Bhutan - Land of the Thunder Dragon
FYI
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If you are flying west, get a seat in your flight to the left to see the himalayas.
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INR is accepted but 500 and 2000 Rupee notes are not accepted. 100 and 50 Rupees notes are accepted. The ground reality is that even 2000 Rs notes are accepted as of 2019.
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No photography or wearing of cap inside monasteries.
Basic Dzonkha Language
Datsi - Cheese
Kew - Chillies
Sag - Spinach
Kewa - Potato
Good Luck - Tashi Delek
Thimphu (Day 1-2)
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Paro to Thimphu - 1 Hour, 20 Minutes.
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Total driving time through all major tourist spots - 34 Minutes.
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About 70 Kms drive in total.
Buddha Dordenma
Location : https://goo.gl/maps/aYzgmMUUWRu
50 m tall Buddha statue
The National Memorial Chorten
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Aka Thimphu Chorten, located on Doeboom Lam.
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Built in 1974 to honour the 3rd King of Bhutan.
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Prominent landmark in the city with its golden spires and bells. Popularly known as the most visible religious landmark in Bhutan.
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The king wanted to build “a chorten to represent the mind of the Buddha”.
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Entry Fee - Rs 300
Simply Bhutan Museum
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Meet Pema Tshering - a cerebral palsy patient and a renowned artist of Bhutan.
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A guide accompanies you and explains you the history and culture of Bhutan.
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Watch the local dance performance and have complimentary butter milk tea.
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Entry Fee - 200 Rs
Textile Museum
Location : https://goo.gl/maps/vqm45SSDU5G2
Entry Fee - Rs 50
Handicraft Bazaar
Location : https://goo.gl/maps/ifQiQdiDQbk
Opp. to Bhutan Development Bank
Folk Heritage Museum
Location : https://goo.gl/maps/xyih4JUc24D2
Entry Fee - 30 Rs.
Tashichho Dzong
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Home to current King’s throne and known as “fortress of the glorious religion”
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Get Punakha permit near here
Motithang Takin Preservation centre
Entry Fee - Rs 100
Punakha (Day 3)
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Need permit to go, Get the permit from Thimphu.
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Total Drive time - 3 hr 30 min (116 KM)
Dochula Chorten
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Also known as Dochula Pass
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On the way from Thimphu to Punakha. 40 mins from Thimphu.
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At an Altitude of 10,000 ft.
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These stupas were built in 2004, in memory of the war between the Assamese (of India) and Bhutanese militants.
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When the sky is clear, the mountain view is spectacular. 360 degree panoramic view of Himalayan mountain range.
Fertility Temple (Chime Lhakhang)
Between Thimphu and Punakha
Punakha Dzhong
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Aka Pungtang Dechen Phodrang Dzong (meaning “the palace of great happiness or bliss”) is the administrative centre of Punakha District. Second oldest and second largest Dzong in Bhutan.
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River Rafting - 55 USD
Punakha Drubchen Festival
12 – 14 February 2019
Longest Suspension Bridge
Punakha Suspension Bridge
Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
Hike, surrounded by Rice Fields.
Wangdue, Gangtey and Phobjikha Valley (Day 4)
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From Punakha to Phobjikha, and back to Punakha
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Total Drive time - 5 hr 20 Mins (164 Kms)
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Endangered species, Monastery...
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2hrs from Fertility Temple.
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Either go from Fertility Temple or Plan it as a seperate day.
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Phobjikha
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Black necked Cranes
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Horse Riding
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Homestay with locals
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Gangtey
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Gangtey Trail - 4 KM, easy.
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Paro (Day 5)
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For Hiking, Mountain biking, and rafting, Snowman Trek
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Total Drive time - 4h Punakha to Paro and around Paro (150 Kms).
Kyichu Lhakhang Monastery
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Constructed in the 7th Century to pin down the left foot of a giant ogress.
National Museum of Bhutan -
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Cultural museum in the town of Paro.
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Over 3000 works of Bhutanese art, covering more than 1500 years of Bhutan’s cultural heritage.
Lampelri Precinct Botanical Park, near Dochula
Rinpung Dzong
Also known as Paro Dzhong
Drukgyel Dzong
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It was a fortress and Buddhist monastery, now in ruins, located in the upper part of Paro District.
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It was built to commemorate victory over an invasion from Tibet.
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In the 1950s, it was almost completely destroyed by fire.
Chele La and Haa Valley (Day 6)
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Total Drive time - 4h to and back to Paro (128 Kms).
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Just Chele La - 2.5h to and back to Paro (73 Kms).
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Full day excursion
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On the way, go to Chele La, the highest mountain in Bhutan.
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Go to Haa Valley View Trail, 2 KM in length, effortless hike.
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Return back to Paro Hotel
Final Day - Tiger’s Nest (Day 7)
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Also called Paro Taktsang
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Timing - counter opens from 7 AM to 3 PM
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Time plan
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Leave hotel at 6 AM
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start 7AM
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Reach 9 AM (1 hr there)
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Ground at 1 PM
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Total drive - 44 Mins (23 kms)
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Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery aka Taktsang Palphug Monastery
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Built in 1692, Guru Padmasambhava who is credited to introduce Buddhism to Bhutan is said to have meditated for 3 years, 3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days and 3 hours in the 8th century.
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Popular festival known as Tsechu is celebrated in the Paro Valley during March or April.
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It is recommended to visit Tiger’s Nest at the end of your trip to Bhutan so that you acclimatize to the elevation.
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You can hike to the top in about 3 hours even if you are taking regular breaks.
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The entire hike and coming back to the start point will take you a total of 5-7 hours
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Close to Airport.
1.5 to 2 hours trek to 1000 m elevation, 3000m above sea level. -
Round Trip Taxi from Paro to Tiger’s Nest - 1400 BTN ($20.99)
Other places to Go
Bhumtang Valley
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Far - 5hrs from Gangtey Valley.
Things to do
Meet the people
Traditional Bhutanese Hot Stone Bath
Gasa
Trongsa - Black Mountains
Manas National Park - tigers, elephants, langur, birds, plants - wilderness. Boat, car or trek
Trek to Himalaya (2-25 days)
Highland Festival
Bumthang - temples and monasteries
Whitewater Rafting
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