BHUTAN ARCHITECTURAL TOUR

Tour in Brief

Duration: 10 days/9 nights
Entry & exit: Paro, Bhutan
Seasons: throughout year
Places of visit: Paro, Thimphu (the capital), Punakha, Wangdue, Trongsa & Bumthang.

Tour Description

Apart from the landscape, the first thing noticeable about Bhutan are its unique houses, fortresses and monasteries; all built with an architectural module that evolved in the 16th century. Today, whether in a village or about town, structures, built of wood and stone masonry without a blueprint as such, will grab eyeballs. From stunning palaces, fortresses and monasteries to urban buildings and village homes, architecture gives Bhutan a unique identity.

Attractions

• Visit dzongs – or palace/fortresses – and discover their protective features – Paro Dzong which dominates the beautiful Paro valley, Punakha Dzong, the capital of old, and the massive Trongsa Dzong, built without using a single nail.
• Discover the art of building Buddhist stupas by visiting some of its best specimens – Memorial Stupa in Thimphu, Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Stupa in Punakha, and Chendebji in central Bhutan.

• See the features of traditional watchtowers by visiting the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong in Paro, Paro Taa Dzong, Trongsa Tower of Kings, architectural ruins at Drapham Dzong in Bumthang, and the ongoing reconstruction of Wangdue Dzong.
• Step into monasteries to see religious architecture. Hike up to Chimi Lhakhang or the Temple of Fertility, and visit Dungtse Lhakhang in Paro and Tachog Lhakhang built by a master Buddhist craftsman in the 14th century.
• Take a stroll in a village or two and see how houses are built and used for various purposes.

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