Thimphu Festival coming October

1. ITINEARY DETAILS (6 Nights 7 Days):

Zana Nga Chum (Black Hat Dance)

The festival or Tshechu in Bhutan are one of the fundamental examples of the culture in Bhutan that many people have come to admire and treasure it. The Tshechu or festival is performed in Honor of Guru Rinpoche, the saint who brought Buddhism to Bhutan.

Tsechus are performed in almost every district attracting thousand of Bhutanese people in A spirit of festivity and deep faith, the festival last up to four days in which a series of highly Stylized masked dance rituals are performed. Tshechus takes place throughout the country in every district at different times of year. The local Tshechus are often more interesting as Visitors get better perspective of a festival

Day 1 October 3 Sing-Paro-Thim Paro - 2250 meter Thimphu -  2400	-       Arrive at Paro and drive to Thimphu. (65 kilometers; 2 hours) , the capital city of Bhutan. -       En route stop at Chuzom (confluence) where Paro River joins. -        Check into your hotel on arrival -       Visit Changlingmithang archery field. -       Buddha Dordenma. -       Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan).	Bhutan Suites. Dinner in Hotel
Confluence of Thimpu River (Wong Chu) & Paro River (Pa Chu). Chhuzom (Chhu means river and zom means join) is the place where Paro Chhu and Wong Chhu meet. Traditionally Bhutanese consider such confluence of three rivers and three ridges an auspicious and one in a thousand, therefore Chortens or stupa is build to commemorate its significance and also to ward off evil spells and spirits in the area.
Day 2 October 4 Thimphu (Sightseeing)	-       Visit the oldest Monastery of Thimphu, Changkha Monastery. -       Later visit the Grand Thimphu Festival for 2-3 hours. -       Visit paper factory. -       Stroll through Thimphu town and absorb the life style of the people.	Bhutan Suites. Dinner in Hotel
Changangkha Lhakhang is an old fortress like temple and monastic school perched on a ridge above Thimphu, southeast of Motithang. It was established in the 12th century on a site chosen by Lama Phajo Drukgom Shigpo, who came from Ralung in Tibet. The central statue is Chenresig in an 11-headed, thousand-armed manifestation. There are enormous prayer wheels to spin and even the prayer books in the temple are larger in size than usual Tibetan texts.
Day 3 October 5 Punakha – 1310	-       Drive to Punakha (75 Km; 2-3 hrs) via Dochu La Pass (3,100 meters). -       Stop at Dochula Pass -       Visit Chimi Lhakhang (divine mad man monastery) on the way.	Meri Phensum Dinner at Hotel
Dochula Pass is the most known pass in the Bhutan. Its 30 Km drive from the Capital City Thimphu on the way towards central Bhutan. Dochula pass is around 3100 meter from sea level and it's mostly covered with white clouds, where on a clear day you can see spectacular view of the mighty Himalayas mountain ranges. The 108 Druk Wangyal Khangzang Chhortens is offered as a tribute to his majesty the king to the selfless service and visionary leadership of His Majesty the King, and now a sacred legacy to the nation and the Bhutanese people.
Day 4 October 6 Punakha - 1310	-       Morning visit Pungtang Dechen Phodrang Dzong or commonly known as Punakha Dzong. -       Hike to Khamsum Yulled Namgyel Chorten -       Wolokha Nunnery.	Meri Phensum Dinner at Hotel
Punakha Dzong is situated on a stretch of land where two rivers – the Phochhu and the Mochhu converge; Punakha Dzong was the second Dzong to be built in Bhutan. The Dzong appears as a great anchored ship. Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel built it in 1631. Through a desire to recover the relic of Ranjung Kharsapani the Tibetans invaded Punakha in 1639, but were defeated. In honor of the protective deities that is deemed to have played a key role in the victory over the Tibetans, Zhabdrung had an additional chapel built in the Punakha Dzong. The Punakha Domche is held to commemorate this famous victory every year.
Day 5 October 7	-          Punakha – Paro (140 kilometer; 4 hours) -          Drive back via Dochula Pass and Thimphu. -          Visit Rinpung Dzong . -          Visit Kyichu Lhakhang.	Khangkhu Resort Deluxe Dinner at Hotel
The Jowo Temple of Kyichu is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, originally built in the 7th century by the Tibetan Emperor Songsten Gampo. It is considered to be one of the 108 border taming temples he built. In the 8th century the temple was visited by Guru Rinpoche and it is believed he concealed many spiritual treasures here. It’s believed that Terton Pema Lingpa (1450-1521) uncovered the temple and restored it as it was before.
Day 6 October 8 Paro Taktsang Special	-          Paro Taktsang Special. -          Normally takes 4-5 hours to return to the base. -          900 meter inclined steep. -          Short Meditation in the monastery.	Khangkhu Resort Deluxe Dinner at Hotel
Taktshang monastery is located atop a 900 meter above the valley in a cliff in Paro. It takes approximately 5 hours to return back to the vehicle road point, but depends on our speed and capacity. Taktshang or the Tigers lair as the monastery is widely regarded is one of the most important in Bhutan. Its history is associated with the visit of Guru Padmasambhava, the Indian saint who came to Bhutan in the 8th century AD. The cave was named Taktshang after Guru Rinpoche flew into the cave riding on a tigress. When landing within the cave he took the wrathful form of Guru Dorji Drolo (one of the eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche) to subdue the demons.
Day 7 October 9	-          Bid farewell at from Paro Airport.

