9 Days Bhutan Tour With Thimphu 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

Bhutan Tour with Thimphu festival offers the opportunity to witness the Thimphu Festival celebrated in the capital building, Tashichodzong. These colorful dances are an integral part of Buddhist culture in Bhutan and are performed to honor Guru Rinpoche. It is also a time for the Bhutanese folks to wear new clothes, drink and enjoy. Bhutan Thimphu festival is one of the most favorite of tourists and is witnessed by thousands of people, both local and tourists. This festival being held at the heart of the capital city lots of people flock together to witness the ongoing events. Some light rainfall is always expected during this festival and is considered as form of blessing from heaven.

Trip Facts

Best Time:Month of September.
Activities: Festival Experience, Cultural Sightseeing and hiking.
Tour Type: Private Tour for One and More
Travel Route: Paro – Thimphu(2N) – Punakha(2N) – Phobjekha (1N) – 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.

Package Highlights
It is believed that merit is gained by attending the Tshechu. The dances invoke the deities to wipe out misfortunes, increase luck and grant personal wishes.
Witness the spectacular Bhutan Thimphu festival.
Discover an ancient traditions and culture.
Meet local people.
Visit ancient dzongs, temples and monasteries.
Scenic landscapes.
Pristine villages and farm houses.
Thrilling hike to taktsang
Witness archery matches.

Thimphu, Paro and Punakha Tour Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive Paro - Thimphu (2360m, 54km, 1hr.)

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 the oldest 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 point of Paro chu and Thimphu chu.

Day 2

Thimphu Festival

After breakfast attend Festival, which is held outside the courtyard of Tashichhodzong, the main Secretariat Building, where the government ministries, the office of His Majesty the King, the Throne Room, the offices and living quarters of the monk body and its Chief Abbot are housed.

Day 3

Thimphu â€“ Punakha

Enjoy scenic drive to Punakha. Stop at Dochula pass (3150 meters) where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas. When you arrive at Metshina Village, you can take 20-minute walk through rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, the Divine Madman’s temple popularly considered to be a temple of fertility. Take lunch in one of the restaurants and continue drive to Punakha. On arrival, visit Punakha Dzong, which is noteworthy for being one of the most beautiful Dzongs in Bhutan.

Day 4

Punakha Sightseeing

After breakfast, we begin our activity by visiting the Punakha Dzong, which is stunningly situated in between the male and female rivers like an anchored ship. Wooden cantilever bridge over the Mochu or the female river give as additional aura to this architecture. This Dzong has three courtyards each with an exquisite arts and design. It was an ancient capital and now it functions as the winter home of state monk body. We will then walk from the Dzong towards suspension bridge passing by the Crematorium. Walking along this high suspension bridge will fling you into a state of euphoria. On the other side of the bridge is the village of Kabesa – we will explore this village, talking and interacting with people about their ways of living. If you wish, we can also visit any one of the farmhouses for a cup of a traditional tea. We return to local restaurant in the town for a lunch.

We drive about 12km north of Punakha Valley to embark on a hike to KhamsumYulley Namgyal Chorten. Crossing a small bridge over Mochu River, walking along the sides of village on rice fields uphill for about 40 minutes we reach the Chorten. Circumambulate the chorten and then climb over the staircase leading to an open terrace to see and photo shot the scene below. You will have amazing views of Valley with Mochu River meandering through beautiful rice fields and farmhouses. On our return to hotel, we explore town of Punakha. Overnight at hotel in Punakha.

Day 5

Punakha â€“ 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 Sightseeing

After an early breakfast, embark on the Longtey Hike. It is a 30minutes drive from Phobjikha to the starting point in Longtey village on the East-West highway. Start by walking downwards following the path to the right of the road. The path will lead through bush bamboo towards a small cluster of village houses. There are beautifully coloured rhododendron forests on both sides of the valley, and in the winter months, yaks graze in the area. Continue straight through the village upwards until you reach the start of mystifying old-growth rhododendron forest.

The last part through the forest is slightly steeper uphill until you reach the pass with impressive views of the GangteyGoemba, the Shedra, the lodge and the rest of the valley down below. Before you continue on the path as it slopes down the valley towards the idyllic Kumbu village. It is possible to get picked up from here, or you may continue down to the Shedra or all the way down to the valley.

Later in the afternoon, visit Gangtey Monastery and do Gangtey Nature trail hike

Day 7

Phobjekha â€“ 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 8

Tiger Nest Hike

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