with Bhutan Druk Adventure
THE TIGER'S NEST TEMPLE
Taktsang Lhakhang is Bhutan’s most iconic landmark and religious site. The name Taktsang translates to “The Tiger’s Nest”. This temple is one of the most holy sites in the kingdom and clings impossibly to a sheer cliff face 900 meters above the Paro Valley.
It was first built in 1692 at a cave where Guru Rimpoche meditated in the 7th century A.D. Legend states that Guru Rimpoche flew to the site atop the back of a tigress and meditated in the cave for 3 years, 3 months, 3 days and 3 hours in order to subdue evil demons residing within it. The cave has been considered a sacred site ever since and many famous saints have travelled to meditate in it.
Taktsang Lhakhang is located approximately 10 km north of Paro town at an altitude of 3.120 m. In order to arrive at the temple visitors must trek for around 2-3 hours through beautiful, shady pine forests. No trip to Bhutan would be complete without a visit to this remarkable heritage site.
JANGTSA DUMTSEG LHAKHANG
Jangtsa Dumgtseg Lhakhang is a Buddhist temple in Jangtsa, Paro. The temple is notable as it is in the form of a chorten which is very rare in Bhutan.
It is located on the edge of a hill between the Paro valley and the Dopchari valley, across the bridge from Paro. The Buddhist iconography depicted in the Chorten is considered a unique repository of the Drukpa Kagyu school. According to a local legend, the Lhakhang was built by the saint Thangtong Gyalpo to subdue a "serpentine force" that was located at the foundation of the chorten. Another legend says that Lhakhang was built on the head of a demoness. According to a Bhutanese source it was built "on the nose of a hill that loos like a frog in order to counteract Sadag (earth-owning spirit) and Lunyen (powerful naga spirit). It is said that the hill, by which the temple is built, is a black vicious snake moving downwards
DRUGYEL DZONG
This dzong was constructed by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 to commemorate his victory over marauding Tibetan armies. Though the fortress was destroyed by fire in 1951, the ruins remain an impressive and imposing sight.
PARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
The country’s first international airport is located in Paro.
Due to the close proximity of the airport and the many historical and religious sites in the region, there are a large number of luxurious and high-end tourist resorts in Paro.
THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF BHUTAN
Paro is also home to the National museum.
The museum is set in Paro Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower that now displays hundreds of ancient Bhutanese artifacts and artwork including traditional costumes, armour, weaponry and handcrafted implements for daily life. The collection at the National Museum preserves a snap-shot of the rich cultural traditions of the country.
PARO TOWN
The charming town of Paro lies on the banks of the Paro (or Pa) Chhu, just a short distance northwest of the imposing Paro Dzong. The main street, only built in 1985, is lined with colorfully painted wooden shopfronts and restaurants, though these appear under threat as the town grows and multistory concrete buildings continue to pop up. For now Paro remains one of the best Bhutanese towns to explore on foot and is worth an hour or two's stroll at the end of a day of sightseeing.
COINCIDING WITH THE FESTIVALS IN BHUTAN
GROUP SIZE 3 AND ABOVE
USD $ 2040
Festivals or tshechu are a major part of Bhutanese life and offer a unique cultural insight into this Himalayan Kingdom.
One of the best ways to experience the heart and soul of this unique destination is to incorporate a trek into your itinerary. With much of the kingdom covered with ancient forests and high alpine meadows, a trek will not only bring you closer to nature but provide you with the opportunity to meet rural people.