Phallus is almost everywhere in Bhutan – on walls, art shops, in temples, dangling on eaves of roofs, even hung on the necks of humans. But there is much more than what is visible to the eye? Discover the country’s obsession with phallus.
Itinerary:
Bangkok – Paro – Thimphu
After lunch visit National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved, the Wood Craft and Painting school where traditional arts and crafts are still kept alive and the Folk Heritage museum and the 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 at the hotel
Sightseeing includes visit the Weaving centre, Buddha point, Memorial Chorten ( a huge stupa ) built in memory of the third king of Bhutan who reigned the Kingdom from 1952-1972, Changangkha monastery built in 12 century, Takin zoo, view point of Thimphu valley, Nunnery monastery, lunch at local restaurant .
Explore Thimphu valley
Arrive Paro International Airport, during the flight to Paro, one will experience breath taking views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Chomolhari and Mount Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be received by representatives of our tour guide, who will escort you to the Hotel. Lunch at hotel. After lunch drive further to Thimphu and overnight at the hotel
Thimphu – Punakha/Wangdue. 1400M
After breakfast process to Punakha about 3 hrs drive through beautiful forests of rhododendron and fields of dwarf bamboo breathtaking scenery of the landscape, green meadows, beautiful wildflowers, gushing waterfalls and constantly changing vegetation. About 45 min from Thimphu, lies Dochula pass (3,100m), offering visitors their first glimpse of the eastern Himalayan range. There you will see spectacular view 108 stupa or chorten at the Dochula pass. From the pass have panoramic view of the eastern Himalayan peaks over 6000m to 7554m snow Cap Mountains. After pass descent down to low lying sub tropical valley, Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and still it is home of Chief Abbot in winter months. Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal has played prominent role in civil and religious life of the Kingdom. Destroyed four times by fire and an earthquake in 1897, the Dzong has been now fully restored in its original splendour. On the way to Punakha hike about 1 hour round trip to (Drupa Kuenly) Divine monastery it was built in 15 century. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon visit Punakha Dzong. Overnight at the hotel
Punakha/Wangdue – Trongsa
Early morning drive to Trongsa via Wangdue Phodrang across Pelela pass (alt. 3,300m), the traditional boundry between east and west. The pass is marked by a large prayer flag and the ground is covered with high altitude dwarf bamboo.Stop enroute at Chendbji Chorten, which was built in 18th century by a lama named Shida, it is Nepalese in style with eyes painted at four cardinal points. Overnight at the hotel
Trongsa – Bumthang
After breakfast walk by Tongsa Dzong, built by Shabdrung in 1647 and visit the Ta Dzong (watch tower), dedicated to Buddhist epic hero, King Gesar of Ling. Then drive to Bumthang which is about 3 hours. 29 Kms from Tongsa road reaches the Yutong La pass (alt. 3,400 m). Further 13 kms ahead, the road enters into a wide, open,cultivated valley known as Chumey valley. On arrival in Bumthang, check into the hotel
Bumthang
Bumthang valley is one of the most sacred in the Kingdom and innumerable legends surround the area. It is here that the kings are cremated and the present royal family traces their ancestry back to the famous saint, Pemalingpa. Full day sightseeing include visit to Kurje Lhakhang (where the saint Padsambhava subdued a local demon and left his body imprint on a rock), Jampel lhakhang which was built in 7th century, then jakar dzong (the fortress of white bird) built in 17th century by tenzin rabgay ( the fourth desi), Tamshing lhakhang built in 1501 by terton pema lingpa ( the founder of religious treasures). Then visit kunchosum lhakhang and membertsho ( the flaming lake) in fact it is a gorge where the river runs through but the story says that pema lingpa discovered religious text from this lake.Also worth seeing are the woodcraft workshop, Traditional hospital, and the cheese factory. Overnight at hotel
Bumthang – Trongsa – Gantey / Phobjikha
After breakfast proceed to Gantey/Phobjikha via Trongsa. The approach to Phobjikha valley is through a forest of Oak and Rhododendron.
Phobjikha is one of the few glacial valleys in Bhutan and chosen home of black necked cranes which migrate from the central Asiatic Plateau
to escape its harsh winters. Overnight at the hotel
Gantey / Phobjikha – Wangdue – Thimphu- Paro
After breakfast explore Phojikha valley and also visit to Gangtey Monastery, than drive to Paro via Wangdue Phodrang, lunch at Doclula pass.
After lunch drive to Paro and visit Kyichu Lhakhang, Rinpung Dzong and Paro’s market. Overnight at hotel
Paro – Takstang monastery hike
After breakfast, hike full day excursion to the Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) monastery, drive 20 minute and hike to Taktsang monastery round trip is 4hrs,
Follow an ancient path marked by river powered prayer wheels to the site of the famous Tiger’s nest, the Taksang Monastery,
t-tragically wrecked in a fire early in 1998, rebuilt, it is perched some 1000m/3,000ft up on a cliff overlooking the valley.
It was said to be where the legendary Indian saint, Guru Padma Sambhava, flew from Tibet on the back of a tiger to defeat five demons,
who were opposing the spread of Buddhism in Bhutan in 746 A.D. On the way visit the Drugyel Dzong, 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.
From here, the peak of Chomolhari “Mountain of the Goddess” can be seen on a clear day (Alt. 7,329m/24,029ft.). Overnight at the hotel
Paro – Bangkok
Early breakfast drive to the airport for flight to onward destination.
