8 Days Punakha Bhutan Festival Tour

Detail Itinerary for Punakha Tsechu Tour

20^th Feb. 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 15^thThang 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.

21^st Feb. Thimphu Sightseeing:  

After breakfast, visit to:

• National Postal Museum,
• visit to the National Memorial Chorten (1974) built in honour of our 3^rdKing, 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.

22^nd Feb. 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.

23^rd Feb. Punakha Festival:

After breakfast, witness the festival (Full day).

• In the evening, hike to hike to Khamsung Yulley Namgyal Choling Monastery.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

24^th Feb. Punakha Festival: After breakfast, witness the festival (Full day).

25^th Feb. Punakha –Wangdiphodrang – Paro: (Altitude 2280 m, Distance 132 km, Drive Time 4 hours):

After  breakfast, drive to Paro via Wangdiphodrang.

• Visit the Wangdiphodrang Dzong built in 1638. (razed by fire in 2012), now in ruins & under construction,
• After lunch, 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.
• Evevening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

26^th Feb. Paro Sightseeing: (Altitude 2280 m).

After breakfast:

• 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.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

27^th Feb. Departure: After breakfast, departure.

• Hot stone bath.
  

  Practicing Archery

• Cycling around Paro valley.
• Practice Archery.
• Bhutanese cooking class.
• Bhutanese cultural show featuring various mask dances and folk dances.
• Talk on Gross National Happiness / Buddhism.
• Consulting an Astrologer.
• Practice Dart.
• Performing religious ceremony.
• Marriage ceremonies.

Please contact us for the price.

Tour Cost Includes:

a. All Meals [Breakfast /Lunch/Dinner]
b. Accommodation in 3 star Hotels (Twin / double sharing]
c. All transportation within the country including airport transfers. Toyota Hiace Bus for 3 – 7 pax) & Toyota Coaster Bus for 8 – 14 pax.
d. Royalty & Govt. Taxes.
e. Entrance fees for Museums and Monuments.
f. Visa Fee.
g. English speaking Local guide.
h. Sightseeing.
i. Bottled Water.

Tour Cost Does Not Include:

* Druk Air fares (International).
* Insurance Premiums.
* Payments for service provided on a personal basis
* Cost for any services not mentioned in the “Cost Include head”
* Cost incurred due to mishaps, strikes, political unrest etc.
* Personal expense in items such as laundry, soft drinks, Camera Charges. Incidentals, Portage,    Bellboy charges tips or any other services.