Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Welcome to incredible " Land of the Thunder Dragon" - the charming yet confounding ‘happy’ Kingdom opened up to visitors not too long ago & that casts a spell on most visitors.

Asia is a spiritual space. From the nomadic steppes of Kazakhstan to the frenetic streets of Hanoi, Asia is a continent so full of intrigue, adventure, solace and spirituality that it has fixated and confounded travellers for centuries.

As dawn breaks, pots of rice bubble over & the smoke of incense wafts from earth to heaven. Barefoot monks embark on their call to alms among the faithful; the muezzin's call reverberates from mosques urging devotees to prayer; and family altars are flush with fruit & flowers for the guardian spirits. The region’s great monuments were wrought from divine inspiration, from Angkor’s heaven incarnate to Bagan’s shimmering spires to Paro Taktsang Tiger’s Nest atop steep cliff-side of the upper Paro valley in Bhutan. The spiritual side of life is omnipresent & travellers can boost their karmic balance at meditation retreats or by hiking to a golden temple atop a sacred mountain.

Arrive in the charming town of Paro, site of the country’s only International Airport.

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? – Paro International Airport, subsequent to Immigration & Customs, you will be welcomed by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the hotel, help you settle in and provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area as well as discuss the program.

Ancient Civilisation| Landscapes & Biodiversity | Last Shangri-La?  

Bhutan is no ordinary place. It is the last great Himalayan kingdom, shrouded in mystery & magic, where a traditional Buddhist culture carefully embraces global developments.

For years, the small Asian nation of Bhutan has defined success not through its economy, but through happiness. The Buddhist nation pioneered the idea of "Gross National Happiness" to measure the country's well-being, & supposedly, its Prime Minister once touted Bhutan as the "happiest nation in the world".

The charming historic town of Paro with many sacred sites & historical buildings scattered through the area, lies on the banks of the Paro (or Pa) Chhu, west of the capital Thimpu, in the verdant Paro Valley recognized a one of the most beautiful in all Bhutan.

However, apart from the main street only built in 1985 (constructed of traditional wooden structures), the bazaar area is lined with colorfully painted wooden shop fronts & restaurants. Although these appear under threat as the town grows & a nondescript hodgepodge of concrete multi-story buildings that are totally bereft of charm & character, continue to propagate.

You will immediately proceed from the Airport for a 2 hour tour of Paro

The imposing Paro Dzong just a short distance away. North of town, the Taksang Palphug (Tiger’s Nest) monastery clings to cliffs above the forested Paro Valley. Northwest of here are the remains of a defensive fortress, Drukgyel Dzong, dating from the 17^th century. Along with Jakar & Punakha, Paro forms the 'golden triangle' of popular tourist destinations in Bhutan. Historically, it was the center of two of the most important trade routes to Tibet. For now, Paro remains one of the best Bhutanese towns to explore on foot

Visit the Ta Dzong, built in the 17^th century as a watchtower for the Paro Dzong. This Dzong was converted into the National Musuem in 1967 & is filled with antique Thankha paintings, Textiles, Weapons & Armor.

Drive to see the Rinpung Dzong, built in 1645 to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The Dzong is now use as an administration center & school for Monks.

The imposing Paro Dzong just a short distance away. North of town, the Taksang Palphug (Tiger’s Nest) monastery clings to cliffs above the forested Paro Valley. Northwest of here are the remains of a defensive fortress, Drukgyel Dzong, dating from the 17^th century. Along with Jakar & Punakha, Paro forms the 'golden triangle' of popular tourist destinations in Bhutan. Historically, it was the centre of two of the most important trade routes to Tibet.

For now Paro remains one of the best Bhutanese towns to explore on foot & is worth an hour or two's stroll at the end of a day of sightseeing.

Enjoy lunch along the way & immediately after, depart for Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan.

Arrive at the hotel & Check-in & relax.

Thimphu is a small, charming capital city, probably the smallest capital in the world, resting in the heart of the Himalayas. It sits in its own valley fanning out from the river. The skyline hardly changes as new buildings are all constructed in traditional Bhutanese style.

