Shangrila Highlight Tour

(Altitude 2280 m) (By Druk Air) Thimphu: Your guide from Omkara Tours & Travels will receive you at the airport and drive to Thimphu. On the way, visit Tamchog Monastery built by Thangthong Gyalpo (popularly known as Lama Chazampa, which literally means the Iron Bridge builder) in the 15th century.

Thangthong Gyalpo (1385 – 1464) was a wonder-working saint from Tibet who came to Bhutan in 1433 looking for iron ore. He built 108 bridges across Tibet and Bhutan, out of which 8 were built in Bhutan. His only surviving bridge is in Duksum (Tashi Yangtse in Eastern Bhutan).

Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

(Altitude 2320 m) The day begins with a visit to the National Memorial Chorten (1974) built in honor of our 3rd King, late His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (the Father of Modern Bhutan), the tallest statue of Buddha, Sangaygang viewpoint at Kuensel Phodrang park, Takin Preserve Center, Changangkha Lhakhang, and the Dupthop Lhakhang, one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan.

After lunch, we visit the National Library, stocked with ancient Buddhist manuscripts; the Painting School, where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thangkas (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls); and the Folk Heritage Museum. In the evening, we visit the Tashichho Dzong, seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan), and finally visit the Handicrafts Emporium, followed by shopping for souvenirs in the shops of Thimphu.

Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

(Altitude 1310 m) (76 Kms, 3 hours drive). After breakfast, drive to Punakha via Dochula Pass. We stop for a while at Dochula Pass to view the Higher Himalayas. On the way, visit Chimi Lhakhang, which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley (popularly known as “The Divine Madman”) in the year 1499. He subdued the demons with his “Magical Thunderbolt” and built the temple on top of a hillock. The temple is also known as “the Temple of Fertility.”

Lama Drukpa Kuenley (1455 – 1529) was one of Bhutan’s favorite saints who was born in Tibet, trained at Ralung Monastery, and was a contemporary and disciple of Pema Lingpa. He traveled throughout Bhutan and Tibet as a “Neljorpa” (Yogi), using songs, humor, and outrageous behavior to dramatize his teachings of salvation through sex.

After lunch, visit Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and situated between Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the government. The construction of the Dzong was foretold by Guru Rimpoche, who predicted, “…a person named Namgyal will arrive at a hill that looks like an elephant.” There was a smaller building here called Dzong Chu (Small Dzong) that housed a statue of Buddha. It is said that Shabdrung ordered the architect, Zowe Palep, to sleep in front of the statue. While Palep was sleeping, the Shabdrung took him in his dreams to Zangtopelri and showed him the palace of Guru Rimpoche. From his vision, the architect conceived the design for the new Dzong, which, in keeping with tradition, was never committed to paper. The Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). The war materials captured during the battle with Tibetans are preserved here. Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo, and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the first National Assembly here in 1952.

In the evening, take an excursion to Khamsung Yulley Namgyal Choling Monastery. Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Punakha.

(66 kms, Altitude 3120 m): After breakfast, drive to Gangtey. En route, sightseeing in the valley of Wangdiphodrang includes a visit to the Wangdiphodrang Dzong (from outside) built in 1638. Legend relates that as the people were searching for the site of the Dzong, four ravens were seen flying away in four directions. This was considered an auspicious sign, representing the spread of the Buddhist religion to the four points of the compass. The Dzong is situated at the confluence of the Mo Chu and Tang Chu rivers. Drive further to Gangtey.

While in Gangtey, visit Gangtey Gompa. Gyaltse Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa, founded the temple in 1613, and Tenzin Legpai Dhendup, the second reincarnation, built the temple. The present Abbot, Kunzang Pema Namgyal, is the ninth reincarnation. It is a Nyingmapa monastery and is affiliated with other Nyingmapa monasteries including Tamshing in Bumthang.

After lunch, explore Phobjikha Valley, the roosting ground of the rare black-necked cranes in winter, and visit the Crane Information Center. Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Gangtey.

(143 kms – 6 hrs, Altitude 2320 m) After breakfast, drive to Thimphu. Lunch will be served on the way. In the evening, free time for shopping and photography in the town. Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

(Altitude 2280 m, Distance 58 kms, Drive Time 1 hour): After breakfast, drive to Paro and hike to Taktsang Monastery. A short drive takes us to Satsam Chorten, from there a 2-hour walk to the viewpoint of the monastery. The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, with many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. We stop for a rest and light refreshments at the Taktsang Jakhang (cafeteria) and then walk a short distance until we see, clearly and seemingly within reach, Taktsang Monastery.

The primary Lhakhang was built around Guru Rimpoche’s meditation cave in 1684 by the Penlop of Paro Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay. This incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, flew here on the back of a flying tiger, Dorji Drolo, said to be his favorite consort.

Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Paro.

(Altitude 2280 m) After breakfast, visit Ta Dzong (built in 1656 and renovated in 1968), an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. Below the museum is the Paro Rimpung Dzong (literally meaning “Heap of Jewels”), built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the center of civil and religious authority in this valley. A short walk takes you to the base of the dzong and across a traditional cantilevered, covered bridge.

After lunch, visit the ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong 16 km up the valley. Built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father and unifier of medieval Bhutan, the dzong was destroyed by accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. Explore the ramparts and on a clear day, experience an unforgettable view of Mt. Jhomolhari (7,314 m). On the way back, visit Kichu Lhakhang, built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Srongsen Gampo.

Srongsen Gampo: He was a Tibetan king who married a Chinese princess, Wenchen, in 641. As part of her dowry, she brought a statue called “Jowo,” an Indian image of Buddha, Sakyamuni, as a small boy. In 659, he decided to build 108 temples in a single day to pin the Ogress to the earth forever and, at the same time, convert the Tibetan people to Buddhism. Six of these temples lie in Bhutan, the most prominent of them being Jambay Lhakhang in Bumthang and Kichu Lhakhang in Paro. Kichu Lhakhang is said to hold the left foot of the Ogress, and Jambay Lhakhang pins the left knee.

Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Paro.

(Altitude 2280 m) Early morning, drive to the airport and farewell.