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Day 01.Arrive Delhi : Arrival assistance and transfer to
the hotel.
Day 02.
Delhi : After breakfast full day city tour of
Delhi.
Day 03:
Delhi/Paro : Departure to airport to board flight
for Bhutan.
Arrive Paro (By Druk Air flight): (Paro
Sightseeing): Arrival assistance at the airport and drive you
the short distance to the hotel. After Tea, drive to Ta Dzong
(built in1656 and renovated in 1968), an ancient watchtower,
which now houses the National Museum. This unusual round
building is said to be in the shape of a conch shell. The
centerpiece of this Museum is a complex four-sided carving
depicting the history of Buddhism and its propagation. One side
is Sakyamuni and the great teacher Atisha, representing the
Sakya school. |
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On the next is Geylup, a disciple of Dalai
Lama. Another is Nyingma lineage, the head is Guru Padmasanva,
and the final is Drukpa Kagyu with the figure of Vajra Dhara.
Below the museum is the Paro Rimpung Dzong (literally meaning
“Heap of Jewels”, built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal,
the centre of civil and religious authority in this valley. Here
you can see finest example of Bhutanese architecture.
Enroute visit Kichu Lhakhang, built in 659
A.D by the Tibetan king Srongsen Gampo. This Monastery is one of
the 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. In the evening drive to the ruins of the
Drukgyal Dzong, built in 1647 by the Great Shabdrung Ngawang
Namgyal, father and unifier of medieval Bhutan, the dzong was
destroyed by accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative
reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate.
Explore the ramparts and on a clear day experience an
unforgettable view of Mt. Jhomolhari (7,314 m). Dinner and
overnight in Hotel at Paro.
Day 04. Paro (Sightseeing) – Thimphu (Sighseeing):
After early breakfast, Excursion to Taktsang Monastery. A very
special day, with an excursion to view the spectacular Taktsang
(Tiger's Nest) monastery - After breakfast a short drive takes
us to Satsam Chorten, from there a 1 hr. walk till the viewpoint
point of the monastery. 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 the 1684by 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, flew here on the
back of a flying tiger, Dorji Drolo, said to be his favourite
consort.
After lunch drive to Thimphu and visit the National Memorial
Chorten (1974) built in honour of our late King Jigme Dorji
Wangchuk, “The Father of Modern Bhutan”. Built in a typical
Tibetan style, there are numerous religious paintings and the
complex tantric statues reflecting both the peaceful and
wrathful aspects of Buddhist deities. This Chorten is also a
center of worship for the people living in Thimphu. Then visit
to Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in
Bhutan. Visit Changkha Monastery (This monastery was built in
15th century by the lama Phajo Drugom Zhipo) where the new born
child of Thimphu valley are taken to receive 1st blessing from a
High Lama. Drive to Mini Zoo where Takin, the national animal of
Bhutan can be seen. This particular animal is found only in the
Himalayan region and the head of this animal looks like that of
a goat and body of a cow/yak and before sun set drive to Sangay
gang view point (2685 meters) to have view of whole Thimphu
valley and walk through hundreds of colourful prayer flags that
dot the hill over looking the Thimphu valley. Dinner and
Overnight in Hotel at Thimphu.
Day 04. Thimphu (Sightseeing) – Paro:
After breakfast, visit the National Library, stocked with
ancient Buddhist manuscripts, and the Painting School where
traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the
art of painting Thangkas (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls).We
can visit in different class rooms, where different students
follows a comprehensive course that starts with drawing and
progresses through painting, wood and slate curving, and statue
making. Visit Traditional Medicine Institute where medicines are
prepared according to ancient practices.
After lunch visit Folk Heritage Museum and Handicraft Emporium
for the shopping various Bhutanese arts and crafts. In the
evening drive to Paro. Dinner and over night in Hotel at Paro.
Day 06. Paro/Delhi Departure: Early breakfast, drive to
Airport. From Delhi airport fly back home OR overnight in Delhi.
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