9 Days Bhutan Tour With Punakha Winter Festival

Duration : 8 Nights / 9 Days

Destination Covered : Thimphu, Paro, Punakha, Wangdue Phodrang

Tour Activities : Sightseeing

Tour Themes : Hill Stations & Valleys, Religious & Pilgrimage, Culture & Heritage

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Thimphu, Paro and Punakha Tour Overview

The Punakha tshechu is held for three days at the courtyard of majestic Punakha Dzong to honor Guru Rinpoche. This is one of the three biggest festivals held in western Bhutan. This festival is in commemoration of the Drukpa’s (Bhutanese) victory over the Tibetan army in the 17th century. Today during the festival the local people dressed up as the Pazabs(Ancient Militia man) and demonstrates age old tradition of battle fought by the Bhutanese to safeguard this Dzong from Tibetan invaders.

The people come from far and near to witness the festival and get blessed. It is also time for prayer and family get together. The local folks sing and dance dressed in colorful costumes. The festival ends with a throngdroel ceremony. It’s indeed, a great time for taking picture.

Trip Facts

Best Time: Feburary to March
Activities: Festival Experience, Cultural Sightseeing and Hikings
Tour Type: Private Tour for One and More
Travel Route: Paro – Thimphu (2N) – Punakha (2N) – Phobjekha (1) -Paro (3N)
INSURANCE

Package does not include insurance of any kinds, and that you are required to obtain separate coverage from your home country before your trip begins.

Thimphu, Paro and Punakha Tour Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive Paro â€“ Thimphu

On arrival at Paro airport, you will be greeted by our guide and driver. After lunch in Paro town you can walk to the Rinpung Dzong crossing a traditional wooden bridge. From here, you will be taken to Kichu Lhakhang, one of theoldest and the most sacred shrine in the country.

In the evening, you can drive to Thimphu. On the way you will visit TachogLhakang and take a brief stop at Chuzomsa, the confluence of Paro chu and Thimphu chu.

Day 2

Thimphu Sightseeing

Kick start the program today by visiting the King’s Memorial Chorten, dedicated to world peace and prosperity. This structure holds great religious significance and is the most visible landmark in Thimphu. Then drive to Kuenselphodrang where the169ft bronze Buddha statue is located overlooking Thimphu valley.

Next visit the Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as Painting School) and the Traditional Medicinal Institute. In the afternoon, if it is the weekend, visit the weekend market where farmers gather to sell their farm produce. You can see the colourful display of fresh vegetables and fruits as well as local cheese and butter. The people mingling here is a scene not to be missed. In the evening, visit Tashichhodzong, the beautiful medieval fortress-monastery which houses most of the Government’s office and Kings’ Throne Room. Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

Day 3

Thimphu â€“ Punakha

After breakfast this morning, enjoy a scenic drive to Punakha with a stop at Dochu La pass at 3100m dotted with 108 chortens, where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayan ranges. After a brief photo stop, drive downhill through the forests of rhododendron, fir, and daphne. Punakha valley is situated at 1220m, lower than Thimphu and Paro. Owing to this subtropical vegetation, fruits such as banana, mangoes, mandarin and guava are grown here. En route, you will stop at Lobesa to hike through rice paddies up to the Chimi Lhakhang Temple. This temple is dedicated to the great Yogi in the 14th century known as Drukpa Kuenley, or the “Divine Madman,” who is believed to bless women who seek fertility.

Day 4

Punakha Festival

The festivalis being held inside the Majestic Punakha Dzong in the large courtyard where many local people gather around to watch the festival going on in the middle of the gathering coward. Local people dressed up with different finest silk cloths with intricate designs; particularly you will see many Bhutanese women wearing most expensive cloths with jewelries and ornaments during the festival. And you will see different religious mask dances and some folk songs during the day at the Punakha festival. Overnight stay at the hotel in Punakha.

Day 5

Punakha to Phobjekha

Following breakfast, you will head to remote Gangtey with short stopover in Wangdue to get a glimpse of Wangdue Phodrang Dzong that dramatically sits on the ridge. After Wangdue, the road winds up through dense forests of oak and rhododendrons till Lawala pass, which is blanketed with dwarf bamboos. The pass offers panoramic views of the Himalayan Mountains. Drive downhill for little while and you will be awestricken by the stunning views of Gangtey Goenpa and Phobjikha Valley. Visit Gangtey Goenpa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan. Later in the afternoon, you can hike in Phobjikha valley, the home to the rare Black Necked Cranes, which migrate from the Tibetan plateau to escape the harsh winter.

Day 6

Phobjekha to Paro

After breakfast, you will drive back to Paro. It will take you about 4 hours 20 minutes for the 125 kilometers. On the way, you will visit Simtokha Dzong enroute, built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Simtokha Dzong is the first dzong in Bhutan built by Zhabdrung

Day 7

Paro to Haa â€“ Paro

Drive to Haa valley about 2.5 hours across Chelela (3899M) the country’s highest motor road pass which is indeed very scenic taking one along various level of vegetation finally going above the tree line. On clear days the captivating view of Jomolhari and the panoramic view of Paro valley and Haa valley on either side can keep one’s memory fluttering endlessly. Descend further down to Haa valley and meet Haaps, the people of Haa. The place is quite and calm, suddenly you will feel Haa is indeed more remote and has less people. Visit lhakang Karpo and Nagpo, drive through the valley till Damthang and later back to Haa town for lunch. After lunch drive back to Paro.

Option: Once on Chelela pass there is an option of further continuing to Haa valley or taking up the scenic hike along Chelela ridge to Chela Gungkarpo, a sky burial site and then finally dropping down to a Nunnery perched on the cliff side. In the evening drive back to Paro.

Day 8

Day hike to taktsang (Tiger nest)

Today, you will hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, Bhutan’s most famous monastery, which stands at 3180m. According to the legend, it is believed that Guru Rimpoche, the 8th century Spiritual Master, flew to this location on the back of a tigress to meditate.

Lunch will be served at Cafeteria Restaurant halfway up on the mountain. Explore the monastery and hike back to Paro.

Day 9