Dzi Travels

10/03/2020

The view from Dagana Dzong

09/03/2020

Dagana is a verdant region and over 80% of the district is under forest cover. Hardy trees like Champ, Augury, Chirpine and Sal grow throughout the region. Located below the major valleys of Thimphu and Wangdue Phodrang, Dagana stretches all the way down to the southern border of the kingdom.

The place gets its name from the historic Daga Trashiyangtse Dzong which was established in 1651 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the first man to unify Bhutan. This historic landmark still functions as the district administration centre today. The district is mainly inhabited by two major ethnic groups, the Ngalops and the Lhotshampas. Although, in recent years, people from other regions have migrated to the region. This has added to the cultural diversity of the region with the introduction of new festivals and traditions.

One of the more interesting features of Dagana are the three stone Megaliths, known as “Sky Pillar Rock” (Do Namkhai Kaw), “The Rock of Ancient Steps” (Do Kelpai Genthey) and “The Frontier Sky Fortress” (Tha Namkhai Dzong). Legend has it that when Daga Trashiyangtse Dzong was being constructed, the megalith known as the Frontier Sky Fortress emitted telepathic messages to the builders stating that the Dzong would collapse if it was built any higher than it currently stands. Even today the golden cupola of the Dzong is said to be level with the tip of the megalith.

Similar to all Dzongkhags, there are Buddhist temples and monasteries throughout the district. Two temples that elicit special mention are the Shathong Lhakhang, founded by the Buddhist Master Dupthob (Siddhi) Shawa Ripa and the Nyindukha Lhakhang founded in the 18th century. Shawa Ripa is an ancient Buddhist Master that is said to have lived for over 900 years. Agriculture is the main source of livelihood for the inhabitants of the Dzongkhag. Two of the main crops cultivated in the region are oranges and rice.

@ Dagana,bhutan

29/02/2020

Tashichhoe Dzong or the 'Fortress of the Glorious Religion', was built in 1641. The Dzong was later rebuilt by the Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in 1962. This Magnificent Monastery is located at the north side of the Thimphu city. It lies on the western bank of the Wangchu River giving the onlookers a spectacular panorama view of its sophisticated Bhutanese Architecture. Tashichhoe Dzong has been the seat of Bhutan's Government since 1968. It presently houses the Throne room and Offices of the King, the cabinet Secretariat and the Ministries of Home Affairs and Finance.. The main structure of the whitewashed building is two-storeys high with three-storey towers at each of the four corners topped by triple-tiered golden roofs. There is also a large central tower or utse. The monastery has two main entrances on the eastern side of the building. One of the entrances directs to the administrative section in the south and another entrance directs to the monastic quarter in the north which is the summer residence of the Dratshang (Central Monk Body) and to the courtyard where the dances of the annual festival (Tsechu) are performed. The northern assembly hall houses a large statue of Sakyamuni Buddha and the thrones of the current king, past kings and the Je Khenpo and display of mystical Mandalas. In the west side of the Dzong, there is a small tower of Ney Khang Lhakhang which houses a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha and protective deities.

TashiChhoe Dzong host the capital's annual festival (Tsechu) on the ninth month of the year bringing people around the country , visitors/tourists , guests to witness the mask dances (Cham)performed by the monastic body and other entertainments by the atsara's and RAPA(Royal Academy of Performing Arts). It is the time of the year where Bhutanese men and women dress up in their best attire to show off their beautiful cultural handicrafts and textile designs of their generations.

25/02/2020

Dochula pass is located on the way to Punakha from Thimphu. The pass is a popular location among tourists as it offers a stunning 360 degree panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain range. The view is especially scenic on clear, winter days with snowcapped mountains forming a majestic backdrop to the tranquility of the 108 chortens gracing the mountain pass.

Bhutanese families enjoy visiting the pass during holidays and weekends to picnic and simply enjoy the scenery. It is common to see families and groups of friends seated amongst the chortens, enjoying a packed lunch and hot tea. For tourists this is an ideal location to capture beautiful pictures of the Himalayan mountain range during clear, warm days.

