Thimphu Tshechu

Essential Tips:

• Attire: Dress modestly when visiting temples and religious sites.
• Altitude: Thimphu and Punakha have varying altitudes; stay hydrated and pace yourself, especially during hikes.
• Currency: The local currency is the Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN). ATMs are available in major towns.
• Weather: Bhutan’s weather can be unpredictable. Pack layers to accommodate both warm and cold conditions.
• Photography: Always ask for permission before photographing locals, particularly during religious ceremonies.

Day 01; Arrive Paro by Druk Air, drive to Thimphu (L/D) Upon arrival in Paro, clear customs and immigration. Keep your copy of the visa clearance letter handy. P.P size pictures are no longer required and your visa has been paid. Meet your Guide and driver outside the terminal building and transfer to Thimphu. Stroll around the city in the evening. Overnight hotel, Thimphu.   Drive from Paro to Thimphu:  The distance of about 65kms from Paro town takes little more than 1 hour. Drive south following Pachu river to the river confluence at Chuzom, which is also the hub of road network going to Paro, Ha, Thimphu and Phuntsholing. From Chuzom, the drive takes about 1 hour, staying close to the Wangchu River in the valley floor, as you pass through villages and suburbs to the capital, Thimphu.  En-route, you can stop to view Tachogang temple and the nunnery at Sitsina.   Thimphu (2,300m) was a wooded farming valley until 1961, when it became Bhutan's official national capital. The massive Tashicho Dzong, about 700 years old, was carefully revamped in the 1960s by the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk to house the royal and main government offices. Even today, it still only has a few streets and no traffic lights with estimated population of 125,000 people.   Day 02; Thimphu – Festival and sightseeing (B/L/D) Attend festival in the morning held outside huge Trashichho Dzong and continue sightseeing in the afternoon if you desire. Thimphu Tsechu (Festival): Religious festivals are numerous and have different names according to their types, the best known being the ‘Tsechus’, which are festivals in honour of Guru Rimpoche, commemorating one of his great deeds. These great deeds are all believed to have taken place on the 10th day of the month, which is the meaning of the word ‘tsechu’. Tsechus are celebrated for several days, between three and five according to the location, and are the occasion for dances that are clearly defined in religious content. The dances are performed by monks, laymen or gomchens and the repertory is the same practically everywhere. For the Bhutanese, religious festivals offer an opportunity to become immersed in the meaning of their religion and to gain merit. They are also occasions for seeing people, and for being seen; for social exchanges, and for flaunting success. People bring out their finest clothes, their most beautiful jewels; they take out picnics rich with meat and abundant alcohol. Men and women joke and flirt. An atmosphere of convivial, slightly ribald good humour prevails. The details and the meaning of the each dance performed will be explained to you by your guide. After festival, you may drive back to the town and visit few shops and handicraft stores and interact with the locals.   Visit Memorial Chorten, Zilukha Nunnery, Takin Sanctuary, Textile Museum, Trashicho Dzong. Upon available time, you will also visit Zangdopelri temple and paper factory and other sights. Overnight hotel, Thimphu.   Memorial Chorten: This landmark of Thimphu was built in 1974 in the memory of third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, who is popularly regarded as Father of Modern Bhutan. It is a four-storey tall white building, containing statues and iconography of deities from complex tantric teachings and serves as an important place of worship for Thimphu residents, as well as from other parts of the country.   Zilukha Nunnery:  It has been housed in Drubthob Goemba (monastery). There are about 70 nuns who live and pray everyday in the monastery. The beautiful view of Tashicho Dzong can be seen from the nunnery.   Takin Sanctuary:   Takin (Budorcas taxicolor) has been chosen as the national animal of Bhutan is based both on its uniqueness and its association with country’s history and mythology.  It is said that Devine Madman, a popular saint is said to have created it with his magical power at a large congregation of devotees. It resembles like a cow from back and goat in the front and continues to befuddle taxonomists, who cannot quite relate to other animal.   Tashichhodzong: This fortress serves as the office of the King, ministers and various government organizations. It also is the headquarters for central monastic body of Bhutan. Bhutan's spiritual leader Je-Khenpo and the monks of both Thimphu and Punakha reside here during summer. It is also the venue for Thimphu Festival in the fall season.   Textile Museum: A recent addition in the capital city, this museum displays the colorful and intricately hand woven textile, both old and new.   Paper Factory:  Traditional papers were made from the daphne plant, using simple methods.   