Tharpaling tshechu festival 2024, festival date: 24th February 2024. Venue: Tharpaling monastery, Bumthang.
Tiger’s nest monastery in Paro.
Tharpaling festival in Bumthang.
This festival coincides with the death anniversary of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It is held at the courtyard of Tharpaling monastery and is for just a day. The mask dances such as Black hat dance, three gings and others are performed by the monks. A Throngdroel representing the Maitreya Buddha is unfurled for the public (Highlight of the festival). It is a community based festival in Bhutan.
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 travel in Bhutan.
Arrive Paro and sightseeing.
After lunch, visit to Ta dzong, the national museum of Bhutan. Then visit Rinpung dzong built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It serves as the administrative centre of Paro district.
In the evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
After breakfast, drive to the Paro airport and fly to Bumthang.
In the afternoon, visit to:
– Jakar dzong built in 1667 by Lam Nagi Wangchuk.
– Just near by is Jambay lhakhang built in 659 AD by the King Srongtsen Gampo of Tibet.
– Visit Tamshing lhakhang established in 1501 by Pema Lingpa. –
– Finally visit Kurjey lhakhang, where you can see the body print of Guru Rinpoche and Kencho Sum lhakhang.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
After breakfast, excursion to Ogen Choling palace museum. On the way, visit to Mebar tsho or “The burning lake” where Pema Lingpa discovered the treasures hidden by Guru Rinpoche in the 14th century. Then visit Ogen Choling palace museum.
In the evening, drive back to Bumthang.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Then visit Trongsa dzong built in 1648 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa. The first two Kings of Bhutan ruled the country from this ancient seat.
After lunch, visit to Gangtey monastery founded in 1613 by Gyaltse Pema Thinley.
In the evening, explore Phobjikha valley famous for the rare black necked cranes in winter.
Dinner and overnight in hotel.
After breakfast, drive to the beautiful Punakha valley. Punakha is the ancient capital of Bhutan. On the way, visit Wangdue Phodrang Dzong built in 1638 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.
Then visit Chimi lhakhang (Temple of fertility) built in 1499 by Lama Drukpa Kuenley, popularly known as “The divine madman”. He traveled throughout Bhutan and Tibet using songs and humor to spread his teachings of salvation through sex. Many childless couples from across the country visit this temple to pray and seek blessings. The monument is also the highlight of honeymoon tour in Bhutan.
In the afternoon, visit to Punakha dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Punakha is the winter residence of Je Khenpo, the chief abbot of Bhutan.
In the evening, hike to the beautiful Khamsum Yuelley monastery (short hike 45 minutes).
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
It is also the venue for annual Druk Wangyel festival which is held on the 13th December.
After lunch, visit to the weekend vegetable market and witness archery match at Changlimithang stadium.
Overnight in Hotel.
After breakfast, visit to the national memorial chorten (1974) built in honor of late His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Then visit postal museum, tallest statue of sitting Buddha in the world (51.5 m), Changangkha lhakhang and Takin preserve center.
Then visit Sangay gang view point and Dupthop lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan.
In the afternoon, visit to painting school, the school of 13 arts and crafts.
In the evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
On the way, a short stop to view Tamchog monastery built in 1420 by Thang Tong Gyalpo. He built 108 bridges across Tibet and Bhutan, out of which 8 were built in Bhutan.
Then hike to the spectacular Tiger’s nest monastery (Paro Taktsang). This hiking trail is also a part of the beautiful Bumdra trek in Paro valley. Hiking time: 2 hours till the monastery. It is one of the main highlights of the trip.
In the afternoon, visit to Drugyal dzong built in 1647 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. 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.
In the evening, free to stroll in the town.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
After breakfast, drive to the airport and farewell (End of Tharpaling tshechu festival tour).
Please contact us for the price.
Punakha dzong.
Kurjey lhakhang in Bumthang.