Credentials

PARO:

Located at 8000 Ft, home to many of Bhutan's oldest temples and monasteries, Paro valley has managed to keep its bucolic nature in spite of many development projects. Depending on season the valley floor is covered with brown or green fields, while small villages and isolated farms dot the landscape. The valley is also known for the produce of Bhutan's Red Rice.

Paro is home to Bhutan’s only airport.

Drukgyel Dzong:
Dzong (Fortress) was built in 1646 by Shubdrung Nawang Namgyal to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders led by Mongolian warlord, Gushri Khan. Historically, it withstood all its glory and had captured western eyes in 1914 vide National Geography magazine. The Dzong was destroyed by fire in 1951 and is now preserved as heritage site. The Dzong overlooks the beautiful village with Mount Chomolhari in the background.

Rinpung Dzong:
Built at the same time of Drukgyel Dzong, it now serves as the administrative and judicial seat of Paro district. Walking up through the traditional bridge, and over a stone inlaid path, you enjoy the great view of the superb architecture and the life around the Dzong. It is also the venue for Paro festival, held in the spring.

It also acts as the residence for the 150 monks of Paro.

Ta Dzong:
Built as a watchtower in 1951, it overlooks the Rimpung Dzong. Unlike the rectangular shape of the Dzongs, Ta Dzong is round and resembles a European castle. From 1967 the Dzong was re-established as the National Museum and holds fascinating collection of arts, relics & religious thangkha.

Kyichu Lhakhang:
To consecrate the entire Himalayas, King Songtsen Gompo in the 7th century miraculously built 108 temples. Kyichu is one of them.

Thimphu

Thimphu is Bhutan 's capital city and center of government, religion and commerce. About two hours drive from Paro towards East; it is a unique city with unusual mixture of modern development alongside ancient traditions.

Memorial Chorten:
Built in 1974 in the memory of Third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, who is popularly regarded as Father of Modern Bhutan.

Tashichhodzong:
Initially erected in the year of 1641 and later in 1965 the Third King rebuilt it into the present form. The fortress serves as the office of the King, ministers and various government organizations and also headquarters for monastic body of Bhutan. Bhutan 's spiritual leader and the monks of both Thimphu and Punakha reside here during summer. It is also the venue for Thimphu Festival in the fall season.

Simtokha Dzong:
About 4 miles from Thimphu, this small Dzong situated on a lofty ridge is the first fortress among the chain of fortresses built around the country by Shubdrung Nawang Namgyal in 17th century. It was in 1961 the Third King turned this into an Institute for traditional studies for lay students who would be trained as Bhutanese Language teacher and has become a co-educational institute since 1989.

National Library:
The history of Bhutan lies imprinted in archaic texts that are preserved at the National Library. Besides thousands of manuscripts and ancient texts, the library also has modern academic books and printing blocks for prayer flags.

Painting School:
This institute teaches the techniques of traditional paintings, sculptures and other forms of traditional arts and one can view the students at work.

Heritage Museum:
Housed in a 19th century farmhouse, the museum displays the living style of the 19th century Bhutanese family.

Textile Museum:
The museum displays the colorful and intricately hand woven old and new textiles of Bhutan.

Weekend market:
It's an interesting place to visit, where village people bring their products of vegetables, foodstuffs and handicrafts to sell. Northern end has stalls selling locally produced goods like religious objects, baskets, fabrics and different hats. Sellers from near and far arrive on Friday afternoon and remain selling their goods until Sunday night.

Day hikes:
Phajoding Temple (12,138 Ft):
Shacha Rinchen, a saint, built the temple in 15th century and overlooks the Thimphu Valley. Surrounding the temple are many retreat houses for the people who come here and spent about 3 years in retreat. The hike is uphill through mixed conifer forest with great views of Thimphu valley.

Tango Temple:
The starting point of Tango hike is reached after 11 kms of drive. The 1000 odd feet climb takes about an hour plus. Built in 12th century by Gyalwa Lhanampa, at present it serves as the monastic school for study of Buddhist Philosophy, metaphysics, mathematics and poetry.

One can also hike to Cheri Temple on the same day. The hike is for about an hour and half. Crossing the lovely covered traditional bridge you climb steeply to the temple. Shubdrung Nawang Namgyal founded the temple in 1620.

