THIMPU TSHECHU - September 13th – 23rd
(10 Days / 9 Nights)
Day 01:
Thursday 13th September (Arrive at Paro)
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. Evening visit Bhutanese Traditional House. Overnight Hotel.
Day 02:
Friday 14th September (Paro Sightseeing & Thimphu)
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:
Saturday 15th September (Paro – 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:
Thursday 17th September (Punakha-Gangtey-Trongsa)
After breakfast drive to the beautiful valley of Gangtey. Enroute sightseeing at Wangdiphodrang valley - visit Wangdiphodrang Dzong built in 1638. The Dzong is situated at the confluence of Mo Chu and Tang Chu rivers. Continue drive to Gangtey. Check into Hotel/Guest House and 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. Continue 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. Continue drive to Trongsa. Overnight Hotel/Guest House.
Day 05:
Friday 18th September (Trongsa-Bumthang)
After breakfast, visit Trongsa Dzong, the biggest and most impressive Dzong of Bhutan, built in its present form in 1644 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa, the official who was sent by Shabdrung to unify eastern Bhutan and enlarged at the end of the 17th century by Desi Tenzin Rabgye. Trongsa Dzong is the ancestral home of the present Royal Family and first two hereditary kings ruled Bhutan from this Dzong. Then Visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watch tower. The chapel inside the Ta Dzong is said to be dedicated to the Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyel; drive to Bumthang and sightseeing – visit Jakar Dzong, which literally means “The Castle of White Bird”, the current structures was built in 1667; visit Lamey Goempa, a large palace and monastery built in 18th century by Dasho Phuntsho Wangdi. Visit Jambay Lhakhang, built by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet in the 7th Century’ same time as Kichu Lhakhang in Paro. The temple was visited by Guru Rimpoche during his visit to Bumthang and was renovated by Sindhu Raja after Guru Rimpoche restored his life force. Under the temple is said to be a lake in which Guru Rimpoche hid several Terma. In October one of the most spectacular festival, “Jambay Lhakhang Drup” is staged here.
After lunch, Visit Chakhar (Iron Castle) Lhakhang, it is the site of the palace of the Indian King, the Sindhu Raja who invited Guru Rimpoche to Bumthang. The Original palace was made of Iron and hence the name Chakhar. The saint Dorji Lingpa built the Current building in 14th century. Its correct name is Dechen Phodrang. We then visit Kurjee Lhakhang that is named after body print of Guru Rimpoche, built in 1652 by Minjur Tempa. Visit Tamshing Lhakhang (Temple of the good message), established in 1501 by Pema Lingpa and is the most important Nyingmapa temple in the kingdom and visit Kenchosum Lhakhang. Afternoon, at leisure on foot around the valley and drive back to Trongsa. Overnight Hotel.
Day 06:
Saturday, 19th September (Bumthang-Thimphu)
Drive back to Thimphu; drive will be approximately 9 Hrs. Overnight Hotel.
Day 07:
Sunday, 20 September (Thimphu Sightseeing)
Full day sight seeing: Visit Changangkha Lhakhang, Takin (National Animal of Bhutan) Preservation Center, Sangyegang View Point, 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 Dup-Thop Monastery. Evening at leisure in town. Overnight hotel.
Day 08:
Monday,21st September (Festival)
Attend Festival full day. Afternoon visit Overnight Hotel.
Day 09:
Tuesday, 22nd September (festival)
Attend full day festival. Evening drive to Paro. Overnight Hotel.
Day 10:
Wednesday, 23rd September (Departure)
Early morning drive to Paro International Airport and departure.
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