Tours to the Kingdom of Bhutan – an amazingly beautiful country with the purest mountain air and amazing landscapes, amaze the traveler from the first minute of being in it. Limited access to the country for tourists and its relative isolation from the outside world allow it to preserve its national identity and authenticity, it is not for nothing that it is called the “Last Shangri La”. The tour operator in Bhutan recommends: the Kingdom of Bhutan is the last untouched paradise on the planet, where the purity and integrity of nature and wildlife, the simplicity and openness of people have been preserved.
Currency: bhutanese ngultrum
Language: “Bhotiya” (dzongkha, close to Tibetan). English as a second state language is ubiquitous.
Capital: Thimphu
Bhutan is the only state in the world whose official religion, “spiritual heritage” proclaimed Tantric Buddhism. The government declares the happiness of every citizen as its main goal; the state “Commission for the General People’s Happiness” was created. The question “Are you happy?” set during population censuses. During the last census in 2005, 45.2% of the population answered this question “very happy”, 51.6% – “happy” and only 3.3% “not very happy”. The concept of gross national happiness has been introduced in the state.
Bhutan is a constitutional monarchy. The current ruler of Bhutan, the fifth King, Jigme Khesar Namngyal Wangchuck, inherited the throne from his father in 2006. The National Assembly and the jackempo, the chief clergyman, help the king to lead the country.
Bhutan has incredibly beautiful nature, which is protected as the main national treasure. On the territory of Bhutan, it is forbidden to cut down forests and kill animals, and small towns and villages are located in incredibly beautiful gorges among the purest mountain rivers, which are unlikely to leave you indifferent. Tours to Bhutan are extremely interesting and informative.
Bhutan is rich in cultural and historical attractions – Buddhist monasteries and fortresses, in which more than 7,000 monks professing Lamaist Buddhism live. The share of lamas in the population in Bhutan is higher than in any other country. The monasteries of Bhutan to this day are major centers of spiritual and cultural life, here are the rarest Buddhist shrines and examples of Tibetan culture and temple painting.
Paro
The city of Paro, lying on the banks of the river of the same name, is spacious due to the regular, geometrically correct structure of the streets. There are many hotels and resorts, including luxury ones, good restaurants, cozy cafes and bakeries with fragrant buns and cakes. There is a stage in the central square of Paro where concerts and other events are regularly held. Nearby, a large prayer wheel is installed, in which there are scrolls with prayers, which, thanks to the efforts of Buddhists, is constantly in motion. The National Museum of Bhutan is located in the ancient watchtower of Ta-dzong above the city of Paro. It contains national costumes, weapons and armor, household utensils, objects of Buddhist rituals. Rinchen Pong Dzong
was built in 1645. This massive fortress sits atop a hill above the Pachu River in the Paro Valley.
But the main attraction is the Takxang-Lahang Monastery (“Tiger’s Nest”, 8th century) – the main Buddhist shrine of the country.
In the Paro valley there is a fortified Drukul Dzong monastery (17th century) and a monastery built in the 7th century in one night to protect Tibet from evil spirits.
The Buddhist temple of the 15th century Duntse Lakhang, as well as the Temple of Kuichu Lakhang built in the 7th century by the king of Tibet Songtsen Gampo at the same time as Jambei Lakhang in Bumthang.
Punakha
Punakha is the ancient capital of Bhutan. In the Punakha valley, located at an altitude of 1300 m, two main Bhutanese rivers merge – male and female: Mo-Chu and Pho-Chu. This is a very picturesque place, especially on clear days, when the sun, reflecting from the water surface, illuminates the whitewashed walls of the Punakha Dzong monastery, which is considered the second oldest and largest temple in the country. This is the most fertile and warmest valley in Bhutan, and here, in Punakha Dzong, monks and senior clergy from the Thimpu Monastery move for the winter.
On October 13, 2011, a royal wedding took place in Punakha Dzong: Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk married Jetsun Pema.
This dzong is also known for containing the holy remains of King Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, who unified Bhutan in the 17th century. Another important Buddhist relic in Punakha Dzong is the Ranjung Karsapani. This miraculous image of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara miraculously emerged from the spine of Tsangpa Gyare, the founder of the Drukpa tradition, during his cremation.
The Punakha area is associated with significant events in Bhutan’s intricate history. From 1637 to 1907 Punakha was the capital of the country. It was there that the first National Assembly began its work in 1953.
Chimi Lakhan Monastery – a fertility monastery built in honor of Drukpa Kunley, also known as the “Divine Madman”. In addition, this monastery is considered a holy place, and many childless couples come here for a blessing
. Tourists are attracted by the variety of hiking trails of various levels of difficulty. The most popular route is through the caves of Guru Rinpoche. In one of them, a small temple was erected and there are hot springs Koma-Tsachu, the water of which is supplied to three pools.