Strung out along the Wang Chhu, Thimphu is Bhutan's own mini-metropolis, an expanding bubble of shopping complexes, monasteries & chalet-like apartment buildings that reverts quickly to blue-pine forest at the city limits.

Travellers expecting a medieval mood may be disappointed – Thimphu's traditional houses are fast being replaced by multi-storey towers – but linger a while & the Capital's Bhutanese soul will shine through.

Though a small town, Thimphu is a charming place. Every shop is stacked with multiple products -from grocery to textiles to shoes & handicraft products. Increasing number of shops sell imported goods brought in from Thailand, Hong Kong & Singapore because of Druk Air's connection to Bangkok. The town is also filled with bars selling all kinds of alcoholic drinks.

Although the Thimphu Valley has supported small settlements for many centuries & a Dzong has existed there since 1216, the city didn't really develop until the King declared Thimphu the new capital in 1961. Vehicles first appeared on the streets a year later & slowly the city began to adapt to its role as the nation's capital. Currently the town is undergoing massive development. New tree-lined streets are being laid & the clock tower area in the center of the city has been transformed into a park-cum-open air theater where live cultural performances take place. In 2008, the National Stadium was completed together with a new river-side Park. The area around the Dzong & government buildings is a particularly green & an attractive district.

After freshening up, accompanied by the Tour-guide, walk to the 12^th century Changangkha Lhakhang - the traditional Bhutanese temple perched like a fortress on a ridge above central Thimphu.   

Dedicated to Chenrigzig - Buddha of Compassion - humming with pilgrims coming here to get auspicious names for their newborns or blessings for their young children from the protector deity Tamdrin. Children are blessed by the priest touching a phurba (ritual dagger) & given a sacred thread.

The interior murals are particularly fine. Give the resident Astrologer your birth date & he will consult divination charts to decide what kind of protective prayer flags will benefit you.

Don't leave without checking out the shrine to the Tshomen (mermaid) in the central courtyard & then taking in the excellent view from the kora (circumambulation) path around the compound.

Drive to see the Takin Zoo, which houses the national animal the Takin that is only found in Bhutan.

Come back to the hotel.

Balance of the day free to relax or walk around on your own (we will be happy to offer suggestions).

Wandering around in the late afternoon, you will see the Bhutan you were expecting: devotees in traditional garb, crimson-robed monks & farmers from the hills coming into town to trade.

Thimphu offers an opportunity to enjoy Bhutan's best dining, shopping & nightlife. In place of the traditional, Thimphu offers the realisation of the Bhutanese dream: contented people embracing the modern world, but doing so on their own terms.

You may also drive to BBS Tower (Bhutan Broadcasting Service) to get a wonderful view of Thimphu valley from the hillside, at night.

Overnight.  L D 

Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 09.00 am & embark on a sightseeing tour of Thimpu.

The town is easily explored on foot.  The Secretariat (Tashichhodzong), is the most prominent building.  It includes the main Secretariat, the National Assembly Hall, Office of the King & the Throne Room.  Its remarkable construction is in traditional Bhutanese style, without the use of nails or metal of any kind. 

We will also visit the large Stupa dedicated to the late King H.M. Jimge Dorji Wangchuk, regarded as the founder of modern day Bhutan. Visit the National Library, a treasure trove of priceless Buddhist manuscripts.

See the Traditional Painting School of Arts & Craft, where children are taught century’s old crafts. Tour the traditional Medicine Centre where ancient medication & acupuncture is still practiced. You will also visit the National Folk Heritage Museum to get an insight into the typical Bhutanese life.

Walk into the Textile Museum to get an understanding of the beautiful hand woven Bhutanese textiles.

Thimphu's best museum is part of the Royal Textile Academy, featuring a stunning display of ancient & modern textiles & illustrates the rich traditions of Bhutan's national arts of thagzo (weaving) & tshemzo (embroidery). The ground floor focuses on royal ghos, including the wedding clothes worn by the 4^th King & his 4 wives. The upper floor introduces the major weaving techniques, styles of local dress & types of textiles made by women & men.

The Museum shop offers some interesting books & fine textiles. Across the courtyard is the Royal Textile Academy conservation center, where you can watch a small group of weavers working their looms. No photography is allowed.

