Page 6 - Bhutan: Hidden Kingdom of the Himalayas

Experience

the serene beauty of Bhutan …

Paro Thimphu Tiger’s Nest Monastery
Snug on the floor of one of Bhutan’s widest Bhutan’s charming capital is a true mix Hugging the side of a cliff 3,000 feet above
valleys and outlined by crystalline rivers, of the old and new. Buddhist novices in the Paro Valley, Taktsang Monastery—also
Paro feels like the heart of Bhutanese vivid red robes stroll past espresso bars in known as the Tiger’s Nest—was first built
countryside. Symbols of devotion are Thimphu, and travelers with cell phones in 1692 around a cave where Guru Rinpoche
everywhere in Paro, including a giant prayer snap pictures of prayer flags fluttering in the is said to have materialized some 1,300
wheel in the city center and 155 temples and breeze. A white-gloved officer in an elegant years ago on the back of a flying tigress.
monasteries dating back some 700 years. pavilion directs traffic, and most who live After finding shelter in a series of caves
Filled with such beauty, Bhutan’s royal and work here still favor traditional dress, here, he then meditated for more than
family maintains a century-old palace here or modernized clothing featuring Bhutanese three years before setting out to convert the
just to have a place to stay when passing elements. One out of every seven people in Bhutanese to Buddhism. This is considered
through. Our discoveries in Paro include the entire kingdom resides in Thimphu—and Bhutan’s holiest site, and we’ll have the
a visit to a remote cliff-side nunnery and we’ll get to know some of them when our rare opportunity to make the climb to
the opportunity to experience a traditional small group meets with a local Bhutanese witness the spiritual splendor of Tiger’s Nest
Bhutanese hot stone bath. family for a Home-Hosted Dinner. Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Paro Valley, Bhutan
Bhutan: Hidden Kingdom of the Himalayas

6