Thimphu Festival Tour from Nepal - Festival Date 13 Sept- 15 September 2024

Fly into Paro by DrukAir / Bhutan Airline After completing your immigration formalities, you will be received by our representative who will be your tour guide throughout your tour.

Then drive to Thimphu, On arrival at Thimphu check into your hotel, and after refreshments visit the following:

Kuensel Phodrang and visit the tallest buddha statue and enjoy the full view of Thimphu Valley below.

Craft Bazaar -A one-stop place to witness Bhutanese culture and buy Bhutan-made art and craft product. The Bazaar in its 80 stalls covers all aspects of the traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. At this Bazaar craftsmen and artisans from across the country display and sell their handicrafts. And also visit other handicraft stores.

Overnight at Thimphu

• Meals: Breakfast., Lunch and dinner.
• Accommodation: 03 Star Hotel
• Location: Thimpu

Today is a festival day so after breakfast, we will leave to trashi chodzong to witness the festival.

One of the biggest festivals in the country is the Thimphu Tshechu. This festival is held in the capital city for three days beginning on the 10th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar. This Tshechu is witnessed by thousands of people many of which travel from neighboring Dzongkhags (districts) to attend the festivities. The actual

Tshechu is preceded by days and nights of prayer and rituals to invoke the gods. When it was initiated by the 4th Desi, Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay in 1867 the Tshechu consisted of only a few dances being performed strictly by monks. These were the Zhana Chham and the Zhana Nga Chham (Dances of the 21 Black Hats), Durdag (Dance of the Lords of the Cremation Ground), and the Tungam chham (Dance of the Terrifying Deities).

The Thimphu Tshechu underwent a change in the 1950s, when the third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, introduced numerous Boed chhams (mask dances performed by lay monks). These additions added color and variation to the festival without compromising its spiritual significance. Mask dances like the Guru Tshengye (Eight Manifestations of Guru), and Shaw Shachi (Dance of the Stags) are enjoyed because they are similar to stage-theater.

Equally important are the Atsaras, who are more than just mere clowns. The Atsaras are the dupthobs (acharyas), who provide protection. The dances and the jesting of the Atsaras are believed to entrance evil forces and prevent them from causing harm during Tshechus. Modern Atsaras also perform short skits to disseminate health and social awareness messages.

To farmers, the Tshechu is also seen as a break from farm life. It’s an occasion to celebrate, receive blessings, and pray for health and happiness.

Later after lunch, we will visit the following place

Weekend Market

Every Saturday and Sunday most of Thimphu's scant population and many valley dwellers congregate on the banks of the river where the weekend market is held. It is an interesting place to visit and provides an opportunity to mingle with the local people.

National Sport of Bhutan ( Archery )

One of the best places to witness a game of traditional and modern archery. Which is a national sport of Bhutan? If you want to take some good pictures of archery matches then this is one of the best places to be.

Almost all the time there is a tournament being played

Overnight at Thimphu

• Meals: Breakfast., Lunch and dinner.
• Accommodation: 03 Star Hotel
• Location: Thimpu

After breakfast, travel to Punakha through Dochula Pass 3140 m). In the clear spring sky, you can enjoy the panoramic view of the Himalayan Mountain ranges. Then pass by the beautiful 108 chortens built on the hill by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck (Queen Mother of Bhutan) for the security and wellbeing of His Majesty, the King of Bhutan.

You will also visit Druk Wangyal Lhakhang (monastery) which was built by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck (the Queen Mother of Bhutan) as a tribute to His Majesty the fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, and armed forces after His Majesty led a successful operation against Indian militants who had occupied certain areas of Bhutan. The gallery of the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang has beautiful murals depicting some of the important events in the reigns of the Kings of Bhutan.

Then travel onto Punakha. Punakha has been inextricably linked to some of the most momentous events in Bhutanese history and deserves its reputation as one of the most beautiful and significant regions at the heart of Bhutanese culture. Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan from 1637 till 1907. The dzong is historically important and stands as the symbol of a unified Bhutan.

On the way, stop for lunch at Metsina village and then visit the Devine Madman’s Monastery-Chhimi Lhakhang, famously known for its fertility shrine, where one can receive a special fertility blessing.

Then visit the Punakha Dzong, located on the island of the Pho-Chu (male river) and the Mochu (female river). The dzong was built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative seat of the region. At the dzong, you can see the highest standards in woodwork. We will also walk through the longest suspension bridge.

In the evening visit Rinchengang & Lobesa villages where you will take a short walk through the village and have free interaction with the villagers.

