BHUTAN

Bhutan is a 47,000 sq. km Buddhist Kingdom tucked away in the depths of the Eastern Himalayas. This tiny Kingdom remained from centuries sequestered from the outside world. The main Himalaya chain runs west to east across Bhutan and the majority of the country lies between altitudes of 5,000 and 16,000 ft.

The highest peaks lie toward the northern edge of the territory, and these include Gangkar Puensun and Chamolhari, at well over 23,000 ft. Receiving considerable rains Bhutan is densely forested varying from a lush jungle of teak and tropical tree species, through poplar, ash, oak and conifer forest between 5,000 and 10,000 ft, to more predominantly coniferous woodland and scrub beyond 13,000ft. Bhutan boasts a wealth of bio diversity and forest cover that has led to it being declared one of the 10 global hot spots for environment conservation. More than 60 percent of the endemic species of the Eastern Himalayan Region can be found in the Bhutan.

The Kingdom changes rapidly from sub-tropical in the south through temperate in the central interior to alpine in the north. The southern part of Bhutan is tropical, and in general the east of Bhutan is warmer than the west of the country. The central valley of Punakha, Wangdiphodrang Phodrang, Mongar, Trashigang and Lhuntshi enjoy a semi tropical climate with very cool winters, whilst Thimpu, Trongsa and Bumthang have a much harsher climate, with heavy monsoon rains in the summer and heavy snow-fall in the winter, which often blocks the passes leading into the central valleys. Winter in Bhutan is from mid November until mid March, and at this time of year the climate is dry, with day time temperatures falling below zero. The monsoon usually arrives in mid-June, with the rain falling mainly in the afternoons and the evenings. At the end of September, after the last of the big rains, autumn suddenly arrives, and is a magnificent season for trekking – lasting until mid November.

IMPORTANT PLACES TO VISIT WHILE IN BHUTAN

PARO VALLEY

This beautiful valley, where nature and man conjured to create their dearest image, is home to some of Bhutan’s oldest temples & monasteries – as well as its only airport. Mount Jhomolhari (7300 m) reigns in white glory at the northern end of the valley and its glacial water plunge through deep gorges to form Pa-chu (Paro river). Paro is one of the most fertile valleys in the Kingdom, producing a bulk of the famous red rice from its terraced fields.

DRUKGYAL DZONG

The dzong was built in 1647 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate his victory over Tibetan invaders, led by mongolian warload, Gushri Khan in 1644. Strategically built over the only passage into the Paro valley, the dzong helped repel numerous invasion through the course of Bhutanese history. It so impressed early visitors that in 1914 the dzong featured on the cover of the National Geographic Magazines. Later used as an administrative building the dzong was gutted by an accidental fire in 1951. The ruins, as it stands today still attracts tourists. On a clear day one can see the commanding view of Mt. Jhomolhari from the village nestled below the dzong.

Taktsang Monastery Literally meaning the tiger’s nest, this temple clings precariously to a cliff 800 m above Paro valley. Legend has it that the great Guru Padmashambhava flew to this spot on the back of a tigress. The temple is built around the cave in which Guru Padmashambhava meditated in the eight century. It remains a most sacred temple for the local people who gather here on auspicious days to offer butter lamps. The trek uphill to a café opposite the monastery is breathtaking, thrilling and mystical.

RINPUNG DZONG

Means the ‘fortress on a heap of jewels’, it was built during the time Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646. The approach to the dzong is through a traditional covered bridge called the Nemi Zam. A walk through the bridge to the dzong, over a stone inlaid path, offers a good view of the architectural wonder of the dzong as well as life around it. It is also the venue of the Paro tsechu (festival), held once a year in spring.
 

TA DZONG

Looking down upon the Rinpung dzong, the Ta dzong, as the name implies, was built in 1651 as a watch tower. Unlike the rectangular shape of dzongs, the Ta dzong is round, more like parts of an European castle. Since 1967 the dzong was re-established as the national museum and holds a fascinating collections of art, relics and religious thankha paintings.

The beauty of Paro valley is embellished by cluster of quaint farm houses. Bhutanese farm houses are very colourful and traditionally built without the use of a single nail. All houses follow the same architectural design. The house looks very big from outside but is quite simple inside. A visit to a farm house is very interesting and offers a good glimpse into the lifestyle of a farmer.
 

THIMPHU VALLEY

Thimpu, the modern capital of Bhutan, lies at an elevation of 2,300 m in a valley traversed by a Wang-chu (Thimpu river). The Tashichho dzong, the main secretariat building, houses the throne room of the King and is the summer residence of the central monk body. Although not what one expects from a capital city Thimpu is still a fitting and lively place.

MEMORIAL CHORTEN

This chorten was built in 1974 in the memory of the third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, who passed away in 1972. The paintings and images inside the monument provide a very rare insight into Buddhist philosophy.

