Best of Scenic Bhutan Tour

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BEST OF SCENIC BHUTAN TOUR ( 5N / 6D )

This cultural tour through the mystical Western valleys of Bhutan is an ideal introduction to the Dragon Kingdom. Experience Bhutanese hospitality, admire the ever-changing landscapes, and immerse yourself in Bhutans rich buddhist culture. Highlights include Ta Dzong Museum, Rimpong Dzong with its wooden cantilevered bridge and the infamous Taktsang Monastery (Tigers Nest) in the beautiful Paro Valley, The National Memorial Chorten, *2th century Changangkha Temple and the National Library exhibiting ancient scriptures in Bhutans capital Thimphu, and after crossing the ***0m Dochula Pass with spectacular Himalayan views, a journey into the sub-tropical Punakha Valley featuring the incredible the Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lhakang, temple of the Divine Madman.



Day *1. Arrive at Paro: You will be received by the representative from World Tour Plan at the airport and drive to Thimphu. After lunch, visit Memorial Chorten, a monument dedicated to the Third King of Bhutan. His Late Majesty King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The inside paintings and statues provide a very rare insight into Buddhist Philosophy. Changangkha Monastery, Takin Preserve centre and Sangay Gang view point and Tashichho Dzong. Over night in Hotel.

Day *2. Thimphu Punakha: (*2 Kms, 3 hours drive). After breakfast, Drive to Punakha via Dochula pass. If the weather is clear, we stop for a while at Dochula pass to view Higher Himalayas. While in Punakha, visit Punakha Dzong built in ***7 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 ***2.

After Lunch, Excursion to Khamsung Yulley Namgyal Choling Monastery. Dinner and over night in Hotel.

Day *3. Punakha Gangtey Wangdiphodrang: After breakfast, drive to Wangdi Phodrang. Enroute stop a while to view Chimi Lhakhang also called the Temple of Fertility built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley also popularly known as Devine Mad man in *5th century. Enroute sightseeing in the valley of Wangdiphodrang, it includes: visit to Wangdiphodrang Dzong (from outside) built in ***8. 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. Drive further to Gangtey valley. Visit Gangtey Gompa Monastery, from outside. Gyaltse Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa founded the Temple in ***3, 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. In the evening, drive back to Wangdiphodrang. Over night in Hotel.

Day *4. Wangdiphodrang - Thimphu: After breakfast, drive to Thimphu. Sight seeing in Thimphu includes visit the National Library, which holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist manuscripts followed by visit to Painting School, famous for carving and free hand art and Folk Heritage Museum.

After lunch, Excursion to Cheri Monastery. In the evening, visit Handicrafts Emporium to see the exquisite artistry of traditional crafts and textiles. Dinner and over night in Hotel.

Day *5. Thimphu - Paro: After Early breakfast, drive to Paro. Then visit the Ta dzong, an ancient watchtower, which has been, since ***7, the national museum of Bhutan then visit Rimpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) built in ***6 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The Dzong presently houses administrative offices.

After Lunch, Excursion to Taktsang Monastery: A short drive takes us to Satsam Chorten, the trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. We stop for a rest and light refreshments at the Taktsang Jakhang (cafeteria) and then walk a short distance until we see, clearly and seemingly within reach, Taktsang monastery. The primary Lhakhang was built around Guru Rimpoches meditation cave in ***4 by the Penlop of Paro, Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges **0 meters into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in **7 AD, flew here on the back of a flying tiger, Dorji Drolo, said to be his favourite consort.

In the evening, visit the Drukgyel dzong, now in ruins was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate the victory over the Tibetan invaders in***4; the dzong names means indeed victorious Druk . The Dzong was used as an administrative center until ***1 when a fire caused by butter lamp destroyed it. Then visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutans oldest and most sacred monasteries dating from the introduction of Buddhism in the 8th century and Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day *6. Departure: Early morning, drive to the Airport and Farewell