Jeroma Tours and Travels

                      5 DAYS WEST BHUTAN CULTURE TOUR

                             Paro-Thimpu_Punakha-Paro

 

Day 1 Arrival by Druk-air – Paro

 

During this journey, one will experience breathtaking views of Mount Everest, Kanchen Junga and other Himalayan Peaks including sacred Chomolhari and Mount Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport the representative of  Jeroma Tours & Travels will receive you and help you with the visa and other formalities, thereafter you will transferred to hotel. Evening at leisure.

 

Day 2 Paro – Thimphu

 

After late breakfast drive to Thimphu – the capital of Bhutan, which is about two hours drive. After lunch, visit the Memorial Chorten built in the memory of Late Majesty, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the father of modern Bhutan. Visit the Handicrafts Emporium, Zelukha Nunnery and the National Library. Overnight in Hotel.

 

Day 3 Thimphu – Punakha – Thimphu

 

After breakfast, full day excursion to Punakha the ancient capital of Bhutan where visitors are allowed to enter the Dzong if the Je Khenpo (chief Abbot) and the central monk body is in Thimphu in their summer residence. Rafting can be arranged on advance booking. Lunch will be served at the Punakha riverside. On the way halt for sightseeing at Dochula pass, alt. 3,080 m from where you can see the beautiful Himalayan mountain range. Drive back to Thimphu. Overnight in hotel.

 

Day 4 Thimphu – Paro

 

After breakfast drive to Paro for sightseeing of the Paro valley. Drive the winding road northwest up the Pa Chu to Drugyel Dzong, the ruined Fort (destroyed by fire in 1950.) which once defended this valley from the Tibetan invasion. From here one can have the view of sacred Mt. Chomolhari on clear days. On the way back make a visit to a typical Bhutanese farmhouse and stop for a view of Taktsang (tiger’s nest) Monastery which clings on the sheer drop of rock face  where the saint Guru Padma-sambhava landed on the flying tiger and mediated there. After lunch drive to Ta Dzong former Watch Tower which now houses the National Museum and then walk down passing close by the Paro Dzong, crossing the typical Bhutanese wooden roofed bridge to Paro town. After a short stroll in town drive back to hotel for the night halt.

 

Day 5 Paro – Airport for departure

 

Early breakfast and drive to the airport for departure to your onward journey.

 

 

 

PUNAKHA: THE LAND OF BLISS!

 

Although all other places in Bhutan is nothing less of a delight,  Punakha is just beyond words and this is why it has always remained my favorite place even though I am not a native of this land. I originally hail from the central- eastern part of Bhutan but have lived in the Capital (Thimphu) for almost all my life. Thimphu is a beautiful valley too and the dream place for every Bhutanese to settle down in life but it’s been different for me.  If I had my way, I would have loved to live in Punakha.

What makes this place my favorite is the picturesque beauty, the climatic conditions and the age old rich traditional values this place holds. Punakha was the erstwhile Capital of Bhutan before it was moved to Thimphu. It’s an amazing place located about 70 kms from Thimphu which would be approximately 3 hours ride from Thimphu.  As one enters this fertile valley, the lush green vegetation and the dazzling Pho Chhu (Male River) and Mo Chhu (Female River) drainage charms its visitor with its pristine beauty. The icing on the cake would be the magnificent Punakha Dzong (Fort) which towers in between the Pho Chhu and the Mo Chhu. This Dzong is notable both for being one of the most beautiful Dzongs in Bhutan and also for having been built by Zhabdrung in 1637. Punakha Dzong houses the monastic body and the Venerable Chief Abbot of Bhutan as the winter residence. On 13th October 2011, the royal nuptial ceremony of His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen was also solemnized in Punakha Dzong.

The temperature here is mostly warm and hot during summers and very pleasant in winters. This valley also produces some of the best and high yielding crops and fruits. Rice is the main crop grown here.

Apart from the scenic beauty, there are many religious historic places one can visit which holds great significance in the history of Bhutan. All in all, Punakha is one place no one should miss if anyone is visiting Bhutan. Personally for me, there isn’t any other place that has fascinated me more than this breathtaking valley and “Punakha! Till we meet again, you will be missed!” 

 

 

                                            Tashi Delek!