9 Days Into the Cultural Heartland

After an early breakfast, we move to Thimphu, a one hour lovely drive along the Paro and Thimphu rivers. We check-in at a hotel and then begin exploring Thimphu.

Thimphu has lots to offer and the pick for you will firstly be the Memorial Chorten, one of Bhutan’s most beautiful stupas, built in memory of the Third King, Late His Majesty Jigmi Dorji Wangchuck, known as the Father of Modern Bhutan. A short drive from there will take you to Buddha Point, where the statue of the World’s largest Future Buddha (Maitreya) will be seen.

From there we will move to the Handicraft’s Emporium, Weaving Centre and Changangkha monastery, one built in the 12th century. There will also be visits to the Takin zoo and a Nunnery. There will also be a visit to the local paper making factory and the Gross National Happiness (GNH) centre.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant, after which we visit the National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved and the Wood Craft and Painting school.

In the evening, we will visit Tashichho Dzong, the main secretariat building. This massive structure houses part of the government Ministries, the office of the King and the Throne Room. It also houses the State Monastic Body and the living quarters of the Chief Abbot and the senior monks.

Overnight hotel.

The journey to Punakha would take about 3 to 4 hours and it is a scenic drive through beautiful forests of rhododendron and fields of dwarf bamboo, green meadows, beautiful wildflowers, gushing waterfalls and constantly changing vegetation.
About 45 min from Thimphu, is the Dochula pass (3,100m), offering visitors their first glimpse of the eastern Himalayan range, snow-capped peaks with elevations of 6000m to 7554m. It is a spectacular sight and the beauty is augmented by the 108 stupas (chortens) at Dochula pass.

The journey further descents down to the low lying sub tropical valley of Punakha, which served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and still is home of the Chief Abbot in winter months. On the way to Punakha, you will hike for about one hour (round trip) to Drukpa Kuenley’s monastery, built in the 15th century. A monastery where the Phallus is worshipped, it is associated with Lam Drukpa Kuenley, the “Divine Madmonk”.

Punakha Dzong (Fortress), built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal has played a prominent role in the civil and religious life of the Kingdom. From far, it resembles a giant ship, rocked on a mass of still water as it is built at the confluence of two rivers – the Pho (male) and Mo (Female) rivers. Destroyed four times by fire and an earthquake in 1897, the Dzong has been now been fully restored in its original splendour. The Fortress contains some of the most sacred and significant religious relics of the nation.

After lunch at a hotel, we will drive for half an hour and hike to the Khamsumyuly chorten.

Overnight hotel.

After breakfast, we will begin the 7-hours drive via Wangduephodrang to Bumthang. The drive takes us through Pelela pass (alt. 3,300m), the traditional boundary between eastern and western Bhutan. The pass is marked by large prayer flags.

Few minutes descend from the pass will take us to Chendebji Chorten, which was built in 19th century by a lama named Shida. It resembles the Boudhanath stupa in Nepal, with eyes painted at four cardinal points.

Lunch will be at Trongsa, after which we visit Trongsa Dzong, another majestic architectural masterpiece and once ancient Bhutan’s capital. It is very historic and every King, before ascending the Throne must, as the Crown Prince serve as the Penlop (Governor) of Trongsa.

Overnight hotel.

Transfer Bumthang crossing over the Yotongla pass.

Stop at Zugney, the village known for its textiles woven from sheep wool and yak hair. These textiles are called Yathra and are highly demanded all over the country.

In the afternoon, visit one of the most sacred regions in the Kingdom, Bumthang valley is a blend of the abstract and concrete with innumerable legends surrounding the area.

You will be visiting Kurje Lhakhang where the Great Indian Saint Guru Padsambhava subdued a local demon and left his body imprint on a rock. The other is Jamphel lhakhang, which was built in the 7th century by Songsten Goembo, the Tibetan Buddhist King. Jakar Dzong (the fortress of white bird) built in the 17th century by Tenzin Rabgay (the fourth Desi) is another famous landmark.

You will also be visiting, Tamshing lhakhang built in 1501 by Terton Pema Lingpa (the founder of religious treasures). Kunchosum lhakhang and Membertsho (the flaming lake) are other places. Legend has it that Pema Lingpa discovered several religious texts from the lake.

Overnight hotel.

We begin the return journey and drive to Gangtey and Phobjikha, which is about a 5-hours drive. Lunch will be served at Chendibji, where a stupa resembling the Boudhanath of Nepal was built by a King called Zhida. We will move further to Phobjikha valley, one of the most beautiful valleys in Bhutan and home to the very rare black necked cranes, who migrate from Tibet to Bhutan to winter (from November -March). There will also be a visit to Gangtey Gompa, one of the oldest Nyingmapa monasteries, that resembles a Dzong.

Overnight hotel

We will begin the journey after breakfast. En route, visit Lamperi Botanical Garden.

Stop at Simtokha and visit the dzong. Built in 1629, it is the oldest fortress built by Shabdrung. It houses about 100 monks.

Continue towards Paro.

Overnight hotel

One of Bhutan’s holiest shrines and an amazing structure that crosses all boundaries of architectural masterpiece, Taktsang (Tiger’s Lair) monastery is perched some 1000m/3000ft on a cliff overlooking a valley. It is said that the legendary Indian saint, Guru Padma Sambhava, flew from Tibet on the back of a tigress to tame five demons, who were opposing the spread of Buddhism in Bhutan in 746 A.D.

Taktshang monastery is the ultimate pilgrim site for all Buddhist, especially in Bhutan.

The hike to the monastery takes about 5 hours (up and down), and follows an ancient path marked by river powered prayer wheels.

On our way back to the hotel, we will visit the Drugyel Dzong (”Castle of the Victorious Drukpa”), located 16 Km. away from the Paro town. Although in ruins, this Dzong is of great historical importance. It was here that the Bhutanese finally defeated the invading Tibetans and drove them back. On a clear day, we can see, Mt Jomolhari “Mountain of the Goddess” (Alt. 7,329m/24,029ft.).  If time permits, we will visit a local farmhouse.

Overnight hotel.