Secluded high in the eastern Himalayas with
unique customs and people with deeply held
beliefs. Bhutan is a land of dzongs and monasteries;
monks, majestic mountains and a rich heritage;
and an architectural style like no other on
earth and a land full of warm-hearted, friendly
people who go to unusual lengths to preserve
each element of Bhutanese life. Today as a
visitor picks up a telephone to call home or
travels over a wide network of roads, it may
be difficult to imagine that as recently as
the 1960's telecommunication was non-existent
in Bhutan and travel within the kingdom could
only be made by horseback or on foot...there
were no roads.
Beyond building a telecommunication network
and roads, Bhutan has been integrating the
process of modernization with the rich heritage
of its past. Bhutanese, go to unusual lengths
to preserve each element of their life; from
environment to dress to language to religion
Bhutanese have managed to keep their centuries-old
culture and traditions alive. Besides learning
as much as from the past, Bhutanese.
The official estimate of Bhutan's population
in 1990 was about 600,000 but other sources
estimate the population for 2000 was just
under 2 million. Those living in Bhutan of
Nepali origin have been excluded from the
official census since 1990 which results
in such a large discrepancy in population
numbers.
Bhutan has four major ethic groups: Bhutia,
Sharchops, Nepali, and other indigenous groups.
The Bhutia, who are descended from Tibetans,
live in the central and northern regions
of Bhutan. This ethnic group basically dominates
politics in Bhutan particularly with it's
contribution of government officials and
monks that come from it.
Believed to be Bhutan's earliest settlers,
the Sharchops live in the southeastern and
eastern region. They speak both Tibeto-Burman
languages as well as Hindi.
The Nepali people are the latest immigrants
to Bhutan. Living in the southwestern and
south central section of Bhutan, immigration
of Nepali's has been forbidden by the Bhutanese
government since 1959. Fear of Bhutan becoming
too heavily populated with Nepalese brought
about this and the ban on living in the central
Himalayan region. Bhutan traditions and culture
are to be retained and not dilute Bhutanese
distinctiveness.
There are small groups of ethnic minorities
that live all throughout Bhutan with the
largest group living in the Duars. This group
is related to those groups living in India's
Assam and Bangla states.
Outline Itinerary
Day
1
Fly
from Kathmandu to Paro by Druk Air flight.
You enjoy sightseeing in Paro. After Tea,
drive to Ta Dzong (built in1656 and renovated
in 1968), an ancient watchtower which now
houses the National Museum. This unusual
round building is said to be in the shape
of a conch shell. The centerpiece of this
Museum is a complex four-sided carving
depicting the history of Buddhism and its
propagation. One side is Sakyamuni and
the great teacher Atisha, representing
the Sakya School. On the next is Geylup,
a disciple of Dalai Lama. Another is Nyingma
lineage, the head is Guru Padmasanva, and
the final is Drukpa Kagyu with the figure
of Vajra Dhara.
Below the museum is the
Paro Rimpung Dzong (literally meaning “Heap
of Jewels”,
built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal,
the centre of civil and religious authority
in this valley. Here you can see finest
example of Bhutanese architecture. Enroute
visit Kichu Lhakhang, built in 659 A.D
by the Tibetan king Srongsen Gampo. This
Monastery is one of the 108 monasteries
built across the Himalayan region by the
Tibetan King to subdue the Demoness that
lay across the Himalayan region. The rest
of the monasteries lie in other neighboring
countries. In the evening drive to the
ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong, 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). You stay
in hotel at Paro.
Day
2
Sight
seeing in Paro. Drive from Paro to Thimphu.
After early breakfast, you go for an excursion
to Taktsang Monastery. A very special day,
with an excursion to view the spectacular
Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) monastery - After
breakfast a short drive takes you to Satsam
Chorten, from there a 1 hour walk till
the viewpoint point 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. You stop for a rest and light
refreshments at the Taktsang Jakhang (cafeteria)
and then walk a short distance until you
see, clearly and seemingly within reach,
Taktsang monastery. The primary Lhakhang
was built around Guru Rimpoche’s
meditation cave in the 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.
After lunch drive to Thimphu and visit
the National Memorial Chorten (1974) built
in honor of late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, “The
Father of Modern Bhutan”. Built in
a typical Tibetan style, there are numerous
religious paintings and the complex tantric
statues reflecting both the peaceful and
wrathful aspects of Buddhist deities. This
Chorten is also a center of worship for
the people living in Thimphu. Then visit
to Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving
nunneries in Bhutan. Visit Changkha Monastery
(This monastery was built in 15th century
by the lama Phajo Drugom Zhipo) where the
new born child of Thimphu valley are taken
to receive 1st blessing from a High Lama.
Drive to Mini Zoo where Takin, the national
animal of Bhutan can be seen. This particular
animal is found only in the Himalayan region
and the head of this animal looks like
that of a goat and body of a cow/yak and
before sun set drive to Sangay gang view
point (2685 meters) to have view of whole
Thimphu valley and walk through hundreds
of colorful prayer flags that dot the hill
over looking the Thimphu valley. You stay
overnight in hotel at Thimpu.
