Pekar Drangtse Tours Pekar Drangtse Tours
INCREDIBLE BHUTAN By Le Meridian ( Luxury tour in Bhutan)
6 days
Day 1: Arrive in Paro
Itinerary Summery
Days: 6 days – Night: 5 nights
Outline Itinerary
Your journey by flight to Kingdom of Bhutan offers remarkable views of the world highest mountains including Mount Everest, additionally, landing in the heart of Himalaya is like nowhere in the world. On arrival in Paro international airport PDT representative will receive you and transfer to the hotel. After check into hotel you can visit many monuments since Paro is a place full of legends and history and events which marked the beginning of great cultural heritage of the country. According to legends, Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhava) came on the back of a tigress to Paro in AD 761, bringing with him the teachings of Buddha from Tibet. Guru Rimpoche established the most important religious site in Bhutan, the Taktsang Lhakang or Tiger’s Nest near Paro. Religious leaders of Paro controlled Western Bhutan for quite a long time and Nyingmapa School established by Guru Rimpoche gave great monks and able leaders (the present monarchy also belongs to same school). Sgabdrung Ngwang Namgyal arrived in Bhutan in 1616 from Tibet and established the dual system of governance here that remained in place till the beginning of last century. At the end of 19th century Penlop of Paro was defeated by Penlop of central and eastern Bhutan, who later became the first king of the country. Overnight in Amankora or Uma Hotel, Paro.
Day 2: Paro sightseeing
After breakfast you will proceed for Paro Local sightseeing.
Taktsang Lhakang (Tiger’s Nest)-Most important religious site for the Bhutanese people, this monastery is located at a distance of around 80 km from Paro, precariously perched on the edge of a cliff. It is a long walk from Paro to this monastery and it is difficult to find anybody except the trekkers and Buddhist monks on this walk. Taktsang Lhakang is the place where it is believed that Guru Rimpoche arrived more than a million ago on the back of a legendary tigress. He mediated in a cave for around two months where this monastery was built later. Bhutan Tourism Corporation Limited has constructed a beautiful coffee-house at a wonderful vantage point of the monastery.
Paro Dzong: Is the symbolic centre of religious and secular affairs of entire Paro Valley. Consecrated in 1646, the Dzong is an architectural wonder that showcases the cultural strength of kingdom’s strength. Walk further down crossing the traditional bridge into Paro Town. Stroll around the market.
National Museum-: National Museum of Bhutan is situated above the Paro Dzong in the old watchtower, one of the earliest constructed buildings in the country. The collection in the museum includes weapons and stamps, birds and mammals, and a good display of ancient Bhutanese art and artefacts. Overnight in Amankora or Uma Hotel, Paro.
Kichu Lhakhang: Visit beautiful 7th century Kichu Lhakhang temple, see many beautiful Buddhist wall paintings and iconography inside Dungtse Lhakhang, built in 1421.
Drugyal Dzong, a fortress which protected the valley against invaders from north. . Overnight in Amankora or Uma Hotel, Paro.
Day 3: Paro toThimphu
On Arrival at Thimphu you visit:
Memorial Chorten: This stupa was built in 1974 in the memory of Bhutan’s third King, His Late Majesty, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, who is popularly regarded as Father of modern Bhutan. The paintings and statues inside the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy.
Simtokha Dzong: This dzong, built in 1627 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, stands on a low ridge 8 km down the valley from Thimphu. The Institute for Language and Cultural Studies is located here. The most noteworthy artistic feature of this dzong is the series of over 300 finely worked slate carvings behind the prayer wheels in the courtyard.
National Library: The history of Bhutan lies imprinted in archaic texts, which are preserved at the National Library. Besides thousands of manuscripts and ancient texts, the library also has modern academic books and printing blocks for prayer flags.
Institute for Zorig Chusum: Commonly known as Arts & Crafts School or Painting School, the Institute offers a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. On a visit, one can see students learning the various skills taught at the school.
Traditional Medicine Institute: In Bhutan, equal emphasis is given to both allopathic and traditional medicines. The rich herbal medicines made up from medicinal plants abundant in the Kingdom are prepared and dispensed here. The Institute is also a training school for traditional medicine practitioners. The complex is closed to visitors due to considerations of hygiene, but one can still walk around and view it from outside
The Folk Heritage Museum (Phelchey Toenkhyim): It is dedicated to connect people to the Bhutanese rural past through exhibits, demonstrations, educational programmes and documentation of rural life. The principal exhibit in the museum is a restored three storey traditional rammed mud and timber house, which dates back to the mid 19th century. The design and form of house is that of an average household in the Wang area during that era. The age of structure demonstrates the durability and performance of the building materials. From ground to top floor, household objects, typical domestic tools and equipment’s that would have been used by a family during that period are put on display. The museum is also developing some of the native trees and plants that were used for various domestic purposes in the rural households.
Takin Preserve, Motithang : The Takin is the national animal of Bhutan, and looks like a cross between a cow and a goat. Legend has it that the animal was created by the great Buddhist yogi, Drupa Kunley, and it can be found only in Bhutan and nearby areas. Taxonomists place the animal in a category of its own as it is not similar enough to any other animal to fit established categories.
National Textile Museum: With the opening of Textile Museum, under the patronage of Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Sangay Choden, Bhutanese textile have reached new heights as one of the most visible distinct art form. The textile museum has opened its exhibition on six major themes – warp pattern weaves, weft pattern weaves, role of textiles in religion, achievements in textile arts, textiles from indigenous fibers and the royal collection. The crowns of Bhutan’s Kings, namzas (dresses), the first version of Royal Crown and other accessories used by members of Royal family can be found in the museum. The goal of the museum is to gradually become a center for textile studies that will carry out documentation, research and studies on Bhutanese textiles.
Trashichhoedzong: Also know as “fortress of the glorious religion”, it was initially built in 1641 and later rebuilt in its present form by KingJigme Dorji Wangchuk in 1965. The Dzong houses, main secretariat building which houses the throne room of His Majesty, the King of Bhutan. The National Assembly Hall is housed in a modern building on the other side of the river from the Dzong. During the warmer summer months, the monk body headed by His Holiness, the Je Khenpo, makes its home in the Dzong. Overnight in Le Meridian, Thimphu.
Day 4 : Hike to Phajiding Monastery
After early breakfast hike to:
The trek to Phajoding Monastery is around 3 hours trek up and around 2 hours trek down. But if there is more time then you can trek all the way up to Thuje Dra till you can see the skull mountain. The view from Phajoding Monastery and Thuje Dra of Thimphu is simply breath taking. From the top of Thuje Dra, you can see the Rhododendron bushes stretching all the way. This trek is part of the Druk Path Trek. In late noon we head back to Thimphu.
The World Monument Fund (WMF) has listed Phajoding monastery as one of the 5 endangered cultural monuments that need most help in the world. Phajoding monastery was founded in 1224 by Phajo Drugom Zhipo (Buddhist saint) who spread the Drukpa Kagyupa sect of Buddhism in Bhutan. Evening free at leisure. Overnight stay at Hotel
Day 5 : Thimphu to Paro
After leisurely breakfast follow our way back up to bright green Paro Valley at 7,500ft, is one of Bhutan’s most beautiful and most fertile valley. Numerous shrines, fortresses and farm houses dot the landscape and graceful willow trees grow along the edge of Pachhu River, which passes through paddy fields and farmlands and in evening explore into Paro town. Overnight in luxurious Amankora or Uma hotel, Paro.
Day 6: End of your luxury tour in Gross National Happiness country, Bhutan.
After breakfast drive to Paro airport for departure
