Detail Itinerary for 10 Days Nimalung Festival Tour
28th June. Paro sightseeing:
Arrive Paro. Meet & Greet with your guide and driver:
- After lunch, visit to the Ta Dzong, the National Museum.
- Paro Rimpung Dzong built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the administrative centre of Paro district.
- Evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.
- Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
29th June. Paro – Bumthang sightseeing (Flight to Bumthang):
After breakfast, drive to the Paro International airport and fly to Bumthang. Meet & Greet at the Badbalathang airport with your guide and the driver and visit:
- Jakar Dzong built in 1667.
- Jambay Lhakhang built by King Srongsen Gampo of Tibet in the year 659 on the same day as Kichu Lhakhang in Paro.
After lunch, visit to:
- Tamshing Lhakhang (Temple of the good message), established in 1501 by Pema Lingpa.
- Kurjey Lhakhang, where you can see the body Print of Guru Rimpoche.
- Kencho Sum Lhakhang.
Dinner and over night in Hotel.
30th June. Bumthang (Witness the festival):
After early breakfast,
- Drive to the Nimalung Monastery and witness the festival (Full day).
- In the evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
1st July. Bumthang (Witness the festival):
After breakfast,
After lunch,
- Drive to Tang valley and visit to Membarstho or “The Burning Lake” where Pema Lingpa discovered the treasures hidden by Guru Rimpoche in the 14th
- Visit to the cheese factory.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
2nd July. Bumthang – Trongsa – Gangtey:
After breakfast, drive to Trongsa and visit:
Trongsa Dzong
- Trongsa dzong built in 1648; it was the seat of power over central and eastern Bhutan. Both the first and second King ruled the country from these ancient seats.
- Ta Dzong museum.
After lunch, drive to Gangtey and visit:
- Gangtey Gompa Monastery. Gyaltse 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 Namgyal is the ninth re-incarnation.
- Explore Phobjikha valley, the most beautiful glacial valley in the Himalayas and the roosting ground of the Rare Black- necked Cranes.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
3rd July. Gangtey – Punakha: (74.7 kms – 3 hours).
After breakfast, visit to:
The-View-of-Wangdiphodrang-Dzong-and-the-valley
- Wangdiphodrang Dzong built in 1638 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal (razed by fire in 2012), & under
- Chimi Lhakhangalso called the “Temple of Fertility” built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley also popularly known as “Devine Mad man” in 15th Lama Drukpa Kuenley (1455 – 1529) was one of the Bhutan’s Favourite Saints who was born in Tibet, trained at Ralung Monastery and was a contemporary and a disciple of Pema Lingpa. He Travelled throughout Bhutan and Tibet as a “Neljorpa” (Yogi) using songs, humour and outrageous behavior to dramatise his teachings of Salvation through sex.
After lunch, visit to:
- Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Punakha is the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the First National Assembly here in 1952.
- Beautiful Khamsung Yulley Namgyal Choling Monastery (short hike 45 minutes.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
4th July. Punakha – Thimphu (76 kms – 3 hours):
After early breakfast, visit to:
- Longest suspension bridge in Bhutan across the Pho Chu River.
- 108 stupas at Dochula pass and view Higher Himalayas.
After lunch at Dochula, visit to:
- Tashichho Dzong, the Royal Secretariat and the summer residence of Chief Abbot of Bhutan, Je Khenpo.
- Witness archery match at Changlimithang stadium.
- Free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
5th July. Thimphu Sightseeing:
After breakfast, visit to:
- The National Memorial Chorten (1974) built in honor of our 3rdKing, late His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (The Father of Modern Bhutan).
- Tallest Statue of Buddha, Changangkha Lhakhang, Takin Preserve center, Sangaygang view point, and the Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan.
After lunch at Simply Bhutan Museum Restaurant:
- Excursion to Cheri Monastery.
- The Craft Bazaar.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
6th July. Thimphu – Paro (Hike to the Tiger’s Nest) (56 kms – 1 hour):
After early breakfast, visit to:
- Tamchog Monastery built by Thangthong Gyalpo (Popularly known as Lama Chazampa, which literally means, the Iron Bridge builder) in the 15thThang Thong Gyalpo (1385 – 1464) was a wonder working saint from Tibet who came to Bhutan in 1433 looking for Iron Ore. He built 108 bridges across Tibet and Bhutan, out of which 8 were built in Bhutan. His only surviving bridge is in Duksum (Tashi Yangtse in Eastern Bhutan).
- Hike to the Tiger’s Nest (Taktsang Monastery).
After lunch, visit to:
- Drukgyal Dzong built in 1647 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.
- Kichu Lhakhang, built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Srongsen Gampo built 108 Temples in a single day to pin the Ogress to the earth forever.
- Free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
7th July. Paro (Departure): After breakfast, drive to the airport and farewell.
