Druk Wangyel Tshechu Festival 2024

Meet and greet at the Paro airport and drive to Thimphu.

On the way, we take a short stop to view Tamchog monastery. It was built in 1420 by Thang Tong Gyalpo (1385 – 1464).

In the afternoon, visit to:

– National memorial chorten.
– Craft bazaar.
– Tashichho dzong, the royal secretariat.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, visit to:

– Tallest statue of sitting Buddha in the world (51.5 meters) at Kuensel Phodrang.
– Changangkha lhakhang.
– Takin preserve center.
– Sangay gang view point.
– Dupthop lhakhang, one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan.

Lunch at Simply Bhutan museum restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit to:

– National postal museum where you can make your own personalized stamps.
– School of 13 arts and crafts (Painting school).

In the evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, drive to the Dochu La Pass and visit 108 stupas. You can also see the beautiful view of Himalayan mountain ranges in the north.

– Witness the Druk Wangyel festival 2024 in Bhutan.

In the afternoon, witness the festival and then drive to Punakha.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, visit to:

– Chimi lhakhang built in 1499 by Lama Drukpa Kuenley (Popularly known as “The divine madman”. The temple is also called “The temple of fertility”.
– Punakha dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

Afternoon, hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Choling monastery built by Her Majesty the Queen Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck.

In the evening, walk the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan (160 meters).

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, drive to Gangtey.

On the way, we take a view of Wangdue Phodrang dzong built in 1638 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

Note: Upper part of the valley is called Gangtey and lower part is called Phobjikha.

While in Gangtey, visit to:

– Gangtey Gompa monastery founded in 1613 by Gyaltse Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa.
– Crane information center.
In the evening, explore Phobjikha valley, the roosting ground of the rare black necked cranes in winter.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, drive to Paro. We occasionally stop on the way to take pictures.

Afternoon, we visit:

– Ta dzong built in 1649, an ancient watch tower which now houses the national museum of Bhutan.
– The Rinpung dzong built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

In the evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, hike to the Tiger’s nest monastery (Paro Taktsang). This temple is probably the most photographed monument in Bhutan. The hiking trail is also a part of the beautiful Bumdra trek in Paro valley. It is one of the main highlights of the trip.

Afternoon, visit to:

– Drugyal dzong built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.
– Kichu lhakhang built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan King Srongtsen Gampo.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

After breakfast, drive to the airport and farewell (End of Druk Wangyel tshechu festival tour).