Explore and Travel Bhutan - The Land of Thunder Dragon!!

Every person desires for peace and solitude, but this is not possible due to the hectic city life. So to enjoy a peaceful life and get my body some rest, I thought Bhutan will be the best place to hang out.

Sunday, 10th June 2018. (Mumbai)

On Sunday, 10th  June I Got ready by 12am at night, as I had to proceed towards Chattrapati  Shivaji International Airport Mumbai.
I Had a Break Journey.
Mumbai – Delhi – Bhutan (Paro)
I took Flight from Mumbai  at 6.30am and landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport (Delhi) by  8.40 am. I had some quick breakfast at Airport. From Delhi I had my next flight at 12.30 pm. Bhutan is a Bhuddhist kingdom  located in Eastern Himalayan between India and China. The flight between Katmandu and Paro has one of the most beautiful view as the Plane passes above four to five highest mountains in the world. As in with a fine weather we can enjoy the specular view of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Kanchenjunga at their best. As I stepped out of the Airport, I was fresh with a pure refreshing air and a pleasant weather outside. Now coming from New Delhi one of the most polluted cities in the world, on the other side Bhutan had an atmosphere with fresh air. Later on as I was boarding travelers van there started heavy rainfall. The Atmosphere of Bhutan fascinated me with pleasant smell and refreshing spirit.
I moved towards Thimphu as I  had to halt for the day. It was at a distance of  30km from Paro. There on the way, I halted to see an iron bridge. It was made up of  rare iron and the cost of it in Singaporean dollars was $500. I was amazed to see that bridge. That bridge was made by a Tibetans saint. I proceeded towards our hotel ‘OM Tara ‘were I was about to stay. Bhutan has the ratio of 3:1 to be more specific it means in a family if there is 1 boy then they will have 3 girls, it is quiet Strange. I also observed that in hotel there were only few men who worked rest are all women, really it was a proud thing for the country as they gave importance to women.

Monday, 11 June 2018 (Thimphu)

After  having  a Bhutanse Breakfast  I move towards first sight seeing that is Buddha point. The Great Buddha Dordenma is a gigantic staute in mountains of Bhutan. The huge Satue has a height of 52 meters all about touching the Sky. It was made in Shanghai (China) and was later assembelled in Bhutan. The Area was also Surrounded by 35 celistial women Statute also Known as Bhodhi Sattava.
Later  I proceeded towards Changangkha Lhakhang temple. It is the oldest  from the time of  12th century in Thimphu. Every baby born in Thimphu valley has its naming cermony in this temple.
Then I saw  Bhutan’s National Animal- Taikian in Bhutan’s National Park. Its like 50% Goat and 50% Cow.
Then I visted Bhutan’s National Library, they have perserved all the national records in their library.The most amazing thing I Got to known about Bhutan Royal Family was that Bhutan’s fourth King had four wives and all the wives were each other sister. They had 10 childern (5 daughter  5 sons) The Son of the 3rd queen become the king of Bhutan as he was the eldest. The story was quiet interesting. Then I move towards the  HandiCraft market of Bhutan. Bhutan aslo has the Smallest Clock Tower situated in HandiCraft Market.

Tuesday 12th June 2018 (Punakha)

After enjoying in Thimphu, I move towards Punakha. I had to travel a journey of 85 km approx  to 3hrs. But on the way of Punakha there were some more sight seeing to be done . The first sight seeing for the day was Dochula Pass. The Dochula Pass is a mountain pass with the snow covered Himalayas where 108 memorial chortens or stupas known as "Druk Wangyal Chortens" have been built by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk, the eldest Queen Mother. The pass is located at an elevation of 3,100 metres.  From Dochula Pass we can also see the highest peak of Bhutan i.e Gangkar Puensum if weather is clear.
The Second stop in Phunakha turns out to be Chimi Lhakhang, also known as Chime Lhakhang or Monastery or temple, it is a Buddhist monastery. It is also called as Fertility Temple. It is believed that if an childless couple who visit there are blessed with baby. For me the temple was full of rituals and colorful legends. It was quite sacred and clean to visit.