*The above hotels are subject to room availability during the booking time, but we assure to substitute with equivalent standards of hotels.

Price Chart:

US$ 1020 and above per person for details contact us here.

Includes:

Ø  Royalty Fees of US$ 65, Visa, taxes and permits.

Ø  All transfers and transportation in 4WD.

Ø  English Speaking Guide through-out.

Ø  Accommodation in twin sharing basis in hotel and in tent camps during the trek.

Ø  All activities as noted in the itinerary;

Ø  Bottled water while on drive and hiking;

Ø  Tourism Development Fund charges;

Ø  All meals, including evening tea.

Excludes:

Ø  Flights in and out of Bhutan

Ø  Travel/Medical Insurance – optional

Ø  Personal expenses such as Tips and gratuities (optional), bar/beverages, laundry, telephone and others not listed in the included section.

Flowers, Meditation & Cultural Tours

Reference: 1620607

Itinerary Details (6 nights 7 Days):

Bhutan was once also known in the ancient as the medicinal land, about 300 species of medicinal plants and 54 species of rhododendrons are found in Bhutan. Almost 60% of the plant species that is found in the eastern Himalayan region can be found in Bhutan as well. 

Some common sights for the visitors are the magnolias, junipers, orchids of varied hues, gentian, medicinal plants, daphne, giant rhubarb, the blue poppy which is the national flower and tropical trees such as pine and oaks.

The itinerary proposed can give you a glimpse of what you can see around, you can either request or amend at your will.

Day 1 Paro – Thimphu: (65 kilometers; 2 hours)

Arrival at Paro airport which is 2250 meter above sea level (by Druk Air) and transfer to Thimphu which is 2400 meters above sea level. Drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. En route stop at Tachog Iron Bridge and Chuzom (confluence) where Paro River joins Thimphu River. Check into your hotel on arrival. After lunch, visit the famous Changlingmithang Stadium and archery field. If you are lucky, you may catch a game of archery in progress.  Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.

Day 2 Thimphu (Sightseeing)

Morning after breakfast visit Changangkha Monastery for Meditation for an hour, this Monastery was established in the 12th century (the central statue is Chenresig in an 11-headed, thousand-armed manifestation). After Lunch you would be taken round Thimphu to glimpse the flowers- the famous are the bright yellow blooms of Piptanthus with their silvery leaves, the Pieris Formosa with its red leaves and sprays of little white flowers, and the extremely rare wild cherry, Prunus Carmesina with its deep pink blossoms, there are verities of other wild flower which you may take an interest while touring for the colorful flowers. You can also visit Botanical Garden which offers varities of Orchid and other variants of wild flower.

