Day 1 - Paro / Bhutan
Flight Kolkata-Paro, Altitude 2250m
21 MAR CCU-PBH KB211 DEPART 0830 ARRIVE 1030
Fly in to The Kingdom of Bhutan. On the flight, you can see breathtaking views of the Great Himalayan Mountains. Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be welcomed to the Kingdom by your guide from the Travel Agent and lunch at hotel.
Visit Paro-RinpungDzong. The flagstone path rises gradually from a beautiful wooden bridge with shingle roof and abutted by two guardhouses to the Dzong.
Today, this massive fortress built in 1645 AD is the seat of the district administration as well as home for the monastic school. The central watch tower (Use) of the Dzong,with its superb woodwork, is one of the most beautiful in the country.
TA – DZONG: Thisbuilding was Paro’s Watchtower – cum Fortress with a history stretching over 340 years. Tenzin Drungdra, the first Pen lop (Governor) of Paro and the second Desi (Regent) of Bhutan who ruled from 1656 – 1667 built it. He was the half brother of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and was born in Trongsa Mangde. Ta – dzongis an unusual round, seven – storied structure, with 2 ½ meter thick walls,which is of great historical significance. It was built above the main ParoDzong with a view it protecting this main fortress.
The Ta – dzong hasplays an important role in the modern history of Bhutan as well. In 1872,Prince Ugyen Wangchuk, later to become the first hereditary monarch of Bhutan,was sent by his father, Jigme Namgyal, to quell the insurrection of ParoPenlop, Tshewang Norbu. The revolt of Tsewang Norbu was quickly suppressed andParo Dzong was captured. Prince Ugyen Wangchuk stayed in Paro to put things in order. A plot was hatch to assassinate the young prince, but his fatherdiscovered the plot and the prince were saved in this dzong. Unfortunately,this historical Watchtower was not properly maintained and so by 1950’s it hadalmost reached to a state of collapse.
It was in 1968 that the National Museum of Bhutan was established in Ta – Dzong, Paro Bhutan. Theancient Ta – Dzong was renovated in the line with the command of His majesty,the king Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, the third hereditary monarch of Bhutan.
Today the National Museum has in its possession over 300 works of exquisite art, covering more than 1500 years of cultural heritage and now it has become a feast or the eyes of the local and foreign visitors.
Paro
Day 2 - Paro / Bhutan
Paro –Taktsang hike
Drive up to Ramthangkha (10 Km from Paro Town) and walkto the Monastery. The name Taktsang means “Tiger’s Nest’’ The Monastery is perchedon a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 4000ft overlooking the Parovalley. Taktsang is one of the most venerated pilgrimage sites in theHimalayas. However, most people can only visit the main site called TaktsangPel-phu.
According to legend Padmasambhava founded TaktsangMonastery in the eighth century. It is believed that the Guru came to thisplace on the back of a tigress from Khengpajong in the Kurtoe region andmeditated here for three months in a cave before converting the Paro valley toBuddhism.
On way back visit oldest monastery from 7th Centurybuilt by the 1st king of Tibet
Day 3 - Punakha / Bhutan
Paro–Punakha,120 km, 4 hours, Altitude 1350 m
Chhimi Lhakhang,it's a 20 minutes’ walk across fields through the village of Sopsokha from theroadside to the small temple located on a hillock in the centre of the valleybelow Metshina. Ngawang Chogyel built the temple in 15th century after the'divine Madman’ Drukpa Kuenlay built a small chorten there. It is a pilgrimsite for barren women.
And then visitNunnery and walk, night Punakha
Day 4 - Punakha / Bhutan
Punakha- Punakha
After breakfast,drive to Punakha to visit Punakha Dzong the winter capital for over 300 yearsuntil the time of the second King. Punakha Dzong that dominates the whole area was built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, and established the central monastic body with 600 monks.
Today, Punakha is still the home for Je Khenpo (chief Abbot) and the central monastic body. It was built at the confluence of two rivers called the PO-CHU and MO- CHU. This means, Male & Female.
After PunakhaDzong, drive further 6 kilometers to make a mini hike to Khamsum Yuelly NamgyalChorten it was built by one of the four queens. The mother of Crown prince and it represent three elements FIRE, WATER AND AIR. It is dedicated to well being of the crown prince and peoples those who live in this village.
Day 5 - Thimphu / Bhutan
Day 6:Thimphu - sightseeing
Visit local markets
Visit Memorial Chorten built in 1974 to honor memory of Late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk.
Observed traditional paper making from Daphnia and Edgeworthia shrub to finished product and purchase some beautiful writing sets from the factory.
Visit the mini zoo sanctuary where one can see the Take in, the National Animal of Bhutan.
Downtown Thimphu on foot visiting Handicrafts Emporium and other Arts & Crafts stores
Visit Dechen Phordrang monasticschool
Visit Trashi Chhodzong capital of Bhutan (after 5 PM)
Day 6 - Thimphu / Bhutan
Thimphu – hike Tango and Cheri
In the morning we will drive towards North West of Thimphu to make our mini hike to the most two sacred Monasteries in Thimphu valley. We will cross through the Dechencholing palace built in 19th century(pass from generation to generation on different period of Kings in Bhutan) and bit further is the Royal body guard’s quarters and passing through at other side we will see the Kabasa village the starting point for winter Sinchulatrek. Than we will reach to Dodana 2600 meters and it is starting pointto Cheri Gonpa which it will take half an hour walk to reach monastery.
It has got meditation center at top beside the monasteries. One of the most important is cave where the Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyelmeditated to gain the power to fight back the invasion of Tibet. It was in 1620 he has ruled from here before he built many Dzongs in different location in Bhutan.
Picnic Lunch near by the Thimphu Chu and a kilometer isTango. It will take an hour walk through the mix of broad leaves and pines. Italso holds any histories in Bhutan although now it served as Buddhist College and many monks from different institution come here to pursue their higher studies in Buddhist philosophy. It was here in the early 13th century that Phajo Drukgom Zhigpo entered into a long retreat focusing on the horse-necked meditation deity Hayagriva and that is why called Tango (On the Horse head) and at the left side your will see the rock looks like horse Head. This monastery has gone through many renovations in different period. 1638 – 94, Gylse TenzinRabgye, the fourth temporal ruler of Bhutan who restored Tangu in 1668 and incarnated and lives here.
Day 7 - Thimphu / Bhutan
Thimpu
Full day free at leisure for personal activities.
Departure to Paro to connect flight to Kolkata
Drive to Paro for departure to catch the following flight
PBH-CCU KB 500 DEPART 0755 ARRIVE 0835
End of the services
!Namaskar !
