EWD Holidays

Bhutan

Bhutan 4 Nights

Day01 : Arrive Paro by Air & transfer to Thimphu ( 55km, 1 ½ hrs drive )

The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular in entire Himalayas. Whether flying along the Himalayan range from Kathmandu or over the foothills from Kolkatta, the journey offers fascinating views and an exciting descent into the Kingdom. Bhutan’s first gift to you as you disembark from the aircraft will be cool, clean fresh mountain air. After immigration formalities and baggage collection, you will be met by our representative and welcomed to Bhutan.

Afterwards drive to Thimphu, the capital town of Bhutan with en-route stop at Chuzom, the confluence of Thimphu and Paro rivers. Three different style of stupas ; Tibetan, Nepalese and Bhutanese adorn this confluence. Shortly before reaching Chuzom, you will see on your left TschogangLhakhang, “the temple of the excellent horse”. It is a private temple, built in 15th century, as the result of visitation from Balaha, the excellent horse, a manifestation of Chenrezig, the compassionate Buddha.  

Thimphu, earlier a small settlement was developed in to a town and became the new capital of Bhutan. The city sprawls across the western slopes of the Wang Chuu river valley, with several government offices located around Trashichoedzong, the 17th Century fortress monastery is today the seat of Bhutanese government. The main thoroughfare is lined with shops, restaurants, retail arcades and public buildings.

Dinner and overnight at the Hotel in Thimphu . (Altitude 2400m)

Day 02 : Thimphu

Breakfast at the Hotel  , after which proceed for sightseeing of the following places , starting with a visit to the National Library ( Closed on weekends) , which houses an extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts, some dating back several hundred years , as well as modern Academic books mainly on Himalayan culture and religion .

Followed by a visit to Textile (Closed on Sunday) and Folk Heritage Musuem (halfday on weekend) – both of which opened in 2001 provides a fascinating insight into the Bhutanese material culture and way of life .

Later in Thimphu  , sightseeing of the following :

Visit King’s Memorial Chorten continuously circumambulated by people, murmuring mantras and spinning their prayer wheels. Construction of this landmark was the idea of Bhutan’s third king, His Majesty JigmeDorjiWangchuk (“the father of modern Bhutan”) who has wished to erect monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it serves both as a memorial to the Late King and as a monument to peace.

Also visit to Trashichhoedzong, “fortress of the glorious religion”. This is the centre of government and religion, site of monarch’s throne room and seat of Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, ShabdrungNgawangNamgyal, it was reconstructed in 1960s in traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans.

End the day with a visit to the government-run Handicrafts Emporium and local crafts shops, to browse through example of Bhutan’s fine traditional arts. Here you can buy hand-woven textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings, jewelry, interesting items made from local materials.

Dinner and overnight at the Hotel in Thimphu . (Altitude 2400m)

Day 03 : Thimphu – Paro( 55km, 1 ½ hrs drive )

Morning after breakfast drive to Paro : en route visit SimtokhaDzong. This dzong, built in 1627 is the oldest in Bhutan. It now houses the Institute for Language and Culture Studies.

The beautiful valley of Paro encapsulates within itself a rich culture, scenic beauty and hundreds of myths and legends. It is home to many of Bhutan’s oldest temples and monasteries, National Museum and country’s only airport. Mount. Chomolhari (7,314m) reigns in white glory at the northern end of the valley and its glacial water plunge through deep gorges to form Pa Chhu (Paroriver). Paro is also one of the most fertile valley in the Kingdom producing a bulk of the locally famous red rice from its terraced fields.

Afternoon visit Ta Dzong, originally built as Watchtower, which now houses National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons &armour, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts. After the visit walk down the trail to visit RinpungDzong, meaning (“fortress of the heap of jewels”), which has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore such as four friends, the old man of long life, the wheel of life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount. Sumeru and other cosmic Mandala.

Overnight at the hotel in Paro (Altitude 2200m).

Day 04 :Paro

Morning after breakfast Excursion to Taktshang Monastery (5hrs hike) –  :It is one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is called ‘Tiger’s Nest’. This site has been recognised as a most sacred place and visited by ShabdrungNgawangNamgyal in 1646 and now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime. On 19 April, 1998, a fire severely damaged the main structure of building but now this Bhutanese jewel has been restored to its original splendour.

