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Thimphu Festival
Unlike other Festivals in Bhutan, Thimphu festival occurs in two parts. The first part of the festival is called Lhamo Dromche which takes place in the night at 3AM in front of the deity Palden Lhamo for 3 consecutive days; followed by the Gongdue Tshechu , the four days public presentation of Thimphu Tshechu.
The four day Thimphu Festival consists of 25 sacred mask dances conducted in full vigour and twenty four traditional Folk songs. From the second day through the fourth day is a Government holiday where people come together and share time with family and friends and participate in the Thimphu Festival..
In this tour along with the festival you will also be doing some cultural tours and sightseeing. You will be covering the following destinations: Thimphu, Paro, Punakha and also visiting Chele la Pass.
Package Details :
Duration : 07 Nights / 08 Days .
Destination Covered : Paro- Punakha- Chelela Pass- Thimphu .
Day 01: Arrive at Paro ( Discover Paro)
Elevation at Paro: 2,200 meters.
Experience the breathtaking views of the high Himalayan peaks as you fly into Paro valley (2,300 meters). After visa formalities at the Paro airport, meet your personal guide and driver.
Visit Paro Rinpung Dzong and Ta Dzong.
- Visit “Paro Dzong” also known as Paro Rinpung Dzong means “the fortress of the heap of jewels”. This structure serves as the house for the district monastic body and government administrative office of Paro.
- Visit Ta Dzong, which in the past served as watchtower for Paro Dzong - for protection from invaders. Now, it is the National Museum of Bhutan and houses artifacts dating back to 4000 BCE.
- Take a stroll through Paro town, a street of typical Bhutanese traditional buildings.
The rest of the day is at leisure to unwind and absorb the beauty of this isolated kingdom.
Overnight at hotel in Paro
Day 02: Paro - Punakha (71kms/5hours)
After a hearty breakfast, journey to the golden Punakha valley.
- Stop at Tachhog Lhakhang (the Iron Chain Bridge), a temple located across the famous iron bridge built over the meandering Pa Chhu (Paro River). The cool-sweeping breeze and bright colored prayer flags creates an invigorating ambience. The whole set up a feast to the eye.
- On the way break at Dochu La- Pass at 3,100 meters above the sea level.
Sip a cup hot coffee at the Dochu La cafeteria while enjoying the mesmerizing panoramic view of the Himalayan ranges.
If skies are clear, the high Himalayan peaks towards the north east will be revealed in all their glory. Take in the 108 stupas beautifully adorned on the pass with the blue sky back drop.
Continue towards Punakha- On arrival visit Chimi Lhakhang through the agricultural field of rice and mustard, leading to a hillock where the temple of the Divine Mad monk is located.
Over night at hotel in Punakha
Day 03: Discover Punakha Valley - (the ancient Capital of Bhutan)
Elevation at Punakha: 1,200 meters.
- Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten: Drive further to take a small hike to Nyzergang to visit the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. We can begin the day with hike up through fields of rice along the banks of the Mo Chhu to the upper end of the valley to the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. The scene from the stupa is spectacular. The Stupa stands majestically on the high hill top of the Punakha Valley. This structure is a classic example of gorgeous traditional architecture. It was built by the Queen Mother for dispelling negative forces and to maintain peace and harmony in the country and for all the living beings. It is a moderate strenuous hike of about one hour from the car parking
After the hike visit beautiful Punakha Dzong
- Punakha Dzong is just as striking inside as outside and it is arguably the most beautiful Dzong in Bhutan. Located magnificently between Pho Chhu (Male River) and Mo Chhu (Female River) confluence, the intricate carving and amazing architecture of the Dzong is a great source of inspiration. This famous structure built in the 1637 has lot to tell about the historical background and various Tibetan invasion won from this strategically located Dzong. It also houses the kingdom’s most sacred relic the “Rangjung Karsa-pani”.
- Cross the Pho Chhu River on the longest suspension Bridge of Bhutan next to Punakha Dzong.
Overnight at hotel in Punakha.
Day 04: Punakha - Thimphu (74kms/2-3 hours)
Head back to Thimphu.
We can do the following sightseeing at Thimphu
- Visit the National Institute of Zorig Chusum. Zorig Chusum means the Thirteen Arts and Crafts. You will come across students actively engaged in painting, embroidery, woodcraft, masonry, sculptor and carpentry.
- National Folk Heritage Museum. It dedicates itself to connecting people with rich Bhutanese Folk Heritage & rural history through exhibition, demonstrations, educational programs and documentation of Bhutanese Rural life . We will also pay a visit to Memorial Chorten
Overnight at hotel in Thimphu
Day 05: Witness Thimphu Festival
Today we will visit Tashichodzong to watch Bhutan Festival/Tshechhu.