TASHICHHO DZONG

The dzong which was initially built in the 17th century, was rebuilt in early 1960s by the third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The dzong houses the main secretariat building and the central monk body. The dzong is open to visitors during the Thimpu festival and when the monk body moves to warmer Punakha for the winter months.

SIMTOKHA DZONG

The oldest dzong in the country stands on a lofty ridge at the end of Thimpu valley. It was built in 1627 and now houses the school for Buddhist Studies.

Indigenous Hospital : In Bhutan equal emphasis is given to both alopathy and traditional medicines. The rich herbal medicines abundant in the Kingdom is prepared here. The hospital also imparts the art of herbal medicine to would be practitioners.

NATIONAL LIBRARY

The history of Bhutan lies imprinted in archaic texts which are preserved at the National Library. Besides thousands of manuscripts and ancient texts the library also has modern academic books and printing blocks for prayer flags.

PAINTING SCHOOL

Located above the library this school teaches the techniques of traditional paintings. On a visit one can actually see students at work, producing intricate designs on cloth.

PUNAKHA

Blessed with a temperate climate and fed by the Pho-chu (male) and Mo-chu (female) rivers Punakha is the most fertile valley in the country. Until 1955, Punakha served as the capital and is even today the winter seat of the Je Khenpo (chief abbot) and the central monk body. The dzong was built at the junction of the two rivers in the 17th century by Shabdrung Ngwang Namgyal.

WANGDIPHODRANG

To the south of Punakha, located at the altitude of 1350 m, is the Wangdi dzong, built again in the 17th century by the Shabdrung. The dzong stands at the confluence of Punakha-chu and the Tang-chu river. The higher reaches of the valley provides rich pastureland for cattle. Phubjikha valley in Wangdiphodrang is the winter habitat for the rare black necked cranes. The district is also known for its fine bamboo work and its slate carvings.

TONGSA

Tongsa forms the central hub of the nation and is historically the place from where attempts at unifying the country were launched. The landscape around Tongsa is spectacular, and for miles on end the dzong seems to tease you, wondering if you will ever reach there.

TONGSA DZONG

Built in 1648, it is the ancestral home of the royal family. Both the first and the second Kings ruled the country from this ancient seat. All four kings held the post of Tongsa Penlop (honorary governor) prior to being crowned King. The dzong king is a massive structure with many levels, which slope down the contour of the hill on which it perches. Because of its highly strategic position as the only connecting route between east and west the Tonsa Penlop was able to control the whole of eastern region effectively for centuries.
 

BUMTHANG VALLEY

To the east of Trongsa lies Bumthang valley, at an altitude of 2,600 m . This valley is the religious heartland of the nation and home to some of the oldest Buddhist temples. Here tales of Guru Padmasambhava and his re-incarnates, known as lingpas, still linger in most nooks and corners, that have now become sacred ground.

JAMBAY LHAKHANG

This monastery was built in the 7th Century by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gembo, believed to be the reincarnation of the Buddha of compassion. It is one of the 108 monasteries built by him to subdue the evil spirit in the Himalayan region.

Located above Jambey lhakhang, the Kurjey lhakhang consists of three temples. The one on the right was built in 1652 on the rock face where the Guru meditated in the 8th century. Second temple is built on the site of a cave containing a rock with the imprint of the Guru’s body and therefore considered the most holy. The cave is not visible as it is concealed by a large statue of the Guru. The third temple was recently built by the present Royal queen Mother. These three temples are surrounded by a 108 chorten (stupa) wall, symbolic of each joint of the human body.

TAMSHING LHAKHANG

Located opposite Kurje Lhakhang on the other side of the river, this temple was founded in 1501 by Terton Pema Lingpa, the reincarnation of Guru Padmasambhava. The monastery has very interesting religious painting like 1,000 Buddhas and 21 Taras (female form of buddhisatawa). The temple was restored at the end of 19th century.

JAKAR DZONG

founded by the great grand father of the Shabdrung, the dzong was initially built as a monastery in 1549. It was upgraded after the Shabdrung had firmly established his power in 1646. The dzong is now used as the administration centre for Bumthang valley.

MONGAR

Mongar is the site of one of Bhutan’s newest dzongs, built in the 1930s. Yet the dzong is built in the same method and traditions of all other dzongs. No drawings and nails have been used. A visit to the dzong gives vistors an impression of how traditional Bhutanese architecture has continued to thrive through the centuries.

TRASHIGANG

In the far east of Bhutan, on the bank of the gamri river, lies Trashigang, the country’s largest district. Trashigang dzong stands astride a hill slope below the main street. The dzong, built in the mid 17th century, serves as the administrative seat for the district, as well as the home of the monk body. Trashigang, once the bustling center of trade with Tibet, is today the junction of the east-west highway, with roads connecting it to Samdrup Jongkhar and then to the Indian state of Assam.

Bhutan, with its unexploited physical and cultural environment is a dream destination for nature lovers. We at Baeyul Excursion help the naturophiles to make their dreams come true.