Then there is the Handicraft Emporium with famous weaving, wood-carving and paintings.  A visit to the Post Office is a must for Bhutan’s exquisite world-renowned stamps.

Late afternoon, you will depart for Punakha - the old capital of Bhutan & presently the winter residenceof the central monk body. Travel over the Dochu La pass at 3200 metres (10,500 ft). 

Arrive in Punakha a short distance away.

Punakha sits in a sultry, fertile & beautiful valley at the junction of the Mo Chhu (Mother River) & Pho Chhu (Father River). From the top of the Pass, you will have magnificent views of Himalayan peaks along Bhutan’s northern border. 

Commanding the river junction is the gorgeous Punakha Dzong, perhaps Bhutan's most impressive building. Straightaway, proceed to visit Punakha Dzong.

This Dzong was built strategically at the junction of Pho Chu & Mo Chu rivers in 1637 to serve as the religious & administrative center of the region. It was damaged by four catastrophic fires & an earthquake, however it has been fully restored by the present King (please note that the Dzong is frequently closed without notice. Depending on our timing for today, we may visit the Dzong tomorrow). Also visit the Dho Gha Lam Temple.

The low altitude of the Punakha valley allows two rice crops a year, and oranges & bananas are in abundance. Birders should keep their eyes peeled for the critically endangered white-bellied heron, which can be spotted in Punakha. Of the global population of only 200, around 34 are in Bhutan.

Along the way, we will visit the newly built Druk Wangyal Khangzang Chortens, a unique cluster of 108 Namgyal Khangzang Chortens that spiral up to the main monument Chorten. This is a tribute & monument to the selfless service & visionary leadership of the King & are a celebration of the stability & progress brought to the nation. These Chortens form a new landmark for travelers as they cross the Dochu La, the first mountain pass into the interior of the country.

After the tour, reach the hotel & Check-in.

Balance of the day is at leisure to relax or for independent exploration.

Overnight.  B L D 

Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 09.00 am & embark on a sightseeing tour of Thimpu.

Morning, walk to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten or Stupa built by the Queen of Bhutan to ward off evil spirits in Bhutan & across the world, and to bring peace and harmony to all living things.

Despite its relatively recent construction, the Chorten was built in strict accordance with traditional teachings. It took Bhutanese carpenters, painters & sculptors nine years to build the 4 story, pagoda-style stupa, as well as the various smaller pagodas surrounding it, some of which contain prayer wheels.

Rather than being a place of communal worship, a monastic retreat or a place of education, it was built to provide spiritual protection, peace & harmony. As such, the Chorten is largely focused on wrathful deities, a concept that may seem counterintuitive.

As you walk in to the main room on the 1^st floor of Khamsum Yulley Namgyal, for example, you will come face to face with a 15 feet tall statue of Vajrakilaya, one of the 8 deities of Kagye. And while considered a powerful & wrathful deity, Vajrakilaya’s fury is directed at destroying forces hostile to compassion, purifying their power to do damage.

Statues and shrines to these wrathful deities are also found on the 2^nd & 3^rd floors, each offering protection against the forces of evil in the world. And to balance the wrathful force of these deities are a series of yab-yum figures on the walls. Each of these figures depicts a male deity in union with his female consort, representing the union of wisdom & compassion.

Finally, as you reach the final rooftop floor, you will see a golden statue of Sakyamuni Buddha in his classic pose. The serene statue looks to the south, surveying the spectacular view out across the Punakha Valley.

Shortly after, depart for Paro, driving through the idyllic countryside dotted with villages & paddy fields and crossing rivers & forests.

Arrive at the hotel by late afternoon & Check-in.

In the evening, you will visit a traditional Farmhouse and enjoy the local drinks & snacks.

Come back to the hotel.

Overnight.  B L D     

Alas, this wonderful glimpse of Bhutan comes to end & it is time to say good-bye to the "Happy Kingdom" & go home.  We sure hope that you may want to discover a bit more of Bhutan on your next visit.

Check-out of the hotel by 12:00 noon (if the departure time is later in the evening, we will request the hotel to allow use of the hotel facilities & to leave the luggage at the Bell Desk). 

In time, you will be met by a Journeys Rep, who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to Terminal? - Paro International Airport for your onward journey. B

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