Thunder Dragon Tours
Duration : 8 Days
TOUR CODE - IHP009
Thunder Dragon Tours is designed for holiday visit in this tiny nation of Kingdom of Bhutan.
Day 01: Arrive Paro.
Arrive Paro by Royal Bhutan Airline Druk Air, the only national carrier. The flight offers you beautiful view of mountains and landscapes. On arrival and after visa formalities you will be welcomed by the representatives of Mysterious Bhutan Tours and adventures. Afternoon, visit the ruined fortress Drugyal dzong, which defended the Paro valley from Tibetan invasion from the north in the early 17th century. On clear weather, Mount Jomolhari 7320 meters can be seen from the dzong. Evening time at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02: Sightseeing in Paro.
Paro Sightseeing – after breakfast, visit Kyichu Lhakhang a 7th century temple built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo to mark the spread of Buddhism in the Himalayas. Continue through the beautiful valley of Paro to visit Ta-Dzong(Watch Tower). The cylindrical building was built in 1641 by Desi Tenzin Drukda, the then Governor of Paro, as a watchtower to look over the Paro Dzong. The unique structure has six floors that go spiraling down from the top. During the olden days the building not only housed soldiers but also prisoners of war, mostly invaders. It was later in 1968, it was introduced as the National museum in the by the third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The six floors museum highlights various aspects of Bhutanese culture and history dating back to as early as 2000 B.C. A short walk downhill will take to the Rinpung Dzong which is the administrative seat of the district of Paro, and also house a state monastic community of more than 200 monks. Walk further down crossing the traditional bridge into Paro Town and stroll around the market and return to the hotel for the night.
Day 03: Drive from Paro to Thimphu.
In the morning after breakfast in the hotel, drive to Thimphu. It is about one hour drive and on the way, walk on the suspension iron chain bridge said to have built by Thanthong Gyalpo in 12th century. Continue drive to Thimphu and about 7 km to reaching Thimphu, have a glimpse of Simtokha dzong built in 1629. On reaching Thimphu, check into the hotel and after lunch, visit National memorial chorten and then to drive to visit Buddha Dordenma the largest Buddha statue in the world. Visit Motithang mini zoo to see the rare "Takin" national animal of Bhutan and drive further down with good view of the Thimphu valley. Visit the National Folk heritage, which provides you a glimpse of lifestyle, items and artifacts of Bhutanese villages and rural households. Here one can see the rural setting and flavor which has been well-preserved and see paddy, wheat and millet fields, a traditional water-mill with mill stones more than 150 years old, traditional style kitchen gardens with vegetables that were grown over the past 100 years and the famous traditional hot stone bath. Evening walk around the market and at night at the hotel.
Day 04: Sightseeing in Thimphu.
In the morning right after breakfast, visit the National Institute of Zorig Chusum. It refers to the thirteen traditional visual arts and crafts that Bhutanese have practiced for generations. The zorig chusum arts are represented at the Festival through: painting, carving, sculpture, calligraphy, carpentry, gold- and silversmithing, bamboo work, wood turning, weaving and embroidery, pottery, blacksmithing, masonry,and incence stick making. Visit Textile museum and after lunch, drive to Punakha which is about 3 hours drive from Thimphu. En route stop at Dochu-La Pass 3150 meters from where you can see breath taking Mount Gangkhar Puensum, the highest mountain in Bhutan on clear weather. From Dochu-La, The road descends through the ever-changing tress reaching the Punakha valley.
There at Punakha, visit the most impressive Punakha Dzong at the location of two Rivers, Pho- Chu and Mo- Chu (Male and Female River). This remarkable fortress has survived many glacial floods and fire. Every year during the month of February a procession known as the Punakha Serda takes place to commemorate the victory over the Tibetans. Night in hotel at Punakha.
Day 05: Excursion to Gangtey Gompa.
Drive to Gangtey Gompa will take about 3 hours and it is situated on the beautiful glacial valley of Phobjikha, this is the only Nyingmapa monastery (one of the name of four schools of Tibetan Buddhism in western Bhutan. This beautiful valley is also home to the rare Black Necked Cranes migrating from the Tibetan plateau to escape the harsh winter. Afternoon, drive back to Punakha and en route visit Wangduephodrang dzong and night in the hotel at Punakha.
Day 06: Drive to Punakha – Paro.
In the morning hike hike Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of fertility. The hike will take about half an hour. Childless couples come from all over the country to ask for children and it is widely believed that their prayers are answered. Continue journey to Paro and en route visit Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. Evening reach Paro and night in the hotel at Paro.
Day 07: A day hike to famous Taktsang Monastery.
The hike which is all the way uphill takes about 2 hours through pine forests. Taktsang is one of the holiest places in Bhutan the monastery which clings high granite cliff 800 meters overlooking the northern Paro valley. This place is especially venerated because the great saint Padmasambhava came on a flying tigress in 747 A.D. and meditated in a cave for 3 months. The demons were subdued who were trying to stop the spread of Buddhism and converted the Paro valley into Buddhism. The monastery was devastated by fire in 1998 but the Royal Government took immediate steps to restore the monastery to its original structure. Stroll back to Resort. Evening at leisure.
Day 08: Departure
After breakfast you will be Transfer to airport for your onward destination and after few minutes, you will be leaving Bhutan with all the memorable pictures and experiences.