Vajrayana Institute – Highlights of Bhutan

Leave from  Delhi  at 12.30pm and fly to Paro (2200 metres), where you’ll be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel in bustling capital city Thimphu (2334 metres). Freshen up at the hotel before setting out on a day of sightseeing.

Visit Tashichho Dzong, the impressive seat of the Royal Government of Bhutan, which houses the secretariat, the throne room, the offices of His Majesty the King as well as the ministries of home affairs, finance and religious affairs. If you’re lucky, you might witness the flag bearing ceremony that takes place during official occasions.

In the afternoon, visit the Memorial Chorten built in honour of the 3^rd King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. In the evening, explore the main strip of this bustling city and visit the Handicraft Emporium which showcases traditional Bhutanese handicrafts, textiles, and woodcrafts.

Overnight: Hotel, Thimphu

Today you’ll spend a day exploring the many sights of Thimphu. Start with a tour of Ani Gompa, where you’ll be able to witness the simple lives of the nuns, based around meditation and prayer. From this vantage point there are also good views of the valley and the Thimphu chu river. Visit the Dordenma Buddha, the largest statue of Buddha in Bhutan. The stunning 51 metre statue heralds the entrance to the Thimphu valley, and the complex has many good luck symbols and once it is fully completed it will have a library and meditation centre with a unique collection of Buddhist scriptures. There are also very good views of the Thimphu valley from here.

In the late afternoon return to the hotel.

Overnight: Hotel, Thimphu 

After breakfast we will take a spectacular drive to Punakha, the former capital. On the way we will pass through several picturesque villages and cross the Dochula Pass at 3200m. If it is a clear day you will be able to see Mount Gangkhar Punsum (7541m), the highest mountain in this region.

The beautiful Punakha valley is home to the scenic Phochu and Mochu (Male & Female) rivers and has a pleasant warm climate. The local villagers grow rice and fruit such as oranges, mangoes and bananas. When we arrive we will visit Punakha Dzong, which was once home to over 500 monks. It is also the winter home of His Holiness Jhey Khenpo, the Chief Monk of Bhutan, as well as the wedding venue of their Majesties the King and Queen.

Overnight: Resort, Punakha 

After breakfast we’ll transfer to Paro, a beautiful farming valley with charming houses, orchards and farmlands. This is one of the best preserved of all valleys in the country. Enroute we’ll stop to take in the magnificent Tamchhog Lhakhang, the hereditary place of worship for Bhutan’s iron bridge builder.

When we reach Paro, you’ll have time to rest and acclimatise to the altitude. We’ll then visit Kyichu Lhakhang, built in the 7^th century by the famous Buddhist Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo. This is one of the oldest and most holy temples in Bhutan, and the main Jho statute is believed to be just as sacred as the Lhasa Jho.

In the afternoon we’ll visit the architectural marvel of Rinpung Dzong, the ‘fortress of the heap of jewels’ that towers over the town. The dzong was built in 1644 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, on the foundation of a monastery built by Guru Rinpoche. Some of the scenes from the 1995 film ‘Little Buddha’ by Bernardo Bertolucci were filmed here.

Overnight: Hotel, Paro 

Today we’ll visit one of the most impressive sights in Bhutan, the Taktsang Monastery. This architectural wonder, also known as the ‘Tiger’s Nest Monastery’ is perched 900 metres up a sheer cliff face that overlooks the Paro valley. According to legend, Guru Rinpoche miraculously flew here on the back of a tigress, where he then meditated in a cave for three months before converting the Paro valley to Buddhism. We will drive to the base of the Tiger’s Nest walk and take the spectacular hike up to the cafeteria viewpoint. Those who wish to visit the monastery itself can hike further to the height of 2980 metres (approximately two hours).

After visiting the monastery, you can opt to visit Drukgyel Dzong, the ‘Victorious Citadel’, or the Ta Dzong Museum. Or you might like to enjoy an optional hot stone bath in a traditional Bhutanese bath house.

Overnight: Hotel, Paro  

After breakfast we will transfer you to Paro airport for your departure flight to Delhi. We hope you enjoyed your time with us in Bhutan, and we hope to see you again on another Ekno Travels experience.