Take a soft landing in paro valley and take a tour to the major surrounding valley of Bhutan. Visit museum and Dzong of paro together with the most popular hike to tiger nest monastery and the capital of Bhutan which host to the tallest statue of sitting Bhuddha in the world. Enjoy the incredible view from Dochula pass and chele la pass. and explore the monasteries of Gantey and Punakha. The valley of Haa welcomes you in a manner not very dissimilar from a time long ago.
Overnight in hotel.
After breakfast you will drive to Khamsum Yule chorten. This stupa was built by the queen mother, the mother of the present king of Bhutan for the good health and long life of the king. This monastery is build on a ridge about a comfortable one hours hike. This is a beautiful monastery. After lunch you will visit a village. You can walk into any of the houses in the village and experience authentic rural Bhutan.
Overnight in Punakha/Wangdue.
After breakfast you will drive to Gangtey visit Gangtey Goemba. The Gangtey Monastery or the Gangtey Goempa is an important monastery / temple associate with the Nyingmapa school of Buddhism. The Monastery is Located in the Wandue Phodrang Dzhongkhag in central Bhutan. The Gangtey Monastery is situated in the picturesque Phobjikha Valley, which is also renowned for being the winter home of the rare Tibetan Black Necked Cranes. The monastery was established in 1613 by Peling Gyalse Rinpoche, the grandson of Trenton Pema Lingpa the great treasurer discoverer.
According to a story during a visit to the Phobjikha Valley, Trenton Pema Lingpa foretold the people that one day his descendants will construct a monastery on the hills surrounding the valley and make it the seat of the Peling Tradition. The present ruling dynasty of Bhutan is descendant of the great Trenton Pema Lingpa. The monastery is a complex of five temples that surround a main central tower. The main hall of the monastery is built in Tibetan style architecture and is made completely out of wood with its 8 main wooden pillars considered to be the largest in Bhutan. Between 2002 and 2008 the monastery underwent a complete renovation / restoration.The monastery was consecrated by the present day reincarnation of the Pema Lingpa in October 2008. The monastery has a very close connection to the royal family of Bhutan.
Phobjikha valley:
The Phobjikha is a wide glacial valley located in close to the Gangtey Monastery. The Phobjikha valley is the winter home of the rare Black Necked Cranes that migrate from Tibet from the arid plains of Tibet to roost in the more comfortable climate of the Phobjikha Valley. The valley is at an altitude of 2900 meters above sea level and experiences a much lighter winter as compared to the harsh extremes of Tibet. A part of the valley lies in the Black Mountain National Park. There are 2 rivers that flow through this valley called the Nakay Chu and the Gay Chu. According to legend it is said that the rivers represent a serpent and a wild boar.
Once upon a time there was a race between the two to determine whether people can grow rice in the valley or not, if the serpent won then the people of the valley could grow rice but if the boar won, then rice could never be cultivated in the area.
Eventually the serpent lost and till date rice is not grown in the Phobjikha Valley. While visiting the Phobjikha Valley one must take time out to visit the Black Necked Crane Information Centre, the centre is located at the edge of the main forest are along the road and can be easily accessed. The centre has an observation deck that is equipped with a high power telescope that gives visitors a chance to spot some cranes. The Information Center has a display that offers an insight in to the natural and cultural history of the valley
Today early morning after breakfast we will go for a half day excursion to Haa Valley. The pristine and picturesque Haa valley is located about 3 hours west of Paro. The Drive from Paro to Haa valley take you up to the Chele-La pass which is located at a height of about 3800 meters. Make sure you ask you drive to stop the car here so you can enjoy a beautiful view of Bhutan’s 2 highest and best known peaks the Jichu Drake and Mount Jumolhari, some times of a clear day you might be able to catch a glimpse of Mount Kunchenjunga the 3rd highest mountain in the world from this view point. From there we will descend down into the Haa Valley down to the town of Haa.
The Haa valley till recently was closed off for tourists and even today people of the valley live in a manner not very dissimilar from a time long ago. The Haa valley is one of the most isolated and least populous districts of the country. The Haa valley is also home to a Indian army base that helps protect the border of Bhutan from Chinese incursions. There are many small temples and monasteries in the district with the most important being the Lhakhang Karpo( White Temple) and the Lhakhang Nagpo ( Black Temple). The Lhakhang Nagpo’s central shine is said to be identical to the central shrine of the Jowo Temple in Lhasa, Tibet. Legend has it that the Karpo temple was constructed along with the assistance of the Local deities, as a result of this divine intervention it was known as the Hay (Surprises in Dzongkha) and later on Haa. After spending the day in the valley we will return back to Paro for the night.
After early morning breakfast, we will take you for a morning hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’. Hanging precariously and magically from a rather steep cliff, the Taktshang monastery is a monument of genuine pride for the Bhutanese nation. It defies architectural principles to the core and amazes tourists from around the world.
It is a sight to behold. Taktshang or the Tigers lair as the monastery is called, it is widely regarded is one of the most important monuments of spiritual significance in Bhutan. Its history is deeply associated with the visit of Guru Padmasambhava, the revered Indian saint who came to Bhutan in the 8th century AD. The cave was named Taktshang after Guru Rinpoche flew into the cave from Kurtoe Singye Dzong in eastern Bhutan while riding on a tigress. When he landed in the cave, he took the wrathful form of Guru DorjiDrolo who is regarded as one of the eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche to decimate the demons.
Several saints have chosen this sanctuary to pray and meditate in solitude. The monastery was built in 1692 by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgaye who is said to be one of the reincarnations of Guru Rinpoche. The Monastery consists of four main temples along with their residences that are constructed along the rock ledge. There 8 caves in total out of which 4 are relatively easy to access.
The monastery was ravaged by fire twice in the 1900s first in 1951 and later the fire of 1998, which nearly destroyed the monastery completely. The government then undertook a comprehensive reconstruction in 200 with funding from foreign donors. The monastery was recreated to its original splendor and re-opened to the public shortly thereafter.
From the road, the hike toward Taktsang follows an uphill route and takes approximately 3-4 hours at an average walking pace on a clear, sunny day. We recommend that you carry sunscreen lotion, large quantities of drinking water, a walking stick just in case you need to shoo of the birds and a hat to further protect yourself from the sun.
In evening we will visit local market of Paro.
Early breakfast, drive to airport and farewell.
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