The 07N/08D Paro Tshechu Festival itinerary gives you an insight into the rich culture of Bhutan. You will get a chance to attend various cultural events during the festival, which will be both an entertaining and informative experience. This well-planned itinerary also provides you the opportunity of exploring the rich culture of Bhutan by visiting the famous dzongs and monasteries. These religious and administrative structures contain a wealth of information. The popular tourist places of Bhutan which this itinerary covers are: Paro, Thimphu and Punakha. On Booking of this special festival holiday package to Bhutan, you will have this wonderful opportunity of watching mask dances and other cultural performances during the Paro Tshechu. Apart from being a festival itinerary, it also allows witnessing the rich countryside of Bhutan, most of which is best explored by trekking. This is one of those rare itineraries which give you numerous experiences at the best prices.
The tour begins with your arrival at Paro airport. After arrival, get in touch with our representative, followed by a transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay.
In the afternoon, you will be visiting Ta Dzong, or the National Museum. It houses an amazing variety of arts, relics and religious thangkas, among other items. Another tourist attraction in Paro which you will visit is Rinpung Dzong, which means, the fortress of the heap of jewels. Today, it functions as the administrative and judicial seat of Paro.
Spend the evening by enjoying a leisurely stroll in the market.
You will be attending the Paro Tshechu Festival today. It is one of the most popular annual festivals in Bhutan. The celebrations are marked by mask dances which are performed by monks clad in colourful brocade attire. These are accompanied by the chants and reading of holy Buddhist scriptures. The Bhutanese people, to celebrate this occasion, wear their national dress.
Overnight stay at Paro.
After breakfast, take a hike to the famous Taktsang Monastery, also known as the Tiger’s Nest. It is one of the most famous sightseeing attractions in Paro, besides being an iconic sight. To reach the monastery, you will have to take a trek of 3-4 hours. The trek is classified as moderately difficult, and almost anybody can go for it. Later on, you will be visiting Drukgyel Dzong and Kyichu Monastery.
Overnight stay in Paro.
Drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan, in the morning. Observe the traditional and unique Bhutanese architecture and lifestyle. Your eyes meet people wearing their traditional dress: Gho for men and Kira for women. Driving from Paro to Thimphu will take you about one hour. After arriving, check-in at the hotel.
Visit the Centenary Farmers’ Market in the evening. This is where farmers come to sell their produce, which includes vegetables, cheese, grains, and sometimes, yak leg. Right across the street stands the Kundeyling Baazam, where you can purchase local handicrafts like beads and prayer wheels.
Overnight stay at Thimphu.
Enjoy your breakfast, and then make your way towards the National Memorial Chorten (Monument) & Folk Heritage Museum. It was established to display the traditional Bhutanese folk arts. Built in the 19th century, it resembles a traditional rural household, consisting of three stories which display traditional arts, cultural relics and artifacts. Throughout the day, you can watch the demonstrations, which are held to showcase the lifestyle of the Bhutanese people over the centuries.
In the afternoon, visit other popular tourist attractions of Thimphu like Sangaygang View Point and Changangkha Monastery. You will also visit the Takin Preserve Centre, which is located in Motithang and is home to the national animal of Bhutan, Takin. Another place which deserves a visit is Simply Bhutan, which is a living museum and photo studio established and managed by the youth of Bhutan. It is also interesting to know that it is built from doors, window frames and other building materials from traditional Bhutanese houses that have been demolished. In the photo studios, you can watch the age-old lifestyles of the Bhutanese people.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Start your day with a delicious breakfast, and then drive towards Punakha. Make a stop at Dochu La Pass on the way, which is famous for being an Eastern Himalayan viewpoint. If the weather is clear, then you will be treated to views of several mountain peaks like Masangang, Tsendagang, Terigang and Gangkar Punsum (which is also the highest unclimbed mountain in the world).
After arriving at Dochu La Pass, exit the car and watch the beautiful views encompassing you. Take a walk around the 108 chortens, which mark the summit of the pass. This is followed by descend into the Punakha Valley, located at an altitude of 1350 meters. Some of the places which you will visit are Punakha Dzong, Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu. Punakha Dzong is famous for housing the preserved remains of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, who is revered as the unifier of Bhutan, as well as a sacred relic called Ranjung Karsapani. The latter is believed to be a self created image of Avalokiteswara which miraculously emerged from the vertebrate of Tsangpa Gyarey (founder of Drukpa School) when he was cremated.
Afterwards, you will visit Chimi Lhakhang, but to reach it, you will have to trek for about 20 minutes through rice and mustard fields. Popularly known as the Fertility Temple among western tourists, it stands on a round hillock enveloped by charming views. It was built over a millenium ago, and is one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Enjoy your breakfast, and then begin your drive to Paro. On the way, visit Simtokha Dzong, which means simmo (demoness) and do (stone) in the local language. It is believed to be the first dzong in Bhutan, and compared to the other structures, has remained completely intact. It was built in 1629 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, and is the first dzong to provide administrative facilities, beside serving as the home of Institute for Language and Culture Studies.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
After breakfast, you will be dropped off at Paro Airport to continue your onward journey.