@ Dochula Pass

25/02/2020

This is one of the most rejuvenating and picturesque hikes in the Thimphu region. It can be done as a loop starting from Dochula and finishing at Hongtsho village with Lungchutse gomba and Trashigang gomba visit. At Lungchutse one can enjoy 360° view of the Himalayan mountain range. You will start your hike from the large chorten in the middle of Dochula, the pass between Thimphu and Punakha at 3140 meters (10300 feet) above sea level. From here the trail slowly climbs a ridge through a forest of hemlock, birch and rhododendrons until reaching an open meadow. Again, you will enter into forest of moss-covered rhododendrons, gigantic hemlocks, junipers, and bamboo undergrowth. A small trail leads you the last 50 meters past a row of fluttering prayer flags up to Lungchutse temple.

On clear days, the views from the temple are fantastic! You will have a 360° view of the Himalayas including views of Jumolhari (7314 m), Masang Gang in the region of Laya (7158), Zongophu Gang – a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana (7060 m) and Gangkhar Puensum (7520 m), the highest peak in Bhutan and the highest unclimbed virgin peak in the world. You can also see Gasa Dzong, as a tiny white speck in a sea of green almost 50 kilometres to the north. A trail to the left just 150 meters below Lungchutse, leads to Trashigang village and temple. It slowly descends through spruce, rhododendron, hemlock and juniper forest. The village’s many dogs will warn the villagers about your arrival as you walk through the settlement down to the temple. It is nice to have lunch around the chorten in the temple’s courtyard while watching the monks in their daily endeavors. The trail leading down from the front of the temple zigzags quite steeply down the side of the mountain until reaching a farm road which takes you up to the main road. Trashigang Goemba was built in 1786 by the 12th Je Khenpo. It is an important mediation centre, and houses statues of several Je Khenpos who meditated here. @ Lungchu Tse

23/02/2020

Paro Rinpung Dzong

18/02/2020

18.2.2020

18/01/2020

18/01/2020

A raw footage from Chunzom

01/01/2020

Wishing you and your family all a prosperous year ahead

#2020

30/12/2019

Chokhortse

29/12/2019

On our final adventure of 2019

04/12/2019

Dechenphug Lhakhang

04/12/2019

Tashichhoe Dzong or the 'Fortress of the Glorious Religion', was built in 1641. The Dzong was later rebuilt by the Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in 1962. This Magnificent Monastery is located at the north side of the Thimphu city. It lies on the western bank of the Wangchu River giving the onlookers a spectacular panorama view of its sophisticated Bhutanese Architecture. Tashichhoe Dzong has been the seat of Bhutan's Government since 1968. It presently houses the Throne room and Offices of the King, the cabinet Secretariat and the Ministries of Home Affairs and Finance.. The main structure of the whitewashed building is two-storeys high with three-storey towers at each of the four corners topped by triple-tiered golden roofs. There is also a large central tower or utse. The monastery has two main entrances on the eastern side of the building. One of the entrances directs to the administrative section in the south and another entrance directs to the monastic quarter in the north which is the summer residence of the Dratshang (Central Monk Body) and to the courtyard where the dances of the annual festival (Tsechu) are performed. The northern assembly hall houses a large statue of Sakyamuni Buddha and the thrones of the current king, past kings and the Je Khenpo and display of mystical Mandalas. In the west side of the Dzong, there is a small tower of Ney Khang Lhakhang which houses a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha and protective deities.

TashiChhoe Dzong host the capital's annual festival (Tsechu) on the ninth month of the year bringing people around the country , visitors/tourists , guests to witness the mask dances (Cham)performed by the monastic body and other entertainments by the atsara's and RAPA(Royal Academy of Performing Arts). It is the time of the year where Bhutanese men and women dress up in their best attire to show off their beautiful cultural handicrafts and textile designs of their generations.
@ Tashichho Dzong (Thimphu Dzong)

30/11/2019

Night in Thimphu Valley @ Thimphu, Bhutan

27/11/2019

Changangkha Lhakhang is one of the oldest fortress like temple built in the 12th century by Lama Phajo Drugom Shigpo's son Nyima. The Temple perched on a ridge above Thimphu city, is home to one of the most important deity Tamdrin, and is regularly flocked by pilgrims to get his blessings.

The central Statue in the temple is Chenrizig(Avalokiteshvara) in a manifestation with eleven heads.

One can get an alluring view of the Thimphu city from the temple site.