Afternoon : Visit KyichuLakhang : It is one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom dating back to 7th century (the other is JambeyLhakahng in
Bumthang). The lhakhang complex is composed of two temples. The first temple was built by Tibetan King, SongtsenGampo in the 7th century and in 1968, H.M. AshiKesang, the Queen Mother of Bhutan, built the second temple in same original pattern.

Overnight at the Hotel in Paro.

Overnight at the hotel in Paro (Altitude 2200m).

Day 05 : Depart

After breakfast in the morning drive to the Airport for your onward journey .

Splendid Bhutan 6 Nights

Day 01 : Arrive Paro by Druk Air

The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular in entire Himalayas. Whether flying along the Himalayan range from Kathmandu or over the foothills from Kolkatta, the journey offers fascinating views and an exciting descent into the Kingdom. Bhutan’s first gift to you as you disembark from the aircraft will be cool, clean fresh mountain air. After immigration formalities and baggage collection, you will be met by our representative and welcomed to Bhutan.

Afterwards drive to Thimphu, the capital town of Bhutan with en-route stop at Chuzom, the confluence of Thimphu and Paro rivers. Three different style of stupas ; Tibetan, Nepalese and Bhutanese adorn this confluence. Shortly before reaching Chuzom, you will see on your left TschogangLhakhang, “the temple of the excellent horse”. It is a private temple, built in 15th century, as the result of visitation from Balaha, the excellent horse, a manifestation of Chenrezig, the compassionate Buddha.  

Just before arriving Thimphu, visit Buddha Point (KuenselPhodrang). Located at a short drive from Thimphu city centre, visitors can get a good overview of the Thimphu valley from the Buddha point (KuenselPhodrang). You can pay your obeisance and offer prayers to the Buddha, the largest statue in the country and then walk around and take a glimpse of the valley.

Evening at leisure . Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu(alt. 2400m/7875ft)

Day 02 :Thimphu

Thimphu, perhaps the most unusual capital city in the world, is the seat of government. This bustling town is home to Bhutan’s royal family, the civil servants, and foreign missions with representation in Bhutan. It is also the headquarters for a number of internationally funded development projects.

Morning visit to the National Library( Closed on Weekends ) which houses an extensive collection of  Buddhist literature, with some works dating back several hundred years.

Also visit the folk Heritage and National Textile Museums(Closed on Sundays) , a fascinating testimony of Bhutan’s living traditions.

Followed by a visit to Simply Bhutan –  an exclusive project under the Bhutan Youth Development Fund . It is a living Museum and Studio encapsulating the cultural heritage of the Bhutanese people. The infrastructure portrays ancient Bhutanese architecture which is being lost to modernization .

Afternoon,  inThimphu visit the following : National Memorial Chorten. The building of this landmark was originally envisaged by Bhutan’s third king, His Majesty JigmeDorjiWangchuk (“the father of modern Bhutan”) who has wished to erect monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it serves both as a memorial to the Late King and as a monument to peace.

Trashichhodzong, the beautiful medieval fortress/monastery which houses most of the Government’s office and King’s Throne room It is also the summer residence of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot.

End the day with a visit to the government-run Handicrafts Emporium and local crafts shops, to browse through example of Bhutan’s fine traditional arts. Here you can buy hand-woven textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings, jewelry, interesting items made from local materials.

Dinner and overnight at the Hotel in Thimphu . (Altitude 2400m)

Day 03 :Thimphu/Punakha (75km, 3hrs drive )

Breakfast at the Hotel  , then  drive to Punakha via Dochu-la pass, (3,088m/ 10,130 ft) stopping briefly here to take in the view and admire the chorten, mani wall, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road. If skies are clear, the following peaks can be seen from this pass (left to right): Masagang (7,158m), Tsendagang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m), Jejegangphugang (7,158 m ), Kangphugang (7,170 m ), Zongphugang (7, 060 m ), a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana – finally Gangkarpuensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m.

