BHUTAN 5 DAYS BLISS

ITINERARY

About Bhutan

Bhutan has been inhabited by people as early as 4,000 years back. There is archeological
evidence indicating settlements in Bhutan dating back to 2,000-1,500 BC. Bhutan in ancient
times had many different names; it was known as Druk Yul or the Land of Thunder Dragon in
the 17th century. The outside world however called it Bhutan, derived from a Sanskrit word
Bhu-Uttan meaning ‘High Land.’

Bonism was the main religion in Bhutan before the arrival of Buddhism. It was only in the 8th
century that an Indian saint Guru Padmasambhava, popularly known as Guru Rinpoche brought
Buddhism to Bhutan. Warlords battling constantly with one another ruled Bhutan until
Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal from Tibet unified the county in 1616 AD, establishing a dual
system of governance – the Choe Sid (Spiritual and Religious tradition). After the long period of
civil strife that followed the death of Zhabdrung in 1651, power was finally consolidated with the
crowning of Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck as the first hereditary monarch in 1907.

The monarchial system continued till 2008 before the fourth King stepped down and introduced
democracy in Bhutan. Today, Bhutan is a Democratic Constitutional Monarchy.
We have planned the present itinerary to include as many aspects of this mysterious nation,
including opportunities to meet the people, artists, religious communities, festivals, urban and
village life, and nature. Professional guides will introduce the popular and high cultures. Your
accommodations have been selected to help you enjoy the country and the included delicious full
board will complete your experience in Bhutan.

Day 1
Arrive -Thimphu (55 km 1 ½ hours)
After finishing your immigration formalities, we will drive to Thimphu and visit the
following Places
1. The Memorial Chorten, a huge stupa built in memory of the third King who reigned from
1952-1972.

2. Visit Tashichho Dzong has been the seat of the government since 1952 and presently houses
the throne room and offices of the king, the secretariat and the ministries of home affairs and
finance. Other government departments are housed in buildings nearby.

Day 2
(Thimphu to Punakha) ( 76 km 3 ½ hours )
After breakfast crossing the Dochula pass 3100 meters. On fine weather you will see the eastern
Himalayan ranges including the highest mountain in Bhutan Mt.Gangar Punsum 7520 meters.
Afternoon we will then hike up to beautiful temple called Khamsum Yuley Namgyal Chorten. It
is another 45 minutes uphill walk through the rice fields and the return portion downhill takes
around 30 minutes.

Visit the Punakha Dzong, located on the island of the Pho-Chu (male) river and the Mochu
(female) river

Day 3
(Punakha to Paro 135 km 4 ½ hours)
After breakfast
1. Visit Devine Madman’s Monastery-Chhimi Lhakhang, famously known for its fertility shrine,
where couples unable to conceive come here for blessing drive to Thimphu and visit
2.Kuenselphodrang where largest Buddha statue in the country is perched on the hillock
overlooking the Thimphu valley and also if interested/if time permits, take a leisure walk through
Kuenselphodrang Nature park and enjoy the nice view of the entire Thimphu valley below

Day 4
Paro.
Day hike to the view point of Taktsang monastery, Horses can be arranged with an extra
payment. The hike which is all the way uphill takes about 2 /3 hours through villages and pine
forests. The monastery clings to a huge granite cliff 800 meters from the Paro valley. It is
believed that the great saint Padmasambhava came in the 7th century on a flying tigress and
meditated in a cave for 3 months. The demons were subdued who were trying to stop the spread
of Buddhism and converted the Paro valley into Buddhism. During the end of the 17 century a
monastery was built on the spot where the saint mediated and it is a pilgrimage site for every
Bhutanese to visit once in their life time.

Day 5
(Departure)
After breakfast we will transfer you to the airport for your flight.

TASHI DELEK!!!

Facts about Bhutan

Location: Southern Asia. Landlocked between China and India
Area: 38,394 square kilometers
Altitude: 100 meters above sea level in the south to over 7,500 meters above sea level in the
north.
Population: 7, 56,129 (2021)
Districts: 20 Capitals: Thimphu
Thimphu: The only capital city in the world with no traffic lights.
Political system: Democratic Constitutional Monarchy
Nationality: Bhutanese
Language: Dzongkha
Currency: Ngultrum
Forest cover: 72. %
Constitution: Ratified in July 18, 2008
National Day: 17 December
Local Time: 6 hours ahead of GMT
GDP per capita: $3129 (2020)
General Literacy rate:71.4 % (2017)
Unemployment rate: 5 % (2020)
Country code: +975
Religion: Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity
Independence: Bhutan was unified under its first hereditary King in 1907