Wangdue Tshechu Festival 2024

Meet and greet at the Paro Airport and drive to Thimphu. A short stop on the way to view Tamchog lhakhang.

– This monastery was built in the 15th century by Thang Tong Gyalpo, popularly known as Lama Chazampa. He built 108 bridges across Tibet and Bhutan, out of which 8 were built in Bhutan.
– Visit Tashichho dzong, seat of the national government and the central monastic body.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, visit to:

– National postal museum where you can print your pictures on the official Bhutanese stamps.
– Memorial chorten (1974) built in honor of the third King of Bhutan, Late His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
– Tallest statue of Buddha in the world at Kuensel Phodrang park.
– Changangkha lhakhang, the oldest monastery of Thimphu valley built in the 13th century by Lama Phajo Drugom Shigpo.
– Takin preserve center, a mini zoo that houses Takins, the national animal of Bhutan. The Bhutanese believe that this animal was created by Drukpa Kuenley, the devine madman of Bhutan.
– Sangaygang view point.
– Dupthop lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan.

In the afternoon, hike to Cheri monastery (18 kilometers north of Thimphu).

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

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, drive to Punakha.

On the way, visit to:

– Dochula pass with its 108 stupas and the beautifully arranged Himalayan mountain ranges. The annual Druk Wangyel festival is held here on the 13th December.
– Royal botanical park, a nature reserve rich in flora and fauna and beautiful in itself. The recorded species are the monal pheasants, blood pheasants, musk deer, tiger, leopard, red panda and the leopard cat. A rhododendron garden with 46 species of the plant is the theme of the botanical garden. The colorful rhododendron festival is held here in Spring.
– Chimi lhakhang built in 1499 by lama Drukpa Kuenley, also known as “The divine madman”. He travelled throughout Bhutan and Tibet as a yogi using songs, humor to spread his teachings of salvation through sex. The childless couples from across the country visit this temple for prayer and to seek blessings.

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 Wangchuck convened the first national assembly here in 1952.
– Walk the suspension bridge across Pho chu river which is the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, witness the Wangdue festival (Full day).

In the evening, hike to hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Choling monastery.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Witness the festival (Full day).

In the morning, drive to Paro. On the way, visit to:

– Wangdue Phodrang dzong built in 1638 and  razed by fire in 2012 which has been restored again.

In the afternoon, visit to:

– Ta dzong, the national museum of Bhutan.
– 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) built in 1684 by Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay.

It is believed that Guru Rinpoche who brought Buddhism in Bhutan flew to this cave on a back of a tigress. 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 also one of the main highlights of the tour.

In the afternoon, visit to:

– Drugyal dzong, an ancient defense post built in 1647 by the Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. This dzong destroyed by fire and was in ruins until recently.
– Kichu lhakhang built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Srongtsen Gampo. It is one of the 108 temples built across the Himalayan region by the Tibetan King Srongtsen Gampo in one day.
Explore Paro town for shopping and photography.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

After breakfast, drive to the airport and farewell.