The Heart of the Thunder Dragon: An 8-Day Private Cultural Odyssey through Bhutan

After clearing immigration and customs proceed to the right of the exit door where you will find an ATM for local currency and a post office where you can purchase a local SIM card if you wish. Alternatively your guide will assist you with these at local bank/com store. Exiting the terminal main door you will be greeted by your SBT guide and driver and transfer to hotel for check-in the hotel. Enjoy the reminder of the day to explore Paro Main Street and interact with the locals.

After arrival you drive back to Thimphu, Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan. It is an hour drive from Paro.   The Kingdom’s capital city is home to approximately 100,000 inhabitants including the Royal family. This bustling little city is the main center of commerce, religion and government in the country.

Thimphu is the most modern city in Bhutan with an abundance of restaurants, internet cafes, nightclubs and shopping centers, however it still retains its’ cultural identity and values amidst the signs of modernization. Thimphu is one of the few towns in Bhutan that have been equipped with ATM banking facilities and is a good place to stock up on some currency.

Sightseeing in Thimphu: 

Buddha Point:  Buddha Dordenma Statue: 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 statue is made of bronze and is gilded in gold. 125,000 smaller Buddha statues have been placed within the Buddha Dordenma statue, 100,000 8 inch tall and 25,000 12 inch tall statues respectively. Each of these thousands of Buddhas have also been cast in bronze and gilded. The throne that the Buddha Dordenma sits upon is a large meditation hall.

Memorial Chorten (stupa) – it is a monument to the Third Druk Gyalpo( Third king) 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 center of Thimphu city and is one of its most iconic monuments. Tashi chhoe Dzong:Tashi chhoe dzong is a Buddhist monastery and fortress on the northern edge of the city of Thimphu in Bhutan, on the western bank of the Wang Chu. It has traditionally been the seat of the Druk Desi (or "Dharma Raja"), the head of Bhutan's civil government, an office which has been combined with the kingship since the creation of the monarchy in 1907, and summer capital of the country

Changgangkha Lhakhang: This popular temple, perched like a fortress on a ridge above central Thimphu, hums with pilgrim activity. It was established in the 12th century on a site chosen by Lama Phajo Drukgom Shigpo, who came from Ralung in Tibet. Parents traditionally come here to get auspicious names for their newborns or blessings for their young children from the protector deity Tamdrin (to the left in the grilled inner sanctum). Children are blessed by a phurba (ritual dagger) and given a sacred thread.

Takin Zoo: Motithang Takin Preserve, located in the Motithang district of Thimphu, Bhutan 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 Kunley also known as the divine mad man.

Bhutan Postal Museum: The Bhutan Postal Museum, Evolution of Communications Systems in Bhutan, was established in November 2015 to celebrate the 60^th Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck.

The main objective of the museum is to tell the story of Bhutan’s progress and development through the lens of the evolution of communications and postal system in the country.  The story is told through anecdotes, artifacts and the rich assortment of stamps the country has produced over the years.

National Textile Museum: Thimphu's best museum is part of the Royal Textile Academy and is the place to learn about Bhutan's living national art of thagzo(weaving). The ground floor focuses on royal ghos, including the wedding clothes worn by the fourth king and his four wives. The upper floor introduces the major weaving techniques, styles of local dress and type of textiles made by women and men. The museum shop offers some interesting books and fine textiles. No photography.

Authentic Bhutanese Crafts Bazaar:  Bhutan’s first ever Craft Bazaar is now open in Bhutan’s capital Thimphu. A spectacle of traditional bamboo huts, aligne neatly below Norzin Lam, opposite to Nehru Wangchuk Cultural Centre, showcase wide range of authentic Bhutan-made art and craft products with reasonable price range. The products in its 80 stalls cover all aspect of traditional Bhutanese art and craft synergized for contemporary use and market needs. Visitors will find an interesting assortment of genuine Bhutanese handicrafts and textiles available for sale here

On the beautiful morning we will start our journey towards Punakha. Punakha is about three hours drive from Thimphu. Punakha valley has a pleasant climate with warm winters and hot summers. It is located at an average elevation of 1200 meters above sea level. Owing to the favorable climatic conditions, rice grows very well in this region and is the main cash crop cultivated here.

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 and is an especially beautiful sight on sunny days with sunlight reflecting off the water onto its white-washed walls.

Dochu La: Dochula pass is located on the way to Punakha from Thimphu. 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 gracing the mountain pass.

Hike to Chimi Lhakhang: Most visitors take the 20-minute trail across fields from the road at Sopsokha to the temple. On a hillock below the Metshina–Punakha road is the yellow-roofed 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.

