Thimphu Festival Tour (Tshechu)

Overview

This trip type is Thimphu Festival Tour for 8 Day(s) 7 Night(s) duration.

Thimphu Festival is one of the most popular festival in Kingdom of Bhutan. it occurs once every year and its considered one of the biggest festivals in the country, with so many visitors from different corners of the world and within the locality thousands of people gather in colorful costumes to attend the festival.

Thimphu Festival Schedule September 16-18, 2022, the dates may be tentative change every year(Bhutan Festival dates listed is provided by Tourism Council of Bhutan).

HIGHLIGHTS
  • Witness spectacular bird’s eye view of the Himalayas while flying in/out from Paro.
  • Thimphu festival following with the mask dances. (Many dance events)
  • Visit beautiful Thimphu city, Capital of Bhutan.
  • Visit Tashichhoedzong, a fortress of the glorious religion.
  • Taking to the traditional Bhutanese Farmhouses.
  • Paro hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest`
  • Enjoy the panoramic view of the Himalayan Mountain ranges.
  • See amazing works of Craft Bazaar where craftsmen and artisans from across the country.
  • Experience Bhutanese culture, tradition and lifestyles.

Itinerary

Day 01

Bangkok – Paro – Thimphu

Your flight to Paro will provide you a wonderful experience with a view of various high snow-capped mountains of Bhutan and Mt. Everest on a clear day. Upon arrival at Paro, our representative will receive you at the Airport. Visit Kyichu monastery dating back to the 7th Century. This is one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan built by Tibetan king Songtshen Gempo to pin down the ogress. Afterwards visit the historical Drugyel Dzong which is a ruin fortress now, built by Shabdrung in 1649 to commemorate the winning victory over the Tibetans in 1644. Thus, Drugyel Dzong means the Bhutanese victorious fortress.

Drive to Thimphu for 1 ½ hrs. After checking in at the hotel you could have rest for a while, and later walk around the city to see the life of urban Bhutan. Overnight stay in Thimphu.

Day 02

Thimphu city sightseeing

In the morning, drive 10 minutes to the Buddha point to see one of the largest statues of the Buddha in the world. Also, the Thimphu city is best viewed from the Buddha point as well. Later visit the school of Arts and Crafts which was established to preserve and promote our age-old practice. The students here are taught 13 different traditional arts and crafts. Visit the folk Heritage museum, to see the house of living traditions in some of the rural areas or the living house in olden days. Visit our National library next to the folk museum. And visit the mini zoo to see the Takins which is our national animals.

After lunch you can visit the Handicraft emporium for your souvenir shopping. Visit the Memorial stupa which was built in the memory of our beloved 3rd King in1974. Overnight halt at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 03

Attend Thimphu festival (Tsechu)

Attend the festival with the local folks since it’s both religious and social. Particularly Tsechu means the 10th day of lunar month which is connected with the birthday of the great tantric master, Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhava), whose birthday is celebrated on the tenth day of the fifth month. Most of the tsechus are related to teachings of Guru Rimpoche.

You will see some of the following mask dances:

Dance of the Black Hats with Drums (Shanag Nga Cham)

Dance of the Three Kinds of Ging with Sticks (Jug-Ging)

Overnight stay at the hotel in Thimphu

Day 04

Thimphu festival & Tango Monastery Hike

As a last day of the festival, just few mask dances will be performed until afternoon. Some cultural songs and dances will be also performed in between for the viewers during the festivals time.

After your lunch drive for half hour for your hike to Tango Goenpa (Monastery) for about 1.5 hours to and for. Lama Gyalwa Lhanampa founded the monastery in the 12th century. The present building was built in the 15th century by the Divine Mad Man “Drukpa Kuenly”. In 1616 Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel visited Tango Goemba and meditated in a cave nearby. Today Tango is the residence of an important young Trulku (reincarnate lama) who is recognized as the 17th reincarnation of highly respected forth Desi, Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye, whose previous reincarnation passed away in 1830. Also, at present the monastery serves as the prestigious Buddhist University for the monks of our state religion. You may also see some birds around this vicinity’s forest. After your hike drive back to your hotel. Overnight stay in Thimphu.

Day 05

Thimphu – Punakha

After breakfast, Drive to Punakha for 2 ½ hours with short stop at Dochula pass. If the weather is clear, you could have a superb view of the Bhutan’s Himalayas. Have lunch in Punakha town and visit beautiful Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Based on the prophecy of Guru Padmasambava the dzong is situated between two famous rivers, Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). Punakha was also the capital of Bhutan until 1955. Night halt in Punakha.

Day 06

Punakha – Paro

Drive to Paro for 4 hours and check in at the hotel first. Have lunch in the town.

After lunch you will visit the National museum, the museum which houses numerous collections of arts and artifacts. This museum is also rated as one of the best museums in Asia. It was originally built in the 17th Century as a watch tower for the dzong below. After lunch visit Paro Ringpung dzong built in 1646 and now serves as head of the administration for Paro district. You can stroll around in the town in the evening for your last-minute souvenirs shopping. Overnight stay in Paro.

Day 07

Paro – Tiger’s Nest or Taktshang hike

After your breakfast drive till the road end and begin your hike up hill. Walking time will be around 5 hours for a round trip.

Taktsang monastery is perched on the face of a cliff 800 Mts, above the Paro valley. It is a memorable spiritual journey. It was here that the great Tantric master, Guru Padmasambhava flew in from Tibet on the back of a flying tigress to propagate his teachings in Bhutan. If you cannot continue your hike inside the monastery, you can stop at the Cafeteria from where you can have a spectacular view of the Tiger’s Nest. Lunch at the cafeteria or you will be served catering lunch from a restaurant. Overnight stay in Paro.

Day 08

Paro – Bangkok Departure

Our guide and driver will drop you at the airport for your departure.

Tashi Delek and have a pleasant flight back home.

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