Bhutan Tour - A Honeymooners Paradise

[Sandip Raha]

Bhutan, the only Buddhist kingdom in the world is nestled in the eastern Himalayas, known for its natural beauty, zero pollutions and its people for their politeness and humble. Bhutan is the only country in the world who practices “Low Volume, High Value” tourism supporting their pledge towards protection of the environment. Constitutionally, the country is protected by 60% of the land by forest. The country has been awarded by No1. Travel destination in the world by Lonley Planet magazine.

Now let us explore more before a Bhutan Tour Plan

Bhutan has many things to offer to its visitors, especially the mountains, crystalline river waters and lush green mountain valley and above all the calm and quietness of the country. Over the years, Bhutan has been chosen by Honeymooners as their first choice from India and other part of the world. The sparse population of around 840 thousand make Bhutan one of the peaceful country in the world with almost zero crime rate.

Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan is in the Western part of the country and only 65 kms from the Paro International Airport, only International Airport  in Bhutan. Thimphu , the capital city with a population over 100 thousand is a destination with valley , river and a well-disciplined city with many sightseeing places including His Majesty Kings’ office. Paro, the most beautiful and popular tourist town in Bhutan offer you a spectacular view of valley, crystalline river, apple orchards and UNESCO World Heritage attraction Tiger Nest Monastery.

While Thimphu , Paro and Punakha is a must visit a place in Bhutan, but Haa Valley and Phobjikha valley is a remote picturesque valley in Bhutan and heaven for honeymooners. While you just enjoy your romance after the marriage from the beautiful resort or cottages and do nothings. With eye soothing valley and rivers and blue sky, your honeymoon would be a never forgettable experience.

Bhutan Romantic Itinerary -7N/8D

Thimphu – 2N, Phobjikha -1N, Punakha -1N, Haa-1N,Paro -2N

 

Day1  – Welcome to Bhutan and Transfer to Thimpu/2 Hrs

Meet & greet on arrival  and as the aircraft enters the Paro valley, look down and you will see the Paro Dzong on the hillside overlooking Paro Chu (river) with Ta Dzong,  You will be received by our representative at the airport and On the way to Paro, halt at Chujom to take photographs of confluence of two rivers of Bhutan, Thumphu Chu and Paro Chu. Reach Thimpu and the entire day is free to roam around Thimpu. N/Stay in Thimpu.

 

Overnight, in Thimpu

 Day2 - Thimpu Sightseeing - Post breakfast, start for local Thimpu sightseeing

The National Memorial Chorten or Thimpu Chorten is a site for evening prayer. The chorten or stupa was built in the memory of the third king, continuously circumambulated by people, murmuring mantras and spinning their prayer wheels.

Sakyamuni Buddha - On the top of Kuensel Phodrang hill sits the statue of Sakyamuni Buddha. The 51.5 meter long bronze statue would surely attract you and the uninterrupted view of the valley would leave you spellbound. The site is also known as Buddha View Point.

Changangkha Lhakhang - At Thimphu you will go across several monasteries and temples. Changangkha Lhakhang is among the most important religious structures in Thimphu.

Takin Zoo – You will find the National animal of Bhutan “Takin” in this open zoo. Takin is one of the most endangered species of the World and it is available only in Bhutan.

The National Library has got a fabulous collection of Buddhist manuscripts which are priceless. It also houses the World’s largest published book which is about 130 pounds and 5X7 feet.

Zorig Chusum  - Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the Painting School) where students undergo a 6-year training course in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts

The Royal Textile Museum  - Thimphu also introduces visitors with the culture and heritage of Bhutan. The Royal Textile Museum at Norzin Lam is a site where you will get introduced to Bhutanese textiles, some of which date back to the 1600s

Trashi Chhoe Dzong or the Fortress of the Glorious Region is another ‘must visit’ site. Situated on the west bank of Wang Chhu river, Trashi Chhoe Dzong is the formal coronation site of the fifth King. The Dzong also hosts the annual Tsechu festival. Built in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was reconstructed in the 1960s in traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans.

Overnight in Thimpu

Day 3 –Thimpu –> Phobjikha

After breakfast, start for Phobjikha. One the way, visit

Dochula view point stop: The first stop after leaving Thimphu on the journey is Dochu La pass around 3100 m high and way above the clouds.  Only an hour’s drive from Thimphu, it offers visitors their first glimpse of the Eastern Himalayan range. From the pass the road curls its way down into the relative lowlands of the Punakha Valley. Before Thimphu was made the permanent capital of Bhutan.

 

Phobjikha Valley , the valley for “Black Neck Crane “ , a very rare and endangered bird species  in the world and also visit theGangtey Monastery ..