Drive further down to Punakha (alt. 1300m/4265ft) – Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan until and still it is the winter seat of Je Khenpo (the chief abbot). Blessed with temperate climate and owing to its natural drainage from Pho Chhu (male) and Mo Chhu (female) rivers, the Punakha valley produces abundant crops and fruits.

Afternoon in Punakha  visitSangchhenDorjiLhuendrupLhakhang nunnery:

Perched on a ridge amid pine trees and overlooking valleys of Punakha and Wangduephodrang, gleams the magnificent structures of SangchhenDorjiLhuendrupLhakhang(Temple). The temple houses a 14-foot main bronze statue of Avalokiteshvara (Chenrigzigchagtongchentong). Other statues include those of Guru Padmasambawa, Gautama Buddha, ZhabdrungNgawangNamgyel, TselaNamsum, the 21 Taras and Tsepamay (Buddha of longevity). The Avalokiteshvara statue, one of the biggest in the country, is the handiwork of entirely local Bhutanese artisans.  

The temple complex also houses a permanent higher learning and meditation centre for nuns where, apart from religious trainings, it provides life skill training such as tailoring, embroidery, statue making and thangka painting.

 

Overnight at the Hotel in Punakha.( alt 1300m)

Day 04 :Punakha

In the Morning in Punakha take a short excursion to ChimiLakhang :  situated on a hillock in the centre of the valley, is dedicated to Lama DrukpaKuenley, who in the late 15th century used humour, songs and outrageous behaviour to dramatise his teachings and due to this also known as ‘Divine Madman’. This temple is also known as the temple of fertility. It is widely believed that couples who do not have children and wanting one, if they pray at this temple, they are usually blessed with a child very soon. It is about 30 minute walk across field from the road to the temple. The trail leads across rice fields to the tiny settlement of Pana, meaning ‘field’. It then follows a tiny stream downhill to Yoaka and across more fields before making a short climb to ChimiLhakhang.

After lunch visit the PunakhaDzong, Built strategically at the junction of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers in 1637 by ShabdrungNgawangNamgyal to serve as the religious and administrative centre of the region, PunakhaDzong has played an important role in Bhutan’s history. Damaged by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the Dzong has been fully restored by the present King.

Dinner and overnight at the Hotel in Punakha( alt 1300m)

Day 05 :Punakha :/ Paro( 125 km, 4.1/2 hours drive)

Morning after breakfast drive to Paro :Upon arrival check in at the Hotel.

The beautiful valley of Paro encapsulates within itself a rich culture, scenic beauty and hundreds of myths and legends. It is home to many of Bhutan’s oldest temples and monasteries, National Museum and country’s only airport. Mount. Chomolhari (7,314m) reigns in white glory at the northern end of the valley and its glacial water plunge through deep gorges to form Pa Chhu (Paroriver). Paro is also one of the most fertile valley in the Kingdom producing a bulk of the locally famous red rice from its terraced fields.

This afternoon is dedicated to explore Paro and its surrounding.

Afternoon visit Ta Dzong, originally built as Watchtower, which now houses National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons &armour, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts. After the visit walk down the trail to visit RinpungDzong, meaning (“fortress of the heap of jewels”), which has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore such as four friends, the old man of long life, the wheel of life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount. Sumeru and other cosmic Mandala.

Overnight at the hotel in Paro (Altitude 2200m).

Day 06 :Paro :

Morning after breakfast excursion to Taktshang Monastery (5hrs hike) :It is one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is called ‘Tiger’s Nest’. This site has been recognised as a most sacred place and visited by ShabdrungNgawangNamgyal in 1646 and now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime. On 19 April, 1998, a fire severely damaged the main structure of building but now this Bhutanese jewel has been restored to its original splendour.

Afternoon :KyichuLakhang : It is one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom dating back to 7th century (the other is JambeyLhakahng in Bumthang). The lhakhang complex is composed of two temples. The first temple was built by Tibetan King, SongtsenGampo in the 7th century and in 1968, H.M. AshiKesang, the Queen Mother of Bhutan, built the second temple in same original pattern.

Overnight at the hotel in Paro (Altitude 2200m).

Paro (Altitude 2200m).

Day 07 : Depart Paro

After breakfast drive to the airport for flight to onward destination.

Paro (Altitude 2200m).

Enquiry Form