10 Days Trongsa Festival
4th – 7th Jan 2020 | Venue: Jakar Dzong, Trongsa.
Of the many festivals held in various parts of Trongsa, the grandest is the annual Tshechu. In addition to traditional mask dances, visitors can witness the unfurling of the sacred Thongdrol and receive blessings. People also receive blessing from the sacred Nangtens (relics) that is opened during the last day of the Tshechu.
Sketch Itinerary:
Day 01. Arrive Paro.
Day 02. Paro – Bumthang (Flight).
Day 03. Bumthang sightseeing.
Day 04. Bumthang – Trongsa.
Day 05. Trongsa – Gangtey.
Day 06. Gangtey – Punakha.
Day 07. Punakha – Thimphu.
Day 08. Thimphu Sightseeing.
Day 09. Thimphu – Paro (56 kms. 1 hour).
Day 10. Departure.
Detail Itinerary for 10 Days Trongsa Festival
Day 1. Paro: Arrive Paro. Meet & Greet.
- 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.
Day 2. Paro – Bumthang:
After breakfast, DRIVE TO THE PARO AIRPORT FOR FLIGHT TO BUMTHANG. Meet & Greet at the Badbalathang Airport.
After lunch, visit to:
- 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.
- 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 overnight in Hotel.
Day 3. Bumthang
After early breakfast,
- After breakfast, excursion to Ura valley (51 kms – 2 hours).
- Visit to the Ura Temple and village.
- Membarstho or “The Burning Lake” where Pema Lingpa discovered the treasures hidden by Guru Rimpoche in the 14th
- Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 4. Bumthang – Trongsa (143 kms – 5 hours).
After breakfast visit to:
- 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: Trongsa Festival
Day 5. Trongsa Festival – Gangtey
Morning attend Festival and later drive to Gangtey.
- 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 Guest house.
Day 6. Gangtey – Punakha: (74.7 kms – 3 hours).
After breakfast, visit to:
- 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.
Day 7. Punakha – Thimphu: (76 kms – 3 hours).
After early breakfast, visit to:
- Longest suspension bridge in Bhutan across the Pho Chu River.
- Royal Botanical Garden at Lamperi.
- 108 stupas at Dochula pass and view Higher Himalayas.
After lunch at Dochula, visit to:
- The weekend vegetable market.
- Witness archery match at Changlimithang stadium.
- Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 8. Thimphu Sightseeing:
After breakfast, visit to:
- National Postal Museum.
- The National Memorial Chorten (1974) built in honour 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, visit to:
- Folk Heritage Museum.
- Painting School.
- In the evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.
- Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 9. 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.
Day 10. Paro: 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 [Twin Sharing] Single Room Supplement Extra.
c. All transportation within the country including airport transfers.
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 Excludes:
a. Drukair fares.
b. Insurance Premiums
c. Payments for service provided on a personal basis.
d. Cost for any services not mentioned in the “Cost Include head”.
e. Cost incurred due to mishaps, strikes, political unrest etc.
f. Personal expenses such as laundry, soft drinks, Camera Charges, Incidentals, Portage, Bellboy charges tips or any other services.