7D6N Bhutan Cultural Discovery Tour Stay ay Zhiwa Ling Hotel
Romance & Lifestyle

Validity : 01 November 2007 - 30 June 2008

Check in with Druk Air for your flight to Paro-capital of Bhutan. During a clear weather, you can enjoy glorious views of the snow capped Himalayas. Druk Air flies over eight of the ten tallest peaks of the world includes Mt Everest & Kanchenjunga

Upon arrival Paro, after visa formalities and collection of your luggage you'll be greet by our local representative and your guide. We'll then drive towards the northern part of Paro's beautiful agriculture valley to enjoy a spectacular view of the magical temple known as Taktsang (the "Tiger's Nest). Taktsang is one of the most sacred Tantric Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the World. The temple itself is perched on a granite cliff that drops 2,000 feet to the valley floor. The name is derived from a legend that in 8 th century, Guru Rinpoche (the founder of Tantric Buddhism) flew across the mountains from Tibet to this spot on the back of a tigress, reaching a cave in which he meditated for three months.

We'll then visit Paro Dzong (Dzong means fortress monastery). This Dzong houses the administrative and religious headquarters for the Paro district. A part of Bernardo Bertolucci's movie, "Little Buddha," was filmed inside this dzong.
After lunch, we will drive to Thimphu, the only capital city in the world with no traffic light! Before entering Thimphu Valley, we will pass by Simtokha Dzong. Built in 1629 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (the Buddhist saint who unified Bhutan, this is the oldest Dzong in the country.

In the evening, we will take a walk to the Memorial Chorten, a sacred shrine built in honor of the third King. The Chorten is an impressive three-story monument with Tantric statues and wall paintings of three different cycles of Mahayana Buddhist teachings. You will find many elderly people making the Kora (pilgrimage circuit) and counting their prayer beads. If we have more energy, on our way back to our hotel, we will stop at a few interesting handicraft shops, where they sell masks, beautiful hand-woven textiles, carpets, jewelry and Bhutanese wooden products.

Accommodation: Hotel Pedling, Riverview, Wangchuk or similar.

DRIVE TO PUNAKHA - WANGDI VALLEYS (ALTITUDE: 4,500’) (B / L /D)
In the morning we'll explore Bhutan's exotic capital city-a fascinating combination of traditional and contemporary life. There are numerous things to do here and we may not have enough time to do them all. We'll begin with a visit to the Bank to change money. We may then visit the General Post Office, next to the Bank, to see (and buy) some of Bhutan's world famous stamps and beautiful postcards. After that, we'll visit the Takin Preserve for a chance to see the Takin, Bhutan's national animal. If we are in Thimphu during weekend (Fri-Sun), we'll enjoy a visit to the Farmers' Weekend Market where farmers from villages come to sell their fresh farm products and daily use items. If there is time, we'll also drop by the National Stadium for a chance to see a Bhutanese archery game (the national sport in Bhutan).

After lunch, we will head eastward to Punakha Valley. The road winds through pine forests and small villages, and passes by chortens (stupas) and prayer flags before heading up to the Dochula Pass (10,000'). The prayer flags on mountain slopes, bridges and high passes, transmit prayers to the Gods and keep up a constant communication with the heavens. At the pass, we'll see 108 newly built chortens (stupas) dedicated to Bhutan's continued peace and happiness. From the pass, we will continue our drive to the lowlands of Punakha and Wangdi Valleys. Between April and May, we'll have spectacular views of different species of rhododendron in bloom. As we descend from the pass, we will notice the dramatic change in vegetation.

At the lower elevation of the valley floor semi-tropical plants like cactus, banana and poinsettia dominate the landscape.

Accommodation: Meri Puensum, Dragon’s Nest Resort or similar.

PUNAKHA & WANGDI VALLEY SIGHTSEEING (ALTITUDE: 4,500’) (B / L /D)
After breakfast, we will visit the Punakha Dzong, the "Palace of Great Happiness" built by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel in 1647. Considered the most beautiful Dzong in the country, it is the winter home of the central monk body. The Dzong lies between the Pho Chu (Male River) and the Mo Chu (Female River). A devastating flash flood in 1994 washed away a major part of the Dzong. His Majesty the King personally supervised it's reconstruction, a project that has occupied thousands of skilled craftsmen and builders over a period of twelve years. The results of the restoration are amazing.

You will be seeing the most magnificent architectural and artistic masterpiece in the Kingdom.

After the Dzong, we will enjoy a magnificent hike through a small village to visit either a beautiful stupa-shaped temple containing some of the best Tantric Buddhist art in Bhutan or visit Chimmi Lhakhang, a temple dedicated to Drukpa Kuenley, who as a favorite saint of Bhutan is known affectionately as "the Divine Madman". After the hike, we will return to our hotel.

Accommodation: Meri Puensum, Dragon’s Nest Resort or similar

The Other Option: The following option will be arranged for those who do not wish to hike to Tiger's Nest:

After breakfast, we will visit be the impressive Ta Dzong - the ancient watchtower which has been converted to house the National Museum. The Museum is an important center for preservation of Bhutanese artifacts, culture, and history.

The main floor contains a fine collection of Bhutanese traditional handicrafts that reflect daily life, pre-historic and medieval artifacts, ancient weapons, and a diverse assortment of religious costumes and ritual objects.

A balcony overlooking the main floor houses a Thangkha gallery, a large collection of antique and contemporary examples of embroidered and painted religious banners. On the top floor, in the center of an extensive collection of Bhutan's philatelic stamps, is temple of the tree of wisdom. Situated in the middle is an elaborate carving that represents the history of Buddhism. A natural history gallery includes an amazing display of Bhutanese butterflies and a variety of stuffed animals. After visiting the museum, you will have a good sense of Bhutanese history and culture. Next, we will drive to the northwest end of Paro Valley to visit the ruins of Drukgyal Dzong, the fortress of victorious Bhutanese, from where we can see a stunning view of the towering peak of Jhomolhari (24,003'). The Dzong was built in 1649 to celebrate Bhutan's victory over Tibetan forces and to curtail further invasions. On our way back, we will see famous Taktsang (Tiger's nest) monastery, which hangs against the edge of a steep granite cliff high above the valley.