This is the shortest among our tour packages. Our guests land at Paro which is scenically the most beautiful valley in Bhutan; the flight itself is amazing in that we traverse via the awe-inspiring highest peaks in the world. The two districts of Paro and Thimphu are historically, culturally and politically the most prominent in Bhutan, hence this tour gives the best insight of Bhutan in the shortest time. Places of Interest In Paro valley, we see the castle-fortress at Rinpung, the ruins of the “Victory Fortress at Drugyel”, the National Museum, and the 7th century temple complex at Kurje. The highlight is the hike to Taktshang monastery (Tiger’s Lair), an edifice on a sheer cliff wall 800 meters above the valley floor, worshipped in the entire Himalayan Buddhist world.

In Thimphu, we visit the magnificent castle-fortress at Tashi Chho Dzong, the seat of power and also houses the palace of the King. Then we comb other places of interest like the Memorial Stupa, traditional paper factory, Folk Heritage Museum, Textile Academy, Handicraft Emporium, the site of the world’s biggest Buddha statue.
• Stroll around town and see Bhutanese culture by observing people, dress, language, customs, art and craft, etc.

GLIMPSES OF BHUTAN TOUR

Fly into the Kingdom amid a breathtaking vista of the world’s highest mountains, a literal ascent into the heavens. The perennially snow-covered mountains we pass by during the flight include Mt Everest (the highest peak in the world), Kanchenjunga (the world’s third highest peak) and other peaks revered by the Bhutanese as the “Abode of the Gods”. Finally, land at Paro International airport, an adrenaline-rushing experience as we take a hair-raising descent onto a narrow strip of flatland flanked by the mountains. A short respite after the landing, we begin our Bhutanese adventure. We visit historical places in and around Paro valley, a scenic sojourn in Bhutan’s most beautiful valley, followed by an hour-long drive to Thimphu, the capital city.

The capital city is Bhutan in a miniscule. Its population of 130,000 people come from every nook and cranny of the Kingdom, providing a rare glimpse of a large mix of culture, customs and traditions around which Bhutan has built its identity as a nation. Among the historical places, we visit the Memorial Stupa built in the finest tradition of Buddhist architecture, the 12th century Changangkha monastery which blesses every Bhutanese child born in Thimphu valley, and the 17th century Tashichhodzong that serves as the seat of the central government and also houses the office of the King. We can also see the parliament house where Bhutan’s political leaders meet and take decisions that chart out the country’s destiny. Other attractions include short trips to the Folk Heritage Museum, Textile Academy, Academy of Art and Craft, the site of the world’s largest Buddha statue, and the Thimphu viewpoint at Sangaygang. Towards late afternoon, we will take a stroll around town and, probably, also see a traditional game of archery which is popular for its accompanying taunts and merriment.

We drive to Paro and, towards afternoon, visit the 7th century Kyichu Monastery, the oldest Buddhist monument in the Kingdom that abounds with mythical tales from  years. We also see the ruins of Drugyal fortress where, once upon a time (in the 17th century), the Bhutanese militia beat the Tibetan invaders and consolidated the Bhutanese state. We will also visit the National Museum and Paro Rinpong Dzong, a massive castle-fortress which today is the venue of one of Bhutan’s biggest annual festivals, the Paro Tshechu. We call it a day after visiting a farm house.

The best is saved for the final day. Today, we hike to the Taktshang monastery, perched on a sheer cliff face, 800 meters above the valley floor. No one has any clue as to how this architectural feat was achieved, although some even go to the length of attributing the role of the supernatural forces in its construction. Anyway, the myths surrounding this temple has it that the place was blessed in the 8th century by tantric Buddhist master Guru Padma Sambhava who visited the place astride a ferocious tigress believed to be a miraculous transformation of the master’s famous consort, Yeshey Tshogyal. Apart from the myths, the hike is beautiful as it meanders along a forested trail that is as old as the monastery itself. We take a short stroll in Paro town after the hike.

We bid you farewell today. May you have a safe journey and take back lots of fond memories from the Happiness Kingdom.