On arrival, meet your private guide and driver who will stay with you for the rest of your trip. You will start in Thimphu. The drive is a 1-hour drive by road. Thimphu is a charming city, probably the smallest capital in the world, resting in the heart of the Himalayas. On the way, you will visit Tachog Lhakhang. The temple houses some unique statues. Tachogang meaning “temple of the hill of the excellent horse” was built in the 14th century by Thangtong Gyalpo after he had a vision of the spiritual horse Balaha-an emanation of Avalokiteshvara, while he was meditating. According to myth, he decided thereupon to build a temple at the current spot including one of his famous iron bridges. The original bridge was washed away by floods in 1969 and a traditional-style bridge with iron chains was restored in 2005.Thangtong Gyalpo was a great architect who built 108 iron bridges throughout Tibet and Bhutan. The temple is privately run by the descendants of Thangtong Gyalpo.

unique structure – the National Memorial Chorten, which shines with the white colour as well as the spires of gold, was constructed in 1974 to honour third Bhutan’s King, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck – the Father of Modern Bhutan and it is one of the main attractions in Thimphu, situated on Doeboom Lam in the southern-central part of the capital city. Unlike other stupas, the Memorial Chorten does not enshrine human being’s remains with the fact that only the Druk Gyalpo picture is adorned in the ground floor of the chorten. Due to the demand of Jigme Dorji, the Memorial Chorten was only built for representing the mind of the Buddha and after his death, the wish was fulfilled by her Queen mother Ashi Phuentsho Choden Wangchuck.

Buddha Dordenma is a gigantic Buddha statue in the East Himalayan mountains of Bhutan. This Buddha statue is one of the top tourist attractions in Thimphu and the enormous statues of Shakyamuni Buddha. It is perched in a hill in Kuenselphodrang Nature Park facing the entrance to Thimphu Valley. On entry to Thimphu, this statue greets every tourist. Shakyamuni Buddha statue lies in the remnants of the palace of Sherab Wangchuk, 13th Desi Druk of Bhutan. The construction was completed in 2015. Its large size baffles everyone. The statue sits at a height of 51.5 metres, and hence it is one of the gigantic statues of Buddha in the world.

This popular fortress-like temple perched on a ridge above central Thimphu regularly 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, next to Chenresig). Don’t leave without taking in the excellent view from the back kora (pilgrim path), with its lovely black and gold prayer wheels.

The crown jewel of Thimphu, Motithang Takin Preserve is a protected area where the national animal of Bhutan, Takin, is preserved. A half an hour walk here would unveil many exotic birds and animals to you, who wander around the area freely and in the most natural of habitat. Overflowing with serenity, the wildlife here is exquisite and should be seen once. Located in the Motithang district in Thimphu, the Royal Takin Preserve was originally a mini-zoo but later turned into a wildlife preserve. The king found it unfair to bind its national animals within definite boundaries and hence declared the area as a wildlife preserve, where the animals can roam around freely.

National Library was first established in 1967 with a small collection of precious texts and was initially housed within the central tower of Tashichodzong. Later it moved to a building in the Changgangkha area of Thimphu. The repository rooms of the archives now house many important documents including old records, old letters and around seven thousand important photographs. The archives also hold microfilms of many other important documents. Particularly rare and important books and manuscripts from the National Library collection are also kept in their secure and controlled facilities.

Folk Heritage Museum is located in Kawajangsa area and is 5 minute’s drive from the main town. The construction of this museum dates back to 2001 and it was built with purpose to provide people with knowledge on rich culture and heritage of Bhutan and exhibit the authentic Bhutanese rustic life. The museum has been creatively designated in a 3 storied old Bhutanese house. The typical Bhutanese architecture definitely awes the eye that sees it. The typical mud made exterior along with all the olden days’ households’ objects inside make this piece of illustration definitely a site to see. Currently the museum still operates as a platform that showcases the ways of the rural tradition and practices in order to educate the spectators the native conduct of Bhutan.

The institute plays an integral role in the preservation and promotion of the traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. Zorig Chusum translates to the thirteen arts and crafts. Many of these skills were pioneered by great Buddhist saints as their way of contribution towards the promotion of Buddhism. Any sacred Buddhist sites across the country and other architecture displays an art of calligraphy, painting, sculpting, masonry among others and travellers can discern the significant role it has played in the creation of a unique cultural heritage Bhutan is gifted with.

The RTA operates a state of art museum to display its collection of artefacts to further the understanding of Bhutan’s rich textile traditions and way of life. The Museum consist of two galleries: The upper gallery which has a permanent display of the various types of textile weaves in the country and the lower gallery that showcases temporary exhibitions on special themes. These temporary exhibitions usually run for nine months.

Tashichho Dzong means ‘fortress of the glorious religion’. It was built in 1641 and rebuilt into present structure by late king Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (Father of Modern Bhutan) in the year 1962-1969. It is located along the bank of Wangchu (Thim Chhu), is an architectural delight and houses the throne room, and the office of His Majesty the king and the ministries of home affairs and finance. It is also the summer residence of our central monastic body. This fortress was built without the use of any nails. By nightfall, the dzong is lit up in white and red lights, illuminating it an elegant glow.