Email: bhutanagrotours@gmail.com
Mobile: +97517816047 / 17141867
Po Box: 967 Olakha Lam 4, Chang Jalu, Olakha Thimphu, Bhutan

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Places: Thimphu-Paro-Punakha-Wangdue Phodrang

Available throughout the year.

The term GNH or Gross National Happiness is a development philosophy or an attempt to measure development based on well-being and not so much on the conventional concept of GDP. Gross National Happiness has four pillars, which are given below. Bhutan’s development approach is guided by these pillars complimentary to MDGs.

  1. Equitable and equal socio-economic development,
  2. Promotion and preservation of cultural and spiritual heritage,
  3. Protection and conservation of environment,
  4. Good governance.

The draft itinerary has been developed considering the interest of groups in studying and seeing how the GNH concepts are infused in our day-to-day affairs and in our developmental processes. (The itinerary can be revised in feasible order, to incorporate local events or celebrations depending on your interest. Please revise in consultation with your guide).

Day 1: Arrival: Paro and drive to Thimphu ( 1 hour)

During your flight journey to Paro, if sky is clear; you will catch a glimpse of some highest peaks in the world such as Mt. Everest and Kanchenjunga. Other peaks include scared Mt. Jhomolhari, Jichudrake and Tserimgang in Bhutan.

Upon arrival in Paro, you will be received by Bhutan Agro Tours representative, who will be with you throughout your visit. On the way to Thimphu, you could visit Tachog Lhakhang. Rest a while at the hotel and then continue full day sightseeing in and around Thimphu valley, the capital city of Bhutan.

Some of the attractions and visits include

  1. National Library; it holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts, manuscripts, modern academic books and printing blocks for prayer flags.
  2. Painting School; famous for traditional thangkha paintings.
  3. Traditional Medicine Institute; the rich herbal medicines abundant in Kingdom is prepared here. The institute also imparts the art of herbal medicines to would be practitioners.
  4. Textile and Folk Heritage Museum; the fascinating testimony of the Bhutanese material culture and living traditions.
  5. Memorial Chorten; the beautiful stupa built in the memory of Bhutan's third King. The paintings and statues inside the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy.
  6. Trashichhodzong; the beautiful fortress/monastery which houses Secretariat building, King's Throne room and other government's offices. It is also the summer residence of Chief Abbot.
  7. Handicrafts Emporium; it displays wide assortment of beautifully hand-woven and crafted products and many more.
  8. Kuensel Phodrang with one of the tallest Buddha statue in Bhutan.

 

Day 2: Thimphu

Visit to GNH centre and discussion on GNH with the officials of Centre for Bhutan Studies (CBS). Discussion could surround on how GNH started, evolution and progress made thus far. Q &A session.

Visit Vast at Tarayana Center. Sightseeing- Thimphu

Night Halt: Thimphu

Day 3: Thimphu

Early morning, visit a school to see how the day is started off. To see what and how GNH values are infused in daily affairs/ how values are inculcated in school children. Here you will be able to learn and see how schools function within GNH paradigm. For example, starting classes with meditation, equality amongst students, environment in school, health and sanitation, etc. With development and modernization, there were many evidences that parents do not spent time with children. Thus, the schools instituted that parents come to school at-least once in a week to eat with their children. This is to help increase parents-children bonding and to make them think holistically – parents – teachers, children and students. After school visit, interaction/discussion: The role of Buddhism in achieving GNH with Venerable Buddhist Masters. Receive blessings.

Visit Tango or Cheri Buddhist College. Sightseeing- Thimphu

Day 4: Thimphu- Punakha (drive: 2-3 hours)

After breakfast, complete visits in Thimphu. Thereafter, start your journey to Punakha. You journey will pass through Dochula pass (3040 masl) where you will also find the 108 stupas built in 2004 war causalities. If the sky is clear not only will you enjoy the grandeur of these temples but also spectacular view of the snow-capped eastern Himalayan Mountains. After this pass, as you start to descend you will reach Lamperi Botanical Garden. If you are interested, enjoy sometime walking in the garden.

Before reaching Punakha which lies at an altitude of 1300 masl, you will cross Chimi Lhakhang- the seat of the divine madman alias Drukpa Kunley. In founding the site it is said that Drukpa Kunley subdued a demon of Dochu La with his magic thunderbolt wisdom ( i.e is his penis) and trapped it in a rock at the location close to where the chorten now stands. While Chimi Lhakhang is renowned for its fertility blessings, it also fulfills the other religious and spiritual needs of the Bhutanese.

Until 1955, Punakha was the capital of Bhutan. And it is still the winter capital or residence of the Central Monastic Body. Punakha dzong (fortress) is strategically located between Pho Chu (male) and Mo Chu (female) rivers.

Sightseeing will include a visit to Punakha Dzong. The first King, Ugyen Wangchuck was crowned here in 1907. And also visit Khamsum Yulley Namgyal chorten – a fine example of Bhutanese architecture and sculptures.

If your visit coincides with a weekend, make a visit to local market.

Night Halt: Punakha

Day 7: Punakha-Wangdue – Phobjikha (drive: 3 hours)

After breakfast, try complete visiting other sites if you have not completed and interested. But if you wish to proceed further, continue onward journey towards Wangduephodrang. Wangduephodrang dzong was constructed in 1638 after a boy named Wangdue- which also means bringing power under ones control. This magnificent dzong was gutted down by fire 24th June 2012. It is now in ruins. You may want to walk through the town and also visit the ruins.

At your leisure, have lunch either in Wangduephodrang town or try some local restaurants en-route to Phobjikja. Phobjikha (2900 masl) is a beautiful valley. It is winter home for black necked cranes (grus nigricollis). Visit in winter may be able to spot this migratory bird, esp. if you try coinciding with the popular black necked crane festival (11th November). Similarly, Gantey Gomba monastery is also the only Nyingmapa monastery (the Red Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism in Western Bhutan). Enjoy nature – morning or evening walks.

Night Halt: Phobjikha

Day 8: Phobjikha – Paro (drive: 3-4 hours)

After reaching Paro, rest for a while and then start sightseeing in Paro:

Some of the attractions in Paro are 1. National Museum- ancient watch tower, 2.Rinpung Dzong – the fortress of the heap of jewels built in 1646, 3. KyichuLhakhang- oldest temple built in 7th century by Tibetan Emperor, 4. DrukgyelDzong- built in 1649 to commemorate victory over an invasion from Tibet. If the sky if clear, you can see Mt. Jomolhari; if you visit coincides on weekends, try going around to the Sunday market.

Night Halt: Paro

Day 12: Paro - day excursion to famous Paro Taksang (Tiger’s Nest) (5-6 hours)

Your visit to Bhutan is incomplete without visiting Paro Taksang- popularly known as Tiger’s Nest. The monastery is perched on a rocky cliff. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche – Popularly regarded as the 2nd Lord Buddha and founder of Mahayana Buddhism, rode on a tigress and meditated in this cave. Taktsang was severely damaged by fire in year 1998 and now has been restored in its original grandeur. Depending on how you walk, it can take about 4-6 hours or even more for slow walkers. Pony ride can be arranged, should you so desire.

Night halt: Paro

Day 13: Departure

Drive to the airport for flight to onward destination. Your guide and driver will be through and through till you leave the airport and have bid you farewell with onward journey wishes.

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