Bhutan The beautiful south Asian Kingdom is a landlocked country that is filled with natural and cultural heritage. Experience of the Bhuddhist culture and tradition along with the hindu culture and the friendly people creates such a good religious and social harmony. The government of Bhutan really responsible towards its people and in every population Census they are asked, whether they are happy or not.
The Central Bhutan tour provides travelers the experience of the cultural, heritage, tradition, social and religous practices, Monsteries. Beside religious, social and cultural sides of Bhutan the natural attractions is another experiences with jungles, rivers, mountain views and the national animal Takin. All in all the tour includesthe focal area such as Paro, Thimpu, Punakha, Trongsa, Bumthang.
On arrival your Tour guide will Receive you with white Khadar ( Scarf with eight lucky sign) Your sightseeing in Paro starts with drive to Ta Dzong (built in 1656 and renovated in 1968), an ancient watchtower which now houses the National Museum. 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. Drive to see the Kichu Lhakhang, built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Srongsen Gampo. Drugyal dzong situated on south side of valley as part of your Bhutan tour. This monastery is now in ruins and has a fascinating history of being shelter for Bhutanese soldiers repelling Tibetan invaders during 17th century. Overnight hotel at Paro.
After breakfast, drive to Thimphu,Sight seeing in Thimphu includes Kuenselphodrang ( commonly known as Buddha Point) where the largest Buddha statue in the country is perched on the hillock overlooking the Thimphu Valley. You may take a nature hike through Kuenselphodran Nature Park for about 20-30 minutes.
TashichhoeDzong, a fortress of the glorious religion. It was built in 1641 by ZhabdrungNgawangNamgyel and was reconstructed into present structure by the late King, His majesty JigmeDorjiWangchuck in the year 1962-1969. It houses the secretariat building, the throne room and the office of the king, and the central monk body.
The National Memorial Chorten (stupa) which was constructed in 1974 as a memorial for the third King of Bhutan, King JigmeDorjiWangchuck, who is widely regarded as the father of modern Bhutan. The term ‘chorten’ literally means ‘ seat of faith’ and Buddhists often call such monuments the ‘Mind of Buddha’. Meet the elderly generation in circumambulation, especially in the evenings, at the National Memorial Chorten.
Takin Preserve, which houses the national animal the Takin that is only found in Bhutan. This is an extremely rare.
ChangangkhaLhakhang (temple): ChangangkhaLhakhang is an old fortress like temple and monastic school perched on a ridge above Thimphu. It was established in the 12th century on a site chosen by Lama PhajoDrukgomShigpo, who came from Ralung in Tibet. The central statue is Chenresig in an 11-headed, thousand-armed manifestation ( God of compassion). There are enormous prayer wheels to spin and even the prayer books in the temple are larger in size than usual Tibetan texts.
National Textile Museum which is a good place to see the art of traditional weaving being kept alive and preserved through exhibition and has a good collection of old textiles which are rich in colors and designs.You will also see people weaving with intricate designs.
Bhutan Post Office Headquarters to get personalized Bhutanese postage stamps with your photo on them. You can bring along your favorite photo to put on the stamps and put these stamps on your postcard to send to your family and friends.
Craft Bazaar – A one stop place to witness Bhutanese culture and buy Bhutan made art and craft product. The Bazaar in its 80 stalls covers all aspects of the traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan.At this Bazaar craftsmen and artisans from across the country display and sell their handicrafts. And also visit other handicraft stores.Overnight hotel at Thimphu
After breakfast,Drive over the 10,000ft Dochula La Pass, where you can see 108 Bhutanese Stupas. If the weather is clear you can see all Himalayan Ranges with all snow covered. (about an hour outside Thimphu) into the balmy Wangdi valley (about 3 hrs total time). Then drive through the countryside affords a glimpse of everyday life in this most remote of Himalayan kingdom Morning visit to PunakhaDzong, a massive structure build at the junction of two rivers. Punakha was Bhutan’s capital until 1955 and PunakhaDzong still serves as the winter residence of the central monk body. Bhutan’s first king, UgyenWangchuck, was crowned here in 1907. The fortress has withstood damage from fire, earthquake and flood over the centuries. The latest flood, in October, 1994, caused great damage to the fortress but miraculously spared its most holy statue and do a hike up to ChimmiLhakhang, your trail follows in the middle of villages, Temple was built in 14th century by great saint Divine Mad man and there is a pilgrimages for the fertilization and women without child comes to get the blessing.Over night hotel at Punakha.