Day 03; Thimphu - Punakha (B/L/D)  Drive from Thimphu  to Punakha. En-route stop at Dochula pass. In Punakha visit Chimi Lhakhang. Overnight hotel, Punakha.   Drive from Thimphu to Punakha: The drive from Thimphu (75kms) takes about 3 hours. The road climbs from Thimphu to Dochula pass (3,050m) and descends through ever changing forests into the semi-tropical valley of Punakha and Wangdi at around 1200m. En-route stop at Dochula pass (3050m) where you can view the eastern Himalayas, including Bhutan's highest mountain, Gangkar Punsum (7,550m).   Chimi Lhakhang:  a monastery and fertility temple dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley, a Tibetan Buddhist saint known popularly as “the divine madman” and considered a folk hero in Bhutan for his unconventional ways. Drukpa Kuenley originally built a chorten on the site in the 14th century, on which a temple was later built in 15th century. The temple, flanked by nearly 100 tall prayer flags, sits atop a picturesque hill. It has long been a pilgrimage site for childless couples. This easy walk takes about ½ hour each way.   Punakha and Wangdiphodrang: Punakha and Wangdue, although two separate districts, are located in one valley (20km/ ½ hr drive apart) and they are at the lower elevation of about 1,250m with pleasant winters. Cactuses, Oranges, bananas and sub-tropical plants are found here. Punakha was once the winter capital of Bhutan, the tradition that is still held by the Central Monastic body   Day 04; Punakha - Paro (B/L/D)  After breakfast, retrace your drive back to Paro. Pass across Dochula (stop for tea) and stop for lunch at Thimphu. In Paro visit Rinpung Dzong and Farm House. Overnight Paro.   Drive from Punakha to Paro. The drive from Punakha to Paro via Thimphu takes about 5 hours, covering total of 135 km. From Punakha, climb back to the Dochula pass (3,050m), where you have another opportunity to view the peaks of the eastern Himalayas. Descend to Thimphu from Dochula takes about 40 minutes. After lunch at Thimphu, drive west to Paro. The western branch of lateral highway from Thimphu, runs close to the Wangchu river in the valley foor, through the suburbs and villages of Thimphu to arrive at the river confluence of Chuzom, which is also the hub of road network going to Paro, Ha, Thimphu and Phuntsholing. From Chuzom, it is north-west for about an ½ hour, following Pa Chu river upstream, passing Tachogang temple on the other side of the river, then through relatively straight road, into the villages and farm houses of Paro valley.   Rinpung Dzong: meaning "fortress of the heap of jewels". Built in mid 17th century, it now serves as the administrative and judicial seat of Paro district and residence for the 200 monks of Paro. It is also the venue for Paro festival held in the spring. Several years ago, the colourful movie Little Buddha was filmed here.   Farm House or Village Home: Bhutanese farmhouses are colorful, decorative and traditionally built without any nails. Majority of the houses are with three story, first floor is utilized for sheltering cattle, second floor for the family to live in and the top for storing and drying of foods and fodder for animal. Almost all the farmhouses follow the same architectural pattern. A visit to farmhouse is interesting and provides you with an experience to the daily life of average Bhutanese.   Paro: Paro is one of the most beautiful valleys in the country with Bhutan’s only airport located here, among the terraced fields, and elegant farm houses. Willow trees line many of the roads, contrasting with bright colors of the fields and the most popular and important sites also found within Paro district. Paro town (2,280m) is still a small with one main street and less then one hundred small family-run shops. The weekend market in Paro is held on Saturdays   Day 05; Paro – Tiger’s Nest Monastery-Taktsang (B/L/D) After breakfast, drive to the trail head, and begin the trek to Taktsang Monastery. Return to the road head and if time permits visit National Musuem. Overnight Paro.   Hike to Taktsang: Drive to north of Paro town for about ½ hr and embark on a trek to the famed Taktsang (Tiger’s lair) monastery. Taktsang monastery is located on the face of a 1,000m seemingly impossible sheer, vertical cliff, above Paro valley. The trail begins near the Satsam (2650m) and climbs steeply uphill to the Cafeteria (2,940m), an area of exposed ridge with panoramic view of Takstang. This takes little more then an hour. (Ponies are provided on request to ride up till this Cafeteria, but rest of way, including return downhill must be on foot.) You can get a good view from the Cafeteria or hike further uphill for another hour or so to the temple itself. There are several other temples and sites within the vicinity. Lunch is served at the tea house. The return trek to the road head is quite steep downhill, where you will be met by the transport.   National Museum: Established in 1967, the museum is housed inside a circular Ta Dzong, an ancient Watch Tower. It holds fascinating collection of arts, relics, religious thangkha paintings, households stuffs, arms, handicrafts, stuffed animals and Bhutan’s famous Stamps among others. (open 10-4pm – closed on Monday).   Day 06; Paro – Depart (B)   After breakfast, transfer to the airport in time for your departure flight to onward destination.