Punakha Dzong (Fortress): The Punakha Dzong, also known as Pungtang Dewa chhenbi Phodrang (meaning "the palace of great happiness or bliss) is the administrative centre of Punakha District in Punakha, Bhutan. Constructed by Ngawang Namgyal, 1st Zhabdrung Rinpoche, in 1637–38, it is the second oldest and second largest dzong in Bhutan and one of its most majestic structures. The dzong houses the sacred relics of the southern Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, including the Rangjung Kasarpani and the sacred remains of Ngawang Namgyal and the tertön Pema Lingpa.

Longest Suspension Bridge in Bhutan: This 160 metres suspension bridge is the longest in Bhutan. The bridge is stable and provides a good view of the river and valley, with the mountain as background.

Khamsum yulley namgyal Chorten: Standing regally on the hill above the Punakha valley, Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten is a classic example of gorgeous traditions and architecture of Asian country. This Chorten, however, is unique. It is not designed for community worship or for monastic retreat or education like other Buddhist Institute and Colleges. It is designed as a magical tool.

Punakha Nunnery: Above Wolakha on the way to Drolay Goemba is this thriving nunnery, which was financed by the fourth king's father-in-law to serve as a Buddhist college for 120 resident anim (nuns). The attached ridgetop Nepali-style chorten is visible from as far away as the Dochu La to Metshina road.

This morning we drive back to the place where we have started our journey, we will be heading towards Paro. It will be quite a long journey about four hours at the maximum from Punakha to Paro. While reaching Paro we will be quite tired and do some sightseeing in the Paro valley.

Sightseeing in Paro: Paro is a town and seat of Paro District, located in the Paro Valley of Bhutan. It is a historic town with many sacred sites and historical buildings scattered through the area. It is also home to Paro Airport, Bhutan’s sole international airport.

Rinpung Dzong: Rinpung Dzong is a large dzong - Buddhist monastery and fortress - of the Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu school in Paro District, Bhutan. It houses the district Monastic Body and government administrative offices of Paro Dzongkhag. It is listed as a tentative site in Bhutan's Tentative List for UNESCO inclusion. Overnight in Paro.

Kichu lhakhang: The Jowo Temple of Kyichu is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, originally built in the 7th century by the Tibetan Emperor Songtsän Gampo. It is considered to be one of the four (4) border taming temples he built. In the 8th century the temple was visited by Padmasambhava and it is believed he concealed many spiritual treasures here.

Dungtse Lhakhang: Jangtsa Dumgtseg Lhakhang  is a Buddhist temple in western Bhutan. The temple is notable as it is in the form of a chorten, very rare in Bhutan. It is located on the edge of a hill between the Paro valley and the Dopchari valley, across the bridge from Paro.  The Buddhist iconography depicted in the Chorten is considered a unique repository of the Drukpa Kagyu School.

Paro National Museum: National Museum of Bhutan is a cultural museum in the town of Paro in western Bhutan. Established in 1968, in the renovated ancient Ta-dzong building, above Rinpung Dzong under the command of His Majesty, the King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the third hereditary Monarch of Bhutan. The necessary infrastructure was created to house some of the finest specimens of Bhutanese art, including masterpieces of bronze statues and paintings. Suitable galleries were constructed to house the extensive collections. Works of art were elegantly displayed on scientific lines.

After all the major sightseeing has been done we will get ready for the last hike that will be hike to Taktsang (The tiger’s Nest) on the next day. Overnight in Paro.

Hike To Taktsang Monastery: On  the very beautiful morning we will start with our last task but certainly not the least. Taktsang Lhakhang is located approximately 10 km north of Paro town at an altitude of 3.120 meters. In order to arrive at the temple visitors must trek for around 2-3 hours through beautiful, shady pine forests. No trip to Bhutan would be complete without a visit to this remarkable heritage site. 

Taktsang Lhakhang is Bhutan’s most iconic landmark and religious site. The name Taktsang translates to “The Tiger’s Nest”. This temple is one of the most holy sites in the kingdom and clings impossibly to a sheer cliff face 900 hundred meters above the Paro Valley.

It was first built in 1692 at a cave where Guru Rimpoche meditated in the 7^th century A.D. Legend states that Guru Rimpoche flew to the site atop the back of a tigress and meditated in the cave for 3 years, 3 months, 3 days and 3 hours in order to subdue evil demons residing within it. The cave has been considered a sacred site ever since and many famous saints have travelled to meditate in it.

On this day we say good bye to each other with a promise to see in the future. Company guide which has been throughout the journey and the driver will assist you to reach the airport. Thank you from Soedhar Bhutan Travels, wishing you a safe travel way back home.

Tashi Delek!