Tamshing tshechu festival (Phala Choepa) 2024, festival dates: 13 – 15th September 2024 (Three days), Venue: Tamshing Lhakhang, Bumthang.
Tamshing festival in Bumthang.
Of the many festivals held in various parts of Bhutan, the grandest is the annual Tamshing Phala Choepa festival. In addition to traditional mask dances, visitors can witness the unfurling of the sacred Thongdrol and receive blessings. The people also receive blessing from the sacred Nangtens (relics) that is opened during the last day of the festival.
The cost given below is inclusive of sustainable development fee (SDF) of US $ 100 per person per night and Bhutan visa fee US $ 40 per person.
Entrance fees for monuments and festivals visits to be paid separately.
Nature of trip: Private & guided Bhutan travel.
Your guide and driver will receive you at the Paro International airport and drive to the hotel.
In the afternoon, visit to:
– Ta dzong, the national museum built in 1656 and renovated in 1968.
– Rinpung dzong built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.
In the evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.
Dinner and over night in Hotel.
In the afternoon, visit to:
Drugyal dzong, an ancient defense post built in 1647 by the Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.
Kichu lhakhang built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan King Srongtsen Gampo.
In the evening, free to stroll in the town.
Dinner and over night in Hotel.
Your guide will receive you at the airport and drive to the hotel.
In the afternoon, visit to:
Jakar dzong built in 1667 by the Tibetan lama Nagi Wangchuk. The dzong played a vital role as the fortress to defend the eastern part of the country.
Jambay lhakhang built by King Srongtsen Gampo of Tibet in the year 659 on the same day as Kichu lhakhang in Paro. In october, a lively festival is held here and the main event is “the fire dance”, commonly called “The naked dance”.
Chakhar lhakhang was a palace of the Indian King, Sindhu Raja. In the 14th century, a Buddhist saint, Dorji Lingpa re-built it as a place of worship.
Kurjey lhakhang where you can see the body print of the Guru Rinpoche on the rock housed in this temple.
Evening at leisure.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
In the evening, drive back to Bumthang and visit to:
Kenchosum lhakhang built in the 6th century and renovated in 1995. The story says that this temple had a large bell, the sound of which could be heard till Lhasa in Tibet. It is now on display at the national museum in Paro.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
In the morning, witness the festival (Half day).
In the afternoon, drive to the beautiful Tang valley. On the way, visit to Mebar tsho or “The burning lake”.
Mebar tsho or “The burning lake” is located along the way to the Tang valley. Terton Pema Lingpa is believed to have discovered the sacred treasures hidden within the lake centuries earlier by Guru Rinpoche.
While in Tang valley, visit to Ogen Choling palace museum.
The family that owns Ogen Chholing palace has turned the complex into a museum to preserve its legacy. It provides a place for religious studies, research and solitude. The fascinating and well-captioned exhibits offer real insights into the lifestyle of a Bhutanese noble family.
In the evening, drive back to Bumthang.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
On the way, visit to:
Ta dzong, an ancient watch tower which once guarded the Trongsa dzong from internal rebellious forces and enemies. Chogyal Minjur Tempa, the first governor of Trongsa built it in 1652. Today, it serves as the royal heritage museum of the country.
In the afternoon, visit to:
Trongsa dzong built in 1644 by Chhogyal Minjur Tempa. The first two kings of Bhutan ruled the country from this ancient seat. As per the tradition, the King of Bhutan is appointed the penlop (governor) of Trongsa and then becomes the King. The dzong was strategically built by the ancient rulers to control the trade between eastern and western Bhutan.
Drive further to the beautiful Gangtey valley.
In the evening, explore Phobjikha valley, the most beautiful glacial valley in the Himalayas. This valley is the roosting ground of the rare black- necked cranes in winter.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
In the morning, visit to:
Black-necked crane information centre.
Gangtey gompa monastery built in 1613 by Gyaltse Pema Thinley.
Drive to Punakha.
On the way, take a view of Wangdue Phodrang dzong built in 1638 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.
In the afternoon, hike to:
– Chimi lhakhang also called “The temple of fertility” built in 1499 by Lama Drukpa Kuenley, “The devine madman”. Drukpa Kuenley travelled throughout Bhutan and Tibet using songs and humor to spread his teachings of salvation through sex.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Built by Her Majesty the Queen Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck. Perched high on a hill on the bank of the river, the chorten houses paintings belonging to Nyingmapa traditions.
Then visit to Punakha dzong.
This dzong was built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the government. Punakha is still the winter residence of Je Khenpo, the chief abbot of Bhutan.
In the afternoon, drive to Thimphu. A short stop at Dochula pass (3140 m) with 108 stupas. You can see the panoramic views of the higher Himalayas bordering Tibet. You can see Table mountain, Mt. Masagang (7158 m), the highest mountain in Bhutan.
Visit craft bazaar where you can buy Bhutanese handicrafts and art works.
In the evening, free to stroll in the town.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
In the morning, visit to:
Memorial chorten (1974) built in honor of the third King, Late His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
Tallest statue of sitting Buddha in the world (51.5 meters) at Kuensel Phodrang.
Changangkha lhakhang, the oldest temple of Thimphu valley.
Takin preserve center (Takin is the national animal of Bhutan).
Sangay gang view point.
Dupthop lhakhang, one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan.
Lunch at Simply Bhutan, where you can enjoy typical Bhutanese dishes, local wine, witness folk dances and more.
In the afternoon, visit to:
Painting school (13 arts and crafts).
Tashichho dzong, seat of the national government and the central monastic body.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Postal museum where you can print your photos on the official Bhutanese stamps.
In the afternoon, witness archery match at Changlimithang stadium.
In the evening, drive to Paro.
On the way, visit to:
Tamchog monastery built in the 15th century by Thang Tong Gyalpo, popularly known as “The iron bridge builder”. He built 108 bridges across Tibet and Bhutan, out of which 8 were built in Bhutan.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Early breakfast and drive to the Paro airport for departure (End of Tamshing tshechu festival tour).
Please contact us for the price.
The iconic Tiger’s nest monastery in Paro.
Kurjey lhakhang in Bumthang.