(15th – 19th March 2011)
Paro is a historic town with many sacred sites and historical buildings scattered through the area. The Paro Festival is one of the most popular festivals in Bhutan begins on the 11th to 15th day of the 2nd month of the Bhutanese calendar every year. The Tshechu begins on 10th day of the 2nd month of the Bhutanese calendar and ends on 16th day of the 2nd month of the Bhutanese calendar. The Tshechu ends with Woochupey Zhey in the courtyard of the Dzong. It is said that the chipdrel ceremony of escorting the chief abbot of the monk body, Penlop and the mask dances are introduced by Penlop Dawa Penjor. Penlop Tshering Penjor is also said to have introduced many Peling chams such as Ngaging, Driging and Juging etc. He himself is a descendant of Pema Lingpa’s lineage. The traditions set up by these earlier leaders are still intact and people in the valley still revere the Tshechu.
They come in with their best garment and food both for religious and socialization purposes. Nowadays, the tourists add to both the number and variety of people attending the Tshechu. Thongdrel “deliverance from hell by the sight of it or attainment of nirvana by the sight of it” on the 5th day of the Tshechu, is a masterpiece of silver embroidery of Guru Rinpoche, his eight manifestations and two consorts. It is brought to Dayangkha at 3 am and displayed covering the entire three storied building and taken away by 7 am before the sun breaks, in case the sunlight decolonize the great religious piece. Maximum number of people is seen on this day.
Besides the Paro valley and the festival this tour will also visit Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan and the Punakha and Wangdu valleys driving over the Dochu la pass.
Key Information
Tour Duration: 6 nights / 7 days
Group Size & Cost: 1 person US$1710 , 2 persons US$1640 each, 3 person & above US$1290 each.
COST INCLUDES: Twin sharing accommodation, all meals, tea & Snacks, visa fee, Tourism Development Fund, all transfers as per the itinerary, English speaking licensed Bhutanese Tour Guide, Special permit for restricted & old monastery, monument fees, all internal taxes and charges (including the 35% royalty).
COST EXCLUDES: Drukair fares, drinks & Beverages, Excess baggage, laundry, phone calls, medical, insurance and any other expenses that are not mentioned above.
Sample itinerary that can be customized:
Day 1: Arrival in Bhutan. 15th March 2011
Distance: 55 Km. Driving 1.5 Hours.(Thimphu Altitude 7609ft/2320m)
Flying in to the country’s only airport, in the beautiful Paro valley, the clear mountain air, forested ridges, imposing monasteries and welcoming Bhutanese people in their striking national dress, provides a breath-taking first impression.
On arrival at Paro airport, after immigration and custom formalities, your guide from Discovery Bhutan for the trip will receive you and transfer you to Thimphu. After lunch, go to Bhutan National Bank for currency exchange and then you can get an opportunity to purchase exquisite collector Bhutanese stamps. Then visit the National memorial chorten which was built in 1974 in Memory of the third king; visit the Buddha Dordenma sited amidst the ruins of Kuensel Phodrang, the palace of Sherab Wangchuck, the 13th Desi Druk, overlooking the southern approach to Thimphu. It is one of the largest Buddha rupas in the world, at a height of 169 feet (51.5 meters). You can also enjoy the view of the Thimphu city clearly from here. In the evening you can walk in the town and then Dinner at Bhutan Orchard Restaurant to taste Bhutanese dishes.
Overnight hotel base in Thimphu.
Day 2: Thimphu Sightseeing and then drive to Punakha. 16th March 2011
Distance: 72 Km. Driving: 3 Hours.(Punakha Altitude 4200ft/1280m)
Half day of guided sightseeing tour of Thimphu visiting the National Memorial Stupa, Painting school, Bhutanese and Handicrafts Emporium. Then after lunch drive Punakha – a 3-hour drive through picturesque valleys and mountain slopes dotted with typical Bhutanese villages. From the Dochu La pass, at over 10-thousand feet, a vast panoramic views of the high snowcapped peaks of the Bhutanese Himalaya can be enjoyed on a clear day. Continue drive down into the Punakha valley.
Overnight - hotel base in Punakha.
Day 3: Punakha then return back to Thimphu. 17th March 2011
Distance: 72 Km. Driving:3 Hours.(Thimphu Altitude 7609ft/2320m)
In the morning, visit the Punakaha Dzong which is the old capital of Bhutan and is the winter home of the Je Kenpo and the national body of monks. The hike to Chhime Lhakhang , an ancient monastery near Punakha, dedicated to fertility and founded by Lam Drukpa Kuenley, to pray for children. They get blessed by a symbolic phallus which represents the sign of fertility and other religious objects of the Lam. It will take only few stories of the Lam to understand why everyone in this magical kingdom believes that the Lam’s blessings will help a woman conceive.
Overnight at the hotel base in Thimphu.
Day 4: Thimphu - Paro (Paro Festival) 18th March 2011
Distance: 55 Km. Driving 1.5 Hours.(Thimphu Altitude 7,478ft/2280m)
After breakfast drive from Thimphu to Paro stopping at the Simthoka Dzong which is the oldest of the many Dzongs (forts) in Bhutan. Today it houses the National Bhutanse School where Dzongkha, the national language of Bhutan, is taught. Continue drive to Paro valley. On arrival check-in at hotel followed by lunch.
After lunch visit the Paro Dzong where the Masked dance-dramas of this typical Buddhist festival are going on. Be amongst throngs of Bhutanese from the Paro valley and from outlying villages of Bhutan all dressed in their traditional finery. Witness the age-old, wonderfully colourful and esoteric Religious masked dance-dramas performed by specially trained groups of Buddhist monks.
Overnight at hotel base in Paro.
Day 5: Paro Tshechu (Festival). 19th March 2011
Early morning visit festival for the viewing the Thondrol – the great Buddhist Thanka scroll dedicated to Guru Padmashambava. Spend the rest of the morning at the festival viewing masked dances and ritual activities. Truly a great climax to the most revered yearly festival of Bhutan.
In the afternoon visit Paro Museum housed at the graceful Ta Dzong, once a watch tower situated strategically overlooking the Paro valley. The Museum houses a rare collection of Bhutan’s historical, religious, cultural and artistic heritage, all beautifully preserved and displayed in a unique setting – a museum lover’s heaven.
Overnight at same hotel.
Day 6: Excursion to Tiger Nest Monastery. 20th March 2011
Today there will be a chance to go on an excursion to the Bhutan’s most revered and certainly the most famous site, Taktsang Monastery or the ‘Tiger’s Next”. Hike or ride a surefooted pony through a forested pathway ascending steeply toward the towering vertical cliffs two-thousand feet above the valley floor. On this cliff face, overlooking a dizzying precipice, is the historic cave where the Buddhist teacher Padmasambava or Guru Rimpoche meditated, who, it is believed, rode on the back of a flying Tiger. Hence this holy place is also called the Tiger’s Nest.
Foreigners are not allowed inside the monastery but can enjoy the view from the cafeteria. The more intrepid hiker can continue further up the trail to get a closer and dramatic spot directly opposite the temple. Sadly, a few years ago, the main temple was destroyed by fire and is being rebuilt at the moment but this does not subtract from the rewards of the days excursion. Lunch at the Taksang View Cafeteria or at hotel. In the afternoon, time permitting, visit a Bhutanese Family home.
Overnight at same hotel.
Day 7: Departure. 21st March 2011
After breakfast in the hotel, drive to the airport in time to catch up your onward flight. Your escort from Discovery Bhutan Discovery will bid you farewell and soon the remote and legendary Dragon Kingdom disappears again behind its guardian mountains.