Thimphu Tshechu (Festival)

TRAVEL ITINERARY

7 Nights/8Days

Day 1:  Paro (sightseeing)

Arrival in Paro international Airport. The representative from Bhutan Everest Tours & Treks will receive you at airport and drive to hotel at Paro. If time permits you can visit, Ta Dzong (National Museum) and Kyichu Lhakhang. Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel.  

Day 2: Paro (sightseeing)

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. It is located on the face of a sheer 800m cliff above the floor of Paro Valley. 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 – Thimphu (sightseeing)

After breakfast drive to Thimphu (Capital of Bhutan). Thimphu is the political, social and spiritual heart of the nation and although this is Bhutan’s most modern city, it has retained the unique character of a Bhutanese town.  After Lunch you can visit to the National Memorial Chorten, BBS Tower, Craft Bazaar where craftsmen and artisans from across the country display and sell their handicrafts and National Textile Museum. Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 4: Thimphu Tshechu

After breakfast visit Thimphu Tashi chho Dzong to witness the Tshechu Festival of Thimphu is a 3 day religious event which marks the tenth day of the lunar calendar and honours the birthday Guru Rimpoche Padmasambhava, an Indian Saint who spread Buddhism in the country in 8th century. Tshechu are grand occasions where entire communities come together to witness religious mask dances, receive blessings and socialise. It is said that anyone who attends a Tshechu and witnesses the masked dances is profusely blessed. Every mask dance performed has a special meaning or a story behind it and many are based on stories of the life of the Guru. Today, we assemble in the town square standing alongside the residents of Thimphu, dressed in their best, to witness the unique spectacle that is the famed masked dances, and other colourful and exciting displays of traditional culture performed on this very special day. Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 5: 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”. 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 stay in the hotel.

Day 6:  Punakha – Wangdue Phodrang -Thimphu

After Breakfast visit to Wangduephodrang dzong razed by fire and is under construction and drive back to Thimphu.  After lunch rest in the hotel.

Day 7: Thimphu (sightseeing)

After breakfast enjoy a day of sightseeing, including a visit to   Kuenselphodrang (Buddha point) – to see the world’s biggest Buddha Dordenma statue and Thimphu Valley, a Handmade paper factory where age old tradition of paper making is still followed. Lastly today we will get to witness an archery match, at the  at the Changlimithang Stadium and Archery Ground. Archery is the national sport of Bhutan and every Bhutanese male tests his ability at archery, which is both an individual endeavour and team sport that captures the Bhutanese spirit to succeed and enjoy. Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 8: After breakfast drive to Paro airport for your onward flight.