Thimphu festival is one of the most popular festivals in the country. During the mask dances known as cham and are performed to bless onlookers, to teach them the Buddhist dharma, to protect them from misfortune and to exorcise all evil. It is believed that merit is gained by attending the tsechus. The dances invoke the deities to wipe out misfortunes, increase luck and grant personal wishes.
A group of ladies perform traditional Bhutanese dances during the intervals between masked dances. Apart from its religious implications, the Tshechu is also an annual social gathering where people dress in their finest clothing and jewelleries.Bring you a closer contact with the people and give you an insight into the Bhutanese lives, beliefs and more.
Tour Itinerary
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Day 1: Arrive Paro - Thimphu
Arrive at Paro.You will be welcome by your travel guide at the Paro Airport.
After the refreshment, visit the Ta Dzong rated as one of the finest natural Museum in South Asia, and is filled with antique thanka paintings, textiles, weapons and Armour. The visit the Rinpung Dzong ( in the same location) built in 1645 to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The Dzong is now use as an administration center and school for monks. Then walk down to Rimpung Dzong Bridge, one of the oldest bridges in Bhutan.
In the evening drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Thimphu.
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Day 2: Thimphu sightseeing
After breakfast, you may choose to visit some of the places given below in Thimphu:
- National Textile Museum
- The Folk Heritage Museum
- The School of Traditional Painting of Arts and Crafts
- Centenary Farmers’ market
- The Memorial Chorten
- Tashichhoe Dzong
- Takin reserve
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Day 3: Thimphu tsechu
Attend first day Thimphu Festival. Venue- Tashichhoedzong courtyard. This is the perfect occasions to witness the Bhutanese unique culture, religion and history. Also visit Tashichhoedzong, a fortress of the glorious religion. It was built in 1641 by ZhabdrungNgawangNamgyel and was reconstructed into present structure by the late King, His majesty JigmeDorjiWangchuck in the year 1962-1969. It houses the secretariat building, the throne room and the office of the king, and the central monk body.
Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.
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Day 4: Thimphu tsechu or short hike to Tango monastery
Option 1:
Attend second day of Thimphu festival.
Option 2:
After breakfast, drive about 30 minutes to the base camp of Cheri Monastery and hike up to the Monastery. The walk up to the Monastery is through the forest filled with Rhododendron flower trees which will be in full bloom during April month. This is the place where monks undergo meditation with duration ranging from 4 months to 3 years. You will experience complete peace and serenity in this area. In this undisturbed environment, musk deer are spotted often. The hike up will take approximately 50 minutes. The view from Cheri Monastery is breathtaking. Walk down and rest for a packed picnic lunch. Then hike up to Tango Monastery. Tango Monastery is the center for higher studies for monks. The hike up will take approximately 50 minutes. The view from Tango Monastery is breathtaking.
Drive back to Thimphu and evening free to relax / stroll around Thimphu town.Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.
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Day 5: Thimphu - Punakha/Wangdue
After breakfast, drive to Punakha through Dochula Pass (3,088m/10,130ft). In the clear spring sky; enjoy the panoramic view of the Himalayan Mountain ranges. Then pass by the beautiful 108 chortens built on the hill by Her Majesty AshiDorjiWangmo (Queen of Bhutan) for the security and well being of His Majesty, the King of Bhutan. And visit DrukWangyalLhakhang .The DrukWangyalLhakhang (temple) was built to honor His Majesty the fourth DrukGyalpo, JigmeSingyeWangchuck. The past and future appear to merge in the details of the lhakhang (temple) that tells the story of a supreme warrior figure whose vision pierces the distant future.
Then drive further onto Punakha, on the wayt,visiting the Divine Madman’s Monastery–ChhimiLhakhang, famously known for its fertility shrine, where one can receive a special fertility blessing.
Afternoon visit the Punakha Dzong, located on the island of the Pho – Chu (male river) and the Mochu (female river). The dzong was built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative seat of the region. It was here that the dual system of government was introduced in the 17th century and in 1907, enthroned the first King GongsarUgyenWangchuck. Damaged over the centuries by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the dzong has been fully restored in the recent years by the 4th King JigmeSingyeWangchuck. At the dzong you can see the highest standards in woodwork. Also visit the massive Kuenray, the Coronation Hall of all Bhutanese kings, the Dzongchung at the entrance to the dzong and the cantilever bridge over the Mochu that has been recently renovated.
In the evening visit local markets in Punakha or Wangdue. Overnight at a hotel in Punakha/Wangdue.
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Day 6: Wangdue/Punakha - Paro
After breakfast, drive through upper Punakha valley passing through farmhouses and take a leisure walk through farmhouses and then through nature to the beautiful Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten temple built by the Queen of Bhutan for peace and stability in this ever-changing world. This temple is situated on the hilltop overlooking the valley below. The leisurely walk up to the temple would take about 1 hour. Visit the temple and also enjoy the breathtaking view from there.
Then drive to Paro with lunch enroute. On arrival at Paro, check into your hotel and after a refreshment visit Paro Dzong, a fine example of Bhutanese historic architecture. It is also known as the Rinpung Dzong which means a “fortress that sits on a heap of jewels”. This imposing dzong located above the Paro River is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture with its inward sloping walls that rise to an impressive height. The dzong was built in the 16th century on the foundation of a monastery built by Guru Rinpoche (who is regarded as the “second Buddha.”) .From the dzong, walk further down to Nyamai Zampa, an oldest traditional cantilever bridge in Bhutan.
Overnight at hotel in Paro.
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Day 7: Hike to Tiger's nest
After breakfast, travel to Paro which will take about 1 hour and on arrival at Paro hike to Taktsang Goempa (Tiger’s Nest Monastery). The hike upto the viewpoint will take about 1 1/2 hours and from there you will enjoy a spectacular view of the monastery clinging to the side of the cliff.You will stop here for refreshments and then hike further upto the monastery which should take another 1 1/2 hours.
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Day 8: Departure
After breakfast,your tour guide will see you off at the Paro International Airport for your onward journey.
