Excursions

Apart from visiting various places in main tourists towns, there are fascinating excursions offering good insight into Bhutanese culture which remained intact over the centuries.

TANGO GOEMBA (THIMPHU)
This Goemba was founded by Lama Gyalwa Lhanampa in the 12th century and the present building was built in 15" century by'Divine Madman'. Lama Drukpa Kunley. In 1616 Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal visited Tango and meditated in a cave near the Goemba. The picturesque three storey tower and several surrounding buildings were built in 18th century by eight Desi, Druk Rabgye. The trek trail to Tango goemba takes about and hour to climb up.

CHARI GOEMBA (THIMPHU)
This Goemba was built by Shabdrung Ngwang Ndamgyal in 1620. A silver chorten inside the goemba holds the ashes of Shabdrung's father. This trek trail starts by crossing a lovely br9idge that spans the Thimphu Chhu, then climbs steeply to the monastery.

PHAJODING MONASTERY (THIMPHU)
It is situated on a commanding height overlooking Thimphu valley. At one time it used to be one of the richest monasteries in the country. Here Guru Padmasambhava is shown in his terrijfying appearance holding sword in his right hand and a bowl made of a skull in left hand. The yogic path that turns from India to the mountains of Tibet and Bhutan is set here in symbols with utmosjt consistency. From Thimphu it is about 4 hours hike to the monastery.

KILA GOEMBA (PARO)
This Goemba is nestled in acraggy jpatch on the mountain side below the Chele la pass, and surrounded by numerous huts, perched precariously along the rock face. Kila Goemba is serene home for 32 anims (buddhisjt nuns) who lead an undisturbed life of religious studies, prayer and mejditation.

The Anim Dratshang is one of the oldest of seven nuneries in the Kingdom alongwith the Bchung Karmo Nunnery in Punakha. It was inijtially established in the early ninth century by Dupthob Chhoeje Norbu and Dupthob Temba as a mejditation site. After being destroyed by fire, the lhakhang was reconstructed by the 25th Je Khenpo, Sherab Gyeltshen. In 1986, Kila Goemba was offijcially established by the Government as an Anim Dratshang. This Goemba is historically significant as a sacred meditation site for renowned saints including Dupthob Chilkarwa, a student of Pelden Drukpa of Kagyupa sect.

JILI DZONG(PARO)
Towards the dawning of 20th century, Bhutan's elected head of the Government known as Debraja weakened and there were clashes among regional Governers. This strife was ended by 'The Black Regent' father of first King, popularly seen in his black Gho. He infact conceived the idea of hereditary monarchy in Bhutan. In order to get rid of medieval civil wars, the Black Regent traveled all over the country and led his army at the southern border when troops from British India threatened Bhutan. The Black Regent had a glorious victory and the battle head gear, he wore there become, The Raven Crown, a crown used by the King of Bhutan. During such time people travelled one corner of Bhutan. During such time people travelled one corner of Bhutan to another on foot and on horses and there were several famous night halt places. One such place was Jeli Dzong. In medieval times, the caretaker of Jeli Dzong use to give shelter and food, both to horses the riders.

The trek to Jeli Dzong is five hour gradual uphill through the village of Jeshigang. Most of the walk is through mixed coniferous forests and often you will see white langurs, Himalayan musk deer and Monal Pheasant. The camp site is wide grassy round of about 200sq.m. It is advisable to arrive here before sun set for a magnificent view of sun setting over the mountain peaks.

TAKTSHANG MONASTERY (PARO)
It is most famous of Bhutan's monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900 m above the Paro valley floor. It is said the Guru Rimpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is also called 'Tiger's Nest'. This site has been recognised as a most sacred place and visited by Shabdrung Ngwang Namgyal in 1646 and now visited by all Bhutanese atleast once in their lifetime. On 19 April' 1998, a fire severely damaged the main structure of building and other religious contents. Although at present restoration work of the monastery is in progress but still the excursion upto cafeteria, situated opposite to monastery is possible which takes about 5 hours.

Limbukha (PUNAKHA)
Drive to Punakha Dzong which can be vijsited from the month of April to November when the Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot resides for the summer in Thimphu. Walkacross the suspension bridge ( about 200m long) through absolutely fresh breeze and fascinating view of Dzong. Follow the farm houses gradually climbing towards Dompala hills. The view of Dzong, Pho Chhu, Mo Chhur rivers and the surrounding village is superb amidst chirpine forests. The climb is another two and a half hours to Limbukha.

Limbukha farmers grow Bhutn's famous red rice which is suppose to have medicinal values. This particular rice needs clean mountain spring so that the taste is good and nutrional value maintained Limbukha is also known for its love of peace and tranquility. Legends says that during medeival wars the A"Limpus" or the people of Limbukha always volunteered as peace negotiators. This is also depicted during yearly festival called "Serda" when the men are found carryingj peace flags instead of swords and fireworks.

TALO (PUNAKHA)
The village of Talo (altitude 2,800 m) which is scattred along the hill slopes, known for its cleanliness and hygiene among Punakha villages. Talo Sangnacholing is built on a jplateau and has majestic view of surrounding villages. The beautiful farm houses of the village have its own flower gardens and on the hill slope corns and sweet peas are grown in abundance. The people of Talo produce maximum corn, which is harvested in the month of July and August. The women here are particularly known for their beauty and often the matter of village jokes - that women of Talo will go to hell because they always break the celibacy of monks.

KUENGA RABTEN (TONGSA) It is about 23 km, one hour interesting drive from Tongsa. Kuenga Rabten was the winter palace of the second King and now looked after by Sepcial Commission for Cultural Affairs. It is pleasant afternoon trip from Tongsa and offers good insight into early days of Bhutan's monarchy.

THANGBI GOEMBA (BUMTHANG)
A walk of one and a half hour north of Kurje Lhakhang leads to this monastery, founded in 1470 by Shamar Rimpoche of Karma religious school, in the middle of a wide fertile plateau overlooking the river. The temple has two sanctuaries and a temple of terrijfying deities. The sanctuary on the ground floor contains statues of the past, present and future Buddha and three clay status probably dating end of the 15th century. On the upper floor, the vestibule contains two remarkable paintings of Guru Rimpoche's heaven.

NGANG LHAKHANG (BUMTHANG) A few hours walk from the Thankabi goemba is the small region of Ngang Yul (Swan Land) and this Lhakhang is 100m above the valley floor. The site was visited by Guru Rimpoche and present temple was built in 15th century by Lama Namkha Samdup, a contemporary of Pema Lingpa. A three day festival, the Ngangbu Tshechu, is held here each December with masked dances in honour of founder of Goemba.

THE URA VALLEY (BUMTHANG) Jakar to Ura is 48 km, about one and a half hours drive. To reach here, the road climbs to amazingly open countryside, only occasionally running into forest. Large sheep pastures line the road upto 20 km beyond the southern tip of the Tang valley. Enroute cross Ura la pass (3,600 m) with a magnificent view of Mount. Gangkar Puensum. Villages in Ura chracter-stically have very closely clustered houses which is quite unusual in Bhutan. Above Ura village (3,100m), a new Lhakhang dedicated to Guru Rimpoche inaugurated in 1986 which contains remarkable paintings of the cycle of his teachings. Since last 25 years Ura has transformed from a marginal community to a prosperous valley.