Bhutan, Kingdom of Happiness

You’re flying over the magnificent mountains of the Himalayas and you’ll be marvelling at the sacred mounts of Bhutan Jumolhari et Jichu Drake. Breathtaking sights of the Everest and the Kanchenjunga offer themselves to you. At your arrival in Paro, you will be welcomed by your guide. Then, you’ll leave for Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital city. On the way, you’ll visit the famous temple of Tachogang, the horse mount, created by the saint Thangtong Gyalpo (1385-1464) great yogi, physician, blacksmith, architect et pionieer of civil engineering, who has built numerous suspended bridges made out of metallic chains in Tibet and Bhutan. You’ll then continue towards Thimphu where you’ll stay at the Thimphu Hotel for the night.

After breakfast, you’ll visit the Stupas which commemorates the 3rd king of Bhutan who wanted peace in this world. You can admire numerous paintings and sculptures inside of the Stupas. You’ll the visit the School of the 13 arts. You’ll then ascend to the summit of Thimphu where the greatest statue of the Buddha in the world is located. You’ll appreciate the superb sight of the city of Thimphu. After breakfast, you’ll visit the animal park, where you can see the takin, Bhutan’s national animal. It’s a very rare species living in very high altitudes (4000m at least). You will then visit Changankha Lhakhang. This temple located above Thimphu’s valley was built in the XIIIth century by the illustrious Phajo Lam Dugom Zhigpo. The temple is considered as spiritual home of children born in the Chang valley. In the evening, you’ll visit the dzong of Taschichodzong. You’ll stay at the Thimphu Hotel (2350m)

After breakfast, you’ll appreciate a hike to the monastery of Tango. The hike to the monastery goes through the forest filled with Rhododendrons which fully bloom in April. The monastery of Tango is a center of superior studies for monks. Its sight is fascinating for its beauty. Experience serenity and tranquility in this environment. After breakfast on the road, you can watch some archery : Bhutan’s national pasttime. You can then wander around in a market of craftsmanship. In the evening, you’ll discover downtown Thimphu. You’ll stay at the Guest house in Thimphu for the night (2350m)

This morning, you take the road for Phunakha . Take a break at Dochu La pass (3100m). When the weather is lenient, the view of the Himalayas is exceptionnal. You’ll see the 108 Stupass, then descend towards Lobesa. After breakfast, you’ll hike through farms and plantations to Chimi Lakhang, (Temple of fertility) in which you can receive a benediction if you feel like it. When people want children, they come here in pilgrimages so that their wish comes true. This temple was founded in the 14th century by a crazy and foreseeing Saint. You’ll then take the road for Phunakha, ancient capital of Bhutan. You’ll stay at Phunakha’s hotel for the night (1340m)

After breakfast, you travel through the high valley of Punakha. You hike through magnificent villages to arrive at the Temple of Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Lhakhang built by Mother Queen of Bhutan, Ashi Tshering Wangchuck, for peace and stability in this constantly evolving world. This temple is located on the hill overlooking the valley beneath. After breakfast, you’ll visitez the Punakha Dzong, located on the isle of the PhoChu (male river) and the Mochu (female river). The dzong was built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal (the person who unified Bhutan) to serve as religious and administrative headquarters of the region. It’s there that the double government system was introduced in the XVIIth century. In 1907, the first king Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck was crowned there. Damaged throughout the centuries by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the dzong was entirely rebuilt these last years by the 4th king Jigme Singye Wangchuck. It’s Bhutan’s most beautiful and impressive fortress. A Night spent in Phunakha’s hotel (1340m)

Leaving Punakha, the road first follows the Punasangchu river until Wangdue Phodrang. From the ancient wooden bridge from the XVIIth century, only the big central tower which shelters a tiny temple remains. Today, a modern concrete structure crosses the river right under the great fortress. Now in reconstruction after the terrible fire which ravaged the building in 2012… from Wangdue’s tiny village, the road follows a torrent for at least ten kimometers before diving into the mountains in the middle of very beautiful landscapes. Little by little, the rice plantations make way for a deciduous forest, then the pines of the Himalaya. Pause in the village of Nobding where a bunch of traditionnal stores and beautifully decorated are worth to stop for ! The road then slithers between the pines before the last kilometers which allow access to the pass of Pele La (3400 m) marked with numerous prayer banners which fly in the wind… The descent towards Trongsa offers beautiful landscapes and the crossing of a few villages : Rukubji, Nikkachu or Chendebji which possess a great chorten in nepalese style. The grounds are favourable to harmony and unforgettable pictures. You’ll then visit the fortress. This impressive building built on the side of a hill dominates the river. You are subjugués by this magnificent architecture of the internal courtyard with its galeries, balcons and numerous passageways. It’s an occasion to get some explanations on the beautiful paintings which decorate the entrance of temples : dharma wheel or representation of Zangdopelri, the paradise of Guru Rinpoché. You sleep at Trongsa. The hôtel (2200 m)

