Destination: Paro, Thimphu, Wangdue Phodrang
Duration: 8 days
Bhey Langdrag Nye (sacred place) in Wangdue Phodrang is one of the many places blessed by Guru Rinpoche, the Great Indian Buddhist Master who spread Buddhism in Bhutan in 7th century. He has blessed numerous places and left hidden treasures those places. It is a secluded place for meditation and retreat. Many Buddhist monks and people around globe visit this valley for spiritual activity. To experience this beautiful and peaceful retreat site, you will have to spend around 7 nights in Bhutan.
You will fly by Druk Air (Royal Bhutan Airlines) to Paro. On your flight, during clear weather, you can view many magnificent peaks. Our representative will greet on your arrival. After having their introduction, we will escort you to Kichu Lhakhang, an oldest monastery in Bhutan. We will have lunch in Paro town and start our drive towards Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. Once you are in Thimphu, we can visit National Memorial Stupa, Tashichodzong, Zilukha and then drive to Sangaygang hilltop for the birds’ eye view of the capital city of Bhutan. On the way, we will visit Motithang mini-zoo to watch the national animal of Bhutan – Takin. Drive to hotel for dinner. The overnight halt in hotel in Thimphu.
After breakfast, we will head north of Thimphu valley to visit the Pangri Zampa monastery, the monastic institution where Buddhist astrologers are trained. Drive back to main Thimphu city to visit Bhutanese traditional medicine center, Bhutanese arts & crafts institute and National library house.
We will stop for lunch in Thimphu town. After lunch, we will visit the Bhutanese handmade paper-producing unit, textile museum and handicrafts emporium to see the wide range of Bhutanese handicraft products including the splendid paintings and exquisitely woven textiles. By late afternoon, drive to Kuenselphodrang to visit the largest Buddha statue erected for world peace and happiness. In the evening, we will drive to Namseling village to have dinner in traditional farm house that will give you opportunity to taste local cuisines and as well to experience the hot stone bath. Overnight halt in Thimphu.
After breakfast, we will checkout from the hotel. We will experience a dramatic drive through widning roads which will lead us to Dochu La pass, 3050m above sea level. Sights on the way include one of Bhutan’s first Dzongs of Bhutan, Simtokha Dzong.
On the clear days, towering Himalayan peaks are clearly visible from the pass and the pass is beautified with 108 stupas. We will descend from the pass that which will lead us through dense forests and give way to a village called Lobesa village. We will visit the monastery of fertility – Chimi Lhakhang. We will stop for lunch and after lunch, we will drive along the banks of the Mo-Chu (female river) through terraces of rice, chilies and cabbages. We will pass by Puntsho Pelri Palace and several other winter homes of the royal family the upper end of the valley to the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, another stunning monument recently. Returning down to the valley, we will have plenty of time to visit the magnificent Punakha fortress – served as capital fortress till 1960s and today it served as the winter residence of chief abbot, central monastic body and as the administrative headquarters for the Punakha region. Drive back to hotel for dinner and overnight halt in Punakha valley.
After breakfast we will start our drive to the land of hidden treasures, Bhey Langdrag valley. Upon arrival in valley, visit the some of scared sites like Guru Kurjee (body imprint left by Guru Rinpoche); Khandro Sangphug (a cave where million dakinis made offerings to Guru Rinpoche);
Khandro Bum Gee zhabjay (footprint left by million Dakinis on the rock); and the monastery of Terton Dorji Lingpa. In evening, if time permits, we will have brief stroll around the Bhey Langdrag village and farmhouses. The dinner and overnight halt will be arranged in camping site or in local farmhouse.
After having breakfast, we will start the spiritual hike to main monastery, which is more than 2 hours uphill hike from our campsite. Upon reaching the main monastery, we will light the butter lamps and make prayers for the world peace and prosperity. The main spiritual attractions are the hidden treasures site with seal, the miracle signs and prints left on rock by Guru Rinpoche.
The lunch will be packed and by late afternoon, we will hike back to our campsite. In evening, hoist some of the prayer flags and make prayers. The dinner and overnight halt will be arranged in the camping tent or in local farmhouse.
After breakfast, we will start driving to Paro, which is more than 5 hours driving. The lunch will be served on the way. When we arrive in Paro valley, we will visit the National Museum, housing collection of artifacts provide a wonderful introduction to the rich culture and heritage of the Kingdom. Thereafter, we will take a short walk downhill to see Paro Dzong. The dinner will be hosted in one of the finest restaurant in Paro town. The overnight halt will be in hotel in Paro.
After having early breakfast, we will drive to experience spiritual hike to mystical Tiger Nest, which is more than 2 hours uphill hike. Taktsang Monastery is the most famous and scared monastery in Bhutan, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the base of Paro valley. Taktshang means ‘tiger nest’ and it got this name because Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown to the site of the monastery on the back a flaming tigress.
He then meditated in a cave here for three months. Many people all over world visit this sacred site for pilgrimage and blessing. After visting the site, we will travel back to the base of the valley and visit ruined Drukgyel Dzong – a fortress built by Shabdrung Rinpoche in 1646 to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders. We will drive back to the hotel and have our farewell dinner. Spend the last night in Bhutan in a hotel in Paro.
Our representatives will take you to Paro International Airport and see you off.
Tashi Delek.