Dragon Tour - 7 Days

On arrival in Paro, Bhutan Hallmark representative will receive you and transfer you to hotel by private vehicle. Check into the hotel. Afternoon we will visit national museum of Paro which houses the antique paintings, wall hanging, secret relics, rare stamps and statues along with ancient arm and armors. Just below the museum, we will visit Rinpung Dzong – built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan, the Dzong houses the monastic body of Paro, the office of the Dzongda (district administrative head) and Thrimpon (judge) of Paro district. Well walk down from the Dzong to the parking crossing beautiful cantilever bridge built over Pa Chhu (Paro river). Back to our hotel and relax. Overnight in Paro.

Today be firm to hike to Taktshang Lhakhang also called “Tiger’s Nest Monastery” – one of the most famous monastery in Bhutan, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley. It is said that Guru Rimpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery, so it is called “Tiger’s Nest”. This site is recognized as a most sacred place and visited by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 and now visit by all Bhutanese at least once in their life time. En-route if time permits we will visit Kyichu Lhakhang – one of the oldest and most sacred shrine of the Kingdom dating back to 7th Century, Drukyel Dzong – with a delightful village nestling at its foothill, was built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders. The glory of Drukgyel Dzong remained even when it was destroyed by fire in 1951. On a clear weather one can see the commanding view of Mount Jhomolhari from the village, below the Dzong. Overnight in Paro.

Checkout from the hotel, drive to Thimphu- the capital town of Bhutan and the centre of Government, religion and commerce. It is a unique city with unusual mixture of modern development alongside ancient traditions. On arrival we will visit Memorial Chorten (from outside) – 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. Afterwards visit Changakha Monastery, Mothinthang zoo, Viewpoint, Handicraft Emporium & National Library – Bhutan’s history imprinted in archaic texts are preserved in the National Library. Besides thousands of ancient Buddhist manuscript, it also has modern academic books & printing blocks for prayer flags. Then proceed to Tashicho Dzong (This Dzong can be visited only after 5 pm in summer) – also known as “fortress of the glorious religion” was built in 1641 and later rebuilt by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk in 1965. The Dzong houses main secretariat building and it also has the throne room of His Majesty the King of Bhutan. Overnight in Thimphu.

After breakfast drive via scenic Dochu La Pass to Wangduephodrang (70 km / 3 hrs) – this is the last town on the highway before entering central Bhutan. The town is not more than an enlarged village with a few well-provided shops. The higher side of Wangduephodrang valley provides rich pastureland for cattle and it is famous for fine bamboo products, slate and stone carvings. En-route we will hike to small beautiful Rinchengang village meeting locals, students and children in action. Alter in the evening we will drive to our hotel in Punakha- Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and still it is the winter seat of Chief Abbot. Pho Chhu & Mo Chhu rivers, splendid views of the Himalayas, product of crops & fruits are blessed to this warm valley. Overnight in Punakha.

Please consider yourselves as the luckiest persons perhaps as two major events coincide in Bhutan, -today is 33rd birth day of His Majesty the King of Bhutan, -the most famous and interesting Punakha festival. We will be spending most of our day in the festival taking pictures, joining local for picnic lunch, sharing and talking with them. About Tshechu in Bhutan.

Tshechu…TSHE Meaning date and CHU meaning the tenth is an annual religious festival conducted annually coinciding on the 10th day of the month of the Bhutanese calendar. The festival commemorates the birth of Guru Rimpoche who born of a lotus flower came to Bhutan around 8th century, bringing Buddhism to the country. Tshechus are the biggest festivals in the country (lasting from 3 to 5 days) It is here that Bhutanese drowned themselves in their best outfits and flock the celebration with home cooked picnic lunch and witness various mask dances which signifies themselves from ground purification, victory over the evil spirits, conduction of one’s Karma and 8 forms of manifestation Guru took to overcome various deities propagating Buddhism.

Tshechu usually ends with unfurling a giant THANKA (a huge embodied cloth piece depicting a religious figure predominantly that of Guru). This is popularly known to Bhutanese as THONGDRUL…THONG meaning to witness or see and DRUL meaning to free or release. Bhutanese believe that a look at the giant Thanka blesses them and releases them from the chain of cyclic sins. Overnight in Punakha.

Morning we will witness the most beautiful and wonderful Thanka unfurling and we will retrace our 4 hours journey back to Paro. En-route will stop at Mesina to hike to Chhimi Lhakhang, the temple associated with religious arts of phallus. On arrival in Paro, explore colorful market place in tiny Paro town marks and end of your activities in the “Land of Thunder Dragon”. Farewell dinner will be served in one of the best local restaurant in Paro town. Overnight in Paro.

After the breakfast, transfer to Paro airport for the departure.