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PARO - TSECHU FESTIVAL TOUR |
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The biggest and best
festival In Bhutan and definitely the
most popular.. Don't miss the annual
unfurling of the world's largest
religious scroll, the Paro Thangka. The
pageantry is like nothing you have every
seen. Performed by monk, lay monks and
citizens, a Bhutanese Tsechu is also
performed for Bhutanese to recount the
history of Bhutan and the Buddha.
Performing and Watching a Tsechu is an
act of merit building honor. Don't ever
think this performance is for tourists.
You may get the attention of the clowns
but people won't stare at you in Bhutan
like other parts of Asia. |
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Itinerary of Paro - Tsechu Festival Tour in
Detail |
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Days 01 :
Arrive Paro
The flight to Paro offers good view of the mighty
Himalayas. On the arrival at Paro international
airport, your tour guide will receive you and escort
you to the hotel. After a brief refreshment/ lunch
in the hotel visit the National Museum located on a
promontory overlooking the valley. The museum is a
good introduction to the Bhutanese culture and
history. In the evening explore the Paro village
town. Overnight Hotel |
Days 02 :
Paro festival
After breakfast, walk to Paro Ringpung Dzong to
witness the first day of the festival held inside
the Dzong's courtyard. Lots of people from Paro
valley will come to see the festival wearing the
best dresses. The festival will last till 3 PM in
the afternoon. In the late afternoon, visit the 7th
century Kychu temple built by Songtsen Gambo, the
first Tibetan Buddhist king to spread Buddhism
across the Himalayas. Overnight Hotel. |
Days 03 :
Paro festival
After breakfast walk to the ground above the Dzong
the witness the second day of the festival. Today,
the festival will be held outside the dzong in the
open air and you will get much better view of the
festival from the slopes and you will get to
interact more with the local people. The festival
will last about 3 PM in the evening drive to
Drukgyal Dzong to see the ruins of the Dzong. The
Dzong though in ruins played a very important role
in defending the valley from Tibetan invasion.
Overnight Hotel. |
Days 04 :
Paro - Thimphu (63 KM, 3 hour drive)
After breakfast drive to Thimphu. The drive would
take about 2 hours, on the way, visit the Simtokha
Dzong built in 1629 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal,
the unifier of Bhutan in the 17th century. Now the
Dzong now houses a Buddhist College for the monks.
On the arrival at Hotel in Thimphu check in the
hotel and have lunch. After lunch, visit the
Institute of Arts & Crafts where they train young
students in the traditional arts. Visit the National
Library where old manuscripts are preserved. Visit
the Folk Heritage museum. In the late afternoon,
drive to Viewpoint and enjoy the view of Thimphu
city. On the way back visit the strange looking
animal, Tarkin (national Animal) in the sanctuary.
In the evening explore the Thimphu city. Overnight
Hotel |
Days 05 :
Thimphu - sightseeing
After breakfast, visit the National Memorial Chorten
built in memory of the late King in 1974 by Late
Ashi Phuntsho Choden. Visit the Institute of
Traditional Medicines, Textile Museum and Government
Handicrafts store. Lunch in the town. After lunch,
visit the traditional handmade paper factory and
gold & silversmiths workshop. In the evening after
office hours, visit the Tashicho Dzong. The Dzong
houses the office of His Majesty the King and is the
summer residence of His Holiness, the Je Kheno's
(Lord Abbot) and the central monk body. In the
evening, you can explore the various handicrafts
stores in the town. Overnight Hotel. |
Days 06 :
Thimphu -Punakha (77 KM, 3 hour drive)
After breakfast drive to Punakha On the way at
Dochula pass (3100 KM) visit the only 108 stupa
built in one spot. If the sky is clear you can see
the breathtaking view of the whole Eastern Himalayan
Mountain Ranges. In Punakha visit the Punakha Dzong,
which houses the Central Monk body in winter. In the
late afternoon drive to Kabisa and take a short hike
to Khamsung Yuelley Namgyal Stupa. The round trip
hike would take about 2 hours. Overnight Hotel. |
Days 07 :
Punakha - Bumthang ( 208 KM, 8 hour drive)
After breakfast drive to Bumthang via Wangdi village
town. While passing through Wangdi, you can also
visit the Wnagdi Phodrang Dzong and continue driving
to Bumthang. Have the pack lunch around the Pelela
Pass (3300 Mts) or you have the option to continue
to Chendebji Stupa. Chendebji Stupa is a massive
stupa built in Sherpa style. After lunch, drive onto
Bumthang via Trongsa. At Trongsa, stop to visit the
Trongsa Dzong which is one of the most magnificent
Dzongs in Bhutan with many old and holy temples
inside the Dzong. Also visit the ancient WatchTower
which has a temple dedicated to Ling Geyser
(Alexandra the Great) and have your evening tea and
continue to the Bumthang for the night. |
Days 08 :
Bumthang - sightseeing
After breakfast visit the Jampey Lhakhang temple ;
visit the Kurjey lhakhang and also the new temple
which is under construction near it, it has one of
the best woodworks on the windows and joints. Drive
to Thangbi Bridge and walk across the bridge to the
Thangbi village and explore the village and the
Thangbi Temple. In the evening, visit the Tamshing
temple, Kharsumpey temple, Kenchosum temple, and the
Jakar town. |
Days 09 :
Bumthang - Ura - Bumthang ( 54 KM, 2½ hour drive one
way)
After breakfast, Visit the Jakar Dzong and the many
temples inside the Dzong. Drive to Ura village which
is 54 KM away. On the way, visit the Mebar Tso known
as the " Flaming Lake" which is considered as one of
the most sacred pilgrimage spots in Bhutan. In Ura
visit the Ura Temple and explore the village and
drive back to Bumthang for the night. |
Days 10 :
Bumthang - Gangtey ( 143 KM, 7 hour drive)
After breakfast visit the Jakar Dzong and drive to
Gangtey. On the way, stop at Trongsa for lunch and
continue to Gangtey. In Gangtey visit the Gangtey
Gompa Dzong which is currently under renovation and
you can see local carpenters and wood carvers at
work. From Gangtey, you can closely view the
picturesque Black Mountain ranges as well as the
beautiful Phobjikha valley. Gangtey Gompa ( Gangtey
monastery)-the only Nyingmapa (the older Buddhist
sect) monastery is perched atop a small hill that
rises from the valley floor. Overnight
Phuntshocholing lodge. |
Days 11 :
Gangtey - Thimphu ( 148 KM, 6 hour drive)
Early in the morning try your luck with the rare
Black Necked cranes and take a walk in the beautiful
Phubjikha valley. Drive to Wangdi for lunch and to
Dochula pass for the evening tea for one more try
with the mountain view. Drive to Thimphu for the
night. The total drive time would take about 6
hours. Overnight Hotel. |
Days 12 :
Tango Cheri hike (Local)
After breakfast, take pack lunch and drive 18 KM
north of Thimphu to Dodena. Hike to the Tango
Buddhist College and visit the monastery. The round
trip hike would take about 3 hours. On the return,
if time permits hike to Cheri Monastery. Otherwise,
on the way back to Thimphu, visit the Pangri Zampa
astrology school. Overnight. |
Days 13 :
Thimphu - Paro (63 KM, 2 hours drive)
After breakfast visit the few shopping places in
Thimphu and drive to Paro. In the afternoon, visit
the Dzong Drakha retreat center for the villagers.
It is a beautiful walk of about 1 hours walk for the
round trip. The walk also offers good view of the
Bondey village. Overnight Hotel. |
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