Punakha Tshechu Festival in Bhutan 2024

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

A short stop on the way to view Tamchog monastery. Thang Tong Gyalpo, a Tibetan Lama popularly known as “The Iron bridge builder” built it in the year 1420. He built 108 bridges across Tibet and Bhutan and 8 were built in Bhutan.

In the afternoon, visit to memorial chorten built in honor of the third King, Late His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.

Then visit the tallest statue of sitting Buddha in the world at Kuensel Phodrang (51.5 m). Finally visit craft bazaar where you can buy Bhutanese handicrafts and art works.

In the evening, visit to Tashichho dzong, seat of the national government and the central monastic body. (It is featured in 4 days Bhutan tour).

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the Morning, visit to Changangkha lhakhang, the oldest temple in Thimphu built in the 12th century by Phajo Drugom Shigpo.

Then visit Takin preserve center (Takin is the national animal of Bhutan), Sangay gang view point and Dupthop lhakhang, one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan.

Lunch at Simply Bhutan, where you can enjoy typical Bhutanese dishes, Ara, witness folk dances and many more.

In the afternoon, visit to postal museum where you can print your photos on the official Bhutanese stamps. Then visit the school of 13 arts and crafts (Painting school).

In the evening, free to stroll in the town.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, drive to Gangtey.

We stop at Dochu la Pass (3140 m) with 108 chortens and enjoy the view of the Himalayas.

Drive further to Wangdue Phodrang and view the dzong, built in 1638 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

While in Gangtey, visit to Gangtey Gompa monastery built in 1613 by Gyaltse Pema Thinley. Then visit black necked crane information center. (One of the main highlights of 11 days Bhutan tour).

In the evening, explore the beautiful Phobjikha valley, the roosting ground of the rare black necked cranes in winter.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the Morning, drive to Punakha and witness the Punakha tshechu festival 2024 in Bhutan.

– Visit Punakha dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. This dzong is the winter residence of Je Khenpo, the chief abbot of Bhutan. Punakha was also an ancient capital of Bhutan until the rule of the second King of Bhutan.

In the evening, walk across the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan (160 m). The bridge is the longest of its kind and connects the two sides of the Pho chu river. You will get a great view of the river, valley, temple, and a good boost of adrenaline as well.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, witness the Punakha tshechu festival 2024 in Bhutan.

In the evening, hike to Khamsum Yulley monastery built by Her Majesty the Queen Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, witness the festival (Half Day) and end of Punakha Tshechu festival.

In the afternoon, excursion to Talo monastery founded in 1767 by Chogtul Jigme Singye, the fourth re-incarnation of Lam Thripa.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, drive to Paro.

On the way, visit to Chimi lhakhang (Temple of fertility) built in 1499 by lama Drukpa Kuenley. He is also popularly known as “The divine madman”. He travelled throughout Bhutan and Tibet using songs and humor to dramatize his teachings of salvation through sex.

Afternoon, visit to Ta dzong built in 1649 which now houses the national museum of Bhutan. Then visit Rinpung dzong built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

In the evening, free to stroll in the town.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, drive to Satsam chorten and 2 hour hike till the Tiger’s nest monastery (Paro Taktsang).

– Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay built the primary temple around Guru Rinpoche’s meditation cave in the your 1684. Legend has it that Guru Padma Sambhava; the tantric mystic who brought buddhism to Bhutan flew here on the back of a flying tigress. This trail is also a part of the beautiful Bumdra trek. (It is also the highlight of 10 days Bhutan tour).

Afternoon, visit to Drugyal dzong built in 1647 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It served as a defense post against the invading Tibetan forces in ancient times.

Then visit Kichu lhakhang built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan King Srongtsen Gampo. He built 108 temples in a single day to pin the ogress to the earth. Six of these temples lie in Bhutan; most prominent of them are Jambay lhakhang in Bumthang and Kichu lhakhang in Paro.

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

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

After breakfast, drive to the Airport and farewell (End of Punakha festival Bhutan 2024 tour).