As you descend into the Kingdom of Bhutan, disembark from the aircraft to cool, clean fresh mountain air. Take an evening stroll around Paro market to browse through abundant handicraft shops. Visit the picturesque Rinpung Dzong for a very good photo opportunity. Visit a farmhouse, which gives an interesting glimpse into the lifestyle of a farming family. Step into a carpet-weaving factory. Drop into Semtokha Dzong, on the way to Thimphu.
Walk around the capital and take in the Handicrafts Emporium, Textile Museum and Changzamtog Textile Weaving Centre, all of which display an array of traditional handicrafts. Include a visit to the Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the Painting School), where students undergo a 6-year training course in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts; Look around the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, where ancient healing arts, such as acupuncture and herbalism, are practised (restricted entrance).
Cross Dochu-la pass (10,000feet) and see the 108-stupa dotted hill. Saunter though paddy fields to visit Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple of Lama Drukpa Kuenley, popularly known as the Divine Madman. Visit traditional village houses to try out the art of weaving from women folk there. Drive to Phobjikha, a 70km 3-hour journey to a carpet-weaving centre, and also see the black-necked cranes (in winter). Head to Bumthang, Chumey valley and visit Yathra Weaving Centre. ‘Yathra’ is a hand-woven fabric made from the wool of yak and sheep in vibrant colours, giving it a special and attractive look.
Visit the meditation spot of Guru Padmasambhava and the Dzong of the White Bird. Meet a weaver’s family in Bumthang. Have a sumptuous picnic lunch and tea en route to Mongar, which takes about a day. Visit dzongs that are built with neither a nail nor a plan. Drive up to Lhuentse, the most isolated district in Bhutan, home to stark cliffs and gorges, deep conifer and pine forests, and remote villages with rice, millet and cornfields. This region Kurtoe of Lhuentse is the ancestral home of Bhutan’s royal family.
Enjoy an evening stroll around its marketplace and marvel at the isolated lifestyle of a Bhutanese community. Visit Khoma village, where the most expensive textiles are woven in silk and cotton, and bear witness to the wonder of Kishuthara, a silk weaving technique with intricate hand laced patterns. This is a collector’s item. Retrace the journey with a stopover in Bumthang for several scenic sights and partake of local refreshment and picnic delicacies from remote villages of the region.
We are adding tour packages soon.