The Shangrila Delight

(Altitude 2280 m) (By Druk Air): Your representative from Omkara Tours & Travels will receive you at the airport and drop you at the hotel. After lunch, visit Ta Dzong (built in 1656 and renovated in 1968), an ancient watchtower that 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.

Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Paro.

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(Altitude 2320 m): A very special day, with an excursion to view the spectacular Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery. After breakfast, drive to 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,” which was 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.

Then 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, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. We stop for a rest and lunch 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.

In the evening, 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 late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, Sangaygang viewpoint to see the tallest statue of Buddha, Takin Preserve Center, Dupthop Lhakhang, one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan, and Changangkha Lhakhang.

After lunch, excursion to Cheri Monastery. Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal built this monastery in 1620 and established the first monk body here. A silver chorten inside the goemba holds the ashes of the Shabdrung’s father.

Other highlights include a visit to 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.

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(Altitude 1310 m) (72 kms, 3 hours drive): After breakfast, drive to Punakha via Dochula Pass. If the weather is clear, we stop for a while at Dochula Pass to view the Higher Himalayas. On the way, visit Chime Lhakhang, which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley. He subdued the demons with his “Magical Thunderbolt.” 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 new National Assembly here in 1952.

Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Punakha.

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(Altitude 3120 m) – Wangdiphodrang: After breakfast, drive to Gangtey. En route, enjoy sightseeing in the valley of Wangdiphodrang, including a visit to the Wangdiphodrang Dzong (from outside), built in 1638.

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, famous for the Black Necked Cranes during winter, and drive back to Wangdiphodrang.

Dinner and overnight at Punasangchu Cottages or similar.

(Altitude 2320 m): After breakfast, drive to Thimphu. After lunch, visit the Folk Heritage Museum and enjoy free time for shopping and photography in the town. Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

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