Divine Mad Monk and Temple of Fertility of Bhutan

Arrive at Paro international Airport. By the time you finish your immigration formalities, it will be late in the evening. Representatives from the company will meet you at the airport, after which you will drive for about an hour to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital city. 

On the way to Thimphu, 

• Visit the famous iron bridge which connects to Tagchogang Temple. The iron chain bridge dates back to the 15th century and was constructed by iron builder Drupthop Thangthong Gyalpo. 

In the evening, visit Tashichho Dzong, the main secretariat building. This massive structure houses part of the government Ministries, the office of the King and the Throne Room. It also houses the State Monastic Body and the living quarters of the Chief Abbot and the senior monks. 

Overnight halt at Thimphu

• After breakfast, visit Simply Bhutan, a living museum and studio showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Bhutanese people. Play archery and watch the live painting by the in-house residence painter. 
• Then visit the Textile Museum for deep insight into one of Bhutan’s most distinctive art forms.
• Visit to the Institute of Zorig Chusum or Arts & Crafts School where the the techniques of traditional thangkha paintings, calligraphy, embroidery, wood carving, sculpture etc are taught. 
• Then drive to Kuenselphodrang, to see the largest statue of Buddha in the country.
• Takin Preserve Center – It’s a wildlife reserve area for the takin, Bhutan’s national animal and you can also find barking deer living peacefully with the Takin. The Motithang Takin Preserve in Bhutan, provide a safe habitat where the animals.
• Visit the Postal Museum in Bhutan, located in the capital city of Thimphu, which showcases the rich history and development of the Bhutanese postal system. You can also get personalised own stamps as souvenirs or can send postcards with your own customed stamps. 
• Conclude the day with visit of Trashichhoedzong, a beautiful medieval fortress/monastery.

Overnight halt at Thimphu

After breakfast, we will move to Punakha. After 45 minutes, we will reach Dochula (Pass) at 3000 meters, which offers one the first glimpse of the snow-capped eastern Himalayan Mountains ranging from 6000 to 7000 meters. Dochula is a flora and fauna haunt. Its beauty is magnified by the 108 stupas build around a mound and the Druk Wangyel Temple, built for Bhutan’s Fourth King, Jigmi Singye Wangchuck.

From then, the route traverses through changing landscapes as we near the valleys of Punakha and WangduePhodrang. We near “The Fertility Temple” and walk for a few minutes to the temple, Chimi Lhakhang.

We will be camping near the 15th century temple and see how people receive blessings from the Phallus, praying for children. We will see the shrine dedicated to Drupka Kinley, with several wooden penises used to bless people who visit the monastery on pilgrimage seeking blessings to bear a child or for welfare of their children.

In the evening, the caretaker will tell us the complete story of Chhimi Lhakhang and how it has become the “Temple of Fertility.”

Halt at farmhouse.

We will then move to Punakha, formerly Bhutan’s capital. Punakha Dzong (Fortress) is one of the most significant dzongs in the country. Looking like a giant ship on a mass of still water, the 1637 structure is also an architectural wonder, built at the confluence of two rivers, the Pho (male) and Mo (female) chhus (rivers).

We will visit the Fortress after checking into our hotel and lunch. The Dzong contains some of the most sacred religious relics of the country.

After visiting the Dzong, we will drive for a short while to Khamsumyulley Chorten. In the evening, we will take a short stroll of Punakha town.

Halt at hotel.

Start your journey towards Paro. At Paro visit:

• National Museum, housed in the Ta Dzong (watchtower). Here an intriguing collection of artifacts provide a wonderful introduction to the rich culture and heritage of the Kingdom.
• Paro Dzong, a fine example of Bhutanese historic architecture. From the Dzong, walk further down to Nyamai Zampa, a traditional cantilever bridge.

Stroll in the town and do the last minute shopping.

A visit to Bhutan without seeing Taktshang Monastery (The Tiger’s Lair) is incomplete. One of Bhutan’s most revered religious sites and a pilgrim’s dream, Taktshang embodies the religious and architectural wonder of Bhutan.

We begin the trek to the monastery along an old trail, with prayer wheels driven by water and flags adorning the route. It will take us about 5 hours to go up and return.

The moment you see Taktshang, you will be shell shocked, for the monastery stands perched on a cliff about 3000 meters from the ground, overlooking the valley. How the spectacular monastery was built is a myth.

Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava came riding in a wrathful form, on a tigress to subdue evil forces that were obstructing the spread of Buddhism. Meditating in a rock temple nearby, he achieved his objective. Later, several Buddhist Masters, including the Guru’s consort, Yeshi Tshogay meditated at the site.

Lunch will be served on our way back.

En-route to the hotel, we will visit the ruins of Drugyal Dzong (Fortress of the Victorious Drukpa), which was built to commemorate the victory of Bhutanese forces over the invading Tibetans.

During dinner at the hotel, we will arrange for experts on Buddhism and Fertility to speak with you.

Our representative will escort you all the way to Paro airport for your journey out of Bhutan.