Wednesday, 13th June 2018 (Punakha)

I halted in Kingaling Hotel at Punakha. The morning was filled with fresh air, as last night it was raining. I  luck my room had a beautiful view of river and valley. The view was really good as it had mountains and river flowing through the valley. Breakfast was equally good. Later I left for  Sight seeing. The first was Punakha Dzong (Fort). It is also known as  Pungthang Dewa chhenbi Phodrang  (meaning "the palace of great happiness or bliss") , is the administrative centre of Punakha . The Dzong is located between the Pho Chhu (Male) and Mo Chhu (Female) river in the Punakha–valley. Punakha Dzong is arguably the most beautiful dzong in the country, especially in spring when the lilac-coloured jacaranda trees bring a lush sensuality to the dzong's characteristically towering whitewashed walls. This dzong was the second to be built in Bhutan and it served as the capital and seat of government until the mid-1950s. All of Bhutan's kings have been crowned here. The dzong is still the winter residence of the dratshang (official monk body).
After visting the Dzong I had riverside lunch. The food was awesome, mainly the Bhutanese people in their cuisine add many spiciness, here spicy means I am not talking about the Red chilly spice which we Indian pefer but it has a vareity of flavours in it. By 5pm I again started  the journey. I also halted at different temple and Dzong which was maintained by Bhutan people. The last spot for the day was the Bridge, it was not only a normal Bridge, but it was  the longest Suspension Bridge in Bhutan(Punakha). Punakha Suspension Bridge is one of the longest suspension bridges in Bhutan, spanning 160 -180m and perched high above the very swift river of Po Chhu. Draped with prayer flags, the bridge connects the town of Punakha and the Punakha Dzong, mainly used by locals from the other side of the town as a shortcut to Punakha Dzong.

Thursday,  14th June  2018 (Paro)

After spending around 2 days I moved towards Paro, which was approximately 125km from Punakha. When I reached Paro the first thing I saw was Ta Dzong (National Musem). It is located above Rinpung Dzong on the bank of River Mangde. In 17th century Ta Dzong was converted into National Museum of Bhutan under the command of 3rd Dragon King of Bhutan , Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. One of the most unknowing fact of this museum is that it built with just stone and wood without any nail, and it is very strong. 

The another sight seeing was Kyichu Lhakhang, also known as the Oldest temple in Bhutan. Kyichu Lhakhang located  in the north of Paro town. It is one of the ancient, quiet and beautiful temple in Bhutan. It is considered to be the sacred Jewel of Bhutan. The temple was established by the Buddhist King Songstsen Gampo of Tibet to overcome the giant that lay across Tibet and Himalayas preventing the spread of Buddhism. As one walks toward Kyichu Lhakhang, the environment is quiet and serene. An ancient monastery is a fantastic place that you will find elderly pilgrims walking around the temple as they spin the prayers wheels. Inside the inner courtyard, there is a painting of the King named Gesar of Ling on the wall just near the entrance. The king was a renowned warrior in Tibet, and his epic poem is the longest in the world according to the history.
After all the sightseeing I proceeded towards Hotel Base Camp, One of the most beautiful hotel I have been. The inner decor was of wood , it seemed as  I was staying in a Tree house. After dinner in the club house of hotel there was a Cultural dance by Bhutanese people. The function was quite good and energetic. The Bhutanese girl have a very good Voice, with dance they also sing. After all the tiring day, later I  went to bed as on next day I had to go for a trek. A trek to Tiger Nest & I was very excited for this.

Friday 15th June 2018 (Paro)

I woke up at 6am in the morning, done with all the backpack. I had heavy Breakfast so that I get good energy for trek. I started my trek by at 8am before the sun strike my head. I had read about Tiger’s Nest and seen amazing pictures. I knew I wanted to climb to its top and also knew it was not going to be easy. Tiger’s Nest Monastery is located on the side of a Himalayan mountain at 3,120 metres (10,240 ft), about 900 metres (3,000 ft) almost straight up. The city of Paro is already located at 7000 feet, that makes Tiger’s Nest at 10,000 feet above sea level. The first hour, was absolutely fine but soon the huffing and puffing began. Thankfully the beautiful views were enough to keep me motivated. The monastery teased me with glimpses as I hiked the twists and turns of the trail. The trickiest part was balancing the urge to take pictures and enjoying the view for myself.  The internet may have thousands of pictures but when you see it in real life, it is a different feeling altogether. On the edge of the cliff, it looks like a nest
The path is a combination of rock-strewn patches as well as sand and gravel. There were few tricky points, overall I would rate this hike moderate to difficult. When the sign read cafeteria, I knew I was halfway. Though many people started walking towards it, I did not have an urge to stop and found the remaining patch better than the first. Another one hour of walking and finally I reached the photo point. I was hit by an instant jolt of happiness to see it right there. That happiness was short-lived because there were still 700 steps which still separated us. When I looked at the spiral stairs from the other end, I really felt proud of myself.I stayed at the monastery for nearly an hour where our guide,  showed us around and explained the stories connected with the temple.
So today  the whole day was all about the Tiger Nest Trek and at Night after dinner there was a Bonfire which makes the trip a memorable one. And Next day I flew for India which makes me sad too as in all these days I was connected to Bhutan, becaue the things which I was hunting was only in Bhutan that is Peace of mind and no worries.

Thank U travellers For Reading Article
Nishikant Rajesh Khapre