Black-Necked Crane Festival

Day 01: Paro

Paro is a beautiful valley located in Western Bhutan with an area of 2800 Sq. Kms. Breathtaking Lhakhang and monasteries are perched on mountain hills. Two sacred rivers with its respective source at Jhomolhari and Chumo Phug mountains, makes their way through Paro valley enhancing its beauty and grandeur.

The Places you can visit are:

• Rinpung Dzong (Fortress of the heap of jewels): was built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1644AD. It is the administrative seat of Paro District. The annual Paro festival is held here.

• Ta Dzong: It was built as a watchtower. It was converted into a national museum in 1968. You can witness finest specimen of Bhutanese art, masterpieces of bronze statues and paintings

Overnight at hotel in Paro

Day 02: Taktsang Monastery:

The Taktsang, popularly known as the “Tiger’s Nest” is perched on the side of a cliff at a height of 900m above the Paro valley. It is considered as a signature spot for the tourist. It is a Gem of a Paro Valley. Nestled up in a cliff, it is considered as one of the twelve wonders of the world.

After breakfast, drive to Ramthangka to hike up to the view point of Taktsang (Tiger’s nest) (2950m). The round trip will take about two to three hours. The legend says that in the 8th century, Guru Rinpoche visited and meditated here for some time. The place now is one of the holiest pilgrim sites for the Mahayana Buddhist.

Kichu Lhakhang: It is one of the oldest and sacred monasteries in Bhutan. The construction of it dates back to the 7th century by Tibetan Emperor Songtsen Gampo.

Overnight at hotel in Paro

Day 03: Thimphu

Thimphu, the capital city, is a bustling town on the banks of the river Wang Chhu. It is home to the Bhutanese Royal Family, the Royal Government and to several foreign missions and development projects.

The shape of the valley is likened to that of deep skull with a winding crystal river that descends into Thimphu valley from the high mountain above. It is said that eight auspicious sign can be witnessed in the features of the valley.

Places to Visit:

• Simtokha Dzong: Five miles from Thimphu, on a lofty ridge, stands Simtokha Dzong the oldest fortress in the Kingdom.

• Memorial Chorten: This stupa was built in 1974 in memory of the Third King, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk by his mother.

• The Institute of Zorig Chusum: This is the Institute where students learn the 13 traditional Arts and Crafts.

• Tashichho Dzong: The “Fortress of the glorious religion” houses the throne room of His Majesty the King, government offices and the central monk body.

Overnight at hotel in Thimphu

Day 04: Thimphu:

Places to Visit:

• Kuenselphodrang (Buddha Point): The Buddha Dordenma Statue which is 169ft is the world’s tallest Buddha statue and it is located about 6kms from Thimphu city.

• The Folk Heritage Museum: Founded by Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, the museum portrays the lifestyle of a genteel family in the Thimphu valley in the olden days.

• The Institute of Traditional Medicine: The complex has the traditional medicine production unit, the treatment hospital and the school.

• Centenary Farmers’ Market: Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday the weekend market is held in the capital. Here villagers from the valley and other nearby places come to sell their agriculture products.

• Jungshi Paper Factory: The factory manufactures traditional Bhutanese handmade paper popularly known as Desho paper. The visitor can observe the entire process of producing handmade paper using ancient traditional method that has been practiced for generation. You can try your hand at this ancient craft and make some paper of your own as a souvenir.

Or

• We can drive to Dodena, the northern end of Thimphu (8,600meters') and hike an hour up a steep hill to visit Cheri Monastery, or Goemba, built in 1620 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and established with an original staff of 30 monks. Today the monastery serves as the main meditation Center of the country and has more than 70 monks undergoing their three year, three-month retreat. Inside is a silver Chorten holding the ashes of the Zhabdrung’s father. On your return you'll visit Tango Goemba (another Steep one-hour climb); founded in the 12th century (the present building was constructed in the 15th century). It is now a Buddhist institute for higher learning.

