Unlocking 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

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 Dordenma)

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 Farmer’s 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)

Overnight in Thimphu / Altitude:2400m

Day 03: Thimphu

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)

Cheri Monastery Chagri Dorjeden Monastery also called Cheri Monastery is a Buddhist monastery in Bhutan established in 1620 by Ngawang Namgyal, 1st Zhabdrung Rinpoche,[1] the founder of the Bhutanese state. The monastery, which is now a major teaching and retreat center of the Southern Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, is located at the northern end of the Thimphu Valley about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from the capital. It sits on a hill above the end of the road at Dodeyna and it takes about an hour to walk up the steep hill to reach the monastery from there.

(Cheri Monastery)

The Jungshi handmade paper factory uses traditional methods to produce the authentic Bhutanese paper known as Deh-sho. It is located approximately 1 km from Thimphu City. The factory uses the bark of two tree species, the Daphne tree and Dhekap tree in the manufacture of traditional paper. Visitors can observe the entire process of producing handmade paper using ancient traditional methods that have been practiced for generations. You can even try your hand at this ancient craft and make some paper of your very own as a souvenir.

(Paper Factory)

Hot stone bath in the evening. Hot-stone-bath is a popular form of medication practiced in Bhutan since time immemorial. Hot-stone-bath has no side effects. It is in its pure natural form. The water is collected from a clear spring, unlike most underground water source; it’s free of chemical pesticides and industrial pollutant. The herbs added are collected in pollution free high altitude areas.

(Hot stone bath)

Overnight in Thimphu / Altitude:2400m

Day 04: Thimphu – Punakha

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

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.

(Chimi Lhakang)

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 in Punakha, visit the old punakha town and new Khuruthang town. Circumambulate the buddhist temple three times and spin the row of prayer wheels. Drive back to hotel.

Overnight in Punakha / Altitude: 1250m.

Day 05: Punakha

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 Namgyal Chorten)

At the car park, we will take a river rafting to Punakha Dzong. Drifting past imposing 17th century Punakha Dzong (fort cum monastery) watching world’s rarest bird, the white belled Heron in its natural habitat and Kingfishers frolicking on riverbank – all these topped off with spectacular sight of serene lush green alpine valleys, are the most amazing experience you would love to treasure. Rafting in Bhutan is a superb experience in its own right.

Upon disembarkation from Khuruthang, lunch at Khuruthang. After lunch, 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 06: Paro

After breakfast, we will drive from Punakha to Paro which is about 3 hours.

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.

About 5 km after Chhuzom, the road passes Tamchhog Lhakang, a private temple owned by the descendents of the famous Tibetan bridge builder Thangtong Gyalpo. The traditional iron bridge here was reconstructed in 2005 using some of Thangtong’s original chain from Duksum in eastern Bhutan.

(Tamchhog Lhakang)

Lunch in Paro. After lunch, 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 snap-shot of the rich cultural traditions of the country.

(Paro Taa Dzong)

The Paro Dzong is one of Bhutan’s most impressive and well-known dzongs, and perhaps the finest example of Bhutanese architecture you’ll see. The massive buttressed walls that tower over the town are visible throughout the valley.

The dzong’s correct name, Rinchen Pung Dzong (usually shortened to Rinpung Dzong), means ‘Fortress on a Heap of Jewels’. In 1644 Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal ordered the construction of the dzong on the foundation of a monastery built by Guru Rinpoche. The fort was used on numerous occasions to defend the Paro valley from invasions by Tibet. The British political officer John Claude White reported that in 1905 there were old catapults for throwing great stones stored in the rafters of the dzong’s veranda. Some scenes in the 1993 film Little Buddha were filmed in this dzong.

Overnight in Paro.

Day 07: Paro, Hike to Taktsang (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 800m 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.

(Taktsang 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.

(Drugyel Dzong)