A sovereign state in South Asia, Bhutan is also popularly known as 'Land of Thunder Dragon.' It is a landlocked country situated in the Eastern Himalayas, bordered along the People's Republic of China to the north, having India to the south, east, and west. It is in the relatively unexplored pockets of Asia, which allows only a limited number of discerning travelers in order to preserve its fragile environment and culture in its magical purity. The land consists mostly of high and steep mountains crisscrossed by a network of swift rivers, which form deep valleys. The country has the world’s highest unclimbed peak, Gangkhar Puensum, at 24,836 feet. With its beautiful and largely unspoiled Himalayan setting, its rich flora and fauna and its vibrant Buddhist culture, Bhutan has become an increasingly popular destination for international tourists.
Memorial chorten is a Tibetan style stupa also known as “jangchub chorten” it is located at a walking distance from the main shopping Centre (where the most tourist standard hotels are located) are in Thimphu. This stupa is centrally located and is one of the tallest structures. The memorial chorten is visible from almost all the places in Thimphu. It is one of the most interesting sightseeing places in Thimphu.
This popular temple, perched like a fortress on a ridge above central Thimphu, hums with pilgrim activity. It was established in the 12th century on a site chosen by Lama Phajo Drukgom Shigpo, who came from Ralung in Tibet. Parents traditionally come here to get auspicious names for their newborns or blessings for their young children from the protector deity Tamdrin (to the left in the grilled inner sanctum). Children are blessed by a phurba (ritual dagger) and given a sacred thread.
There's a wonderful view of Thimphu valley from the hillside below the Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS) tower (2685m), high above the town at the end of a road that branches off from the approach to the youth center.
The Folk Heritage Museum dedicates itself to connecting people with the rich Bhutanese Folk heritage and rural history through exhibits, demonstrations, educational programs and documentation of Bhutanese rural life. The Museum will strive to disseminate the rich cultural heritage across generations by preserving it in different forms.
It is a Premier Institute of traditional arts and crafts in Thimphu established with an objective of preserving “thirteen arts and crafts of Bhutan”. It is commonly known as Arts & Crafts School or Painting School. One of the 13 Arts is Tshem Zo which is the art of working with needles, threads and other necessary items to make clothes, boots, thangkas, and other items used for decorations and other household needs
The Jungshi handmade paper factory uses traditional methods to produce the authentic Bhutanese paper known as Deh-sho. The Jungshi paper factory continues to preserve and promote this age-old Bhutanese tradition. It also produces various other products, such as stationery and greeting cards.
It is one of the most happening points in Thimphu. It is locally named Buddha Point but the actual name is Kuensel Phodrang. It is called the Buddha point because the largest statue of Buddha in the country sits there. The 51.5-meter bronze statue is three storied with several chapels. The body of Buddha is filled with 125000 smaller statues of Buddha.
One of the popular and biggest landmarks in Thimphu, the Tashichhodzong stands tall two kilometers away from the main town. It is the main secretariat building which houses the offices of the King and the Throne Room. The central monastic body and some government ministries are also located in the dzong.
Ta Dzong is the National Museum of Bhutan. It is located above the Paro Rinpung Dzong. It is a cultural museum. Actually, Ta Dzong means watchtower as it was used to serve as a watchtower and fortress to protect the Paro Rinpung Dzong.
Paro Dzong’s full name is Ringpung Dzong, which means ‘heap of jewels - fort’. In 15th century, two brothers Gyelchok and Gyelzom, descendants of Phajo (the founder of Drukpa Kagyu in Bhutan), lived in the valley. Gyelchok left for Tibet to study theology and when he returned, moved to Humrelkha and built a small structure that would later become the Paro Dzong.
Dochula pass is located on the way to Punakha from Thimphu. The pass is a popular location among tourists as it offers a stunning 360 degree panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain range. The view is especially scenic on clear, winter days with snowcapped mountains forming a majestic backdrop to the tranquility of the 108 chortens gracing the mountain pass.
The Jambay Temple or Temple of Maitreya is located in Bumthang in Bhutan, and is said to be one of the 108 temples built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in 659 CE on a single day, to pin down an ogress to earth forever.
According to legend Terton Pema Lingpa had a vision of the sacred treasures that Guru Rimpoche had hidden within the lake centuries earlier. However, the people of Tang and the local ruler were cynical of his claims. In order to prove his claims, Pema Lingpa held a butter lamp in his hand as he jumped into the lake. After remaining under water for a long time he re-emerged holding a chest and a scroll of paper with the butter lamp held in his hand still burning bright. Thereafter, the lake came to be known as Mebartsho (the burning Lake).
Many many thanks for providing a fabulous "Indian" experience. Your patience over the trip planning was greatly appreciated. We have loved our "Introduction to Incredible India". Best wishes to you and your team and see you next time!
Perth, Western Australia
Thanks for creating this incredible India adventure for us. Everything was beyond our expectations. We (Mo & I) wish you all success & prosperity to you. Hope we will see you again one day! Thanks for taking me shopping for shoes! Best wishes from Shahjahan & Mumtaz
Perth, Western Australia
Thanks for your support, assistance & friendship during our wonderful visit to India. We appreciated your prompt response & patience to the many emails. The flowers on arrival (a very nice reception) and your attentiveness to our groups needs. Himmel, Pavez & Madan were all excellent during our long bus trip. Thanks so much. It has been great visiting your incredible country and you have made it so easy and fun for us. All the best to you and your family.
Perth, Western Australia
India is the most interesting country I've visited. Your professional and patient service ensured my full enjoyment of the sights, culture and delicious food your wonderful country has to offer. Thank you for your excellent service and a truly memorable experience. I will recommend you and your company to my family and friends.
Perth, Western Australia
Thank you so much for all your caring and tremendous effort & loving contributions in making this trip to India such a relaxed & enjoyable holiday. Your care & attention to detail in providing us a comfortable room was not an easy feat (esp with 3 people sharing a room) but you achieved this & surpassed our expectations in every hotel we stayed at. Your presentation of flowers on my birthday in Bombay was such a beautiful touch, just like the beautiful man that you are. You will always be highly recommended by Faye & myself & we will definitely come back again the third time, God willing. Thanks again Pravin + may God bless you + your business for many years to come.
Perth, Western Australia
Thank you for being such a thoughtful, considerate, patient and genuine person right from the start. Your attention to detail has made our trip to India very easy and an unforgettable experience. I have loved the food, the hospitality & the people, the culture, the sites, the artwork (especially Rajasthan) and of course, the shopping. I wish you and your family all the very best.
Perth, Western Australia
Thank you for all the time and effort you put into organising our India trip. I really appreciated the extra care and consideration you provided offer my fall in Shimla. I love the walking stick too! The journey through India, the palaces and forts and other sites were, especially the Taj Mahal, most memorable. The food, the people, the sights and sounds were a sensory delight. The drivers Virender and Kutcri were amazing and drove us safely through some scary road, specially in the north. Best wishes for your continued success.
Perth, Western Australia
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Perth, Western Australia
Thank you so much for your tremendous contribution in making this trip so very memorable for me. Your courtesy, professionalism, humour and service in ensuring that our requests were met along the journey will always be remembered. I will definitely contact you when I am next in Mumbai. I wish you all the best in Future.
Perth, Western Australia