Glance at Bhutan Textiles
In Bhutan, textiles are considered to be one of the highest form of art and spiritual expression. The knowledge and skills required to create these textiles have been passed down through generations. Just by using the simple backstrap loom, local people have crafted one of the most advanced and sophisticated weaving cultures in the history of civilization. This tour provides opportunity to explore and experience various kind of textile weaving and dying.
Brief Description of Cities covered in this tour:
Thimphu: Capital and the largest city of Bhutan - Only capital city in the world that does not have traffic lights - Main center of Commerce, Religion and Government in the country - Most modern city of Bhutan and has abundance of restaurants, internet cafes, nightclubs and shopping center. It is one of the few cities of Bhutan having ATM facilities.
Paro: Small town in the western part of Bhutan - Also home to Paro Airport, Bhutan’s only International Airport - The valley has many isolated small villages and is known for red rice - Also home to most of Bhutan’s oldest temples and monasteries.
- Visit old Monasteries and majestic fortresses including Tashichhodzong
- First-hand experience of the Bhutanese Textiles
- Interaction with the local weavers
- Untouched Nature and Buddhist Culture
- Hike through pine forests to visit “Tiger’s Nest”
- Village houses and rural life.
Day 1. Paro - Thimphu:
Driving Distance: 65 Kms, Driving time: 1.50 hrs – 2 hrs., Altitude of Thimphu: 2,350 m
Your flight to Paro on a clear day, is marked with the panoramic views of the Himalayas including the Everest and other famous Peaks. The approach through the foothills and the landing (including few steep turns) at the tiny airstrip of Paro has been termed as adventurous by many travelers. After the completion of immigration formalities at the Paro Airport exit door, you will be received by your Bhutanese guide with traditional “Tashi Khadar”, a white scarf symbolic of good luck and fortune. Afterwards drive to Thimphu following the Pa Chhu River. Check-In to the hotel and have your first experience with Bhutanese Cuisine.
In the evening, explore the Thimphu town and the craft bazar looking for local textiles, handicrafts and clothes. Before dinner interact with a local weaver or Fashion designer (as may be available) and learn about Bhutanese textiles and fashion.
Meals – Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Thimphu.
Day 2. Thimphu Sightseeing:
Today you would be driven in and around Thimphu to cover the following:
- Royal textile Academy which is Bhutan’s first institution that educates the Bhutanese youth about the conservation, preservation, training, study and exhibition of the country’s textiles. The Academy also provides in bringing about a National Centre for weaving and educating young students in textiles, fabric designs and museum studies. It also serves as a center for tourists, introducing the nation’s masterpiece to its visitors, while expanding the nation’s resource for cultural tourism.
- Textile Museum was established in the year 2001 and has a good collection of exclusive and antique Bhutanese textile artifacts. The museum was set up with an objective to promote encourage weavers to continue the weaving of traditional Bhutanese textile, Promote Bhutan in the field of textile art and to preserve and promote the history and tradition of Bhutan. (Closed on weekends and Govt. Holidays)
- Institute for Zorig Chusom where Students are taught the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan in this institute. One of the 13 Arts is Tshem Zo which is the art of working with needles, threads and other necessary items to make clothes, boots, thangkas, and other items used for decorations and other household needs. (Only on working days and when the institute is not on breaks. This institute is closed on weekends, Govt. Holidays and institute vacations).
In the afternoon post lunch, you would visit
- Weaving center in Thimphu where you learn and explore the weaving in Bhutan.
- Kuensel Phodrang, the gigantic Buddha Dordenma Statue located atop a hill in Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park.
- National Memorial Chhorten, a Stupa built in 1974 to honor the third Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Every morning till night old people and young people circumambulate the Chhorten.
- Tashichhodzong, or ‘the fortress of the glorious religion’. Initially erected in 1641 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was rebuilt in the 1960s during the reign of Bhutan’s third king in the traditional style, without plans or nails. It houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body and opens after 5 PM.
After the completion of sightseeing, you are driven back to your hotel.
In the evening, a traditional Cultural Show would be organized before the dinner. This will also give you a good idea about different clothes, textiles and culture in the country. After relaxing for sometime you are served with dinner.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Thimphu.
Day 3. Thimphu - Paro:
Driving Distance: 65 Kms, Driving time: 1.50 hrs – 2 hrs., Altitude of Paro: 2,280 m
After breakfast and completion of Check Out formalities you are driven to Paro, for your second leg of the tour. Today you would hike
- Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's nest), the abode of gods and monks situated at an altitude of 3100m on the Upper Paro Valley, Bhutan. As per the legend, Guru Padmasambhana (Guru Rinpoche), the tantrum mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, came in the form of Dorje Droloe riding a flying tigress to subdue the demon that was obstructing the spread of Buddhism in the Himalayas.
After the completion of the hike, you would be served picnic Lunch among the woods. After lunch, visit
- Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan built in the 7th century by the Tibetan Emperor Songtsen Gampo.
You would then drive to village house to witness the traditional rural life in a Bhutanese village. Also you have an option of experiencing a Traditional Hot Stone bath in the village house. You can also choose to have your dinner in the house with the Family (needed to be confirmed at the time of confirmation of the Tour) or be driven back to your hotel.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Paro.
Day 4. Paro Sightseeing:
After breakfast, visit a local shop and try the Bhutanese traditional Dress (Gho for males and Kira for females). Trying this traditional dress could give you a good experience in regards to Bhutanese way of dressing. Then visit another shop where you can meet weavers and see how they weave. Afternoon and evening at leisure.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Paro.
Day 5. Departure:
Today we will bid farewell to this beautiful country and take an early flight back. We hope by now you must have made some good friends and also have taken photographs and beautiful memories of Bhutan. We certainly hope of serving you again on your next visit to this great country or the Last Shangri-La. Tashi Delek.