Thimphu Festival

Day 1 : 7th October 2019 - PARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - THIMPHU (L/D)

Upon arrival at the Paro International airport, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel in Thimphu.

Before proceeding to Thimphu, visit Ta-Dzong (built in1656 and renovated in 1968), an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. Below the museum is the Rinpung Dzong (literally meaning “Heap of Jewels”), the center of civil and religious authority in this valley, built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

After lunch drive along the winding road by the Paro Chu (Chu means water or river) downstream to the confluence with the Wang Chu, then turn upstream along the Wang Chu to Thimphu, Bhutan’s scenically located capital city.

Welcome dinner and overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.

Day 2 : 8th October 2019 - THIMPHU (B/L/D)

After breakfast drive to Dodeyna to climb through a beautiful forest track to the Tango Monastery which overlooks a forested valley and other Buddhist retreats high in the mountains.

After lunch visit the National Memorial Chorten built in honour of Bhutan’s late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck and drive uphill to the Kuensel Phodrang to see a large statue of Buddha.

In the afternoon, you will also get an opportunity to visit National Institute of Traditional Medicines, National Institute of Zorig Chusum (School of 13 arts & crafts), Royal Textiles Academy and local handmade paper house.

In the evening, explore Thimphu town.
Dinner and overnight at your hotel  in Thimphu.

Day 3-4 :  9-10th October 2019 - THIMPHU TSHECHU FESTIVAL (B/L/D)

Drive to Tashicho Dzong to watch Thimphu Tshechu where you can see many different mask dances performed by monks and Royal Academy for Performing Arts(RAPA), you can also see the colourful Bhutanese textiles worn by the people. 

Dinner and overnight at your hotel  in Thimphu.

Day 5 :  11th October 2019 - THIMPHU – PUNAKHA (B/L/D)

Drive to Punakha via the Dochula Pass (3,150 m). On the way stop to see the spectacular array of chortens, to enjoy the superb view over the snow capped Himalayan Mountains Range(Jigme Singye Wangchuk Mountain Range) from Druk Wangyel Temple and also we can see the view of Gasa Dzong at a distance if the weather is clear.

After lunch walk about 25 minutes along the beautiful terraced farmlands and farm houses to visit Chimi Lhakhang, which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley's cousin Lam Ngawang Chogyel in  1499. He subdued the  evil sprite of Dochola, Helela and Sinchula put underneath the hill where the temple is built. The Temple is also known as “the Temple of Fertility”.

Then visit Punakha Dzong, the impressive Punakha Dzong lies between two great rivers, Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). This Dzong serves as the winter residence for the Je Khenpo, Chief Abbot of the Central Monastic Body and also the office of the district administration.

Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Punakha.

Day 6 : 12th October 2019 - PUNAKHA

After an early breakfast, drive about 7 km from Punakha and cross the suspension bridge over the Mochu River before walking approximately 30-45 minutes to the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten (Stupa) which is perched on a strategic ridge overlooking the nearby villages of Kabisa and Yebesa. It was built under the sponsorship of Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Yangden Wangchuck to remove evil forces and promote peace, stability and harmony throughout the world. As the first of its kind in the world to have been constructed, the details and the architectural designs were drawn from scriptures as visualized by Dudjom Lingpa.

Way back we can either drive or walk back along the Mo Chu River, where we can see a lot of water birds.

Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Punakha.

Day 7 : 13th October 2019 - Drive to Paro

After break-fast drive to Paro, stop at Thimphu for lunch

Day 8 : 14t  October 2019 Paro

After breakfast visit Drugyal Dzong (a ruined fortress), 16 km away from Paro. Although it is now in ruins, this dzong has great historical importance for the people of Bhutan. It was a place where the Bhutanese finally defeated the Tibetan invasion. On a clear day one can view sacred Mt. Jomolhari (Mountain of Goddess).

We will then drive you to Ramthangka from where the trail to Takshang(Tigress Nest) starts, it is a breathtaking and memorable hike through beautiful pine forest. You will stop for light refreshments at the Taktsang cafeteria before walking on to the famous, Taktsang monastery. The primary Lhakhang or main temple was built around Guru Rimpoche’s meditation cave in 1684 by the 4th Druk Desi Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay. This incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 m into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in 747 AD, flew here on the back of a flying tiger, Tigress from Kurtoe Singye Dzong in the east.

In the afternoon, you will have an opportunity to explore the beautiful town of Paro.

Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Paro.

Day 9 : 15th October 2019 - PARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 

In morning drive to Paro International Airport where your guide will accompany you to bid you farewell.