 

Overnight stay in Phobjikha Valley

 

Day 4 –Phobjikha Valley – Punakha – Punakha Sightseeing

After breakfast start for Punakha , you can visit

Punakha Dzong: beautiful Punakha Dzong(known as the  “the palace of great happiness”),located at the confluence of the Pho Chhu (father) and Mo Chhu (mother) rivers in the Punakha–Wangdue valley. the city’s dzong is one of the most picturesque of all Bhutan’s ancient fortresses The dzong is joined to the mainland by an arched wooden bridge, and contains many precious relics from the days when successive kings reined the kingdom from this valley.

Chimi Lhakhang-  at the top of a hillock in the heart of Punakha valley, the Chimi Lhakhang is a site dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley. Known as the ‘Divine Madman’, Lama Drukpa Kuenley is said to made use of songs, humour and his outrageous behavior to preach his teachings. Chimi Lhathang is actually a temple and is believed to be the temple of fertility. Bhutanese hold a strong belief that Couples who do not have children get blessed by Lama Drukpa Kuenley if they visit the temple and pray for a child. A picturesque rural trail through a paddy field takes visitors to the temple from the road.  After crossing the paddy field you will find a tiny stream from where Chimi Lhakhang is a just a small climb away.

Suspension Bridge - Visit the hidden treasure of Punakha Valley, the longest suspension bridge over River Fo (Father River )

 

 Overnight stay in Punakha

 

 

Day 5 –Punakha – Haa Valley  /7 Hrs

In the morning, after breakfast , start for Haa Valley  , the most beautiful and picturesque valley  in Bhutan enroute Chojum

 

Enjoy the serenity and tranquillity of Haa from this beautiful resort ..

 

N/Stay in Haa Valley

 

Day 6 –Haa Valley – Paro via Chela-La-Pass  /3 Hrs

 

Start for Paro via Chele La Pass which (3,988m) from which on a clear day the view sweeps away to Bhutan’s second highest sacred peak, Mt Jhomolhari(7314m).

 

Paro Airport View Point – This is finest valley view point to look after Paro Valley and Paro Airport . This view point overlooking the Paro river along with the all the Dzongs and Monastry .

After Post Lunch , enjoy the Paro Sightseeing

 

National Museum of Bhutan: Situated right above Rinpung Dzong in Paro, the National Museum of Bhutan is a house that showcases Bhutan’s culture. Built in 1968, the museum stands inside the ancient Ta-dzong building. The museum houses the collection of the finest specimens of Bhutanese culture and art and its highlights are paintings and some bronze statues, which are masterpieces. It shows the items in large galleries and you can get to know a lot about Bhutan’s art and culture from these objects.

 

 Ta Dzong - Ta Dzong, once a watchtower, built to defend Rinpung Dzong during inter-valley wars of the 17th century, Ta Dzong was inaugurated as Bhutan’s National Museum in 1968.

Rinpung Dzong -  Built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal , the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan, the Dzong houses the monastic body of Paro, the office of the Dzongda (district administrative head) and Thrimpon (judge) of Paro district. The approach to the Dzong is through a traditional covered bridge called Nemi Zam.

Nya Mey Zam Bridge -  “The Bridge with No Fish “ is the bridge that connects Paro Town to Dzong ..It is one of finest  specimens in Bhutan and local believes if one sees a fish in the river , it is ill omen..The earlier bridge which could be folded during war was washed away by flood in 1969.

 Overnight in Paro.

Day 7 – Paro Sightseeing - Taktsang Monastery (Tiger Nest )

Drukgyal Dzong:  Drukgyal Dzong was a fortress and Buddhist monastery, now in ruins, located in the upper part of the Paro valley in Paro District of Bhutan. The Dzong was probably built by Tenzin Drukdra in 1649 at the behest of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate victory over an invasion from Tibet.

 

 

Kyichu Lhakhang - Kyichu Lhakhang, (also known as Kyerchu Temple or Lho Kyerchu) is an important Himalayan Buddhist temple situated in Lamgong Gewog of Paro District in Bhutan. The Jowo Temple of Kyichu is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, originally built in the 7th century by the Tibetan Emperor Songsten Gampo

Taktsang Monastery: If you can brave the risky cliffs on a high mountain, Paro will astonish you in the form of Taktsang Monastery. After covering 1200 metres on a fierce cliff you will reach this sacred site, also known as the Tiger’s Nest. Take a deep breath after reaching the spot and then comfort your eyes and soul with the stunning view of the scenic surroundings and the valley lying underneath. The Taktsang Monastery was established by Sain Guru Rinpoche who came to Bhutan in 747 CE. Construction of the complex was completed in 1694. Discovering the Tiger’s Nest after 3 hours of trekking is real adventure but you may also opt for a horse ride from the parking lot.

Overnight in Paro

 

 Day 8–Cherish ur memories after early breakfast, start for Paro Airport with a sweet Bhutan Holiday memory and.. cherish your memories forever