Taste Of Bhutan

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 Wangdue/Punakha.

After breakfast drive to Punakha/Wangdue. After lunch visit Chimi Lakhang Temples lies in the fertile Lobesa villge of Punakha Valley. The temple is dedicated to the divine madman-Saint Drukpa Kuenley and the temple is also known as the Temple of Fertility. The temple is accessible by 20-25 minutes from the village near the junction of the road that branches out to Wangdue and Punakha. We first walk through the village of Sosokha and then gradually hike through the paddy fields to Lobesa Village and arrive at the temple. The temple is associated with Lama Drukpa Kuenley lived in Bhutan around the 1500s. He was a highly accomplished Buddhist master but he was called Divine Madman for his humorous approach and sexual overtones in his teachings. As per the legend, Lama Drukpa Kuenley subdued a demoness here who was terrorizing the residents of the valley and marked the site for the temple to be built later by his cousin. It’s a general belief that if a childless couple visits the temple and wishes for fertility, they will be blessed by Lama Drukpa Kuenley and will be able to bear children. Nobody knows exactly how and when the tradition of seeking fertility blessing started in Chimi Lhakhang but today, the temple is famous as the Temple of Fertility. After lunch drive to Paro on the way to Paro visit Simtokha Dzong. This dzong, built in 1627 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, stands on a low ridge 8 km down the valley from Thimphu. The Institute for Language and Cultural Studies is located here. The most noteworthy artistic feature of this dzong is the series of over 300 finely worked slate carvings behind the prayer wheel in courtyard. Over night at Paro.

After breakfast drive to Paro visit to Taktsang Monastery. This most famous of Bhutan's monasteries is spectacularly perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. Taktsang is a place of pilgrimage which Bhutanese try to visit at least once in a lifetime. It is said that in the 8th century Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan to this place and meditated in a cave here for 3 months, hence its name, "Tiger's Nest". The site, which has long been recognized as a most sacred place, was visited by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646. The principal lhakhang of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. The main structure was severely damaged by fire in 1998, but after many years of painstaking renovation work, the complex has now been fully restored to its former glory. Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the country, built in the 7th century by the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo. Ta Dzong originally built as Watchtower, which now houses National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons & armour, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts. Then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, meaning ("fortress of the heap of jewels"), which has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore such as four friends, the old man of long life, the wheel of life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount. Sumeru and other cosmic Mandala. Overnight stay in Paro.

Chele la (pass), at an elevation 3,988 meters is considered to be one of the highest motorable passes in Bhutan. About an hour's drive along a thickly-forested road, is this Pass-a botanical paradise. The pass provides stunning views of the sacred mountain Jomolhari and Jichu Drake. It is also marked by hundreds of prayer flags fluttering in the wind. Here, visitors can see cascades of wild roses; purple and yellow primulas; and swathes of deep blue iris covering the forest floor. The top of the pass bloom with rhododendrons in a variety of colours-pale pink, deep pink, burnt orange, mauve, white and scarlet. Start the day early for drive to Haa via Chele-la pass. 4 Km away at Bondey village the road to Haa diverts towards the right hand side and the climb up towards the chele-la pass starts. After driving through blue pine & rhododendron forest for 45 km, reach Chele-la pass (4200 meters). From this point one can have a superb views of Mount. Chomolhari & Jichu Drakey. This is a very good place to walk around for few minutes enjoying the view. Drive on to Haa, descending all the way for another 22 km (under an hours drive), finally reaching Haa. The Haa Dzong is presently occupied by military, but the view from outside is stunning. After picnic lunch visit the famous Monastery Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple) followed by visit Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple). The central shrine in Lhakhang Nagpo is said to have no difference with that of Lhasa JOWO in Tibet. The construction of the Lakhang Karpo is believed to have been assisted by the locality. As a result the place came to be locally known as 'Hay' meaning' surprise' which later became 'Haa' due to the differences in interpretations and pronunciations of different people over time. The three giant hills looming over the fringes of Haa valley were called 'Me Rig Puen Sum' especially after the incidence of the Lhakhang Kdarpo construction. Today the three hills are popularly known as 'Rig Sum Goenpa' signijfying three deities-Jambayang Chana Dorji and Chenrizig. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

After breakfast proceed to Hasimara.