Paro Tshechu (Festival)

Day  1:  Arrival in Paro

Flight to Paro is Bhutan’s sole international airport. Known for being one of the world’s most challenging due to its location in a deep valley surrounded by high Himalayan peaks. On arrival at Paro airport, immigration and custom formalities and then received by our representative and transfer to the hotel. Evening take a stroll around town’s main street. Dinner and overnight halt in Paro Hotel.

Day 2 : Paro Tiger Nest

After breakfast drive to Tiger’s Nest Monastery, officially Taktshang Pelphung Monastery is regarded as one of the most venerated and famous of Bhutan’s monasteries. The walk of approximately 2:30 to 3 hours uphill takes you almost a kilometre above the Paro valley floor. Today, we embark on a scenic hike to view this spectacular and unmissable sight. The monastery is only accessible by foot (you can ride a pony part of the way, but this must be arranged in advance by your guide). Once inside the Monastery, there are temples to see and the monks that reside. After exploring the monastery we retrace our steps and return to Paro. Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 3: Paro Sightseeing – Thimphu

After breakfast visit to Ta Dzong (National Museum) and then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong and attend the festival, you will witness the Paro Festival. It is a good time to meet the local people in their finest costumes. This is a special time for the local people to have family time and also a time for spiritual healing.

Evening drive to Thimphu, the modern capital town of Bhutan. On the way stop at Chuzom (confluence) where Paro River joins Thimphu river. Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 4 :  Thimphu Sightseeing

After breakfast, visit National Memorial Chorten: The building of this landmark was envisaged by the third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, as a monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it is both a memorial to the Late King (“the Father of modern Bhutan”) and a monument to world peace. The paintings and statues inside the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy.

Then proceed to Buddha Dordenma is a gigantic Shakyamuni Buddha statue under construction in the mountains of Bhutan. The statue will house over one hundred thousand smaller Buddha statues, each of which, like the Buddha Dordenma itself, the Buddha Dordenma is sited amidst the ruins of Kuensel Phodrang, the palace of Sherab Wangchuck, the thirteenth Desi Druk, overlooking the southern approach to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. And visit Folk Heritage Museum.

After lunch visit to local market and Archery ground.

Evening visit Trashichhodzong, This impressive fortress/monastery houses Secretariat building, the throne room of His Majesty, the King and various government offices. It is also the summer residence of Chief Abbot and central monk body also chance to witness the national flag ceremony. Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 5 :  Thimphu to Punakha

After breakfast, drive to Punakha, the old capital town of Bhutan. On the way to Punakha, halt in Dochula pass (3100m)that heralds the most enchanting views of Bhutan. visit Chhimi Lhakhang, situated on a hillock in the center of the Lobesa valley, it is dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley, who in the late15th century used humor, song, and outrageous behaviour to dramatize his teachings and due to this also ‘Divine Madman’. This temple is also known as the  temple fertility. its believed that couples who do not have children, if they pray at this temple, are usually blessed with a child very soon.

After Lunch visit Punakha Dzong, a massive structure build at the junction of two rivers. Punakha was Bhutan’s capital until 1955, and Punakha Dzong still serves as the winter residence of the central monk body. Bhutan’s first king, Ugyen Wangchuck, was crowned here in 1907. Then Visit suspension Bridge. Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 6 :  Punakha  to Gangtey(Phobjikha Valley)

After breakfast drive to Gangtey via Wangduephodrang. Visit majestic Wangdue Dzong and interesting local market.

Further ahead pass through dense forests and oak, rhododendron tress, reaching at Gangtey (Phobjikha).

Visit Gangtey Gompa – Gyaltse Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa founded the Temple in 1613, and Tenzin Legpai Dhendup. Then take Gangtey Nature Hike, which take about 2 hours. This hike takes you through the pine forest and small bamboo plants provide a spectacular view of the Phobjikha Valley. Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 7:  Gangtey to Thimphu

After breakfast, visit Black Necked Cranes centre and then drive to Thimphu. Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 8:  Departure:

After breakfast drive towards the Airport and Farewell. We bid you farewell for your safe travel and next expedition.