Bhutan Mini-Explorer

After processing permit drive to Thimphu . This drive will take you along the Paro Chu (water or river) downstream to the convergence with the Wang Chu next the road turn upstream and travel along the Wang Chu to Thimphu. You can experience breath taking view of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks together with the sacred Jumolhari and Mount Jichu Drake. After reaching there, check into hotel and overnight stay will be at Thimphu.

After breakfast Sightseeing in Thimphu valley including visit to the following: The National Library, housing an extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts; the Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the Painting School) where students undergo a 6-year training course in Bhutan's 13 traditional arts and crafts. Later visit Textile and Folk Heritage Museum, a fascinating testimony of the Bhutanese material culture and living traditions. Then, visit the government-run Handicrafts Emporium and local crafts shops, to browse through example of Bhutan's fine traditional arts. Here you can buy hand-woven textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings, jewelry, interesting items made from local materials. After lunch, visit King's Memorial Chorten continuously circumambulated by people, murmuring mantras and spinning their prayer wheels. Construction of this landmark was the idea of Bhutan's third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk ("the father of modern Bhutan") who has wished to erect monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it serves both as a memorial to the Late King and as a monument to peace. Evening drive past Trashichhoe Dzong, "fortress of the glorious religion". This is the center of government and religion, site of monarch&' throne room and seat of Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was reconstructed in 1960s in traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans. After that we visit Lord Buddha Statue, The Buddha Dordenma is located amidst the ruins of phodrang, the palace of Sherab Wangchuck, the thirteenth desi Druk, overlooking the southern approach to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. On completion, it will one of the largest statues in the world, at a heigh of 169 feet (515.5 meters) , accommodating 100,000 8-inch tall and 25,000 12-inch tall gilded Buddhas respectively in the interior. The statue is surrounded by 943 acres of forest area that comprises the kuenselphodrang nature park.

After breakfast, drive up to Dochu-la pass (3,088m/ 10,130 ft) stopping briefly here to take in the view and admire the chorten, mani wall, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road. If skies are clear, the following peaks can be seen from this pass (left to right): Masagang (7,158m), Tsendagang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m ), Jejegangphugang (7,158 m ), Kangphugang (7,170 m ), Zongphugang (7, 060 m ), a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana - finally Gangkar puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m. After visit to Punakha Dzong, Built strategically at the junction of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative centre of the region, Punakha Dzong has played an important role in Bhutan's history. Damaged by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the Dzong has been fully restored by the present King. Overnight stay Punakha.

After breakfast start on a full-day excursion to Gangtey Gompa in the Phobjikha Valley - It is the only monastery in Bhutan is an important monastery of Nyingmapa sect of Buddhism and seat of Pema Lingpa tradition - The Phobjikha Valley is a large U-Shaped valley also called Gangteg Valley- The Phobjikha Valley is home to rare & endangered black - neck cranes, which migrate from the Tibetan plateau in winters to roost – Apart from endangered black - neck cranes one can find 13 other globally threatened species–Large spread of grass and dwarf bamboos make it a unique place to visit- Return to Wangdi Phodrang in the evening – Evening free to visit the local market – Night stay at the hotel in Punakha/Wangdue.

After breakfast drive up the Paro valley. After lunch you will visit the Ta Dzong. This Dzong was built in 1651 as a watch tower. It means the victorious fortress which was built in 1647 by Shabdrung to celebrate his victory over the Tibetan invaders. In the afternoon you will visit the Rinpong Dzong. It was built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngwang Namgyal, the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan.

After breakfast visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the country, built in the 7th century by the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo. After complete Paro sight seen drive to Madarihat /Jaldapara.