutan, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, to commemorate Bhutan's victory over Indian militants and to liberate lost souls. Punakha Dzong - Built in 1637, the dzong continues to be the winter residence of the clergy, led by the chief abbot, the Je Khenpo. It is a magnificent example of Bhutanese architecture, located at the confluence of two rivers, representing the image of a medieval city seen from afar. The dzong has been destroyed by fire and glacial floods over the years, but it has been carefully restored and is today a beautiful example of Bhutanese craftsmanship. Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten - Built by the third Queen Mother, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck, this chorten is a magnificent example of Bhutanese architecture and art and is the only one of its kind in the world. It was built over eight and a half years, and its details were drawn from religious scriptures.

• day 3

  PUNAKHA-PARO

  Chhimi Lhakhang - A 20-minute walk through terraced fields and the village of Sopsokha, from the roadside to the small temple located on a hill in the center of the valley, below Metshina. Ngawang Chogyel built the temple in the 15th century, after the "divine madman" Drukpa Kuenlay erected a small chorten there. It is a pilgrimage site for infertile women. Paro Valley - The beautiful valley is home to many ancient monasteries and temples of Bhutan. The country's only airport is located in Paro. The valley is also home to Mount Chomolhari (7,300 meters), located at the northern end of the valley, whose glacial waters form the Pachu that flows through the valley. Here are some of the most important places to visit in Paro. Paro Dzong, also known as Rinpung Dzong, is a massive 15th-century monastery-fortress. It is also the administrative center of the dzonkhag. A morning walk, north of the Paro valley, brings us to the ruins of Drukgyal Dzong. Built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father and unifier of medieval Bhutan, the Dzong was destroyed by an accidental fire and left in ruins to remind of the great victories it was built to commemorate.

• day 4

  PARO

  Are you ready? You will go on a hike to one of Bhutan's highlights today: the Tiger's Nest, also known as the Taktsang Monastery. Taktsang Monastery - A one-hour hike to the cafeteria will offer you a panoramic view, allowing you to enjoy a breathtaking view of the monastery. Prayer flags adorn the cliffs, and it is also where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in the 8th century. Kyichu Lhakhang - After a sumptuous local lunch, we will retrace our steps to visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan.

• day 5

  Departure from Paro

  Breakfast at the hotel, then head to the airport for a flight to your return destination. Tashi Delek!