A Hint of Happiness

Bhutan Methoma Tours welcomes one and all onboard to Bhutan, the last Shangrila on earth.

Day 01: Arrival at Paro, Bhutan

Weaving through the valley, landing at the Paro Airport is like no other landings anywhere in the world. On arrival in Paro, we will receive you and leisurely drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. The Kingdom’s capital city is home to approximately 100,000 inhabitants, including the Royal family. This bustling little city is the main centre of commerce, religion and government in the country. The distance from Paro to Thimphu is 65 km and takes about one-hour drive.

We will check in the hotel and after lunch, we will visit the National Memorial Chorten. It is a monument to the Third Druk Gyalpo and to World Peace. Visitors will find elderly Bhutanese people circumambulating the Chorten throughout the day. Chorten literally means ‘Seat of Faith’ and Buddhists often call such monuments, the ‘Mind of Buddha’. The chorten is an extraordinary example of Buddhist architecture and artwork, with its gorgeous paintings and intricate sculptures. The chorten is a large white structure crowned with a golden spire. It is located close to the centre of Thimphu city and is one of its most iconic monuments.

Folk Heritage Museum. Located in the capital city of Thimphu, this museum was established in 2001 and provides visitors and tourists with fascinating insights into the Bhutanese material culture and way of life. The Folk Heritage Museum is set inside a three storied, 19th century traditional house. Overnight in Thimphu / Altitude:2400 m.

Day 02: Thimphu

In the morning, we will visit

Semtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress of the kingdom. The name Simtokha literally means “Atop a Demon” and the legend associated with the dzong’s construction tells us that it was built in order to subdue an evil spirit that was harassing travelers in the region.

The Buddha Dordenma considered to be the tallest Buddha Statue in the world. This massive statue of Shakyamuni measures in at a height of 51.5 meters, making it one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world. The Buddha Dordenma is located atop a hill in Kuenselphodrang Nature Park and overlooks the Southern entrance to Thimphu Valley. The statue fulfills an ancient prophecy dating back to the 8th century A.D that was discovered by Terton Pema Lingpa (Religious Treasure Discoverer) and is said to emanate an aura of peace and happiness to the entire world.

buddha dorderma

Motithang Takin Preserve, located at Motithang in Thimphu is a wildlife reserve area for takin, the national animal of Bhutan. Originally a mini-zoo, it was converted into a preserve when it was discovered that the animals refrained from inhabiting the surrounding forest even when set free. The reason for declaring takin as a national animal of Bhutan on 25 November 2005 (Budorcas taxicolor) is attributed to a legend of the animal’s creation in Bhutan in the 15th century by Lama Drukpa Kuenley.

takins

After lunch,

Located below the main town, near the Wangchhu River, Thimphu’s weekend market is by far the largest domestic market for the farmers in Bhutan. Farmers come from all over the country to sell their farm products in the market. With its wide assortment of fresh, organic produce, the Farmer’s Market has become a favourite spot for tourists and a recreational place for people from all walks of life.

Centenary Farmers Market

Tashichho Dzong. It was first constructed in 1216 A.D. by Lama Gyalwa Lhanangpa where Dechen Phodrang now stands above Thimphu. Tashichho Dzong has been the seat of the government since 1952 and presently houses the throne room and offices of the king, the secretariat and the ministries of home affairs and finance. Other government departments are housed in buildings nearby.

tashichho dzong

At the end of Gaden Lam is Dechen Phodrang, the site of Thimphu’s original 12th-century dzong. Since 1971 it has housed the state monastic school, providing an eight-year course to more than 450 students. The 12th-century paintings in the goemba’s Guru Lhakhang have been restored, and the upper floor features a large figure of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal as well as a goenkhang (chapel dedicated to protective deities).

dechenphodrang

Overnight in Thimphu / Altitude:2400 m

Day 03: Thimphu to Punakha

Thimphu to Punakha is about 77 km, 3 hours drive to Punakha over the Dochula pass at 3000 m.

