The Paro Festival Tour
Travel to Bhutan: Beyond The Sky Adventure handles the whole booking process on your behalf, including Druk Air and Bhutan Airline flights. However, the price of flights is not included in the package and it is therefore advisable to book well in advance to secure seats. We also handle visa application processing (included in the package). It normally takes 2 to 3 weeks to process the visa but under some circumstances, we can accelerate the process.
8 Nights Package
Day 1: Arrival in Paro
On arrival in Paro international airport Our Experienced guide and airport representative will receive you and transfer to your hotel. Check into your hotel, afternoon visit Kyichu Lhakhang, oldest temple in the country, further drive to north end of Paro valley and visit Drukgyel Ruin Dzong. Evening explore tiny Paro town.
Overnight: Paro | Altitude: 2200m
Day 2: Paro Festival
Whole day attend the annual Paro Tshechu, Bhutan’s largest and most resplendent festival. Masked dancers perform ritualized reenactments of mythical struggles between good and evil forces. Accompanied by Tibetan musicians and the antics of the sacred clowns (atsaras), the Tshechu is a fascinating visual and cultural spectacle unique to Bhutan. Overnight: Paro
Day 3: Paro Festival
Morning we will visit the festival and in the afternoon drive north end of Paro valley and hike to Tiger’s Nest, the most revered temple in the country that literally hangs on a granite cliff overlooking the Paro Valley at 900m above the valley. The hike will take about 2 hours uphill for an average hiker. Evening relax at your hotel.
Overnight: Paro
Day 4: Paro – Thimphu (1.5 Hrs)
Check out from the hotel and drive to Thimphu, capital city of Bhutan. On arrival check into your hotel. Afternoon visit Memorial Chorten built in the memory of our late 3rd king, further drive to Buddha viewpoint. We have magnificent view of the whole valley from here; visit Changangkha Lhakhang, oldest temple in the valley.
Overnight: Thimphu | Altitude: 2300m
Day 5: Thimphu – Punakha (2.5 Hrs)
Morning visit the traditional Hand Made Paper Mill, School of Arts and Crafts where students learn 13 different arts used predominantly in Bhutan, Folk Heritage Museum, National Library and the Traditional Institute of Medicine. Drive to the Zilukha nunnery to meet the nuns and interact with them. Lunch in the town and drive to Punakha through Dochula pass (3200 mts) If the weather permits one can enjoy a spectacular view of the highest mountains of Bhutan at a site that stretches almost 180 degrees. Walk around the 108 stupas and continue to sub tropical valley of Punakha.
Overnight: Punakha | Altitude: 1250m
Day 6: Punakha halt
Morning drive to visit Punakha Dzong (fortress), which houses the most elaborated temple in the country. This is a fine example of Bhutanese rich Art and Architecture. Drive further up to visit the Souvenir Making Center for girls supported by Youth Development Fund. Interact with the students and back to the hotel for lunch. After lunch could relax in the balcony of the hotel to enjoy the view and the nature. Or could go for an hour hike to the temple of Khamsum Yuley Lakhang or the temple of Chimi Lakhang, the temple of fertility associated with religious art of phallus.
Overnight: Punakha
Day 7: Punakha Valley to Paro, Chuzom, Tamchog Lhakhang to Paro
We have time to retrace our steps back over the Dochu La for a second chance of that wonderful view of the Himalayan range. Returning to the Chuzum or confluence we catch a glimpse of the three shrines in Nepali, Tibetan and Bhutanese style which were built to ward of evil spirits near the checkpoint. Time permitting the journey can be broken with a visit to Tamchog Lhakhang built by Thangtong Gyalpo (the so-called Iron Bridge Builder). This former saint from the 14th century introduced the art of building suspension bridges with iron chains; the only way to reach his temple is by one of these bridges. On the final leg the road snakes alongside the Pa Chhu river, through apple orchards and rice paddies, past quaint homesteads to our home in the mountains, Uma Paro. After check-in and a show round, we invite you to spend the rest of the day relaxing around the property, enjoying the facilities or perhaps trying some other activity like the Bhutanese national sport of archery or a traditional
Overnight :Paro
Day 8: Highlights of the Paro Valley—Taktsang Walk
One of the most amazing and important pieces of architecture in Bhutan, Taktsang Goemba defies logic, gravity, and reason. Legend has it that this cliffside was where Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) landed on the back of a flying tigress, bringing Buddhism to Bhutan from Tibet. To avoid the hot sun an early start is advisable for the two-hour climb to the Tiger’s Nest viewpoint. Descend steeply, then climb up to the monastery, passing a waterfall and entering through the main gates which are filled with murals. Retrace our steps or alternatively (if time and energy levels allow) head further up to several remote temples and monasteries. Return to Uma Paro in the afternoon for some time to rest and relax and enjoy the facilities such as the steam rooms, swimming pool or a Bhutanese Hot Stone Bath followed by a soothing massage. In the evening you are invited for a fire-lit farewell dinner either in the courtyard at Uma Paro or at our Bukhari restaurant.
Duration: 7 - 8 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to Hard (riding ponies are available at an additional charge)
Guided with picnic or lunch at local restaurant
Overnight:Paro
Departure
Druk Air or Bhutan Air departs in the early morning to avoid adverse weather conditions so after breakfast, your transfer to the airport will be arranged for between 5am and 12 Noon depending on the flight schedule.