14 Day Jambay Lhakhang Festival
Highlights of this Festival are the special fire ceremony and the sacred naked men dance.
Trip length: 14 Days / 13 Nights
Trip facts
Jambay Lhakhang is one of 108 Buddhist temples built in the 7th century by the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo in a single night. Revered as one of the oldest Lhakhang’s in the Country, it has played significant role in the propagation of Buddhism in Bhutan. To honour the Deity, the Lhakhang observes the sacred Tshechu or Festival. The highlight of this festival is a naked dance that is done to purify sins and augur a good harvest.
Day 1: Arrival (Paro)
On board to Paro by air presents a spectacular view of Himalayan Mountains including Mt. Everest and sacred mountains of Bhutan in Jomolhari and Jichu Drake. At the Airport, our representative will be there to receive and take you to the Hotel. In the afternoon, you can stoll freely in the town for the overnight hotel will be in Paro!
Day 2: Paro-Thimphu,
In the morning, visit Paro Dzong, known as Rinpung Dzong and Ta Dzong, the National Museum of the Country. The museum houses antiques, thangkas, weapons and armors beside other historical artifacts. Drive to Drukgyal Dzong, the Fort of the Victorious Bhutan, built after Bhutan’s victory over Tibetan Invasion in the year 1649. From here, under a clear sky, one can have a clear view of the Mount. Jomolhari at the elevation of 7, 314m. After lunch, drive to Thimphu, the capital of the Country via Confluence of Pachhu and Wangchhu. Overnight in the Hotel in Thimphu!
Day 3: 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 National Memorial Chorten, built in memory of the late Majesty, the Third King of Bhutan, Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Five miles from the town will reach you to Semtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress in the Kingdom built in 1629. Never miss an opportunity to visit Centenary Farmers Market, for you will get to see herds of people come for market as variety of home grown vegetables will be displayed for sell. Overnight in Thimphu!
Day 4: Thimphu-Punakha,
Drive to Punakha for lunch will be served at Dochula Pass at the elevation of 3, 100m. On a clear day, one can have a clear view of the Himalayas. From the Pass, drive downhill through the forests of rhododendron, fir and hemlock will reach you to Misina. Make a 20 minute walk through the terraced field leading up to the Chimi Lhakhang, the Fertility Temple. Continue your drive and the night stay will be in a Hotel in Punakha.
Day 5: Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten,
After breakfast, visit Punakha Dzong, built strategically at the Confluence of Phochhu and Mochhu in the year 1637. Later, drive 12km Northwards from the valley and the hike for about 30 minutes from the road point will reach you to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten, located on a hillock overlooking the villages. Dedicated to propagate the Buddha Dharma, the stupa embodies rich tradition of Bhutanese paintings. After the visit, return to Punakha for the night!
Day 6: 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. Upon crossing Pelela, we stop for lunch as Trongsa. Visit the Trongsa Dzong, the ancestral palace of the ruling Wangchuck Dynasty. After conquering Yutogla, and along the way to Bumthang, we stop at Yathra (textile weaving) factory for Yathras are exquisitely designed there. After crossing two major passes, we reach Bumthang for the night.
Day 7: Jambay Lhakhang Festival,
After a memorable day among the Bhutanese folks witnessing colourful mask dances, we stay awake until midnight to catch the sacred naked dance of Tamshing, considered pious and highly revered among the people. It is performed to sanctify and augur good harvest in the community. Overnight hotel in Bumthang!
Day 8: Bumthang,
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 7th 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. In October, Jambay Lhakhang Drub is one of the colourful festivals in the country. Visit Thangbi Lhakhang in the heart of Thangbi valley built in 16th century. Overnight in the hotel in Bumthang!
Day 9: Excursion to Tang Valley,
Make a trip to Tang and explore the taste of Bhutanese villages. At Tang, visit the 16th Century Ugyen Chholing Palace now turned into museum. The well-captioned exhibits offer insights into lifestyle of a Bhutanese noble family. You will also explore nearby villages. On the way back to town, you will see Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake), where some of Guru Rinpoche’s treasures were discovered by the 15th Treasure Discoverer, Tertoen Pema Lingpa. Overnight Hotel in Bumthang!
Day 10: Bumthang-Wangdue,
Starting from the Chamkhar town, the journey back to Wangdue Phodrang will pass via Trongsa, the ancestral palace of the Wangchuck Dynasty. Lunch will be served at Chendebji, famous for Chendebji Chorten built in 18th century by Lama Shida in Nepalese style with eyes painted at four cardinal points. Continue drive to Wangdue Phodrang for the overnight stay!
Day 11: Wangdue-Thimphu,
Return to Thimphu with short stop for tea at Dochu La Pass. There, visit the new Druk Wangyal Monastery with elaborate paintings showcasing the lineage of the present Monarchy and their visionary works. Continue driving downhill from the Pass will reach you to Thimphu. In the evening you may stroll freely in the town and may visit some handicraft shops. Overnight in the Hotel!
Day 12: Thimphu-Paro,
After breakfast, make a trip to weekend market, the Centenary Farmers Market and see variety of vegetables and grains displayed for sell. Visit the Handicraft Emporium containing Bhutanese handicrafts and household items. Take a chance to contact with some natives and know something special from them. Few minute walk from the market towards the South will take you to the Changlingmethang National Stadium. If you are lucky, you can catch a game of archery, the national game of Bhutan in progress. In the afternoon, you will drive to Paro for the night stay there!
Day 13: Hike to Taktshang,
Hiking the trails to Taktsang, the Tiger’s Nest is a whole new experience. 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. Hike back to Paro for the night! In the evening, you may walk in and around the town.
Day 14: Departure,
After breakfast, drive to the Paro Airport for your departure. Our representative will be there to see you off and will bid you farewell from Bhutan.