Western Bhutan Tour

Morning: Drive to Drugyal Dzong – a ruined fortress – 16Kms away from Paro town. The Dzong, although in ruins, holds great historical significance. It was from this fortress that the Bhutanese repelled many Tibetan invasions. The name means the victorious Bhutanese. This spot offers a magnificent vista of Mount Chomolhari, “Mountain of Goddess” 7329 meter. Visit a typical Bhutanese farmhouse on the way back. Lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon, Visit the National Museum – Ta-Dzong. Once the watchtower for the Rimpung Dzong, it was converted into the National Museum in 1968. The Museum stands on a promontory overlooking the Paro valley in all its glory. Visit the Paro Rinpung Dzong. A flagstone path rises gradually from a beautiful wooden bridge with shingle roofing an abutted by two guardhouses, to the dzong. Today, the Dzong is the seat of the district administration as well as the home for the monastic school. The central tower Utse of the Dzong, with the superb woodwork, is one of the most beautiful in the nation. The Dzong was built in 1645 A.D. Evening: Tea at the hotel and drive for two hours 65 km. to reach the capital city of Thimphu. Overnight in Thimphu.

Morning; Visit the Memorial Chorten, a huge stupa built in memory of the third King who reigned from 1952 – 1972. Visit the National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved. Visit the Painting School where traditional art is still preserved. Artists are taught to paint Thankas here – sacred Buddhist scroll. Visit the Handicrafts Emporium where one can buy Bhutanese textiles and other arts and crafts. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon: Visit Simtokha Dzong. This is the oldest fortress in Bhutan, built in 1629 AD by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It also houses the largest monastic schools in the country. Visit Tashichho Dzong – The main secretariat building. It is from here that the King and other prominent civil servants run the country. The Head Abbot and the central monastic body also reside here during the summer.Visit Pangri Zampa Monastery, situated just beyond Dechencholing Palace 5km. from Thimphu. This temple was the first residence of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal when he arrived in Bhutan in 1616 A.D. It was built during the first quarter of the 16th century by Ngawang Chogyel, the great ancestor of the Shabdrung.

After an early breakfast, drive to Punakha and Wangdi. On the way, halt at Dochula for a hot cup of tea/coffee and on a clear day, the most spectacular view of the Eastern Himalayan mountain ranges. Lunch at the hotel. After lunch, visit the Punakha Dzong, the former winter capital and presently administrative seat of the district. It is also the winter residence of the central monastic body. The Dzong (fortress) lies between two rivers, the Pochu and Mochu, meaning male and female rivers. It was built in 1637 A.D. visit Wangdiphodrang Dzong, perched on a promontory 13 kms away from Punakha. The Dzong was built in 1638 A.D. Overnight in Wangdi.

Return to Thimphu. After lunch stroll around Thimphu town for shopping. If the day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, visit the weekend vegetable market.

After an early breakfast, drive back to Paro for a short trek to Taktsang monastery 10km. from Paro Town. The name Taksang means “Tiger’s nest”. The monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 800m. It is said that in the second half of the 8th century, Guru Padma Sambhava, the second Buddha, alighted here upon the back of a tigress. Picnic lunch at Taktsang cafeteria. The round trip hike takes about 4 hrs. Evening : casual stroll through Paro Town for shopping and visit to some village homes.

After breakfast, process to final departure. Drive to airport and fly to onward destination/Kathmandu.