Jakar Festival(Bumthang)

Day1: Arrive Paro – Thimphu

The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular mountain flights in the world, with a constantly changing panorama of some of the highest mountains on earth. Our Bhutan Everest Tours and Treks representative will meet you at Paro airport exit doors following customs formalities.

After lunch enjoy afternoon sightseeing around Paro, including a visit to the Ta Dzong Museum housing many religious relics, works of art and handicrafts offering a great orientation into Bhutan’s historical, cultural, and religious past. Next, visit the Rimpong Dzong to see the painting of the great saint Milarepa, considered as the master of meditation by the Bhutanese and believed to have attained enlightenment in a lifetime. Dzong’s are large monasteries and district administrative centres, which were once strategic forts.

Afterwards, drive to the capital, Thimphu (1.5 hours) following the Pachu River.

Dinner and overnight at hotel in Thimphu.

Day 2: Thimphu Sightseeing

Enjoy a full day of sightseeing, including a visit to the National Memorial Chorten, completed by the Royal Queen Mother as a memorial stupa for the Third King who passed away in 1972. Continue on to Kuensel Phodrang, where the largest statue of Sitting Buddha is located, 12th century Changangkha Temple, BBS Tower.

After lunch visit the nursing pen for the Takin, the national animal of Bhutan, and Tashichhodzong, ‘the fortress of the glorious religion’ housing some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body.

Dinner and overnight at hotel in Thimphu.

Day 3: Thimphu – Punakha

After breakfast, drive to Punakha. On the way to Punakha, halt in Dochu-La Pass (3140 m) for photography. Visit Royal Botanical Park at LamPelri. Upon reaching Lobesa, visit Chimi Lhakhang – dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley also known as “Divine Madman”. We halt in Lobesa town for Lunch.

After lunch, visit to Punakha Dzong – Built in 1637, by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative center of the region.

Dinner and overnight at hotel in Punakha.

Day 4: Punakha Sightseeing

After breakfast drive to Yabesa village and hike to through rice fields and up to Khamsum Yueley Namgyal Chorten, built by her majesty the queen Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuk. Perched high on a hill on the bank of the river, the Chorten houses paintings belonging to Nyingmapa Traditions.

Dinner and overnight at hotel in Punakha/ Wangduephodrang.

Day 5: Punakha – Bumthang

After breakfast, drive to Bumthang. On the way, visit Trongsa Dzong- built in its present form in 1644 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa and Ta Dzong – an ancient watch tower. Trongsa has the largest Dzong in Bhutan and its foundations were laid in the 16th Century. There are now 22 temples in the complex. The view from the Dzong is spectacular and one can see across the landscape for many miles. Also visit the Ta Dzong museum housing an incredible collection of historical artefacts of the Royal Family.

After lunch, continue your journey towards Bumthang. Halt in Pele-La pass for photography.

Dinner and overnight at hotel in Bumthang.

Day 6: Bumthang Ura Tshechu

Drive to the Ura valley to witness the colorful masked dances and cultural festivities of the Ura Festival. Join local villagers from the local area gathered in their finest clothes for an exciting tradition of music, dancing, colour, and religious blessings.

Dinner and overnight at hotel in Bumthang.

Day 7: Bumthang Sightseeing

Enjoy an excursion to Tang Valley, the most remote valley in the Bumthang district. Activities may include a 45 minute walk uphill to Ugyen Chholing Palace, built in the 16th century by the Trongsa Penlop Tshokey Dorji. The main building in the complex now features a fascinating museum offering a real insight into the lifestyle of a Bhutanese noble family. Highlights include a book of divination, a dakini dance costume made of bone. You may also visit 14th century Tang Rimochen Lhakhang where Guru Rinpoche meditated and Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake), where some of Guru Rinpoche’s treasures were found in the 15th century by the famous treasure discover Pema Lingpa. It’s a good location to meditate.

After lunch, visit Kurjey Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places in the kingdom where Bhutan’s patron saint Guru Rimpoche meditated and Jambay Lhakhang, erected by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century. It dates back to the origins of Buddhism in Bhutan and is one of the Kingdoms oldest temples.

Dinner and overnight at hotel in Bumthang.

Day 8: Bumthang – Thimphu

After breakfast drive to Thimphu.

Dinner and overnight at hotel Thimphu

Day 10: Thimphu – Paro

After breakfast drive to Paro. On the way to Paro visit Tachogang Lhakhang. Take you the thrilling experience of walking the suspension bridge that leads to the Temple. Make your last stop as memorable as ever as you take this short walk up to the Temple located on a hill top adjacent to Paro highway.

After lunch visit, Kyichu Lhakhang. Kyichu Lhakhang is one of Bhutan’s oldest and most beautiful temples. The temple is popularly believed to have been built in 659 by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet, to pin down the left foot of a giant ogress who was thwarting the establishment of Buddhism in Tibet.

Dinner and overnight halt in Paro hotel.

Day 11: Paro Sightseeing

After breakfast hike to Taktsang Monastery. The trail is broad and the walk of approximately 2 hours uphill takes you almost a kilometre above the Paro valley floor (for those who cannot hike we will arrange a horse for transfer up to the viewing point). The view of Taktsang Monastery built on a sheer cliff face 900 metres above the valley floor is a spectacular sight. The Monastery is also an important pilgrim site for the Buddhists. The great Guru Rimpoche is said to have flown here on the back of a tigress when he brought the teachings of the Buddhist Dharma to Bhutan in the 8th Century. He then mediated in a cave there for three months where the monastery was later built. Nearby there is a teahouse where you can stop for refreshments.

In the afternoon drive to the ruins of the 17th Century Drukgyel Dzong, an historic monument built by the Shabdrung to commemorate his victory against invading Tibetans in 1644. In fine weather the towering peak of the sacred Mount Jomolhari (7314m) appears as a stunning backdrop. On the return drive to Paro, visit 7th Century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples constructed by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo.

Alternatively, day 11 could be spent on a day trip to the Haa Valley, one of the most picturesque districts in Bhutan. Reached via the beautiful Chelila Pass, Haa Valley is characterised by its surrounding rugged and mountainous terrain.

Dinner and overnight at hotel in Paro.

Day 12: Depart Paro
After breakfast drive to the airport for flight to your onward destination.
Tashi Delek!