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Thunder Dragon
Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan

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  Shrouded in the
mists of time and tradition,
the Himalayan Kingdom
of Bhutan beckons you		  
 

This is the scene that greets
you as you land in Paro,
with the Dzong below, and
the Ta Dzong watchtower
on the hill overlooking
the Paro Valley

 
  One approaches the
Paro Dzong by crossing
this traditional bridge		  
  Every Dzong is part
government building,
and part religious center		  
 

The Bhutanese people are
required to wear national
costumes out of respect
when entering a Dzong

The traditional garment
for men is called a “gho”

  
  After visiting the
Paro Dzong, see
Kichu Lhakhang,
the oldest temple
in the country		  
  The ruins of Drugyal
Dzong, the Bhutan Victory
Fort with gorgeous
mountain views, concludes
our first day of sightseeing		  
  Thrill to views of
the high Himalays
from the top of
the Chele La pass		  
  The Kila Goempa
Nunnery is perched
on a mountainside
below Chele La pass		  
  Visit with the nuns
and see how they live
in this remote spot		  
  Enjoy excellent
singing and dancing
at a cultural show
one evening in Paro		  
  Taktsang Monastery,
known as the
Tiger’s Nest, clings to
a sheer rock cliff.		  
  You have the option
to hire a horse for the
climb to the Tiger’s Nest		  
  At one point, the path
takes us to this dramatic
overlook above the monastery		  
  The 2008 Toto group
celebrates its ascent to
Tiger’s Nest with a
group photo at the
lunch cafeteria		  
  Thimphu is the only
capital city in the
world without any
traffic lights		  
  During our time in Thimphu
we visit an arts school where
the traditional arts of Bhutan
are taught, including woodwork,
sculpture, painting, and textiles		  
  Stop by the zoo for
a look at an animal found
nowhere else on earth,
the Bhutanese Takin		  
  Observe a Khuru
contest, the traditional
game of darts in Bhutan		  
  The Thimpu Weekend
Market provides a
dazzling display of
locally grown produce		  
  It also presents an
excellent opportunity to
hone your haggling skills
as you strive for bargains
on fantastic handicrafts		  
 

In Punakha, our visit to
Chimi Lhakhang begins
with a hike through
beautiful rice fields

  
  A Bhutanese woman
harvests rice		  
  Chimi Lhakhang was built
by the “Divine Madman,”
Lama Drukpa Kunley		  
  During one of our
previous visits to
Chimi Lhakhang we had
the unexpected treat of
watching young monks
engage in a game of soccer		  
  The Punakha Dzong
is beautifully situated
between two rivers		  
  Built in 1637, it was the
second Dzong of Bhutan
and the seat of government
until the reign of the
second king		  
  Monks prepare a meal
at the Dzong temple
for their fellow monks
who are chanting inside		  
  A monk listens to
the chanting inside
the Punakha Dzong		  
  Traveling to Central
Bhutan, we stop to visit
the spectacular Trongsa
Dzong, dramatically
situated overlooking
a beautiful valley		  
  Young monks at the
Trongsa Dzong look on
as we tour their monastery		  
  Enjoy an easy
three-day trek in
Central Bhutan		  
  Trekking through the
Ngang Yul (Land of Swans),
a gorgeous valley, is like
a walk in the park		  
  The gradual climb
to Phephe La pass
passes through beautiful
forested areas where we
make many stops to
enjoy the natural beauty		  
  The Ugyen Choling
Palace is dedicated to
preserving relics of the
ancient noble familes		  
  Our group enjoys lunch
on the grounds of the
Ugyen Choling Palace		  
  A highlight of this
tour will be attending
the Jambay Lhakhang
Festival in Bumthang		  
  This annual festival
is one of the most
spectacular in all Bhutan		  
 

On the first night
there is a remarkable
dance for fertility
and good harvests
which requires the
selected men to
dance naked, tempting
us to rename this tour:

“Bhutan in the Buff”

  
  The display of
exquisite costumes
and dances . . .		  
  . . . builds throughout
the second day, . . .		  
  . . . culminating in the
dramatic “Fire Dance”
to ward off evil spirits		  
  Before departing
Bumthang we have
the opportunity to
visit a local market		  
  Returning to Punakha,
stop at the Wangue Dzong
built on a dramatic hill over-
looking the bend of a river		  
  Spend some time
shopping and strolling
through Wangdu		  
  Returning to
Thimphu, stop at
Dochu La pass to
see the new Druk
Wangyal Monastery
(seen in the distance)		  
  Tour the sprawling
National Dzong
at Thimphu		  
  We will try to be
there at 5pm for a
glimpse of the King
as he leaves work
for the day		  
  The interior of the
Dzong contains the
governmental offices and
a Buddhist monastery		  
  Come with us to
the magical Kingdom
of Bhutan, where ubiquitous
penis images provide
unusual photo opportunities
with which to delight your
family and friends back home		  
  Unforgettable adventures
await in the Land of
the Thunder Dragon		  
  Once you have
experienced Bhutan,
you will always cherish
the dream of returning
to this Shangri La		  
       
       
 

Photos and
stories from
previous tour

Please click on the following link if you would like to read Dan's blog about Toto's first tour to Bhutan in March, 2008, with more photos.

http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog/wareameye/15/tpod.html