The Tshechus are a rich form of oral tradition where the Bhutanese pass on values, mythology and spiritual beliefs through the dance dramas. Many of the Tshechus culminate with a rare display of a giant silk appliqué Thangka (painting) depicting Guru Rinpoche or some other important Buddhist figures.
People’s deep faith and devotion make these festivals a special occasion. At the same time, it is also an opportunity to join hundreds even, thousands, of Bhutanese in taking part in an important religious and social occasion that often exudes a carnival atmosphere.
Later we can visit Kunselphodrang to watch the Giant Buddha Statue.
Evening we will take an exploratory walk around Thimphu main street and market area. We will also visit archery ground and watch a National Game played by the locals with songs and dance.
Overnight at Hotel in Thimphu
Day 06: Thimphu-Paro(54Km/ 1.5Hrs)/ Chelela Pass Excursion
Early in the morning we will head to Paro.Check in to your Paro hotel
After refreshing we will head towards Chelela Pass, the highest motorable pass in Bhutan. The drive from Paro to Chelela through the forest of Hemlock with the gigantic view of himalayas is simply amazing.
On arrival at Chelela Pass you can enjoy the view of Jumolhari Mountain. We wii also have a picnic lunch and hoist some prayer flags.
If you are energetic we can take a beautiful hike from Chelela pass to Kela Nunnery.Return to Paro.
Overnight at hotel in Paro
Day 07: HIKE TO THE FAMOUS TIGERS NEST
Today you will be hiking to one of the famous site called as the Tiger’s Nest ( Taktshang ) perched at 900m above the Paro valley.
It is believed that Guru Rinpochhoe flew on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan to this site and meditated in a cave here for 3 months, hence its name, ‘Tiger’s Nest’ .
Once here we should be able to enter into the monastery and view the cave where Guru Rinpochhe meditated. (Cameras are not allowed inside the monastery). After visiting the monastery we will return the same way back and stop at Cafeteria for lunch.
Upon reaching Paro you can soak yourself in traditional hot stone bath whereby you can rejuvenate your tired muscles.
We will have a farm house dinner tonight. If you like you can also try a hand on local archery.
Overnight at hotel in Paro
Day 08: Departure
Your Bhutan tour ends. Our guide and driver will drop you to the Airport and bid you farewell.
Read Customer Reviews
5.0 / 2 Reviews
I just completed my Bhutan Tour.
I believe October is a festival month in Bhutan . Simultaneously we could watch two festival, one in Thimphu and the other one at Wangdue. My dad was really curious to watch the festival.
Their festival is amazing with mask dances and each dance has a story to tell.
It is also a good time to encounter locals of Bhutan.
Mr. Thinley with whom I was corresponding all the while was also very kind to invite our family to join his family for a lunch outside the courtyard of Dzong. It was a fantastic experience. He was also kind enough to arrange their National Dress which we wore and attended the festival .
The other highlights of the tour are Tiger Nest, Homestay, Khamsum Yuley, Enjoying Bhutanese Beer At Namsay Artisinary, National Library which houses the world largest book, museum heritage,farmhouse and short hike.
The vehicle arranged was comfortable. The hotel were clean. Everything was superb except it was a bit touristic in land mark places.
Overall a trip to remember and will definitely recommend them to our family and friends who are looking forward to come to Bhutan after seeing our photos
Thank you Bhutan Inbound for making this trip a memorable one
I had visited Bhutan on last September. I arranged my vacation in such a way that I could witness Bhutan Festival, which I have read was full of colors and with unique cultural heritage.
It was difficult for me to pick up an agent from the list of registered tour operator. There were so many. I intuitively picked up Bhutan Inbound and trust me my intuition did not betray me.
Thinley was so prompt in replying my mail and understanding my need. I changed my itinerary few times but Thinley was always patient.
Mr. Dorji , the guide was awesome. He was young, professional and knowledgeable. To my surprise even our driver Mr. Chencho was well educated. He enlightened me a lot on Bhutanese political system.
The Festival as I expected was full of colors, dances. People from different walk of life had come to witness it and all of them were colorfully dressed . My guide informed me that people make it a point to come to the festival as it was believed that watching those mask dance purifies them and it is not just mere mask dance. The dance conveys messages of after death journey.
The other place of interest was Gangtey Valley it was very scenic and quite. Loved the architect of Khamsum Yulley and ofcourse the Tiger Nest.
Everything was Fabulous.
Highlights