Overnight at hotel in Thimphu

Day 05: Thimphu- Gangtey

Travel to Gangtey after a good meal. On the way stop at Druk Wangyal Chortens at Dochula: On the way to Gangtey from Thimphu is the Dochula pass from where a beautiful panoramic view of the mountain range can be seen. The place is further enhanced by the Druk Wangyal Chortens -108 stupa built by the Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk

Gangtey (Phobjikha Valley): The valley is popular for its scenic splendor and cultural uniqueness. Phobjikha is well known as the winter home of the Black-Necked Cranes (Grus Nigricollis) that migrate from the Tibetan plateau. The birds can be observed from early November to end of March.

• Later, venture through the Gangtey Nature Trail Hike making your way to your hotel. The most beautiful and shortest of the existing nature trails in Bhutan. The trail hike starts from Khewa Lhakhang and ends at the Mani (like Chorten) stone wall to the north of the Gangtey Gonpa. The hike takes about 1 hour 30 minutes through the pine forest and small bamboo plants. You can see the Phobjikha valley so beautifully from this hike. It is one of the best hike places for the Nature lovers. During the winter months, we can see the endangered species of birds–Black Neck Cranes. (1.5 hours)

Overnight at hotel in Gangtey

Day 06: Witness Crane Festival

The festival includes cultural programs such as folk songs and dances (some with black-necked crane themes) and mask dances performed by the local people, crane dances and environmental conservation-themed dramas and songs by the school children. The program usually starts by 9:30 am and lasts till late afternoon.

The Annual Black-necked Crane festival is an integral part of the Ecotourism (now Community based-sustainable tourism) initiative to promote local economic welfare through nature based tourism programs.

The success of the festival and its continuity depends entirely upon the support and contributions of the visitors and well wishers of conservation. Continued appreciation and corresponding support are essential in maintaining strong linkages between conservation and economic welfare of the local people. By viewing and participating in the festival you reward the community for their continued conservation stewardship. Funds mobilized through the Black-necked crane festival and other activities of the committee are deposited in a community owned bank account and managed by the committee for activities of common benefit to the community.

Overnight at hotel in Gangtey

Day 07: Gangtey – Punakha

It served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955. It has a temperate climate and its rich fertile valley is fed by the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers.

Places to Visit:

• Punakha Dzong: Punakha Dzong is a fortress that was built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1637-38. The Je Khenpo (the religious head of Bhutan) spends his winters here. It is one of Bhutan's most attractive landmarks and has survived 6 fires, 2 glacial lake outbursts, and 1 massive earthquake. It was built at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and the Pho Chhu, which is considered an auspicious location. The Punakha Dzong was the site of the coronation of Sir Ugyen Wangchuck as the first hereditary monarch of Bhutan in 1907. More recently, the coronation of His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the 5th King of Bhutan, was held here on October 31, 2008.

• Chimi Lhakhang: Chimi Lhakhang stands on a small hillock is a temple founded by Lama Drukpa Kunley. Legend has it he subdued the demoness of the Dochu La with his "Magic Thunderbolt of Wisdom."A wood effigy of the lama's thunderbolt is preserved in the Lhakhang, and childless women go to the temple to receive a Wang (blessing) from the saint.

• Optional : Try out river rafting- which starts from, the bridge to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel and ends at Changyul village. The rafting stretches to 10 kilometers and about one and a half hour. The river maneuvers in a scenically beautiful environment offering lots of opportunity to see birds especially from the month of October to April. As you flow to the lower part of the valley you will have a fine 360 degree view around you.

Overnight at hotel in Punakha  

Day 08: Punakha to Paro

Take a Long Scenic Drive Back To Paro

In evening you all can walk down the stone path and through the traditional wooden bridge, which is one of the fine specimens of Bhutanese architecture and explore Paro village town

Overnight at hotel in Paro  

Day 09: Departure