Essence of Himalayas

Fly into the Kingdom amid a breathtaking vista of the world’s highest mountains, a literal ascent into the heavens. The perennially snow-covered mountains we pass by during the flight include Mt Everest (the highest peak in the world), Kanchenjunga (the world’s third highest peak) and other peaks revered by the Bhutanese as the “Abode of the Gods”. Finally, land at Paro International airport, an adrenaline-rushing experience as we take a hair-raising descent onto a narrow strip of flatland flanked by the mountains. A short respite after the landing, we begin our Bhutanese adventure. We visit historical places in and around Paro valley, a scenic sojourn in Bhutan’s most beautiful valley, followed by an hour-long drive to Thimphu, the capital city.

The capital city is Bhutan in a miniscule. Its population of 130,000 people come from every nook and cranny of the Kingdom, providing a rare glimpse of a mix of culture, customs and traditions around which Bhutan has built its identity as a nation. Among the historical places, we visit the Memorial Stupa built in the finest tradition of Buddhist architecture, the 12th century Changangkha monastery which blesses every Bhutanese child born in Thimphu valley, and the 17th century Tashichhodzong that serves as the seat of the central government and also houses the office of the King. We can also see the parliament house where Bhutan’s political leaders meet and take decisions that chart out the country’s destiny.

Other attractions include short trips to the Folk Heritage Museum, Textile Academy, Academy of Art and Craft, the site of the world’s largest Buddha statue, and the Thimphu viewpoint at Sangaygang. Towards late afternoon, we will take a stroll around town and, probably, also see a traditional game of archery which is popular for its accompanying taunts and merriment.

Today, we head to the interior, to Punakha-Wangdue valley that is famous as the ancient capital of Bhutan and where the agrarian rural life is best exemplified by terraced rice fields and villages teeming with traditional farm houses. The first 45 minutes of drive takes us to Dochula pass (3,100m) which is perhaps the only stopover in the entire Himalayan region that affords a stunning view of the mighty and impregnable mountains on the roof of the world. From the pass, we begin a gradual descent through roadsides filled with rhododendrons, bamboo groves, other alpine flowers of all shades and hues, besides birds and numerous other fauna species along the way.

On touching the valley floor, we visit the Temple of Fertility in Lobesa which is renowned for blessing infertile couples with children, and the 17th century monastery-palace-fortress called Wangduephodrang Dzong that is being rebuilt after destruction by a tragic fire. But our main place of interest for the day is Punakha Dzong, a huge 17th century monastery-fortress plus ancient capital on whose corridors of power walked Bhutan’s ancient leaders who defined much of the Bhutanese history. The monument is spectacularly built between two rivers and appears like a giant ship sailing on a huge mass of water.

We drive to Paro and, towards afternoon, visit the 7th century Kyichu Monastery, the oldest Buddhist monument in the Kingdom that abounds with mythical tales from yesteryears. We also see the ruins of Drugyal fortress where, once upon a time (in the 17th century), the Bhutanese militia beat the Tibetan invaders and consolidated the Bhutanese state. We will also visit the National Museum and Paro Rinpong Dzong, a massive castle-fortress which today is the venue of one of Bhutan’s biggest annual festivals, the Paro Tshechu. We wrap up the day after visiting a farm house.

The best is saved for the final day. Today, we hike to Taktshang monastery, perched on a sheer cliff face, 800 meters above the valley floor. No one has any clue as to how this architectural feat was achieved, although some even go to the length of attributing the role of the supernatural forces in its construction. Anyway, the myths surrounding this temple has it that the place was blessed in the 8th century by tantric Buddhist master Guru Padma Sambhava who visited the place astride a ferocious tigress believed to be a miraculous transformation of the master’s famous consort, Yeshey Tshogyal.

Apart from the myths, the hike is beautiful as it meanders along a forested trail that is as old as the monastery itself. We take a short stroll in Paro town after the hike.

We bid you farewell today. May you have a safe journey and take back lots of fond memories from the Happiness Kingdom.