Bhutan - The land of Thunder Dragon

Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon, is like traveling back in time to an enchanted era. The Mahayana Buddhist culture which regulates the way of life of the people is still preserved in its pristine form. The chants of maroon-robed monks echo within its many monasteries, the inhabitants go about their daily chores dressed in traditional costumes and the architectural backdrop looks like a movie set. Bhutan exists in its own paradise, undisturbed by the events and trends sweeping across the world. A natural showcase and a cultural sanctuary, the Land of the Thunder Dragon is unlike any country you have seen before.

Bhutan presents a spectacular natural landscape with snow peaks to the north and green mountains and deep gorges. Many ancient buddhist monastries dot the landscape . The Bhutanese are a deeply religious people. Followers of Mahayana Buddhism, their beliefs intricately weave into their daily lives.

The country's relative isolation and unabused scenic beauty makes it for all practical purposes the last post to paradise. here's a destination that charms the visitor to a never before experience. The kingdom offers a geographical diversity of tropical forests and foothills with elevations of only 300 meters to the south of the country while it peaks at 7000 meters at high Himalayan altitudes. Temperatures vary drastically between day and night and between altitudes.

Day 1: Arrive at Paro
Yeoong Travel will receive you at the airport and drive you the short distance to the hotel. After Tea, drive to the ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong, built in 1647 by the Great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father and unifier of medieval Bhutan, the dzong was destroyed by accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. Explore the ramparts and on a clear day experience an unforgettable view of Mt. Jhomolhari (7,314 m). On the way back, visit Kichu Lhakhang, built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Srongsen Gampo. This Monastery is one of the 108 monasteries built across the Himalayan region by the Tibetan King to subdue the Demoness that lay across the Himalayan region. The rest of the monasteries lie in other neighboring countries. Your dinner will serve farm house to experience the typical Bhutanese way of leaving. Overnight Paro Hotel.

Day 2:Paro to Thimphu with day excursion to Taktsang Monastery
After breakfast 20 minutes drive takes you to Satsam Chorten. From the road point the hike up to Taktshang, on a well maintained path, is quite uphill and it takes around 3-4 hours at an average walking speed. The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. We stop for a rest and light refreshments at the Taktsang cafeteria. The primary Lhakhang was built around Guru Rimpoche's meditation cave in 1684 by the Penlop of Paro, Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in 747 AD, flew here on the back of a flying tiger, Dorji Drolo, said to be his consort. After lunch, visit Ta Dzong (built in1656 and renovated in 1968), an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. Below the museum is the Rimpung Dzong (literally meaning "Heap of Jewels"), the centre of civil and religious authority in this valley, built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal Evening drive to Thimphu you pass the striking Tacho Gompa founded by the Tibetan saint, you will reach to Chuzom marks by the confluence of Paro Chu(river) and the Wang chu. Opposite you, at the confluence, are three protecting chortens each built in a different style. Overnight Thimphu Hotel.

Day 03: In Thimphu
After breakfast visit to the National Memorial Chorten (1974) built in honour of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and the Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan . We then visit the National Library, stocked with ancient Buddhist manuscripts, and the Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thangkas (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls). After lunch we drive to the Traditional Medicine Institute where medicines are prepared according to ancient practices, and to Lungtenzampa to observe the Royal silver smiths and Bhutanese paper factory at work. Other highlights include a visit to the Tashichho Dzong, seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). You finally visit the Handicrafts Emporium followed by shopping for souvenirs in the shops of Thimphu . Overnight Thimphu Hotel.

Day 4: Thimphu to Paro
Morning drive to Paro airport for departure.

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