This morning, after breakfast, you visit Ta dzong, ancient guard tower of the XIIIth century today transformed into a national museum where the histoiry of the land and the uprising of bhutanese monarchy is retraced. you take the road for Bumthang by crossing the Yutong La (3400 m) surrounded with coniferous and rhododendron forests. You arrive at Bumthang, for breakfast. This evening, explore the beautiful valley. You’ll discover the valley’s principal monasteries : Jampa Lhakhang, one of the first temples built in Bhutan under theorders of great tibetan king Songtsen Gampo (VIIth century) then Kurje where Guru Rinpoché came for the first time to Bhutan in the 8th century and converted the king and population to buddhism. You an see the cave where he meditated and left the mark of his body, surrounded by 108 stupas, this place is one of the most venerated of the country. You then start crossing a bridge suspended over the river Chamkar and hike towards Tamshing founded in the 15th century by Pema Lingpa who is considered as only great religious treasure discoverer born in Bhutan. It was an artist and a major architect. The temple’s interior paintings are the most ancient of the land. There you’ll discover a chain to purify flaws and bad karmas. You can taste local cheese and a glass of beer at the swiss farm, founded in the sixties by Fritz Maurer, an authentic swiss-german! You’ll continue wandering around the city’s center to take conscience of the present moment. You are housed in Bhumthang’s hotel (2660m)

After breakfast, you’ll witness the spectacle of Jakar. In the evening, you’ll visit Jakar dzong (the “White Bird” dzong) built on top of a hill. Its long and narrow courtyards have a certain charm. You’ll discover the temple of Vajrakila and its very beautiful paintings including some from tibetan hero Gesar of Ling and the sixteen arhats, firt disciples of the Bouddha. You spend the rest of the day in the animated streets of Jakar, county seat of Bumthang. You’ll then walk among the coloured stalls where handmade objects and magnificent weavery, notably, are created. Stay for a night at Bhumthang’s hotel (2660m)

This morning you leave for Gantey, pause at Zugney, a town known for its woolen weaveries called Yathras, whose colors are particularly bright. Crossing of Yutong La at (3424M) and descent for Trongsa. After the Pelé La pass (3390M), the road turns right and climbs towards the high valley of Phobjika. It’s a very beautiful place where yak ranchers live. Overlooking the valley on top of a little hill, the Gantey monastery was built in 1613. It’s a nyingmapa monastery where one of reincarnations of Pemalingpa resides, great Bhutanese Saint of the XVIth century. After having visited the monastery, you take a nice hike through a pine forest towards the lowert part of the valley. You’ll have the opportunity to see cranes with their long black necks, which arrived from the tibetan highlands near the end of October and come stay in Bhutan for a few months because of the lenient climate. You continue your hike in the valleys of Phobjika, where you stay in the hotel’s guest house (3000m)

You leave Gantey by the road which crosses the Dochu la (3050m) where, by clear weather, you’ll admire Bhutan’s Himalaya with its numerous snowy summits higher than 7000m. You descend towards Thimphu for breakfast where you’ll be able to visit Thimphu Market provided it’s a week-end. You continue your hike for Paro. Paro’s valley is one of the most beautifl of Bhutan. She possesses cultural riches and superb landscapes. Hundreds of myths and legends are told here. You’ll also find Bhutan’s most ancient temples and monasteries. Paro is also one of the kingdom’s most fertile valleys; the famous Bhutanese red rice is cultivated there in terrasses, aswell as fruits like apples and peaches. You spend the night at Paro’s hotel (2240m)

This morning, you’ll visit the National Museum. The guard tower or “Ta- Dzong” was built in the 17th century to watch the Paro Rimpong Dzong (the fortress). It is said that the first king was imprisoned for a week there. The third king transformed it into a national museum. The museum’s visit will allow you to understand and apprehend Bhutanese traditions and culture as best as possible. Paro Rimpong Dzong Majestuous and impressive, the Dzongs are, without a doubt, Bhutan’s most important and specific architectural structures. They’re fascinating equally for their layouts as for their beauty. For the Bhutanese, these architectural marvels evoque their history and are depositary of law, peace, and host festivities and social life. Paro’s Dzong was built in the 17th century by the Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, Bhutan’s foundator. It was burned in 1906 and reconstructed in 1907 by conserving the integrality of its original conception. These days it houses the district’s administration bureau and the monastic school where 200 monks live daily. You’ll the cross an impressive wooden bridge. You are then free to do whatever you please for the evening ! You are housed at Paro’s hotel (2240m)

Takshang is Bhutan’s icon, it’s a very important place for pilgrimage. Tiger’s nest, it is suspended at 700m on a steep cliff of Paro’s valley. Originally, this place was visited by Guru Rimpoché, foundator of Buddhism under its tantric Himalayan form. Much higher, temples shelter llamas seking greater spiritual experiences. It takes at least 2 or 3 hours to walk to Taktshang from the parking lot. You stay at Paro’s hotel (2240m)

Your guide brings you to Paro’s airport so that you fly away for your destination. We wish you nice travels.