India Part

PARO, the gateway to Bhutan , provides incomparable experiences. Bhutan's natinal museum, the Ta Dzon, the fortress of the Drupas, the paro Dzon fort, Drukyel Dzon, Taktsang Lhakhang Temple, also called the tigers' lair as it clings to a black cliff, and kyichu Lhakhang, built in A.D. 638 by king Songtsen Gampo are places of his torical and cultural interest. Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan , abounds with rich traditional architecture. A tour will take you to the Memorial chorten built in memory of king Jigme Dorfe, the Tashichoe Dzon, fortress of auspicious religions, cjanglimithnag, changankha Lhakhang, Simtikha Dzon, and Motothang, the pearl meadows.

Punakha was the old winter capital of Bhutan until1950. The high pass of Dochu-La at 3,050 meters, divides Thimpu from the punakha valley. This point offers spectacular mountain views of the eastern Himalayas including Ganghar Punsum, 7,497m {the highest peak of Bhutan }. Mt. Chomolhari , 7,219m is especially stunning as it provides a backdrop at the frontier with Tibet . You will visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdurng Ngawang Namgyel.

Wangdi Phodrang is a town 71 kilometers away from Thimpu. The drive through the picturesque village of Rinchengang will provide an opportunity to observe the lifestyle of the local people, who are known to be excellent stonemasons. Their houseware built remarkably and attached to one another.

When you arrive at Mendigang's Hilltop Resort for an overnight stop, you will see Ghantey Gompa on top of the Black Mountains . The Gompa is the biggest monastery of the Nyingmapa set in Bhutan . It overlooks the Phobjika Valley , a popular resting site for the migratory black – necked crane.

Tongsa is approached from here through the pele-sa pass at 3,300 meters.you will see rhododendron and magnolia flowers in full bloom during the spring season and Mount Chomolhari in in the background. You will also visit the Tongsa Dzong, founded in 1543, an architectural masterpiece with amaze of courtyards and many temples.