Thimphu Tshechu
Trip length: 11 Days / 10 Nights
Trip facts
Thimphu, the capital of the Country boasts of maintaining her rich culture intact while coping with modernity. The fast growing city is surrounded by sacred temples and the Trashichhodzong, the throne room and the seat of the Chief Abbot. The Thimphu Tshechhu reignites the teachings of 8 th century Buddhist saint, Guru Rinpochhe through mask dances taking numerous manifestations. Thousands of people far and wide come to attend the tshechhu and get the blessings.
Day 1: Arrival
Upon your arrival at Paro Airport, our representative will be there to receive and transfer you to Thimphu. 45 minutes of drive along the banks of Pachhu and Wangchhu and you reach Thimphu. Check in the Hotel and serve the first taste of Bhutanese cuisine. Later you may stroll in the town. Overnight hotel in Thimphu!
Day 2: Thimphu Festival
After early breakfast, attend the whole day Thimphu Festival at Tendrelthang of the Trashichhodzong. Performed and observed to honour the Great Saint, the tshechhu is characterized by mask dances performed by the monks and lay people. You will also get to witness the dances performed by the Royal Academy of Performing Arts (RAPA) and the local dancers. Overnight hotel will be in Thimphu.
Day 3: Thimphu – Punakha
Drive to Punakha via Dochula Pass at 3, 100m. Make a brief stop for tea and also have a spectacular view of the Himalayas. From the Pass, drive downhill through the forests of rhododendron, fir and hemlock. After travelling through the terraced field, you will reach to Punakha. After lunch, visit Punakha Dzong, the former capital of the Country built strategically at the Confluence of Phochhu and Mochhu. Overnight hotel in Punakha!
Day 4: Punakha – Bumthang
We start early for drive to Bumthang from Punakha takes about 7 hours. On the way, you will have a view of Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, now under reconstruction after major fire razed the fort to the ground. The district is known for bamboo works, state and stone carving. Conquering Pelela at 3, 300m, you will stop for lunch at Trongsa. After lunch, visit the Trongsa Dzong, the ancestral palace of the Wangchuck Dynasty. Proceed to Bumthang through lush valleys and hilly forests. Along the way you will stop at a yathra (textile weaving) factory, where the Yathras
are designed with patterns unique to Bumthang, and you can even watch some of the weavers at their looms. Upon crossing two major passes of Pelela and Yutogla at either side of Trongsa, we reach Bumthang for the night.
Day 5: Bumthang Sightseeing
Known as the cultural capital of the country, the district also is home to important religious sites. The visit of Guru Rinpochhe and Tertoen, treasure discoverers in succeeding years have led to establishment of several religious seats and lhakhangs in the valley. Start your tour with the visit to Jambay Lhakhang, one of the oldest in the country built in 7 th Century by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. Short drive to the North will take you to Kurje Lhakhang housing the body imprint of Guru Rinpochhe. Follow to Jakar Dzong located on hillock overlooking the town. On the left flank of the Chamkhar Chhu, visit Tamzhing Lhakhang built by great Tertoen, Pema Lingpa, the ancestor of the Bhutan’s hereditary Monarch. Return to the town and you may have a free walk. Overnight hotel in Bumthang!
Day 6: Bumthang – Wangdue
Begin the journey to Wangdue Phodrang from Bumthang town. We will make brief stops at scenic places at the Summits of the major Passes in Yutogla and Pelela to have a glimpse of nature and the panoramic view it presents. Visit Wangdue Dzong perched on a ridge. The Dzong, caught by major fire in June 2012 is under reconstruction. The nearby villages are known for their slate and stone carvings. Overnight hotel in Wangdue!
Day 7: Wangdue – Thimphu
On the way to Thimphu, stop at Misina and take a 20 minute walk to Chimi Lhakhang, the Fertility Temple dedicated to Drukpa Kuenley, also known as the Divine Madman. Continue drive to Thimphu. After lunch, visit Centenary Farmers Market at explore the local vegetables displayed for sale. You may stroll in the town and visit some Handicrafts shops in the capital. Overnight hotel in Thimphu!
Day 8: Thimphu Sightseeing
After breakfast, we start the tour. Visit the Takin enclosure, to see the national animal of Bhutan. Proceed to Kuensel Phodrang and have a sight of Buddha Dordenma Statue, the biggest of its kind in the world. After visiting Heritage
Museum and Textile Museum, follow to Trashichhodzong, the throne room and the seat of Chief Abbot of the Central Monastic Body. Visit the National Memorial Chorten, built in memory of the late Majesty, the Third King of Bhutan, Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Make a short trip to Paper factory where you will get to see the art of Bhutanese traditional paper making. Proceed to the School of Arts and Crafts (also known as the Institute for Zorig Chumsum). Five miles from the town will reach you to Semtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress in the Kingdom
built in 1629. Drive to Sangaygang, the radio tower station to have a panoramic of the Thimphu city. Overnight in Thimphu!
Day 9: Thimphu – Paro
Drive to Paro along the banks of Wangchhu and Pachhu. Visit the Tadzong, the watch tower now converted to National Museum housing ancient paintings, armours and philatelic display. Walk down the trail to visit Paro Rinpung Dzong built in 1646 now designed as the administrative centre of the Paro District. After lunch, visit Kyichu Lhakhang built in 7 th Century by the Tibeatn King Songtsen Gampo to propagate Buddha Dharma. Proceed to Drukgyal Dzong, the fort of the Victorious Bhutan built after the Bhutanese victory over the Tibetan forces.
Under a clear sky, Mount Jumolhari, Bhutan’s second highest mountain at 7, 314m can be seen very clearly and beautifully. Drive back to Paro for the night!
Day 10: Taktshang Excursion
Spend one whole day hiking the trails to Taktsang, the Tiger’s Nest. This magical monastery hangs to vertical granite cliff 3000 ft. above the valley floor. Legend says that Guru Padmasambhava flew here from Khengpajong in Lhuentse on the back of a tigress to meditate in the cave. The tigress was actually his favorite consort and a disciple, Yeshe Tsogyel, whom he transformed to a flying tigress for the purpose of this journey. The hike to Taktsang Monastery takes about 4 hours. From the Monastery and the adjacent area, one will have a beautiful view of the Paro valley. After descending from the Monastery, Taktsang Cafeteria is a perfect place for rest and lunch. Then you return for the Hotel at sun set.
Day 11: Departure
After breakfast, our transport team will reach you to the Paro International Airport and our representative will bid you farewell from Bhutan.