Kharbandi Gompa:
Built in 1967 by the Royal Grandmother, the monastery contains paintings on the life of Buddha and statues of Shubdrung Nawang Namgyal and Guru Rinpochey. The monastery offers fabulous views towards Phuntsholing and surrounding Indian plains.

ZangdoPelri Temple:
The temple represents the abode of Guru Rinpochey. On the ground level are statues of Guru and his eight manifestations. The second floor has eight Bodhisattavas and statues of Avalokiteshwara and Shubdrung Nawang Namgyal while on the top floor the main statue is of Buddha Amitabha.

PUNAKHA:

Located at an altitude of 4430 feet above sea level, Punakha had once served as the winter capital of Bhutan. It is still being used as the winter home to Bhutan's spiritual leader and the monks of Thimphu and Paro. Blessed with temperate climate and fed by Pho Chu (Male) and Mochu (female) rivers, it is the most fertile valley and best red rice grower in the country. During clear weather, there are splendid views of the distant Himalayan snowcapped peaks at Dochu La Pass on Thimphu - Punakha road. Takes about two and half hours to reach from Thimphu.

Chimi Lhakhang:
It's a 20 minutes walk across fields through the village of Sopsokha from the roadside to the small temple located on a hillock in the center of the valley below Metshina. Ngawang Choegyal built the temple in 15th century after the 'divine Madman'; Drukpa Kuenley built a small chorten there.

Punakha Dzong:
Pungthang Dechen Phodrang " Palace of Great Happiness " popularly known as Punakha Dzong was built in 1637 by Shubdrung Nawang Namgyal after Simtokha Dzong and is located strategically between the confluence of Pho Chu and Mo Chu Rivers Damaged by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake; the Dzong has been fully restored by the present King. Punakha served as the capital of the country until second king who moved the capital to Bumthang as summer and Trongsa as the winter. It was here on 17th December 1907, Bhutan 's first king was crowned. It is also the venue for Punakha Festival held in February or March.

Samtengang winter trek:
This three day low altitude cultural trekking not exceeding an elevation of 8500 feet connects you to Wangdue District. The trek offers great scenic views of snowcapped mountains and pristine forest.

Wangdiphodrang (1300M):
A district that is known for its fine bamboo work and slate and stone carving, Yak dairy research station is located in Wangdi. Its higher plains provide rich cattle pastures.

BUMTHANG:
 
Bumthang is the spiritual heartland of Bhutan and home to its most ancient and precious Buddhist sites. In the center of Bhutan, Bumthang encompasses four major valleys. Bumthang is also home to one of the great Buddhist teachers, Pema Lingpa, to whose descendants the present dynasty traces its origins.

Bumthang's tsechu (festival) is one of the most popular in Bhutan. Held mostly at night, its fire dancers are said to bring fertility to any woman in the audience who wishes to have a baby.

Sale of tobacco is banned here.

Choskhor:
Choskhor, the most popular valley, is home to the most important dzongs, temples and palaces. Jakar is at the foot of the Choskhor valley. Founded in 1549 AD, Jakar Dzong is the largest in Bhutan with a circumference of more than 1500m (4920ft). Wangdichholing Palace was formerly the humble abode of King Uygen Wangchuck.

Jambey Lhakhang:
The temple of Jambey Lhakhang was built in 659 AD and hosts one of the kingdom's most spectacular festivals, the Jambey Lhakhang Drup, in October.

Mongar (1600M):
The journey from Bumthang to Mongar is one of the most beautiful in the Himalayas crossing 3,800 m high Thrunsingla pass. Mongar marks the beginning of eastern Bhutan. The second largest town in the subtropical east, Mongar, like Tashigang further east, is situated on the side of a hill in contrasts to other towns of western Bhutan which are built on the valley floor.

Trashigang (1151M):
In the far east of Bhutan, on the bank of Gamri Chu River, lies Trashigang, the country's largest district. Trashigang, once the center of a busy trade with Tibet, is today the junction of east west highway with road connecting to Samdrup Jongkhar and then to the Indian state of Assam. This town is also used as the market place for the hill people from Merak and Sakteng who are remarkable for their exceptional features and costumes.