9 Days Punakha Tshechu Festival Tour

Package Overview

Spruce up your Bhutan travel by attending the Punakha Festival, a celebration following the popular Punakha Drubchen festival. Held at the majestic Punakha Dzong, this Buddhist festival pays homage to Guru Rinpoche, the founder of Bhutanese Buddhism. Witness spectacular masked dances, traditional music, and colorful attire. The highlight is the unfolding of a gigantic thongdrol (tapestry) depicting Guru Rinpoche, believed to cleanse sins and bring blessings to any onlookers.

Day wise Itinerary

• Day 1 : ARRIVE PARO

  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 representative will meet you at Paro airport.
  
  After lunch enjoy afternoon sightseeing around Paro, including a visit to the National Museum, Ta Dzong. 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.

  • Themes Museums
• Day 2 : PARO

  After breakfast hike to Taktsang Monastery. The trail is broad and the walk of approximately 1.5 to 2 hours uphill takes you high above the Paro valley. The view of Taktsang Monastery built on a sheer cliff face 900 meters above the valley floor is a spectacular sight.
  
  In the afternoon drive to the almost fully reconstructed Drukgyel Dzong.

  • Themes Sightseeing
• Day 3 : PARO – PUNAKHA

  Drive over the Dochu-La pass (3,100 meters), which on a clear day offers an incredible view of Himalayan peaks before descending into balmy Punakha valley (about 4 hrs total driving time).
  
  Punakha was the ancient capital of Bhutan. On arrival, drive to Punakha Dzong, the “Palace of Great Happiness” to attend the festival.

  • Themes Sightseeing
• Day 4 : PUNAKHA (Punakha Festival)

  Morning at Punakha Dzong to witness Punakha Tsechu (festival). The festival’s masked dances are performed by monks clad in colorful brocade attire and permeated by chants and reading of Buddhist scripts.
  
  After lunch takes a short walk to Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of the Drukpa Kuenly who is also known as the Divine Madman.

  • Themes Sightseeing
• Day 5 : PUNAKHA – PHOBJIKHA VALLEY

  Transfer to Phobjikha Valley (3 hrs) via the bustling market town of Wangduephodrang. Drive-up a winding mountain road through oak and rhododendron forests, and over a high pass down into the picturesque Phobjikha Valley.
  
  Phobjikha is one of Bhutan’s few glacial valleys and chosen winter home of black-necked cranes (November – March) migrating from the Tibetan plateau. After lunch visit the Phobjikha Sanctuary to view the majestic black necked cranes (Nov-Mar only) and Gangtey Gompa (Monastery), dating back to the 16th century.

  • Themes Sightseeing
• Day 6 : PHOBJIKHA VALLEY – THIMPHU

  Morning go for walk and meet the School children close to your hotel, who all walk for hours to reach their nearest school. Phobjikha is a paradise for nature lovers and hikers.
  
  There are lots of great places for hikes around the valley. Visit Gangtey monastery, the richly renovated monastery offering rich architecture and paintings. Walk down to the valley through the village. After lunch drives back to Thimphu crossing over Dochula pass again.

  • Themes Sightseeing
• Day 7 : THIMPHU

  Enjoy a full day of sightseeing, including a visit to the National Memorial Chorten depicting the Buddhist faith in the form of paintings and statues. Continue on to the 12th-century Changangkha Temple and Drubthob monastery housing the Zilukha Nunnery.
  
  If there is time, you may visit the nursing pen for the Takin, the national animal of Bhutan, and Tashichhodzong, ‘the fortress of the glorious religion’. Tashichhodzong houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body.

  • Themes Sightseeing
• Day 8 : THIMPHU – PARO

  Continue sightseeing in Thimphu. Visit the School for Arts and Crafts where students are taught the 13 types of Bhutanese art, The National Library housing the collection of Bhutanese scriptures dating back to the 8th century, the Traditional Paper Factory displaying the Bhutanese paper making process, and a fascinating replica of a medieval farmhouse at the Folk Heritage Museum.
  
  Late afternoon transfer to Paro. Overnight at your hotel in Paro.

  • Themes Sightseeing
• Day 9 : DEPART PARO

  Breakfast in the hotel, then drive to the airport for a flight to your onward destination.

  • Themes Sightseeing

Inclusions

• Double room on twin sharing basis in government approved 3 star hotels
• Single room supplement is additional of USD 45 per night per room
• All three meals (does not cover water and other beverages ordered in hotels/restaurants)
• Bottled mineral water for the entire trip (except water ordered in the hotels and restaurants)
• Afternoon tea and snacks
• English speaking and knowledgeable guide
• Comfortable SUV and a reliable driver
• Museum entrance fees
• Visa fee and processing charges
• Tourism Development Fund
• Government taxes
• All administrative cost
• Full service & assistance before, during and after your Bhutan trip

Exclusions

• Airfare to and from Bhutan (we can arrange you tickets for you if you wish)
• Any other beverages (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) including water ordered in restaurants and hotels
• Travel or health insurance
• Wire transfer
• Laundry
• Gratuity/Tip for guides and drivers

Package Start From

• Paro, Bhutan, Asia

Terms & Conditions

This Tour is Offered by

• Thim Throm, Thimphu, Bhutan - 11001
• XXXXXX5302 View Contact
• XXXXXXXXXX@bhutanmindfulnesstours.com View Mail ID

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