Paro Tshechu

Day 1: Fly Delhi – Paro (2,250 m | 1.83 hrs)

Transfer to airport and fly to Paro. Weather permitting, you will have a breathtaking view of the fascinating Eastern Himalayan mountains. You will be met at Paro International Airport and transferred to hotel.

After lunch we visit the Buddhist monastery fortress of Paro-Rinpung Dzong. We cross a beautiful wooden bridge covered with shingles, flanked on each side by a guard house and walk up to Rinpung Dzong. This impressive fortress was built in 1645 and is still both a religious centre (home to a monastic school) and the seat of the district administration. The central watchtower is one of the most beautiful in Bhutan with its magnificent woodwork. Overnight in Paro.

Accommodation: Overnight hotel, Paro

Day 2: Visit to Paro Tsechu Monastery Festival

A very special event today will be a visit to the Buddhist monastery festival, Paro Tshechu in Paro. It is the most popular religious festival in Bhutan. You will be able to admire colourful costumes and fascinating masks at the numerous dances. It is the best way to experience the ancient culture of Bhutan that is still alive today. Overnight in Paro.

Paro Tshechu (festival): It is held in Paro for a period of four to five days and falls in spring (Mar-Apr) every year. Like any other festivals in Bhutan, the Paro Tshechu revolves around the life story of Guru Padmasambava. However, one unique aspect of the festival is the portrayal and worship of other important Buddhist deities.

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 humor prevails. The details and the meaning of the each dance performed will be explained to you by your guide.

Accommodation: Overnight hotel, Paro

Day 3: Fly Paro – Bumthang (35 min) | The spiritual heartland of Bhutan

After breakfast, a morning transfer to the nearby airport. A domestic flight with a fantastic view of the sacred mountains of Bhutan takes us to the religious centre of the kingdom – Bumthang. Around noon we arrive at our hotel in Jakar, where we also have lunch.

In the afternoon we visit the Dzong, which stands on a small hill above the town. From here we walk down to the village of Jakar. There are a few cafés and local handicrafts shops. We spend three nights in Bumthang and explore local places of interest. Overnight in Bumthang.

Accommodation: Overnight hotel, Bumthang

Day 4: Bumthang | Explore/hike Choekhor Valley to Tangbi

Bumthang district is divided into four valleys surrounded by gently sloping mountains – an ideal terrain for hiking.

We start with a visit to the important Tamshing Monastery, founded by Pema Lingpa in 1501 AD and walk across a small bridge to the temples of the Kurje Lhakhang. This is the holiest place in Bhutan. After the Kurje Lhakhang visit, a path leads us into the beautiful upper Choekhor Valley to the Thangbi Temple, which is set in an idyllic atmosphere on an alluvial terrace. Not far from the temple there are two villages at an altitude of about 2,700 m, which we can also try to explore.

In the afternoon we return to Jakar which takes us approximately 2 hrs.

Accommodation: Overnight hotel, Bumthang

Day 5: Bumthang | Hike through the Ura Valley

Today we go on an excursion to the remote Ura Valley. The road leads us through forests of blue pine trees, which offer a view of the beautiful valleys of Choeskhor and Thang. We reach the Shelthang La Pass, from where we have a fantastic view of Bhutan’s highest mountain, Gangkar Puensum. The following landscape of the Ura Valley with its softly curved slopes, lush pastures and sprawling fields fields, is quite different from the valleys we have seen before.

Arriving in Ura, the village of the same name, we visit the main temple, which gives you an insight into the way of life of the people in central Bhutan. A walk along the traditional houses of the village will certainly give you the opportunity to chat with the villagers. This way you will learn more about the daily life of these people. Ura is one of the most beautiful and interesting villages in Bhutan. Its large and closely spaced houses are connected by cobblestone pathways. We visit a large monastery complex with its towering Lhakhang, dedicated to the great teacher Guru Rinpoche, dominates the face of this place, a rare sight in Bhutan. The annual mask festival is held on the second weekend in May or in June, depending on the Bhutanese lunar calendar.

The Thimshingla National Park starts just behind the village and can be visited. A visitor centre, which is open outside the holidays from Monday to Friday, is located just after the turnoff to Ura. We drive back to Jakar. Overnight in Bumthang.

Accommodation: Overnight hotel, Bumthang

Day 6: Drive Bumthang – Trongsa (80 km | 2.5 hrs)

After breakfast we leave Bumthang passing through the Chhumey Valley. On our way we have the opportunity to see the Yatha, the special weaving art of the region. We continue over the 3,400 m high Yotang-La pass towards Trongsa.