Day
3
Sightseeing
in Thimpu. After breakfast, visit the
National Library, stocked with ancient
Buddhist manuscripts, and the Painting
School where traditional art is still kept
alive through instructions in the art of
painting Thangkas (sacred Buddhist religious
scrolls).You can visit in different class
rooms, where different students follow
a comprehensive course that starts with
drawing and progresses through painting,
wood and slate curving, and statue making.
Next you visit Traditional Medicine Institute
where medicines are prepared according
to ancient practices. Visit Handicraft
Emporium for shopping Bhutanese Various
Arts and Textiles. After lunch you will
hike to Tango Monastery. The trail Tango
is a climb of 280 meters and it takes an
hour to reach the monastery. Lama Gyalwa
Lhanampa founded the monastery in 12th
century. The present building was built
in 15th century by the “Divine
madman”. This is one of the best
places for meditation. In the evening,
you visit Tashichho Dzong (Fortress of
the Glorious Religion). In 1216 the lama
Gyalwa Lhanangpa built Dohon (Blue Stone)
Dzong on the hill above Thimphu Where
Dechen Phodrang now stands. A few years
later Lama Phajo Drugom Shigpo, who brought
the Drukpa Kagyu line age to Bhutan,
took over Dohon Dzong. In 1641 the Zhabdrung
(The one who unified the country) acquired
the dzong from the descendants of lama
Phajo and renamed it as Trashi Chhoe
Dzong. He then arranged to house both
monks and civil officials in the same
Dzong. At present it is a seat of the
national government and the Central Monastic
Body, including the summer residence
of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan).
You stay overnight at hotel.
Day
4
Drive
from Thimphu to Punakha. You enjoy sightseeing
in Punakha. After early breakfast, you
drive to Punakha via Dochula Pass, where
you can see 108 Bhutanese Stupas. If
the weather is clear you can see all Himalayan
Ranges with all snow covered. Further
drive to Punakha and visit Punakha Dzong.
The Dzong is situated between the two rivers
and it is one of the biggest rivers in
Bhutan. You have to walk through the
suspension bridge to reach the Dzong. The
Dzong was built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang
Namgyal and is 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 the 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.
In the evening short hike to Chimi Lhakhang,
which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley
in 15th century? (This monk is popularly
known as the Devine madman for his philosophy, “Salvation
through sex”). He subdued the demons
with his “Magical Thunder bolt”.
The Temple is also known as “The
Temple of Fertility”. Sterile women
from far and wide come to this Temple
to get blessed and an article about this
temple also appeared in newspaper, The
Washington Post some years back. You
stay overnight at hotel in Punakha.
Day 5
Drive
from Punakha to Wangduephodrang. You enjoy
sight seeing in Wangdue. After breakfast,
you drive to Wangdue and visit Wangdiphodrang
Dzong built in 1638. Legend relates that
as the people were searching for the site
of the Dzong; four ravens were seen flying
away in four directions. This was considered
auspicious sign, representing the spread
of religion to the four points of the compass.
The Dzong is situated at the confluence
of Mo Chu and Tang Chu rivers. You further
drive to Gangtey valley. It is one of the
most beautiful glacial valleys of the Himalayas.
Visit Gangtey Gompa from outside. Gyaltse
Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation
of Pema Lingpa founded the Temple in 1613,
and Tenzin Legpai Dhendup, the second re-incarnation,
built the temple. The present Abbot, Kunzang
Pema Namgyal is the ninth re-incarnation.
It is a Nyingmapa monastery and is affiliated
to other Nyingmapa monasteries including
Tamshing in Bumthang. Explore Phobjikha
valley, famous for the Black Necked Cranes
during winter. These cranes are very rare
and endangered and highly protected by
the Government. These cranes fly to Phobjikha
valley which is their winter Habitat. The
Cranes circle three times in a clock-wise
direction around the Gangtey Gompa as a
reverence to the Monastery before landing
in the valley. They repeat the same practice
before flying back to Tibet in early spring.
You can watch the cranes. En route you
will stop in different places for the photography
and have the view of different valleys.
In the evening drive back to Wangduephodrang.
You stay overnight at hotel in Wangdue
phodrang.
Day 6
Drive
from Wangduephodrang to Thimphu. Enjoy
sightseeing in and around the place. Drive
from Thimpu to Paro. After breakfast, you
drive to Thimphu and visit Simthokha Dzong.
It is the oldest Dzong in Bhutan. Then
you visit Bhutanese Traditional paper making
Factory. After lunch you drive to Paro.
You stay overnight in Hotel at Paro.
Secluded high in the eastern Himalayas with
unique customs and people with deeply held
beliefs. Bhutan is a land of dzongs and monasteries;
monks, majestic mountains and a rich heritage;
and an architectural style like no other on
earth and a land full of warm-hearted, friendly
people who go to unusual lengths to preserve
each element of Bhutanese life. Today as a
visitor picks up a telephone to call home or
travels over a wide network of roads, it may
be difficult to imagine that as recently as
the 1960's telecommunication was non-existent
in Bhutan and travel within the kingdom could
only be made by horseback or on foot...there
were no roads.
