Bhutan Sparkle

This Morning We are greeted with a warm Bhutanese reception and transferred to the capital city of Thimphu and home to Bhutan’s royal family, the Wangchuk’s. Before becoming Bhutan’s official national capital in 1961. On way visit wonderful mystic town Gedu, and Chukha Dam. Later visit Crocodile Park,Kharbondi Gumpha,Wankha waterfalls and halt at Chojum to take photographs of confluence of two rivers of Bhutan, Thimphu Chu and Paro Chu.

Upon arrival check in at hotel. In Evening go For- Tashi Chhoe Dzong or the Fortress of the Glorious Region is another ‘must visit’ site. Situated on the west bank of Wang Chhu river, Trashi Chhoe Dzong is the formal coronation site of the fifth King. The Dzong also hosts the annual Tsechu festival. Built in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was reconstructed in 1960s in traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans.

Overnight in Thimphu.

To we explore Thimphu starting with The National Memorial Chorten or Thimpu Chorten is a site for evening prayer. The chorten or stupa was built in the memory of the third king, 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 Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (“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.

Sakyamuni Buddha: On the top of Kuensel Phodrang hill sits the statue of Sakyamuni Buddha. The 51.5meter-long bronze statue would surely attract you and the uninterrupted view of the valley would leave you spellbound. The site is also known as Buddha View Point.

Changangkha Lhakhang: At Thimphu you will go across several monasteries and temples. Changangkha Lhakhang is among the most important religious structures in Thimphu. The structure dates back to the 15th century and is one of the oldest in the region. The structure is dedicated to Avalokiteshvara, the sign of compassion. You will also enjoy the grand view of Thimphu valley from here.

Takin Zoo:  You will find the National animal of Bhutan “Takin” in this open zoo. Takin is one of the most endangered species of the World and it is available only in Bhutan.

The National Library has got a fabulous collection of Buddhist manuscripts which are priceless. It also houses the World’s largest published book which is about 130 pounds and 5X7 feet.

Zorig Chusum: Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the Painting School) where students undergo a 6-year training course in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts

The Royal Textile Museum: Thimphu also introduces visitors with the culture and heritage of Bhutan. The Royal Textile Museum at Norzin Lam is a site where you will get introduced to Bhutanese textiles, some of which date back to the 1600s

Overnight in Thimphu

After breakfast, start for Punakha. One the way, visit
Dochula view point stop: The first stop after leaving Thimphu on the journey is Dochu La pass around 3100 m high and way above the clouds. Only an hour’s drive from Thimphu, it offers visitors their first glimpse of the Eastern Himalayan range. From the pass the road curls its way down into the relative lowlands of the Punakha Valley. Before Thimphu was made the permanent capital of Bhutan.

In Punakha, you also visit

Punakha Dzong: beautiful Punakha Dzong (known as “the palace of great happiness”), located at the confluence of the Pho Chhu (father) and Mo Chhu (mother) rivers, on the way you will get (One of the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan, spanning 160 -180m and perched high above the very swift river of Po Chhu. Draped with prayer flags, the bridge connects the town of Punakha and the Punakha Dzong, mainly used by locals from the other side of the town as a shortcut to Punakha Dzong.) in the Punakha– Wangdue valley. the city’s dzong is one of the most picturesque of all Bhutan’s ancient fortresses the dzong is joined to the mainland by an arched wooden bridge and contains many precious relics from the days when successive kings reined the kingdom from this valley.

Chimi Lhakhang: Situated at the top of a hillock in the heart of Punakha valley, the Chimi Lhakhang is a site dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley. Known as the ‘Divine Madman’, Lama Drukpa Kuenley is said to made use of songs, humour and his outrageous behaviour to preach his teachings. Chimi Lhathang is actually a temple and is believed to be the temple of fertility. Bhutanese hold a strong belief that Couples who do not have children get blessed by Lama Drukpa Kuenley if they visit the temple and pray for a child. A picturesque rural trail through a paddy field takes visitors to the temple from the road. After crossing the paddy field, you will find a tiny stream from where Chimi Lhakhang is a just a short climb away.
Overnight stay in Punakha.

Breakfast at the hotel and it’s time to explore Paro, visit, the picturesque town in Bhutan enrout visitSimtokha Dzong. This dzong, built in 1627 is the oldest in Bhutan.

Simtokha Dzong is a small dzong, built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, who unified Bhutan, thedzong is the first of its kind built in Bhutan. An important historical monument and former Buddhistmonastery, today it houses one of the premier Dzongkha language learning institutes.

Ta Dzong: Ta Dzong, once a watchtower, built to defend Rinpung Dzong during inter-valley wars of the 17th century, Ta Dzong was inaugurated as Bhutan’s National Museum in 1968.

Rinpung Dzong: Built in 1646 by Shabdrung 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. The approach to the Dzong is through a traditional covered bridge called Nemi Zam.

National Museum of Bhutan: Situated right above Rinpung Dzong in Paro, the National Museum of  Bhutan is a house that showcases Bhutan’s culture. Built in 1968, the museum stands inside the ancient Ta-dzong building. The museum houses the collection of finest specimens of Bhutanese culture and art and its highlights are paintings and some bronze statues, which are simply masterpieces. The items are demonstrated in large galleries and you can get to know a lot about Bhutan’s art and culture from these objects.

Drukgyal Dzong: Drukgyal Dzong was a fortress and Buddhist monastery, now in ruins, located in the upper part of the Paro valleyin Paro District of Bhutan. The Dzong was probably built by Tenzin Drukdra in 1649 at the behest of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate victory over an invasion from Tibet.

Nya Mey Zam Bridge: “The Bridge with No Fish ” is the bridge that connects Paro Town to Dzong. It is one of finest specimens in Bhutan and local believes if one sees a fish in the river, it is ill omen..The earlier bridge which could be folded during war was washed away by flood in 1969.

Paro Airport View Point: This is finest valley view point to look after Paro Valley and Paro Airport. This view point overlooking the Paro river along with the all the Dzongs and Monastry .
Overnight in Paro

Today we start early after breakfast, you would be taken for an excursion to Chele La Pass (3,810 mts.), the highest motorable pass in Bhutan and separates Paro Valley and the Haa Valley. (Approximate Drive time 3 Hrs.)

The ride passes through lush valleys, pine and rhododendron forest. On a clear day, the pass provides splendid view of mountains Jomolhari and Jichu Drake. Here you will see sundreds of colorful prayer flags fluttering in the winds. The pass is also rich in Bhutanese Flora and birdlife. Later continue your drive to Haa Valley which was opened to tourists only in 2002 and is one of the least visited valley in Bhutan. Here visit 7th century Lhakhang Karpo also known as White temple. The grand annual Haa Tshechu is also performed here at Lhakhang Karpo on the 8th-10th day of the 8th Bhutanese month; Lhakhang Nagpo also known as Black temple at the foothills of a venerated three brotherly mountains known as Meri Puensum and Haa Wangchuk Lo Dzong built in 1915 standing in the midst of lush greenery. This beautifully painted building is worth admiring. Later return back to the hotel. Evening is free for leisure.
Overnight in Paro

After leisurely breakfast at your hotel we drive back to border town. upon arrival in Phuentsholing, check in to Hotel. Evening at Leisure
Overnight in Phuentsholing.

Early Morning after Breakfast you will be transferred Bagdogra Airport with a sweet Holiday memory to cherish all the way back Home ………..