Visit Tashichhoed Dzong, one of the best Dzong in the evening, later you can stroll through Thimphu town and absorb the life style of the people.

Overnight Thimphu.

Day 3 Thimphu to Punakha (77 kilometer, takes 3 hours):
After breakfast this morning, enjoy the scenic drive to Punakha with a stop at Dochu La Pass (3,100 meters), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas and on the way to Dochula Pass two varieties of Primula Denticulata emerges through the frost covered ground. The bold magenta and purple varieties of Primula Gracilipes adorn the steep banks of the road. These flowers are like shy harbingers of the more spectacular blooms. Rhododendrons are at its bloom in this month.

Small shrub with fragrant white flowers, covering the slopes where a myriad of colorful prayer flags stand and little further on, vivid bursts of scarlet amidst the dense forest and the magnificent white blossoms of the Magnolia Campbelli adorning the tall, leafless trees. The magnolias and the rhodies flowers at this month. The scarlet rhodies being succeeded by other varieties: deep and pale pink, lavender, white, yellow, and orange. Some 54 varieties of this magnificent species are found in Bhutan.

From the pass, drive downhill through the forests of rhododendron, fir and hemlock. You will arrive at Lampari Eco-camp. Later drive to Punakha (the old capital of Bhutan) which is 1310 meters above sea level. Overnight at Punakha.

 Day 4 Punakha (Meditation/sightseeing)

Morning drive to northwards to catch the wildflowers around Punakha and short hike to Khamsum Yoeled Namgyal Temple, built in year 2003 or hike up the ancient trial to Lhakhang Karpo (monastery) and spend short meditation in the monastery.

Later visit Pungthang Dechen Phodrang Dzong or commonly known as Punakha Dzong and meditate there for an hour. The Dzong was constructed by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1637-38. It is the winter home of Bhutan's Central Monastic Body. The Dzong houses the most sacred relics of the Southern Drukpa Kagyu school including the Rangjung Kasarpani, and the sacred remains of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Terton Padma Lingpa. It’s also known for the coronation of the kings of Bhutan.  

Around the Dzong you can enjoy the purple blossom of flowers from Jacaranda trees.

Overnight at Punakha.

Day 5 Punakha – Thimphu - Paro (140 kilometer; 4 hours)

On the way to Paro, you will stop at Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to Chimmi Lakhang, which is a fertility temple dedicated to Devine Madman or Lama Drukpa Kuenley. Receive a special fertility blessing from Lama’s wooden phallus if you wish. Overnight at Paro.

Day 6 Paro Paro Taktsang Special

After breakfast, you will hike to Taktsang or the “Tiger’s Nest” Monastery perched precariously on the cliff 900m above Paro valley. It is the most famous monastery in Bhutan. Guru Rimpoche, the 8th century spiritual master is said to have flown on the back of tigress to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands. Lunch will be served in the Cafeteria Restaurant, located about halfway up on the mountain. Explore the monastery, and if you wish, you can sit for a short meditation before you hike down to the valley floor. Optional would be visiting local farm house and spend around the paddy field to experience the Bhutanese style of Living. Overnight at Paro. 

Day 7 Paro

Bid farewell

1. Weather Information for Month of May (expected):

Places	Altitude (meters)	Humidity	Temperature
Paro	2250	45%	27°C-12°C
Thimphu	2400	44%	25°C-10°C
Punakha	1310	52%	32°C-17°C

2. Pricing:

From US$ 150 per night per person. Depends on numbers of traveler.

3. Price Includes:

ü  Experience Guide;

ü  All accommodations in twin sharing basis;

ü  All meals;

ü  Transportation in comfortable car;

ü  All activities as noted in the itinerary;

ü  Bottled water while on drive and hiking;

ü  VISA Fee;

ü  Tourism Development Fund charges;

ü  65 $ Royalty Fees per day per person.

Excludes:

ü  Airfare

ü  Medical and Insurance

ü  Personal Expenses

4. Accommodation:

All accommodation will be in standard tourist hotel and twin sharing basis. Travelers can either upgrade to the deluxe or 5* with additional cost. Single supplement will be charged US$ 40 per night in standard hotel.