Today, you'll spend the morning in Thimphu and transfer back to Paro in the afternoon. We begin the day by visiting auspicious and the national treasure, Changangkha Lhakhang built in the 13th century by the Tibetan Scholar Lama Drugom Zhigpo who played an important role in the early spread of the Drukpa school of Tibetan Buddhism to Bhutan. His son, Nyima, extended and built many of the statues inside the temple which are invaluable national treasures of Bhutan. Apart from the magnificent statues and other holy scriptures, the temple also has Bum Gye Dring Due Sum (sixteen volumes of Astasahasrika Prajnaparamita) which is the original copy handwritten by Nyima himself.Next, we visit the Bhutan Postal Museum especially if you are interested in philatelic products and stamp collection. You may also want to print stamps with your own photos. Postal service in Bhutan was launched only in 1962 until which time communications and delivery of mails were done by messengers on foot (building of roads started from 1961). The museum was established in 2015. A bank is also located in the same complex so you can exchange your money into local currency Ngultrum (Nu.) if you want to.We then go to visit the National Institute for Zorig Chuzum where the 13 Bhutanese arts and crafts are taught. The thirteen arts and crafts are categorized as Shing Zo (woodwork), Dho Zo (stonework), Par Zo (carving), Lha Zo (painting), Jim Zo (sculpting), Lug Zo (casting), Shag Zo (woodturning), Gar Zo (blacksmith), Troe Zo (ornament making), Tsa Zo (bamboo work), De Zo (paper making), Tsem Zo (tailoring, embroidery and applique) and Thag Zo (weaving).A traditional lunch will be served at the Folk Heritage Restaurant or at a similar one. After lunch, pass by Changlimithang Archery Range to witness the game of archery if the match is in progress. You'll see archers dancing and singing each time they hit the target from a whopping distance of 145m. Archery is the national sport of Bhutan.From there we drive back to Paro for overnight. Distance between Thimphu and Paro is 55km and takes 1.5 hours.Arriving is Paro visit one of the oldest temples in Bhutan Kyichu Lhakhang. It is believed to have been built in 659 A.D. by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo to subdue the spirit of a giant demoness causing harm to the propagation of Buddhism in the Himalayan region.Dinner and overnight at Khangkhu Resort or Bhutan Mandala Resort
4 Comments
4.6
Our family loved immersing ourselves in the local culture while hiking to the breathtaking Tiger’s Nest monastery; the views were simply awe-inspiring. We were pleasantly surprised by our comfortable accommodations, which offered a cozy retreat after a day of exploration. The only downside was that some of the cultural sites felt a bit rushed, but overall, the experience was enriching and well worth it.
4.6
We had an unforgettable time hiking to Tiger’s Nest and soaking in the local culture during our stay in Paro. While the accommodations were comfortable and charming, we did wish for a bit more variety in meals, but the stunning monasteries we explored more than made up for it.
4.6
Exploring the monasteries and savoring local cuisine made our time in Paro unforgettable, especially the spicy ema datshi that we all fell in love with. The hike to the Tiger’s Nest was a highlight, providing breathtaking views and a sense of accomplishment that the whole family cherished. While the itinerary was packed, we sometimes felt rushed between activities, but the overall experience of immersing ourselves in Bhutanese culture made it all worthwhile.
5
Bhutan’s rich culture and breathtaking landscapes truly made my solo adventure memorable. The hike to the Tiger’s Nest was a highlight, though I wish the trails had been better marked for clarity. Staying in a local guesthouse allowed me to connect with the friendly community, and the serene monasteries I explored were just the cherry on top of this beautiful experience.