Paro Cultural Tour

After breakfast we will walk towards Paro Rimpung Dzong ( The fotress on a hea of jewels ) along with the native Bhutanese who were in their best festive dress and ornaments. The Dzong is the impressive and well known Dzongs of Bhutan and it has the finest architecture. It is Bhutan’s strongest and most important fortress. It was used several times to protect the valley from the Tibetan Invasions. Then we will witness the culture of the serdang ceremony to receive and honor very important officials and the head lamas with traditional orchestra comprising ritual musical instruments such as trumpets, clarinets, drums and cymbals. The program will be followed by the local traditions and culture of that Dzongkhags. We will witness the charm of the get togetherness amongst the Bhutanese people and the young one modeling to show off. Then we will break for Lunch in the Olathang hotel. After lunch we will proceed for an excursion to Tak-tsang monastery (Tigers nest which is 5 hours hike) and which is one of the Bhutan’s most revered monuments. It literally hangs of the face of a cliff 900 meters (2952 feet) above the valley floor. The legend states that Guru Rimpoche flew from Singye Dzong in Kurtoe on a mythical tigress and meditated in a cave before bringing Buddhism to Bhutan. On 19th April 1998, a fire severally damaged the main structure but the jewels have been restored to its original splendor. Then journey back and continue with a walk to the Drugyel Dzong which is known as the fortress of the glorious victory. It is the symbol of the Bhutanese bravery. It was built in the 17th century to celebrate the victory against the Tibetans. Then in 1951 the Dzong was destroyed by the fire and it was not renovated yet. We can have a glimpse around and take photographs. Drive little further down to visit Kyichu Lakhang. It is one of the oldest and most scared shrines of the kingdom dating back to 7th century. The lhakhang complex is composed of two temples. The first temple was built by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century and the second temple was built in 1968 by her Majesty the great queen mother Ashi Kesang Wangmo Wangchuck in the same original pattern. Then we will get back to the hotel for the dinner and the hight.

After breakfast we will continue to witness the 2nd day festival. There we will explore on the dance of the four stages ( the dance of how Guru Rimpoche subdued the god of wind who created much unhappiness in this world ), the dance of heroes, the dance of stage and hounds ( the dance of Milarepa preaching Buddhism to hunter Gyembo Dorji ). You can take the beautiful pictures of your choice.

We will make lunch in the hotels in the town and proceed towards Thimphu for the seight seeing. We will drive to Kuensel phodrang commonly known as Buddha point where we find sitting Buddha which is 175 ft tall. It is the tallest sitting Buddha of the world. Buddha faces the mighty Himalayas and the place gives you a feeling of peace and a sense of awe. The construction is still incomplete, but don’t let it stop you from visiting the place and from taking photographs. The point has a great view of Thimphu valley and there is a sense of peace all around.

Our next visit is National memorial chorten (a monument for world peace and prosperity). The paintings and status inside instigate the Buddhist philosophy. It was built in the memory of His Majesty the Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. Then drive towards north to the mini zoo, where we can see the tamed Takin “The National Animal of Bhutan” and then drive up to the viewpoint-BBS Tower in Sangay gang. Then we will move towards Trashichhodgzong which is the summer residence for the monk body and the golden throne of the Kings of Bhutan. In the Dzong we will explore on the history of the Dzong and enjoy the beauty of the arts and architecture. Then we will make the dinner and the night in the Migmar Hotel or in Phuntsho Pelri hotel.

We will have early breakfast and drive 12 KM (45 minutes) towards north along the wangchu Rive to reach the base of Tango Monastery. There we will have to hike around one hour uphill to reach Tango. At present it is the Buddhist College with around 350 monks attending masters in Buddhism and the PHD in Buddhism. It is the countries only highest Buddhist College. The monastery is 3 storied building with all the historical backgrounds behind each room of the monastery. If we are lucky we will also arrange a talk with the reincarnation of Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay Rinpoche and get blessings from him. Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay Rinpoche is the second abbot lama of the country.

Our lunch will be arranged in Dodena in an open ground near the Dodena Chorten after crossing the traditional bridge. Along with lunch, we will also enjoy the sculpture of Phajo Drugom Zhigpo and his consort Sonam Paldon. Phajo Drugom Zhigpo was prophesied to spread Buddhism in Bhutan by Tsangpa Gyarey, the founder of the Druka School. He did it through his sons. Some of his sons turned out to be a demon in human guise. After Lunch we will enjoy the scenery of the cheri-Dorjeden which is the retreat center of the monks. Then we will travel back to Thimphu and then to Dochula. On the way we will visit Simtokha Dzong which is the first Dzong built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1629. The Dzong was built over the Possessed rock of ogress ( senmo). We will reach Dochula pass which is 3,088m / 10,130 ft above sea level. We stop here to take in the view and admire 108 chortens and Druk Wangyel Lhakhang which has a big story crafted on the walls of Druk Wangyel Lhakhang. Then we will hike back from Dochula till Hontsho inhaling the fresh mountain air and enjoying the natural beauty of the forest. In the evening we will go for the personal shopping in the towns and end the day over traditional Bhutanese food in a Bhutanese style hotel.

After early breakfast we will start a journey towards Chukha which is 2 hours drive from the capital city.There we will enjoy the 2nd day Tshechu. The programs are the black hat dance ( the dancers appear of yogis who have the power to kill and recreate life ), the dance of the 21 black hats with drum, the play of the nobel men and the ladies (pholay molay )and drametse ngachham. Besides the Tshechu we will also enjoy the scenery of the newly constructed Dzong, the traditions of the framings and the view of the chukha tunnel and the dam site after having lunch. Then we will travel back to olathang hotel for the night.

Early morning before the sunrise we will visit Paro Dzong for the Thongdrel. Our sin will be washed away simply by viewing one of these large relics. On top of that we will be blessed for our goods and long life. Then we will get back to the hotel for the breakfast and then we will check out the hotel to depart. The guide will see you off in the airport.