Asian Geographic - 01.01.2018

FEBRUARY

15

Paro to Thimphu
At 2,235 metres above sea
level, you will immediately
feel the effects of the high
altitude upon arrival in Paro,
which is home to many old
monasteries and temples.
We visit Kyichu Lhakhang,
the oldest temple in Bhutan,
and the Iron Bridge of
Dumtse Lhakhang, built by a
monk in 1433. We transfer to
Thimphu, visit the farmer’s
market and Tashichho
Dzong, which houses the
throne of the king, followed
by the Kuenselphodrang
Nature Park. We overnight
at Thimphu.

FEBRUARY

18

Punakha to Paro

We visit the Punakha Dzong,

which boasts spectacular

displays of Bhutanese

architecture surrounded

by jacaranda trees. Built in

1637, the six-storey structure

is the second oldest and

second largest dzong in

Bhutan. In 2011, it hosted

the royal wedding of King

Jigme Khesar Namgyel

Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun

Pema. We will also visit one

of the community schools,

and will hike to the Khamsum

Yulley Namgyal Chorten,

built over a period of nine

years. We overnight at Paro.

FEBRUARY

16

Thimphu: The capital city

We embark on a tour of

Thimphu, beginning at the

Motithang Takin Preserve, a

former zoo that is home to

the takin, or gnu goat. The

king decreed that cooping up

animals went against Buddhist

beliefs, so they were released.

The takin had difficulty

adapting, so the preserve was

established. We drive up to the

Buddha Dordenma statue, and

visit the Jungshi Handmade

Paper Factory, followed by the

National Memorial Chorten.

After sunset at Changangkha

Lhakhang, we spend the night

in Thimphu.

FEBRUARY

17

Punakha Valley

We drive through the

Dochula Pass, which has

108 memorial chortens built

to commemorate Bhutan’s

victory over Indian militants.

We also visit the Chhimi

Lhakhang temple and

Punakha Dzong, nestled at

the fork of two rivers. A walk

along the 160-metre-long

Pho Chhu suspension bridge

presents spectacular views

of Punakha Dzong and the

Pho Chhu Valley. We visit a

nun monastery, and will have

the unique opportunity to

photograph the puja ritual.

We overnight at Punakha.

day 1

(arrival) day 2 day 3 day 4

Discover Bhutan

February 15–21, 2018

ITINERARY

*SUBJECT TO CHANGE