4Days - Glimpses of Bhutan

Fly on board Druk Air to Paro, Bhutan. On a clear day the panoramic views of the Himalaya are sensational, including Everest, but particularly exciting is the approach through the Bhutanese foothills and the landing, including a few steep turns to land at the tiny airstrip of Paro. On arrival, once you have cleared any airport formalities, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

In the afternoon, exploration of Paro valley; visit the national museum, a fascinating place housed in an old watchtower above the huge Paro Dzong (monastery/fortress). The museum holds a fantastic collection of Bhutanese national treasures ranging from ancient armour to textiles and thangkha paintings.

Paro Rinpung Dzong. A flagstone path rises gradually from a beautiful wooden bridge with shingle roofing an abutted by two guardhouses, to the dzong. Today, the Dzong is the seat of the district administration as well as the home for the monastic school. The central tower (Utse) of the Dzong, with the superb woodwork, is one of the most beautiful in the nation. The Dzong was built in 1645 A.D Later visit Drugyel Dzong, although in ruins, holds great historical significance. It was from this fortress that the Bhutanese repelled many Tibetan invasions. The name means the victorious Bhutanese. This spot offers a magnificent vista of Mount Chomolhari, “Mountain of Goddess” (Alt.7329 metres). Also visit Kyichu Lhakhang and a typical Bhutanese farm house on the way back. 

In the cool of morning you will drive 12km out of town towards Taktsang, or the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. The monastery is possibly the most famous in Bhutan, having been founded in the late 1600’s, and perched on a high rocky ledge 900m above the valley floor allegedly at a place where Guru Rinpoche rested, travelling on a flying tiger. The monastery suffered a disastrous fire in April 1998, but great efforts are being made to repair the extensive damage. From the parking area it is a two hour walk, mostly through coniferous forest, up a steep path to the view point from where there are spectacular views of the monastery.

The walk to a viewpoint and small café takes around 2 hours each way. The route is steep in places but straightforward. Some areas of the track are exposed to the sun so make sure to wear a hat. At the café, you can rest and a buffet lunch will be served. From this point, there is a superb view of the cliff face and monastery. For an even better view, there is a further one hour walk up a steepish track to a point closer to the monastery. Return to your car and drive to Thimphu for 1.5 hours.

This is a lovely drive through spectacular mountain views and peaceful countryside. Thimphu is a small, charming capital city sandwiched in the heart of the Himalayas. It is nothing like what a capital city is imagined to be. All houses and buildings are painted and constructed in traditional Bhutanese style. 

The capital of Bhutan is situated on west bank of the river Thimpu, (Thimphu Chhu) in a wooded valley at an elevation of 2320m. Prior to 1961 Thimpu was only an insignificant village, but since the country emerged from isolation its importance has grown and it has many official buildings. The Secretariat, King’s offices and some ministries are housed in the Tashichho Dzong, next to which one of the world’s highest golf courses (9 hole) has been made. With a population of not more than 65,000, Thimpu is an easy place to wander around, and will enable the visitor to appreciate the detail of Bhutanese architecture. A few miles south of the capital is Simtokha, one of the oldest complete Dzongs in the country, dating from the early 1600’s, a period when Shabdrung, the line of religious rulers originally from Tibet, ruled the country.

Places to visit:

King’s Memorial Chorten – every day many Bhutanese come to this Tibetan-style Chorten to honour the memory of the third king. Inside there are numerous religious paintings and statues of different Buddhist deities. 

Tashichho dzong – suffering damage from both fires and earthquakes the king ordered the restoration of the dzong in the 1960s. It is the summer residence of the central monk body and ministries and as such entrance is not always permitted. 

Folk Heritage Museum – an outdoor museum which gives an insight into rural life is centred on a mud and timber farm house.

Mini zoo – this large grassy and treed enclosure holds several takins, the unusual-looking national animal that normally migrates to high alpine valleys in summer. 

National Textile Museum – a brief introductory video explains the complexities of Bhutanese dress before entering the exhibition of dress and textiles from around the country. Simtokha dzong – This is the oldest fortress in Bhutan, built in 1629 A.D. by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It also houses the largest monastic school in the country. 

Pangri Zampa Monastery – situated just beyond Dechencholing Palace (5 km. from Thimphu). This temple was the first residence of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal when he arrived in Bhutan in 1616 A.D. Ngawang Chogyel, the great ancestor of the Shabdrung, built it during the first quarter of the 16th century. 

Handicraft Emporium and the local handicraft centres to see the varieties of textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, jewellery etc. on display. In the evening, you will make the 1 ½ hour road journey to Paro passing via Simtokha village and the Dzong.

You will be collected from your hotel and taken by private transfer to the airport in plenty of time for your onward flight.