8 Night 9 Day Thimphu Festival Tour

Day 1

Arrive Paro

Welcome to Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon. On arrival at Paro airport and after completing your immigration formalities, you will be received by your tour guide from Zoid Jin Bhutan Tours and Treks. 

After Refreshment visit:

 •Ta Dzong / National Museum: On a ridge immediately above Rinpung Dzong is the Ta Dzong (watchtower), built as a watchtower to protect the Dzong from intruders and warring factions. In 1968 Paro’s Ta Dzong was inaugurated as the National Museum, and now holds a fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings, Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps, coins and handicrafts, together with a small natural history collection.

•Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong): Explore the Rinpung Dzong which the locals call the ‘fortress of a heap of jewels’. Built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the dzong stands on a hill above Paro Township. It is linked by the traditional cantilever bridge (called the Nemi Zam) over the Pa chu (Paro river) where one may pose a photograph. Experience a walk up a paved stone path running alongside the imposing outer walls.

Overnight at Paro

Day 2

Paro- Thimphu Sightseeing

After breakfast drive to Thimphu  and visits the following’s :

Memorial Chorten also known as the Thimphu Chorten, is a stupa built in memory of the 3rd King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk by his mother Queen Ashi Phuntsho Choden Wangchuck. 

Kuenselphodrang where the Bhutan’s largest Buddha statue is perched on the hillock overlooking the entire Thimphu valley below and the view from there is magnificent. Craft Bazaar where craftsmen and artisans from across the country display and sell their handicrafts. 

Changangkha Lhakhang The temple is one of the oldest in Thimphu, built in the 12th century and is located above the main town of Thimphu overlooking the Thimphu valley. 

Nunnery (Thangtong Dewachen Nunnery) The nunnery, popularly known as Zilukha Anim Dratshang is located above Zilukha Lower Secondary School, overlooking Tashichodzong in Thimphu valley. It is a few minutes’ drive from the main Thimphu town. 

After lunch visit: 

Simtokha Dzong: Simtokha literally means “Atop a Demon” also known as Sanga Zabdhon Phodrang is located around 5km south of Thimphu center. It I the first Dzong built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel who unified Bhutan. 

Bhutan Post Office Headquarters to get personalized Bhutanese postage stamps with your photo on them. You can bring along your favorite photo to put on the stamps and put these stamps on your postcard to send to your family and friends. 

Overnight at Thimphu 

Day 3

Thimphu Tsechu Festival 

 Dressed in traditional finery, devotees flock to the Thimphu  Dzong to proclaim their faith and receive blessings. Monks and lay people, dressed in elaborate silk brocade costumes perform festive dances of good triumphing over evil to the haunting sounds of trumpets, cymbals and flutes. You will get an opportunity to watch the festival for the whole day.

In the evening walk around Thimphu town by road as there is no moment of vehicles.

Overnight at Thimphu

Day 4

Thimphu –Dochula pass- Punakha sightseeing

After breakfast, drive to Punakha through Dochula Pass (3,088m/10,130ft). If you have a clear sky, the view of the Himalayan Mountain ranges is spectacular and you can even see the Gasa Dzong as a white dot in the horizon. Visit the beautiful 108 chortens built on the hill by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo for the security and well being of His Majesty the King of Bhutan.

After Lunch at Lobesa visit:

After Lunch at Lobesa  drive through Metshina village and walk to Chimi Lhakhang ( 20 minutes), temple of the divine Madman Lama Drukpa Kuenley where couples unable to conceive child, come here to receive blessing.

Visit Punakha Dzong,the Punakha Dzong is situated on the junction of the two rivers the Phochu (male river) and Mochu (female river) and is one of the most spectacular Dzongs in the country.

Overnight at hotel in Wangdue/ punakha

Day 5

Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Hike – Phobjikha Valley 

After breakfast:

·         Hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten (50 Mins) temple built by the Queen of Bhutan for peace and stability in this ever-changing world. 

·         Water Rafting: While returning back from the hike there is a water rafting facilities in the base camp and if interested you can avail those facilities else you will be drive back where you will be going to stop at Zomlithang Stupa which is newly built by our Forth King’s father in law Dasho Ugyen Dorji for the sentient beings. 

After lunch we will be going to make a drive to Phobjikha valley. Phobjikha valley is part of the beautiful Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park ( formerly known as Black Mountains National Park), one of Bhutan’s most important nature sanctuaries.  Each winter it is home to a flock of 300 rare and endangered black-necked cranes. 

Overnight at Phobjikha.

Day 6

Phobjikha Sightseeing – Haa Valley Home Stay 

After breakfast visit:

·         Gangtey Monastery : Gangte Goemba / Gangtey Monastery enjoys the valley's prime real estate, on a forested hill overlooking the green expanse of the entire Phobjikha valley. 

·         Black Necked Crane Centre: These black necked cranes migrate from Tibet in late autumn and typically stay till the mid march. Black Necked Crane Information Centre is situated on the edge of the forest and     wetland below Gakiling hotel.

Then we will drive back to Haa valley via Thimphu crossing Betekha village and to experience the real Bhutanese Style in one of the farm house / Home Stay

Day 7

Haa Sightseeing – Chelela Pass – Paro

After breakfast Visit:

·         White and black temple of Haa which is near to our home and then drive to Paro Via Chelela Pass.

Chelela Pass separates Haa and Paro Valley and at 3810 m. It is one of the highest motor able pass in Bhutan. The drive till here either from Paro or Haa is through dense spruce and larch forests according to the seasons. On a clear day, there are spectacular views of Mt. Jumolhari, Jichu Drake and adjoining peaks to the nort west as well as the view of Haa and Paro Valley. 

After Lunch visit:

·         Drugyel Dzong: Drukgyal Dzong ruins is located 14kms north of Paro town, near the end of the paved road. Druk gyalDzong (victories fortress) was built around 1644-49 to commemorate the Bhutanese victory over the Tibetan-Mongol forces. It was later burnt in fire accident in 1951. The reconstruction of the Dzong is still going on to the same structure.

Then travel back to your hotel, on the way visiting 

·         Kyichu temple,one of the 108 temples built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. The story goes that a giant demon lay across the whole area of Tibet and the Himalayas and was preventing the spread of Buddhism. To overcome her, King Songtsen Gampo decided to build 108 temples, which would be placed on all the points of her body. Kyichu Temple is one of the 108 temples.

Overnight at Paro

Day 8

Paro- A Hike to Paro Takshang ( Tiger nest Temple )

After breakfast, hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’. The climb up to the viewpoint will take around 1 ½ hours and from there you will enjoy a spectacular view of the monastery clinging to the side of the cliff. Stop for refreshment at the View Point Cafeteria.Then walk further up to the monastery which will take another 1 ½  hour. It is said that in the 8th century Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan to this place and meditated in a cave here for 3 months. The principal Lhakhang (monastery) of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. Taktsang was damaged severely by fire in 1998 but has now been fully restored to its former glory.After visiting the monastery, walk back down to the road on the way stop for lunch at the view point cafeteria and then walk further down to the road point.

In the evening leisure walk at town to buy souvenirs for your families, relatives, friends and so on. Dinner with Managing Director of Zoid Jin Tours and their teams.

Day 9

Paro airport – Onward Destinations

Zoid Jin Tours & Treks (your local Bhutan travel agent) will see you off at the Paro Airport for your onward destinations.