Glimpse of Bhutan Tour

Elevation: 2,280 meters  

Paro valley extends from the confluence of the Paa Chhu and the Wang Chhu rivers at  Chuzom up to Mt. Jomolhari at the Tibetan border to the North. This picturesque region is  one of the widest valleys in the kingdom and is covered in fertile rice fields and has a  beautiful, crystalline river meandering down the valley. There are over 155 temples and  monasteries in the area, some dating as far back as the 14th century. The country’s first and  only international airport is also located in the region. Its close proximity to the historical and  religious sites in the region has resulted in the development of an array of luxurious, high-end  tourist resorts making Paro one of the main destination for visitors.  

Rinpung Dzong The magnificent Paro Dzong, overlooking the Paa Chhu from its hilltop site,  is one of Bhutan’s strongest and most important fortresses, and repelled several attacks from  Tibet. Dzongs developed as fortified monasteries in Bhutan which performed military,  administrative and religious functions by housing monastic communities as well as civil  administration. Dzongs featured as far back as the 12th century in Bhutan, but many of the  most famous and important surviving Dzongs were built in the 17th century as part of a  programme to strengthen the valleys against Tibetan invasions. The Paro Dzong is the  symbolic center of religious and secular affairs of the Paro Valley. 

Ta Dzong – Bhutan National Museum The museum provides a fascinating insight into the development of Bhutan from Stone Age times to the modern era. This institution highlights  Bhutan’s Mahayana Buddhist identity and its multicultural heritage. The museum functions  as a repository for the valuable artifacts and historical objects that are priceless in  documenting the nation’s cultural legacy. The museum’s vast collection of the finest in  Bhutanese artwork will appeal to anyone with an interest in the art of the region. A distinctive  bridge between the past and the present of Bhutan, the National Museum always makes an  impression on the visitor.  

Kyichu Lhakhang is one of Bhutan’s oldest religious sites- the seventh century Lhakhang.  We pay our respects at Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan with its  mystical orange tree which bears fruit all year round. Kyichu Lhakhang is composed of twin  temples 1) the ancient temple and 2) the recent temple. The ancient temple is deeply  respected for its antiquity and holds one of Bhutan’s holiest statues of the Jowo, Buddha as a  prince at the age of eight, which is alike to the one in the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa. The  recent temple was built in 1968 and is dedicated to Guru Rimpoche.  

Drukgyel Dzong the ruins of Drukgyel tell you a tale of how medieval warriors defended  Bhutan from the invaders from the north. It was originally built to protect this route from  possible Tibetan raids’. The small village of Drukgyel is 11 kms from Paro and near it is the  (now-ruined) Drukgyel Dzong, built to commemorate victory over Tibetan invaders in 1644.  The strategically sited Dzong guarded the point where the route from Tibet entered Bhutan  via the Paro valley. Once the Tibetan invasions ceased the path became the major Tibet Bhutan trade route. The Dzong, surrounded by the snowy peaks of the High Himalayas  including the sacred Jhomolhari, served as an administrative centre, until burned down in a  fire in 1951 which left it in ruins with only its central tower (utse) standing.  

The small township of Paro isn’t very large but it has a more traditional feel than Thimphu’s  city and is a fine introduction to some of Bhutan’s unique local products. Around evening you  can have leisure time walking around town, visiting good coffee cafe and do handicraft and  souvenir shopping in paro town.  

Overnight, Hotel in Paro.