Bhutan Pilgrim Tour

Attractions and Interest

Buddha Dordenma statue (One of the largest Buddha statue in the world). It is being built to become a “major pilgrimage centre and a focal point for Buddhists all over the world to converge, practice, meditate and retreat.

Traditional Painting School: Centre where children learn traditional drawing and painting, wood carving, sculpture and other forms of traditional arts. On a visit, one can view the students at work.

Textile Museum: This museum has a wide collection of colorful and intricately hand woven ancient and new textiles, depicting the unique and traditional art of Bhutan.

Weekend Market: Worth visiting the weekend market in Thimphu held on Friday afternoon and remains until Sunday evening. The weekend market certainly offers the best opportunity to see agriculture and dairy products and handicrafts, and to mix around with the local people.

Some Excursions and Hikes possible around Thimphu (time permitting):

Tango Temple (Monastery): Initially built by Gyalwa Lhanampa in 12th century and later built into its present form by “Divine Madman” Lama Drukpa Kuenley in 15th century. In the 18th century, the eighth Desi Tenzin Rabgye built a three storey tower and several other surrounding buildings.  Presently, it serves as a monastic school for Buddhist studies. It is about 12 km drive from Thimphu and takes about an hour’s hike to reach the temple from the road end.

Overnight: Thimphu

Located at around 2 hours drive from Thimphu and at an altitude of 1,350 meters, Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955. It is still the winter residence of Jekhenpo (Chief Abbot) and the monks of Thimphu.  The low altitude and temperate climate makes the valley one of the most fertile in Bhutan and allows two rice crops a year. On a clear day, there are splendid views of the distant Himalayas at Dochula Pass ( 3100m) on the way to Punakha from Thimphu.

Attractions and Interest

Punakha Dzong (the Fortress): Built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel to serve as the religious and administrative centre of the region. It is located strategically between the confluence of Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). The Dzong was damaged by an earthquake, fire and flood a number of times and destroyed many historic documents. However, the Dzong has been fully restored to its original splendor by the present king.

Chimi Lhakhang: A revered temple popularly recognized as a pilgrimage site for childless couples to receive blessings. Situated on a hillock in the centre of the valley, it is about 20 minute’s pleasant walk across the rice fields from the road to the temple. The temple was built in the 15th century by Ngawang Chogyel after the “Divine Madman” Lam Drukpa Kuenley built a small stupa on the site.

Wangduephodrang: Located close to and at the same altitude as Punakha, it is the last western town before entering the central part of Bhutan. The district is known for fine bamboo work and its slate stone carvings

Wangdue Dzong: Perched on the spur at the confluence of two rivers, the Dzong was built in 1638 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. It is the administrative seat of Wangdue district and also the venue of the Wangdue festival held in autumn.

Some Excursion and Hike possible around Punakha

Hiking to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten built by the third Queen Mother, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck in dedication to 5^th King of Bhutan. It will take one-hour walk crosses over a suspended footbridge over Mo-Chhu (Female River). 

Overnight: Punakha

In the morning drive back to Paro Valley. It is one of the most fascinating valleys in Bhutan. As you disembark at Bhutan’s International Airport at Paro, you will be enthralled by the pleasant atmosphere, the absence of noise and scenic beauty of the valley. A unique tourist destination of its own, Paro valley is home to many venerated monasteries, oldest temples, National Museum and Bhutan’s most impressive and well known Dzongs in the country. Paro is also known for producing the bulk of our famous red rice from its fertile terraced fields.

Attractions and Sightseeing in Paro

Tachogang Lhakhang was built by Tang Thong Gyelpo, the great iron bridge builder in the year of 1385-1464. The main relics of this Lhakhang (temple) are the statues of Lord Buddha, Guru Padmasambhava & Chenrizig (Avaloketeshvara).

Overnight: Paro

Paro Dzong: Also known as Rinpung Dzong, which means ‘fortress of the heap of jewels’. It was built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel and is one of Bhutan’s most impressive Dzongs in the country which depicts the finest examples of Bhutanese unusual architecture. It serves as the administrative centre of the Paro district and also houses the state monastic community. The courtyard of the Dzong serves as a venue of Paro Tshechu (festival), held annually in spring.

Chumphu Monastery: is a Temple where the “Dorji Phamo – The flying Goddess” Or the “floating” statue is situated. Dorji Phamo is also known as Dorje Phamo or Vajravarahi. It is located around 1 and half hour drive from Paro town and about 3 to 4 hours hike to the sacred site.

Kyichu Lhakhang: It is one of the two oldest monasteries built in the seventh century by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet in Bhutan. The other one is Jambay Lhakanhg in Bumthang. It is believed that a giant demoness lay across the whole area of Tibet and the Himalayas and was preventing the spread of Buddhism. To overcome her, Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo decided to build 108 temples in one day which would be placed all over her bodies to pin the ogress to the earth forever and at the same time, to convert Tibetan people to Buddhism. Kyichu Lhakhangs holds the left foot and Jambay Lhakhang in Bumthang pins the left knee.

Overnight: Paro

Taktsang Monastery, literally meaning ‘Tiger’s Nest’ because Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown to the site of the monastery on the back of a tigress and then meditated in a cave for three months in the eighth century.  It is precariously perched on the right side of a cliff, at 2950 metres above sea level and is considered one of the holiest places of pilgrimage for the Buddhist world today. In April, 1998, a fire destroyed the main structure of the monastery. The present king commanded the government that Taktsang be constructed to its original structure and architectural splendor.  Accordingly the reconstruction was commenced in March, 2000 and finally completed and restored to its original splendor in early 2005. A visit to this monastery is challenging and amply rewarding. It is about 5 hours round trip including a lunch stop at the view point where there is a cafeteria.

Overnight: Paro

After breakfast, transfer to the airport in time for your departure flight.