Bhutan - Kingdom in the HimalayaLand of the Thunder DragonParo The Rinpung Dzong – Paro "Fortress of jewels" – commands a sweeping view of the valley. Below the Dzong, cypress trees line shady paths and weeping willows dip into the Paro Chhu. A charming wooden bridge covered with a shingled roof spans the river. Farm houses clustered together with gaily decorated facades are sheltered by blossoming cherry and peach trees, and terraced paddy fields spread across the valley. Paro is remarkably peaceful, and it is here that Buddhism made its earliest inroads. According to Buddhist tradition, the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo (AD 629-710) built one hundred and eight temples to subjugate monstrous demons who lay across the Himalayas and Tibet. The Jampey Lhakhang in Bumthang was built on the demoness’ knee, whereas the Kyiuchu temple in Paro pinned her left foot firmly to the ground. Thimpu The Thimpu valley is at an elavation of 2,350-m (7,700-ft.) Urbanization began here when Thimpu was proclaimed to be the national capital in 1952 and the Dechenchoeling Palace was built at this time. Even today, the city retains its ethnic architectural style. Although many new constructions incorporate only the façade of Bhutanese style windows to confirm with government regulations, many houses are still built in the traditional way.
Unlike other capital cities in the world, Thimpu remains essentially pastoral in character and changes its demeanour with the seasons. Agriculture terraces are farmed in the fertile valley; fruit orchards line the gentler slopes while the high mountains are blanketed by coniferous forests. The imposing Tashichhodzong looks onto farmlands and a golf course. A riot of colour envelops the dzong as wild cosmos bloom through summer into late autumn. In springtime, cherry blossoms light up the well-manicured palace lawns
^^ TOP ^^ Itinerary: Delhi-Paro-Thimpu-Punakha-Bhumathang-Wangdue-Paro-Delhi Day 01 Arrive Delhi Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to your hotel for over night stay. Day 02 Delhi - Paro by Air (KB 202 dep 1130 hrs arr 1505 hrs) 
In time transfer to airport to connect flight for Paro. Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to you Resort. Day 03 Paro Morning visit to Drugyel Dzong, 18km away from Paro town. On a clear day, one can view the sacred Mount Chomolari, Mountain of Goddess (24,000 ft). Visit a typical Bhutanese farmhouse and Kitchu Lhakhang courtyard. In the afternoon, visit Ta Dzong that houses the National Museum and Rimpung Dzong. Walk down a traditional wooden bridge. In the evening, visit Paro town and back to your Resort for overnight. Day 04 Paro Excursion To Taktshang Drive to Ramthongkha and hike to view point of Taktshang, the Tiger’s Nest (2 hours). This magical monastery clings to a vertical granite cliff 3,000 ft above the valley floor. The monastery unfortunately got burnt in 1998 but it has recently been reconstructed. Rest of the day is free to explore the down town. Overnight in Paro at hotel. ^^ TOP ^^ Day 05 Paro - Thimpu (65km/ 3 hours drive) After breakfast, drive on to Thimpu and visit the Memorial Chorten and Changgankha Lhakhang and local market.
^^ TOP ^^ Day 06 Thimpu In the morning, visit the Institute of Traditional Medicine, Folk Heritage Museum and the Handicraft Emporium. Afternoon visit to the School of Thangka Painting and the National Library. Later in the afternoon, drive to Punakha for overnight at Resort. Day 07 Thimpu - Punakha (60 km, 2 -3 hours drive) After breakfast drive to Punakha.
^^ TOP ^^ Day 08 Punakha - Bumthang (214 km, 7- 8 hours drive) After an early breakfast, make a short visit to Punakha and drive to Bumthang over the Dochula Pass and Pelela Pass. Enroute, visit Chume Valley, where local women weave the famous “Bumthang Yathra”, pure woolen cloth woven in the traditional method with beautiful coloured patterns. Arrive in Bumthang for overnight at Hotel. Day 09 Bumthang In the morning, visit Jakar Dzong, Jambay Lhakhang and Kurje Lhakhang courtyard and Wangdichholing Palace. In the afternoon, visit Tamshing Lhakhang and Kuenshusum Lhakhang. We will spend the evening visiting Jakar town. Overnight in Bumthang hotel. Day 10 Bumthang - Wangdue (B/L/D) Morning drive to Wangdue. Enroute visit the Trongsa Dzong, the largest Dzong in Bhutan and Ta Dzong, a watchtower. Rest of day is free in Wangdue. Overnight at Resort.
^^ TOP ^^ Day 11 Wangdue - Punakha - Paro (B/L/D) Morning drive to back to Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan. Visit Punakha Dzong, built at the junction of two rivers, Pho Chu (male) and Mo Chu (female) rivers. Punakha Dzong serves as the winter residence for the Central Monk Body. After that, onward to Paro for overnight at Resort. Day 12 Paro - Delhi By Air (KB 202 dep 0730 hrs arr 1030 hrs) After an early breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Paro Airport to board flight for Delhi. Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon half day visit to Old and New Delhi visiting Red Fort, drive pass Parliament House, India Gate and Qutab Minar. Overnight at hotel. Day 13 Leave Delhi In time transfer to airport to connect flight back home. Cost :
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is located in a picturesque setting by the banks of the river. Unlike the other fortresses built in Bhutan by the Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, this is not intended to be a bulwark of defence. The original dzong in Thimpu was located at Dechen Phodrang, which is now a monastic school. The Do Ngon Dzong, “Fortress of the Blue Stone’, was strategically placed on a high promontory and had a checkered history. The Shabdrung took control of the dzong in the 1630s and rebuilt it. Calling the dzong by its present name, Tashichhodzong, he made it the summer residence of the monk body. The Tashichhodzong was established at its present location in the latter part of the eighteenth century by the Je Khenpo but was reconstructed by the late king, H.M. Jigme Dorji Wangchuk in the 1960s as the seat of government under the new dispensation. Exquisite collections of religious thankhas adorn the walls of the Royal Secretariat and the old Hall of the National Assembly where the king sits on a gilded throne.
Punakha
The Dochu La watershed at 3,116-m (10, 200-ft) separates the Thimpu valley from Punakha. Himalayan blue magpie’s glide from magnolia trees to rhododendrons extending their long tails and showing off their brilliant plumage. In winter, fir trees droop under a heavy blanket of snow, and icicles hang from frozen waterfalls.
Jigme Wangchuk, the second king was also crowned at Punakha in March 1927 and it remained the seat of government until 1952 when the third king H.M Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, decided to transfer his capital to Thimpu.
Its roof of shingles is held down in the traditional manner by heavy stones. Two large prayer wheels greet the visitor on either side of the entrance, which opens onto a courtyard surrounded by buildings. On the far end is the main temple building from which, on the climax of the annual festival in September, a larger thondrel depicting Guru Rinpoche is unfurled at dawn. Ritual offerings of butter lamps cast an eerie light while Pachcham dancers, dwarfed by the huge tapestry, beat small double-sided drums in celebration. Drukpa Kagyupa traditions are very evident here with the monks attired in ceremonial orange hats and regalia.