Paro – Tsechu Festival Tour

After breakfast, walk to Paro Ringpung Dzong to witness the first day of the festival held inside the Dzong’s courtyard. Lots of people from Paro valley will come to see the festival wearing the best dresses. The festival will last till 3 PM in the afternoon. In the late afternoon, visit the 7th century Kychu temple built by Songtsen Gambo, the first Tibetan Buddhist king to spread Buddhism across the Himalayas. Overnight Hotel.

After breakfast walk to the ground above the Dzong the witness the second day of the festival. Today, the festival will be held outside the dzong in the open air and you will get much better view of the festival from the slopes and you will get to interact more with the local people. The festival will last about 3 PM in the evening drive to Drukgyal Dzong to see the ruins of the Dzong. The Dzong though in ruins played a very important role in defending the valley from Tibetan invasion. Overnight Hotel.

After breakfast drive to Thimphu. The drive would take about 2 hours, on the way, visit the Simtokha Dzong built in 1629 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the unifier of Bhutan in the 17th century. Now the Dzong now houses a Buddhist College for the monks. On the arrival at Hotel in Thimphu check in the hotel and have lunch. After lunch, visit the Institute of Arts & Crafts where they train young students in the traditional arts. Visit the National Library where old manuscripts are preserved. Visit the Folk Heritage museum. In the late afternoon, drive to Viewpoint and enjoy the view of Thimphu city. On the way back visit the strange looking animal, Tarkin (national Animal) in the sanctuary. In the evening explore the Thimphu city. Overnight Hotel

After breakfast, visit the National Memorial Chorten built in memory of the late King in 1974 by Late Ashi Phuntsho Choden. Visit the Institute of Traditional Medicines, Textile Museum and Government Handicrafts store. Lunch in the town. After lunch, visit the traditional handmade paper factory and gold & silversmiths workshop. In the evening after office hours, visit the Tashicho Dzong. The Dzong houses the office of His Majesty the King and is the summer residence of His Holiness, the Je Kheno’s (Lord Abbot) and the central monk body. In the evening, you can explore the various handicrafts stores in the town. Overnight Hotel.

After breakfast drive to Punakha On the way at Dochula pass (3100 KM) visit the only 108 stupa built in one spot. If the sky is clear you can see the breathtaking view of the whole Eastern Himalayan Mountain Ranges. In Punakha visit the Punakha Dzong, which houses the Central Monk body in winter. In the late afternoon drive to Kabisa and take a short hike to Khamsung Yuelley Namgyal Stupa. The round trip hike would take about 2 hours. Overnight Hotel.

After breakfast drive to Bumthang via Wangdi village town. While passing through Wangdi, you can also visit the Wnagdi Phodrang Dzong and continue driving to Bumthang. Have the pack lunch around the Pelela Pass (3300 Mts) or you have the option to continue to Chendebji Stupa. Chendebji Stupa is a massive stupa built in Sherpa style. After lunch, drive onto Bumthang via Trongsa. At Trongsa, stop to visit the Trongsa Dzong which is one of the most magnificent Dzongs in Bhutan with many old and holy temples inside the Dzong. Also visit the ancient WatchTower which has a temple dedicated to Ling Geyser (Alexandra the Great) and have your evening tea and continue to the Bumthang for the night.

After breakfast visit the Jampey Lhakhang temple ; visit the Kurjey lhakhang and also the new temple which is under construction near it, it has one of the best woodworks on the windows and joints. Drive to Thangbi Bridge and walk across the bridge to the Thangbi village and explore the village and the Thangbi Temple. In the evening, visit the Tamshing temple, Kharsumpey temple, Kenchosum temple, and the Jakar town.

After breakfast, Visit the Jakar Dzong and the many temples inside the Dzong. Drive to Ura village which is 54 KM away. On the way, visit the Mebar Tso known as the ” Flaming Lake” which is considered as one of the most sacred pilgrimage spots in Bhutan. In Ura visit the Ura Temple and explore the village and drive back to Bumthang for the night.

After breakfast visit the Jakar Dzong and drive to Gangtey. On the way, stop at Trongsa for lunch and continue to Gangtey. In Gangtey visit the Gangtey Gompa Dzong which is currently under renovation and you can see local carpenters and wood carvers at work. From Gangtey, you can closely view the picturesque Black Mountain ranges as well as the beautiful Phobjikha valley. Gangtey Gompa ( Gangtey monastery)-the only Nyingmapa (the older Buddhist sect) monastery is perched atop a small hill that rises from the valley floor. Overnight Phuntshocholing lodge.

Early in the morning try your luck with the rare Black Necked cranes and take a walk in the beautiful Phubjikha valley. Drive to Wangdi for lunch and to Dochula pass for the evening tea for one more try with the mountain view. Drive to Thimphu for the night. The total drive time would take about 6 hours. Overnight Hotel.

After breakfast, take pack lunch and drive 18 KM north of Thimphu to Dodena. Hike to the Tango Buddhist College and visit the monastery. The round trip hike would take about 3 hours. On the return, if time permits hike to Cheri Monastery. Otherwise, on the way back to Thimphu, visit the Pangri Zampa astrology school. Overnight.

After breakfast visit the few shopping places in Thimphu and drive to Paro. In the afternoon, visit the Dzong Drakha retreat center for the villagers. It is a beautiful walk of about 1 hours walk for the round trip. The walk also offers good view of the Bondey village. Overnight Hotel.