DOSSIER: At Home Elsewhere in the Himalaya
BHUTAN - Including the newly opened Haa Valley.

8 Days.  Hotel and Guest Houses.
Flight:  Kathmandu-Paro-Kathmandu. 

Pre-tour Briefing:HE Office (Kathmandu Guest House) 3 pm on day prior to Day 1. Full attendance necessary for briefing with emphasis on passport, visa and flight ticket checks.

See ‘First 48’ Dossier for pre-trip services.

Bhutan: a landlocked kingdom situated at the eastern end of the Himalayas. The Bhutanese call their nation Druk Yul, which literally means ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’. A self-imposed exile from the outside world saw life here virtually unchanged until the early 60s, and recent developments, from limited air access, the internet, mobile phone connections, to democratic elections in 2008, have seen Bhutan rapidly modernise.

Wedged between the mighty powers of China and India, the Bhutanese have consciously maintained a firm grasp on many of their traditions as a way of guaranteeing and preserving their sovereignty and unique culture.

A multitude of factors has influenced the social fabric of Bhutan. Religious and cultural influences form a common thread, which can be seen running through the country’s government, its art, architecture, literature and music, and indeed the entire social make-up of the kingdom.

The population consists predominantly of three ethnic groups: the Ngalops of the western and central region, the Sharchogpas of the east, and the Lhotsampas, recent immigrants of Nepalese origin who settled mainly along the southern plain.

More than 80 percent of the population lead agrarian lives in villages, often in rough, remote terrain. They are, however, not above enjoying the lighter moments in life and are known to be a sporty lot. The Bhutanese zealously celebrate religious festivals and holidays with indigenous sports such as traditional archery, dego (discus), and khuru (shot put). These occasions are always large social gatherings which include feasting and drinking.

Religion is the other major value system that holds the Bhutanese people together. Tantric Mahayana Buddhism of the Drukpa Kagyu sect has survived unblemished here for centuries and continues to be the officially adopted religion of the state. It is a religion that is more about tolerance than fanaticism - the people of Bhutan are allowed to practise any faith of their choice.

Bhutan holds the unofficial title of ‘The Happiest Country’ in Asia, according to the quaintly titled survey, the ‘World Map of Happiness’.

Bhutanese art and craft, inevitably religious in character, exists in 13 forms that are together called the zorig chusum. These 13 forms include textile weaving, wood and slate carving, painting, blacksmithery, and pottery, all of which have elaborate techniques and traditions passed on through successive generations.

See Bhutan now! For this Buddhist nation is slowly-but-surely emerging to take its rightful place on a larger, modern world stage.

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY:
Day 1:  Fly Kathmandu to Paro
(2,280m) - Morning flight to the Bhutanese city of Paro, our entry point located in a beautiful valley, where a warm welcome awaits.   Jovial faces, prayer flags and the cool, fresh air of this high Himalayan city are immediately noticeable.  Orientation and free time follow. (D)

Day 2:  Paro:
The lovely valley in which Paro is nestled encapsulates a rich culture, scenic beauty and hundreds of myths and legends.  It is home to many of Bhutan’s oldest temples and monasteries and the National Museum.  Mt. Chomolhari (7,314m) dominates the northern end of the valley; its glacial waters plunging through deep gorges to form the Pa Chu (Paro river).  The Paro valley is one of the kingdom’s most fertile, producing the bulk of Bhutan’s famous red rice from its terraced fields.  (B,L,D)

Sightseeing will include:

Drukgyel Dzong
: Located 15km to the north. 
This dzong, with a picturesque village nestling below its ramparts, was built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders.  Though largely destroyed by fire in 1951, the towering outer walls and central keep remain imposing sights.  On a clear day, there is a splendid view of Mt. Chomolhari from the approach road.

Rinpung Dzong:  
The “fortress of the mountain of jewels“ was built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal on a hill above the township.  The approach to the Dzong is through a traditional covered bridge (called the Nemi Zam) and then up a paved stone path running alongside the imposing outer walls.  The Valley’s annual springtime religious festival, the Paro Tsechu, takes place in the courtyard of the dzong and on the dance ground on the hillside above.

Ta Dzong:
On a ridge immediately above Rinpung Dzong is Ta Dzong, built as a watchtower to protect the Dzong.  (“Ta” means “to see” in Dzongkha, so the watchtower of a dzong is always called a “Ta dzong”).   Because of their function, watchtowers are always round in shape.  In 1968, Paro’s Ta Dzong was inaugurated as the National Museum.  It now holds a fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings, an exquisite range of Bhutanese postage stamps, coins and handicrafts, together with a small natural history collection.

Farm Houses:
The natural beauty of the Paro valley is enhanced by picturesque farm houses dotted about the fields and on the hillsides.  The two- to three-storied Bhutanese farm houses are handsome in appearance, with colorfully decorated outer walls and lintels, and they are traditionally built without the use of a single nail.  Nearly all houses follow the same architectural style.  A visit to a farm house gives an interesting glimpse into the lifestyle of a farming family.