The pass is a popular location among tourists as it offers a stunning 360 degree panoramic view of Himalayan mountain range. The view is especially scenic on clear, winter days, with snowcapped mountains forming a majestic backdrop to the tranquility of the 108 chortens(Druk Wangyel Chortens) gracing the mountain pass.

druk wangyel chortens

Visit Chimi Lhakhang, built in 1499 by the cousin of Lama Drukpa Kunley in his honour after the lama subdued the demoness of the nearby Dochu La with his ‘magic thunderbolt of wisdom’. A wooden effigy of the lama’s thunderbolt is preserved in the lhakhang, and childless women go to the temple to receive a wang (blessing or empowerment) from the saint. Newborns are also brought here to be named, and all leave with the same name: Chimi (or Chimmi). Make a small offering and you will be rewarded with a blessing from the lama’s wooden phallus, tusk and his iron archery set. Mothers-to-be pray to a fertility goddess and then select their future baby’s name from a collection of bamboo slips. The small chorten on the altar is said to have been crafted by Drukpa Kunley himself.

Lunch at Metsina.

chimmi lhakhang

Drive to Punakha, the ancient capital of Bhutan. Today, the Central Monk body moves to Punakha in the winter when it gets cold in Thimphu. With the climate almost tropical in the summer, the valley is blessed with abundance of fruits and rice.

Upon arrival, we will visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong which showcases the perfect example of Bhutanese arts and crafts. Two major rivers in Bhutan the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu converge in this valley. Punakha Dzong is built at the confluence of these two rivers. On October 13, 2011, the wedding of the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, and his fiancé, Jetsun Pema, was held at the Punakha Dzong.

punakha dzong

Overnight in Punakha / Altitude: 1250m.

Day 04: Punakha to Paro

Morning drive from Punakha to Paro is about 3 hours drive.

On the way near Chhuzom, we will visit the shooting spots of the film Travellers and Magicians opposite Dobji Dzong accompanied by the actor himself.

Shooting in front of Dobji Dzong

After breakfast, a thirty-minute drive from the Punakha Dzong will bring us to the base of the hill on which Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten is built. From the car park, you have to cross a suspension bridge and walk through rice fields before you start climbing a moderately inclined trail surrounded by pine trees. It takes about one hour from the car park to hike up to the temple, and thirty minutes to hike down.

khamsum yuelley namgayal chorten

After lunch, we will drive from Punakha to Paro which is about 3 hours. On reaching Paro, we will visit the National museum set in Paro Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower that now displays hundreds of ancient Bhutanese artifacts and artwork including traditional costumes, armour, weaponry and handcrafted implements for daily life. The collection at the National Museum preserves a snapshot of the rich cultural traditions of the country.

paro taa dzong

Overnight in Paro.

Day 05: Paro, Taktsang Hike (Tiger’s Nest)

After early breakfast, drive to Taktsang base. Hike up to Taktsang or the Tiger’s Nest as most people call it. This magical Temple clings to a vertical granite cliff 800 m above the valley. It is believed that in the 8th century, Guru Rimpochee, a tantric master flew on the back of a tigress from the eastern Bhutan and meditated in a cave around which the temple is built. A hike to this temple will take most of our morning. Total Hiking time from the base and return: 2.30 hours.

taktshang lhakang (tiger’s nest) in paro perched on rock at 3120 meters

After lunch, we will visit Drugyel Dzong or The Fortress of the Victorious Bhutanese. This dzong was constructed by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 to commemorate his victory over marauding Tibetan armies. Though the fortress was destroyed by fire in 1951, the ruins remain an impressive and imposing sight. We can see Mt. Jumolhari from Drugyel Dzong. Sometimes known as “the bride of Kangchenjunga”, is a mountain in the Himalayas, straddling the border between Yadong County of Tibet, China and the Thimphu district of Bhutan. The north face rises over 2,700 metres (8,900 ft) above the barren plains. The mountain is the source of the Paro Chu (Paro river) which flows from the south side and the Amo Chu which flows from the north side.

drukgyel dzong

In the afternoon, we will host a special prayer ceremony at the beautiful 1200 old Kichu Lhakhang Temple to bring you good luck for the rest of your journey.

kyichu lhakang

Overnight in Paro.

Day 06: Departure

After breakfast, stroll around Paro town for handicrafts and gifts shops. We will then see you off from Paro Airport to onward journey.