@ Changangkha

23/11/2019

Dechenphug Neythang, located at the extreme north of Thimphu Valley at around 40 minutes drive from the main town. it sits on a gentle slope at the base of the mountain.
Especially during the auspicious day, one can see the huge crowd gathered at the neykhang. During other days visitors goes there for a purpose; to get the name of the newborn baby, student, of course, to get the blessing from the deity for their examination, and other people to seek help from the deity. @ Dechenphug Lhakhang

19/11/2019

Our trip to Phajoding

Phajoding is a three hours hike from the upper Thimphu. Phajoding was founded in the 13th century by Phajo Drugom Shigpo and the monastery was built in the 15th century by Gyelwa Shakya Rinchen, the 9th Je Khenpo (or Spiritual Leader) of the country.

Phajoding Monastery is considered to be one of the oldest and most decorated monasteries in the country, and is a major meditation site for pilgrims and practitioners of the Buddhist faith. The place is frequently visited by the tourists, pilgrims and monks. One can observe the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets and the exquisite mountain terrains.

Phajoding is a gateway to hidden alpine lakes, Rhododendron fields, shrubs, mountain passes and the sacred lakes. Most of the visitors camp the Phajoding site for a night or two to hike up to the scared lakes to get blessed. The whirling of the prayer flags, few of the stone stupas and the scenery is incredible and the hike up to the top of the mountain is worthy.

19/11/2019

“Mountains are the beginning and the end of all natural scenery”
「山は全自然の風景の始まりと終わりである」
~John Ruskin

19/11/2019

Paro Rinpung Dzong
Upon entering the Paro valley, one can spot the eye catching Rinpung Dzong standing strong at the side of the Paro River. The Rinpung Dzong meaning "Fortress on a Heap of Jewels" is an administrative office which includes the legislative, executive, judicial and religious centre for the people of Paro. It was built in 1644 AD by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It was an important administrative centre and the seat of many feudal lords and penlops.
The stunning view of the Dzong highlights the Paro valley. The entrance to the Dzong is through a walk over a stone inlaid path after crossing a traditional bridge called Nemi Zam.
The Dzong during spring season, attracts many international visitors and people around the country to a convivial atmosphere of a Paro Tsechu which are held each year from the 11th to 15th day of the 2nd month of the lunar calendar.

19/11/2019

Taktshang Monastery, popularly known as the Tiger's Nest, is incredibly perched on the side of a 900m misty cliff above Paro valley. The monastery is the Bhutan's most revered temple visited by the pilgrims from all over the world. The monastery renders nicety of it's beautiful facade and the melancholy sound of the prayer wheels and waterfall through the way to the monastery.

This holy site was visited by Guru Rinpochhe flying on the back of a tigress in the 8th century. Guru Rinpochhe then meditated and transformed into Guru Dorji Drolo(Phannu Lengsi), one of the eight menifestations of Guru Rinpochhe. It is said that Guru Rinpochhe has hidden many treasures at this holy site for the benefit of future generations. Many enlightened practitioners consider this place as the abode of Guru Rinpochhe.

Today this sacred place is regarded as a must-not-miss, so all the visitors from overseas and in country feel the strong blessing of Guru Rinpochhe. A three hours hike to the monastery makes a splendid half day expedition.

19/11/2019

The heavenly Paro Taktsang
Taktshang Monastery, popularly known as the Tiger's Nest, is incredibly perched on the side of a 900m misty cliff above Paro valley. The monastery is the Bhutan's most revered temple visited by the pilgrims from all over the world. The monastery renders nicety of it's beautiful facade and the melancholy sound of the prayer wheels and waterfall through the way to the monastery.

This holy site was visited by Guru Rinpochhe flying on the back of a tigress in the 8th century. Guru Rinpochhe then meditated and transformed into Guru Dorji Drolo(Phannu Lengsi), one of the eight menifestations of Guru Rinpochhe. It is said that Guru Rinpochhe has hidden many treasures at this holy site for the benefit of future generations. Many enlightened practitioners consider this place as the abode of Guru Rinpochhe.

Today this sacred place is regarded as a must-not-miss, so all the visitors from overseas and in country feel the strong blessing of Guru Rinpochhe. A three hours hike to the monastery makes a splendid half day expedition.

09/11/2019

Visit Bhutan, it's just one message away to book with us.

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