Detail Itinerary for 10 Days Paro Festival with Cultural Tour
19 March. Arrive Paro – Thimphu: (2320 m) (Distance: 54 km, 1 hr drive).
Meet and greet Airport and drive to Thimphu. On the way,
- view Tamchog Monastery built by Thangthong Gyalpo (Popularly known as Lama Chazampa, which literally means, the Iron Bridge builder) in the 15th Thang 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).
- Visit Tashichho Dzong, seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan. Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
20 March. Thimphu Sightseeing:
After breakfast, visit to:
- National Postal Museum,
- visit to the National Memorial Chorten (1974) built in honour of our 3rd King, 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,
- Hike to Cheri Monastery (18 kms).
- In the evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.
- Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
21 March. Thimphu – Punakha: (Altitude 1310 m) (76 Km, 3 hrs drive).
After breakfast, drive to Punakha.
- Visit Dochula pass with its 108 stupas and the beautifully arranged Himalayan mountain ranges.
- Chimi Lhakhang, which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley (Popularly known as “The Divine Madman”, in the year 1499. The Temple is also called “the Temple of Fertility”. 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.
- Walk the Suspension bridge. The longest Suspension bridge in Bhutan.
- Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
22 March. Punakha – Wangdiphodrang – Gangtey (3120 m, 74.6 kms, 3 hour drive):
After breakfast, hike to Khamsung Yulley Namgyal Choling Monastery.
- Built by Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuk. Perched high on a hill on the bank of the river, the Chorten houses paintings belonging to Nyingmapa Traditions.
Then drive to Gangtey valley.
- On the way, take a view Wangdiphodrang Dzong built in 1638.
Lunch will be served on the way. While in Gangtey, visit Gangtey Gompa.
- 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 and is affiliated to other Nyingmapa monasteries including Tamshing in Bumthang.
NOTE: The Upper part of the valley is called Gangtey and lower part is called Phobjikha.
In the evening, visit the Crane Information center and explore Phobjikha valley, the roosting ground of the Rare Black necked Cranes.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
23 March. Gangtey – Thimphu (Altitude 2320 m) (143 km – 6 hrs.):
After breakfast,
- Drive to Thimphu. We occasionally stop on the way to take photos.
- Lunch will be served at Dochula Cafe.
- In the evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
24 March. Thimphu – Paro:
After breakfast, drive to Paro
- Visit to the Ta Dzong, the National Museum.
- the Paro Rimpung Dzong built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the administrative centre of Paro district.
- After lunch witness Paro Festival.
- Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
25 March. Paro Festival: (Altitude 2280 m).
After breakfast, witness the festival (Full day).
- Evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.
- Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
26 March. Paro Festival: (Altitude 2280 m).
After breakfast, witness the festival (Full day).
- In the evening, excursion to Chelila pass.
- Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
27 March. Paro sightseeing:
After breakfast visit to:
- Hike to Taktsang Monastery or the Tiger’s Nest built in 1684 by the Penlop of Paro Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay.
- Drukgyal Dzong 16 km up the valley built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal,
- Kichu Lhakhang, built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Srongsen Gampo.
28 March. Departure after Throngdrol Ceremony:
Early morning at 3 am drive to Paro dzong and witness the Throngdrol ceremony which is the main even of the Paro festival. Then drive to the airport and farewell.
