Thimphu Festival Tour

DAY: 1

Flying into the country’s only airport, in the beautiful Paro valley, the clear mountain air, forested ridges, imposing monasteries and welcoming Bhutanese people in their striking national dress, provides a breath-taking first impression. On arrival, our airport representative and an experienced guide will receive you at the exit gate of the airport. We will take a drive to Thimphu along the windy road taking about an hour. Thimphu, perhaps the most unusual capital city in the world, is the seat of government. This bustling town is home to Bhutan’s royal family, the civil service, and foreign missions with representation in Bhutan. In the evening will have dinner in one of the restaurant in the town to taste the local food.

Overnight and dinner in the Hotel

DAY 2

After breakfast drives to Tashichho Dzong, which was built in 1641. The Dzong houses the main secretariat building, throne room of His Majesty the King of Bhutan. Go to the festival site and witness the ongoing festival. This festival is celebrated annually in fall in honor of Guru Padmasambhava. The dances is known as Cham, bring blessings upon onlookers. Deities are invoked during the dances; through their power and benediction, misfortunes may be annihilated, luck increased and wishes realized. The festival is also a social gathering where the people rejoice together, dressed in their finest clothing and jewelry. In the late afternoon drive to the Buddha Dordenma sited amidst the ruins of Kuensel Phodrang. It is one of the largest Buddha rupas in the world (51.5 meters). You can also enjoy the view of the Thimphu city clearly from here. On the way back to hotel stop at the National Memorial Chorten.

Overnight and dinner in the Hotel

DAY 3

Today’s sightseeing includes: visit to Bhutan Post Office, School of Traditional Arts and Crafts and the Weekend Market. After that will proceed to Changgangkha temple in the hilly Motithang area; drive to the top the ridge overlooking the Thimphu Valley. Visit the zoo of Takin (National Animal of Bhutan), Drubthrob nunnery, were every evening the nuns chat prayers to end the day. Visit a handmade paper workshop where artisans create beautiful and unusual handmade papers, and weaving center at Changzamtog where the looms are filled with traditional and updated versions of the world-renowned Bhutanese textile arts.

Visit the government-run Handicrafts Emporium and privately owned crafts shops, which offer a wide range of handcrafted products, including the splendid thangkha paintings and exquisitely woven textiles for which Bhutan is famous.

Overnight and dinner in the Hotel.

DAY 4

Thimpu Sightseeing, Punakha Valley via Dochu La, Chimmi Lhakhang

The morning provides more opportunities to look around Thimpu before heading off after lunch. This drive is truly awe-inspiring as it zigzags up to the 3,140m-high mountain pass of Dochu La with its forests of fluttering prayer flags, maze of memorial chortens and, on a clear day, sweeping views of the main Himalayan range. There is time to stretch the legs with a short walk across rice paddies to Chimmi Lhakhang, a fertility temple dedicated to Drukpa Kuenley, a Tibetan Buddhist saint known popularly as the Divine Madman. The temple sits atop a picturesque hill surrounded by rice fields. Drukpa Kuenley built a chorten on the site in the 14th century, and it has long been a pilgrimage site for childless couples.

Duration of drive: 3 - 4 hours (76km)

Overnight and dinner in the Hotel.

DAY 5

Punakha Dzong, Khamsan Yuley Namgay Chorten Walk, Wangdue Phodrang Dzong and Bazaar .We have a full day for further exploration of the scenic Punakha Valley, which is low enough (1,200m) to allow bananas and oranges to grow. The destination for this morning’s walk up through whitewashed homesteads and farmland is Khamsum Yuley Namgay Chorten, a shrine recently built by the royal family. It is a startlingly ornate and elaborate structure with a rainbow of Guru Rinpoche images and superb views. Heading down along the riverside the massive architectural edifice of the 17th-century Punakha Dzong soon looms into view. The fortress-monastery was built in 1637 by Shabdung Nawang Namgyal in a commanding position at the confluence of the Po Chhu and Mo Chhu (Father and Mother rivers). It once served as the seat of the Kingdom's government and is now the winter home of Je Khempo, the head abbot of Bhutan, along with a retinue of 1,000 monks. The day finishes with an afternoon stroll through the quaint bazaar at Wangdue Phodrang to visit its dzong.

Founded in 1638 by the Shabdrung, Wangdue Phodrang Dzong is located on a high promontory overlooking the Punakha Chhu river.

Overnight and dinner in the Hotel

DAY 6

Today after early breakfast drive to the Phobjikha valley, this is one of the few glacial valleys in Bhutan. Visit the 17th century Gangtey Gonpa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan and it houses about 200 monks. After lunch we can have a walk down the alpine meadow passing by the habitat of the black necked cranes which come here in winter across the mountains from Tibet. In the evening return to hotel.

Overnight and dinner in the Hotel

DAY 7

Phobjikha 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 off 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, 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 and dinner in the Hotel

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 the hotel 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 (Depend on the type of hotel you have booked for all above mentioned facilities). In the evening you are invited for a farewell dinner.

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 and dinner in the Hotel

Depart Bhutan

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.