Overnight at Punakha

• Meals: Breakfast., Lunch and dinner.
• Accommodation: 03 Star Hotel
• Location: Punakha

After breakfast travel to Paro. On the way visit the following:

Tamchog Lhakhang Bridge

Located on the other side of the river of the Thimphu - Paro highway, one needs to cross an iron chain suspension bridge to get to the Lhakhang.

About a 30-minute drive from Paro towards Thimphu city, Tamchog Lhakhang sits across the Paro River. The Lhakhang is approached by an iron chain suspension bridge. The Lhakhang and the bridge were constructed by a 13th-century Tibetan saint Thangthong Gyalpo. The Buddhist saint was also a blacksmith and an architect. Of the many iron chain bridges built, there are only a few left that is still used. Crossing this old bridge can be a thrilling experience for tourists. Some of the original iron chain links used to build this bridge can be found on display in the National Museum in Paro

Paro Airport Bird eye View

Paro international airport is the only international airport in Bhutan where you can teach Bhutan via air. It’s a small airport with a single runaway and no or very little international traffic. However, it’s considered one of the most dangerous airports for landing and also the most beautiful airport in terms of landscape and architecture. Hotel Check-in and later visit National Museum.

National Museum, housed in the Ta Dzong (watchtower). Here an intriguing collection of artifacts provide a wonderful introduction to the rich culture and heritage of the Kingdom.

In the evening stroll through Paro town and visit local handicraft stores.

Overnight at Paro

• Meals: Breakfast., Lunch and dinner.
• Accommodation: 03 Star Hotel
• Location: Paro

After breakfast, hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’. The walk up to the viewpoint will take about 1 – 1 ½ hrs depending on your fitness and from View Point, you will enjoy a spectacular view of the monastery clinging to the side of the cliff. Stop for refreshments at the View Point Cafeteria. Then walk further up to the monastery which will take about 1 hour. It is said that in the 8th century Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan to this place and meditated in a cave there for 3 months. The principal Lhakhang (monastery) of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. Taktsang was damaged severely by fire in 1998 but has now been fully restored to its former glory. After visiting the monastery, walk downhill back to the road on the way stop for lunch at the viewpoint cafeteria, and then walk further downhill to the road point. Then drive to Drukgyel Dzong (fortress) which is situated on a ridge in the upper Paro valley which is a 30-minute drive north of Paro town.

Drugyel Dzong also means “Fortress Of Victorious Drukpas” which was built in 1649 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. The Dzong had served as an important base for defense in the region until 1951 when it was destroyed by fire. The ruins of the Dzong continued to be protected as an important monument linking the people of Bhutan with the great events that contributed to maintaining the sovereignty of the country. Drukgyel Dzong was served solely for defensive purposes without administrative and religious functions, especially against external threats from the border.

The existing ruins of the Dzong are comparatively well preserved. One can without much difficulty understand or distinctive features of the complex. Although most of the timber components of the Dzong such as roof truss, door and window frames, and floors and ceilings are almost totally absent, a major portion of the stone and rammed earth wall structures are still standing. They provide visitors with an understanding of ideas and practices for defense in the olden times. The reconstruction of the fortress began in April 2016 after the command of His Majesty the King, to celebrate the birth of His Royal Highness The Gyalsey, to commemorate the arrival of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1616 AD the birth year of Guru Rinpoche. The restoration work is estimated to be completed soon.

Overnight at Paro

• Meals: Breakfast., Lunch and dinner.
• Accommodation: 03 Star Hotel
• Location: Paro

After breakfast, we will drive to Paro airport for the departure.

After taking a flight from Paro to Kathmandu, we will receive from the international terminal to the domestic terminal. We will take flight with your guide. After reaching in Pokhara, we can walk around the colorful lakeside road with Fewa Lake. 

• Meals: Breakfast.
• Accommodation: 03 Star Hotel
• Location: Pokhara

In the early morning, we will go to Sarangkot for the sunrise tour. From Sarangkot, we will see the sunrise and breathtaking view of different Himalayan like Mt. Annapurna, Mt. Fishtail, Mt. Dhaulagiri, and others. After coming back from the sunrise tour, we will do a city tour: boating in Fewa Lake, Devi’s fall, Gupteswor Cave and International Mountain Museum Tibetan Refugee Camp, and a sunset view from World Peace Stupa. 

• Meals: Breakfast.
• Accommodation: 03 Star Hotel
• Location: Pokhara

After taking breakfast, we will transfer to the airport. After reaching in Kathmandu, we will start Kathmandu City Tour: Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhnath Stupa, Swayambhunath Stupa, and Kathmandu Durbar Square. 

• Meals: Breakfast.
• Accommodation: 03 Star Hotel
• Location: Kathmandu

After taking breakfast, we will drop you at the airport according to your flight schedule. 

• Meals: Breakfast.