After breakfast, drive to Phobjikha valley. Driving through the dense forests of the Phobjikha Valley you arrive at Gantey village where you see the Gangtey Monastery and visit the monastery. Phobjikha valley is part of the beautiful JigmeSingyeWangchuck National Park ( formerly known as Black Mountains National Park), one of Bhutan’s most important nature sanctuaries. Each winter it is home to a flock of 300 rare and endangered black-necked cranes. The surrounding hills and mountains are home to nomadic shepherds and yak-herders. This is one of the most remote and untouched regions in Bhutan and is only just opening its doors to the outside world.
After lunch at Phobjikha valley and explore the valley and also visit the Black Necked Crane Center.overnight at a hotel.
Phobjikha to Bumthang
After breakfast drive towards Bumthang and, this is one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the heartland of Buddhism. Here the great teachers meditated and left in their wake many sacred grounds. The Guru and his lineage of Tertons, trea sure finders, have led to the sprouting of many temples in the valley.
On the way, visit the “Yathra” Weaving Centre at Zugney. Yathra is the name for the colorful, hand-woven woolen cloth (often with geometric designs) that is produced in this region and wool used for this type of textile is sheep wool as the sheep is reared in the Bumthang district. Yatra is made into jackets or bags, etc. Overnight in Hotel Bumthang.
Early breakfast, a day spent in peaceful and lovely Bumthang, the culture and historic heart of Bhutan. Its barley field, apple groves and meadows lie below the huge hills which climb up towards the Himalayan mountain wall separating Bhutan from Tibet. The beautiful architecture unique to Bhutan is evident in the many large farmhouses and temples .Bumthang is associated with Guru Rinpoche (also called Padmasambhave )and with TertonPemalingpa .Tertons are people chosen to discover treasures in the forms of religious teaching or artifacts .Some of the most important sites in the valley are KurjeyLhakhang ,the Temple where the kings of Bhutan are taken for final Cremation rites. Konchogsum, the Temple of the three Jewels of the Dharma, and Tamshing, where Pemalingpa ‘heavy coat of mail is kept in the Vestibule . People are permitted to try it on, and it is said that if they can circumambulate the inner sanctuary three times while weaving it, some of their sins will be forgiven. There is a highly successful farm project in Bumthang, where locally grown apples are processed into Juice, and huge wheels of cheese is delicious. Also nearby is a farm where beautiful golden horses Drive to Tharpaling Monastery which is situated 3600m above the sea level and 10km above chummey valley which is built in 14 century LongchenRabjam .This place is use as a meditation place by Guru Rimpoche and many Yogis. Above you make a small hike were you can see rock throne,whereLongchenpa wrote part of the seven treasures.Overnight hotel at Bumthang
Morning after breakfast drive back to Punakha this will be the long journey to you. On the way you stop at Trongsa for lunch and again start the journey back to Punakha. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.
After breakfast make a small hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, which is a splendid example of Bhutanese art meets architecture, and the only one of its kind. At the direction of the third Queen Mother AshiTsheringYangdonWangchuck, the site took nine years to build because architects, painters, sculptors, and carpenters only used holy scriptures rather than engineering manuals to construct this four-tory temple. Only reachable on foot, the hour trek includes an exhilarating walk across a colorful prayer flag adorned suspended footbridge that crosses the Mo Chhu. In 1999, the temple was consecrated to remove negative energies and promote peace, harmony, and stability around the world. It is a stunning building with splendid views of the valley that are well worth the walk.After lunch drive back toTimphu by crossing Dochula pass, Stop for the while at Dochula to View the Himalayan Mountain ,you will see mountain peak if the weather is clear and stop for the lunch at Dochula with view point. Over night hotel at Paro.
Early breakfast, Walk up to Taktsang Monastery (acclimatization hike). The name Taktsang means “Tiger’s Nest “. The Monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 4000 ft. and overlooks the Paro valley and the river. It is said that in the second half of the 8th century, Guru Padma Sambhava known as the second Buddha in Bhutan, meditated in the spot where the Monastery is situated having alighted there on the back of a flying tigress. Picnic lunch at the Taktsang cafeteria, then descend to the base and after that drive to hotel.
Early breakfast in the hotel and drive to the airport for flight to onward destination.
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