Thimphu Dromche Festival is an annual event that happens inside the Thimphu Tashicho Dzong. Thimphu Lhamoi Drupchen is a grand Festival where the central Monastic Body lead by Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan) dedicate this Thimphu Drupchen Festival to the Female Protective Deity of Bhutan, Palden Lhamo or Maha Kali.
Paro International Airport (Google Map)
3 Hours Before Flight Time
Your introduction to our enchanting kingdom begins on a flight over the Himalayas into the lush green valley of Paro; truly one of the world’s most spectacular sights. Flying into Paro, Bhutan is a unique experience altogether. You will view the world’s highest, most majestic peaks and enjoy the view of the approaching valley with its primeval alpine forest, monasteries, temples, and farmhouse nestled in splendid mountain isolation.
Welcome greeting by our Bhutanese representative at the Airport. On arrival visit Rinpung Dzong(fortress on the heap of the jewel) which houses the seat of government and monastic body of Paro valley. Take a short walk down to the traditional cantilevered bridge Nyami Zam which is built over the Pa Chhu River. From here you can get a good picture of the Ta Dzong, Dzong & the bridge. Later drive to Thimphu, take a brief stop at Tamchhu Lhakhang on the way. Built by Thangtong Gyalpo or the Iron Bridge Builder as he is known, this 14th-century saint introduced the art of building suspension bridges with iron chains and the only way to reach his temple is by one of his bridges.
The view over Thimphu from the big Buddha statue helps us to get our bearings before we plunge into this vibrant growing town struggling to blend the shock of the new with traditional aspects of life in the shadow of the Himalaya. Depending on opening hours, guest interests, and time, your guide may include some of the following in your private schedule:
The National Memorial Chorten, the Weekend Market, the Folk Heritage Museum, or you may wish to just go window shopping.
Overnight: Thimphu
The Thimphu Drubchen is one of the grandest of Bhutan’s festivals and attracts the largest audience. Featuring dances performed by trained monks and laymen in amazing masks and
Costumes, Tsechus (festivals) are one of the best ways to experience the ancient living culture of Bhutan. This festival also provides a great opportunity to witness locals gathered in their finest Gho’s and Kira’s in a celebration of their culture and faith.
In the afternoon you can either continue with the festival or visit few places like Takin preserve & Traditional paper factory. Evening at leisure.
Overnight Thimphu
Punakha Valley via Dochu La & Chimmi Lhakhang. If the weather gods are with us at 3,080m the pass affords sweeping views towards the main Himalayan range and a meditative stroll amongst the forest of fluttering prayer flags and a maze of 108 memorial chortens.
The route now plunges into the primeval forest (look out for monkeys and birdlife) either by bike or in the vehicle snaking nearly 2,000 meters down into the Punakha valley at Chimmi Lhakhang. This hilltop, fertility temple, was founded by the tantric Buddhist Master Drukpa Kunley, one of Tibet’s foremost saints and yogis and the patron saint of Bhutan. He belongs to the Drukpa (Dragon) school of Tibetan Buddhism and is greatly loved by all the people as an enlightened master and an exponent of ‘crazy wisdom’. He taught through outrageous behavior and ribald humor in order to awaken the people he met to a higher awareness free from conventional morality and self-obsession.
Punakha Dzong (Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang – the Palace of Great Happiness) awaits you. Built-in 1637 by Zhabdung Nawang Namgyal in a commanding position at the confluence of the Po Chhu and Mo Chhu (Father and Mother rivers).
Bhutan’s second oldest dzong served as the seat of the Kingdom’s government until the time of the second King and today is the winter home of the Je Khenpo, the head abbot of Bhutan, along with a retinue of about 1,000 monks. Some guests are so captivated by the murals, shrines, and general goings-on in the courtyards that they chose to spend a few hours in the dzong.
Optional half-day white water rafting adventure (at an additional charge).
Overnight: Punakha
On the rise, after your breakfast drive to Phobjikha en routing Wangdue valley. It’s about 3hrs drive from here. On arrival witness the local festival which is celebrated annually by the locals as a religious event.
Phobjikha is a glacial valley on the periphery of the northwestern tip of the Black Mountain National Park. The valley is a conservation area and lies on the northern boundary of the Jowo Durshing range. People sometimes refer to the entire region as Gangtey after the name of the Gangtey Goenpa that is situated on a ridge overlooking the Phobjikha valley. According to the legend that the Gangtey Goenpa was founded by the grandson (the mind incarnation) of Pema Lingpa in 1613. The Phobjikha valley is also one of the roosting grounds of the Black-necked cranes that migrate each year in winter from its northern habitats in Tibet and Siberia to these grounds.
Visit Information Centre for the Blacked Necked Cranes. Evening, take a hike through the Blue Pine forest to the village farmhouse. Try traditional Bhutanese snacks made from corn and rice with a glass of homemade wine. Overnight Phobjikha.
On the final leg, the sinuous route follows the Pa Chhu River, through apple orchards and rice paddies, past quaint homesteads to our home in the Himalaya, Paro town.
Visit Bhutan’s National Museum which houses some of the religious masks, Thangkas (wall hanging/tapestry), religious artifacts, History & geological landscape of Bhutan.
Later visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan with its magic orange tree that bears fruit all year round. Evening at leisure!
Overnight Paro
The hike to the iconic Taktsang Goemba or Tiger’s Nest Monastery provides a fitting climax to our adventure. Otherworldly forces seem to be at work to keep the monastery clinging to its perch in the rock face so it comes as no surprise to discover 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 viewpoint. Descend steeply, then climb up to the monastery, passing a waterfall and entering through the main gates. Retrace your steps or alternatively (if time and energy levels allow) head further up to several remote temples and monasteries for more magnificent views over Taktsang and the valley below. Time permitting, we drive further up the valley to Drukgyel Dzong, built-in 1649 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to control the northern route to Tibet (from here, it is only a two-day hike to the border, dominated by Mt Jhomalhari).
On the way back to Paro stop for some last-minute shopping if you are not tired or you can just relax at the hotel.
Duration: 7 – 8 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to hard
Overnight: Paro
Early morning your guide will accompany you to the airport to see you off onto your flight and wish you Tashi Delek.