In the afternoon we visit the impressive Trongsa Dzong, a jewel of medieval Buddhist architecture. Construction began in 1543, when the first temple was built. The last phase of construction can be dated between 1640 to 1648. This mighty monastery castle is perched on a rocky outcrop above the Mangdu-Chu River. This mighty monastery castle, one of the largest and most important in Bhutan. Due to its exposed location between eastern and western Bhutan, the governor of Trongsa was able to control the entire western and central Bhutan from this point. Overnight in Trongsa.

Accommodation: Overnight hotel, Trongsa

Day 7: Drive Trongsa – Gangtey (77 km | 2.25 hrs)

Today we leave central Bhutan and continue to the west of the country. We reach the Pele-La Pass. With its altitude 3,300 m, it is considered a landmark and separates western from central Bhutan. Numerous colourful prayer flags and a central chorten mark the crossing. We continue to follow the road downhill and immerse ourselves in a dreamlike landscape past Black Mountain National Park. We reach the village of Gangtey, which lies in the Phobjikha Valley. This valley is one of Bhutan’s the most beautiful – dense forests, small farms, fields and the mountains create a unique panorama. We visit Gangtey Goempa Monastery, which stands on a hilltop with a beautiful view of the surrounding fields, farms and forests. The monastery was founded in 1613 by Pema Trinley, the son of Pema Lingpa, a great saint from Bumthang in the 16th century. At the end of the 17th century, the monastery was expanded. Today Gangtey Tulku administers the monastery. Around the impressive building are the residences of the families of the Gomchens, the lay priests who look after the monastery. Overnight  in Gangtey.

Accommodation: Overnight hotel, Gangtey

Day 8: Hike to Phobjikha Valley

After breakfast, we will go for an extended walk through the Phobjikha valley today. In this area the endangered black-necked cranes settle in every winter. The harmonious coexistence of man and nature is the reason why the valley is still in its natural state and why the demanding black-necked cranes prefer to roam here from mid-November to early April. Overnight in Gangtey.

Accommodation: Overnight hotel, Gangtey

Day 9: Drive Gangtey – Punakha (74 km | 2.25 hrs)

In about 4 hours we reach Punakha. For more than 300 years until the time of the second king, Punakha was the winter capital of Bhutan. The climate is subtropical due to its relatively low altitude (1,400 m).

Lunch at the hotel. In the afternoon we drive to the Punakha Dzong. It is considered the “jewel” of Bhutanese monastic architecture. The Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, dominates the whole area with its size. Today it is still the winter residence of Je Khenpo (the highest abbot) and the main monastic community of Bhutan. In contrast to other dzongs in Bhutan, the Punakha Dzong is situated in a valley at the confluence of the Pho-Chu and Mo-Chu rivers. As a result, this complex can only be reached via a bridge. Due to the mild climate, cactus, papaya trees and citrus fruits grow in the Punakha region. Overnight in Punakha.

Accommodation: Overnight hotel, Punakha

Day 10: Drive Punakha – Paro via Thimphu (125 km | 3.5 hrs)

After breakfast, before our onward journey to Paro, we take a short hike to the nearby temple of Chime Lhakhang, which lies in the middle of rice terraces. We pass through a small village with murals that indicate the importance of the temple.

Afterward we drive to Paro. On the way we pass another pass, the Dochu La. We are on the only road that connects the west of Bhutan with the east of the country. A constant up and down over high passes and deep valleys, along blue pines, Himalayan cypresses and rhododendron trees. The top of the pass of the Dochu La is 3,150 m. Colourful prayer flags, 108 Druk Wangyal Chörten and the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang await you at the highest point of the crossing. On a clear day, this vantage point offers a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain range of Bhutan.

We continue to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. Here we visit the school of School of Arts and Crafts and the Royal Palace (Dzong). At the School of Arts and Crafts you will get an insight into the art education of Bhutan and watch the students sewing, weaving and carpentry and clay works. Traditional thangkas are also painted here. Towards evening we reach our hotel in Paro. Overnight in Paro.

Accommodation: Overnight hotel, Paro

Day 11: Paro – Taktshang Monastery, the legendary Tiger’s Nest

Today we hike to the famous Tiger’s Nest. This monastery was built in 1692 over a cave in which, according to legend, Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) meditated. At 900 metres above the Paro valley, this monastery complex seems like an eagle’s nest. Approx. 2-hour ascent through wooded mountain slopes offers a fascinating view of the mystical monastery complex. Those who do not wish to complete this ascent you have the opportunity to rest in a cafeteria halfway up. From here you will be rewarded with a fantastic view of the tiger’s nest.

The afternoon is at leisure.

Accommodation: Overnight hotel, Paro

Day 13: Fly Paro – Delhi – Depart

Transfer to airport and fly to Delhi.

Tour Cost: US$ 2365 per person

Single supplement: US$ 275

Visa fee: US$ 40