GANGTEY GOMPA FESTIVAL
September 16th - 24th 2007
(9 Days / 8 Nights)
Day 01:
Saturday 16th September (Arrive Paro (By Druk Air flight)
Our guide/representative will receive you at Paro International Airport and drive you to the hotel. After lunch, drive to the ruins of the Drukgyel Dzong 16 km up the valley built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel, father and unifier of medieval Bhutan. The Dzong was destroyed by accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. Explore the ramparts and on a clear day experience an unforgettable view of Mt. Jumolhari (7,314 m). On the way back, visit Kichu Lhakhang, built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. Overnight Hotel.
Day 02:
Sunday 17th September (Paro sightseeing)
A very special day with an excursion to view the spectacular Takshang Monastery. “Takshang” literally means Tiger’s Nest – The Monastery is believed to have been built in 1684 on the spot where Guru Rimpoche (founder of Buddhism in Bhutan) flew on the back of a Tigress and meditated to subdue the demons in Paro valley.
The trail to the Monastery climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. This incredible Monastery clings vertically to the edge of a granite rock cliff that plunges 900 meters above the valley floor.
After lunch, visit Taa Dzong, a watchtower to the Dzong below in ancient times, now houses the National Museum. Below the museum is the Rimpung Dzong (literally meaning “Heap of Jewels”, built in 1646 by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel, now is the centre of Administrative and Religious authority of Paro valley. A short walk takes you to the base of the Dzong and across a traditional cantilevered, covered bridge. Evening drive to Thimphu. Overnight Hotel.
Day 03:
Monday 18th September (Thimphu – Punakha)
After breakfast drive to Punakha across the Dochula Pass alt. 3050 Meters. If the weather is clear, you will have great view of the Higher Himalayas from the pass. Continue drive to Punakha with a stop at Missina to hike to visit Chhimi Lhakhang which was built by Lama Drukpa Kunley who is also known as the Devine Mad Man. He subdued the demons with his “Magical Thunder bolt”. The Temple is regarded as a pilgrimage site for barren couple and is also known as “the Temple of Fertility”. This beautiful temple is known for increasing fertility in woman and of late, even women from across the world drop by to this temple in hopes of conceiving. Aside from its significance to women, the temple is located in a wide-open valley away from the road point for visitors to take l short walk while on the way to Punakha. After lunch, visit Punakha Dzong, built by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel in 1637. This Dzong has a historical significance in the Bhutanese History and is open to visitors only in summer when the monk body moves to Thimphu.
Visit the newly built Khamsum Yulley Monastery and walk around the valley on foot. Overnight Hotel
Day 04:
Tuesday 19th September (Punakha – Gangtey)
Drive to Gangtey; Enroute visit Wangduephodrang Dzong. Visit Gangtey Gompa Monastery, from outside. Gyalse Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa founded the Temple in 1613, and Tenzin Legpai Dhendup, the second re-incarnation, built the temple. The present Abbot, Kunzang Pema Namgyel is the ninth re-incarnation. It is a Nyingmapa monastery and is affiliated to other Nyingmapa monasteries including Tamshing in Bumthang. Afternoon attend Festival. Overnight Guest House/Camp.
Day 05:
Wednesday, 20th September (Gangtey)
Full day attend Festival. Overnight Guest House/Camp.
Day 06:
Thursday, 21st September(Gangtey-Phobjikha)
Morning attend Festival. Afternoon sightseeing and drive to Phobjikha valley, which is a wide open and a beautiful valley. This valley is also a winter home of the rare and endangered species bird ‘Black Necked Crane’ that migrate from the Tibetan plateaus in the north. Their arrival numbers have been steadily increasing over the years as the Phobjikha grounds have proved ideal and safe for them. You may be able to spot some as they go back only by mid of March. Overnight Hotel/Guest House
Day 07:
Friday 22nd September (Gangtey- Thimphu)
Drive back to Thimphu. Enroute visit Simtokha Dzong, the oldest Dzong in Bhutan. Evening at leisure in town. Overnight Hotel.
Day 08:
Saturday 23rd September (Thimphu Sightseeing)
Full day sight seeing: Early breakfast and visit weekend vegetable market, Visit Dupthop Monastery, Tashichhodzong (the central secretariat building), National Library, Painting School, Indigenous Hospital, National Folk Heritage Museum, Textile Museum, Memorial Chorten, Handicrafts Emporium, Hand made Paper factory and Changangkha Monastery. Evening drive to Paro. Overnight hotel.
Day 09:
Sunday 24th September (Departure)
Early morning drive to Paro International Airport and departure.
FEATURED TRIPS
REGION DESTINATIONS
