Thimphu Festival Tour - 7 Days | 6 Nights
US$ 2200 / Per Person
Group Size: 2 & above
Highlights
- Attend one of Bhutan’s most significant festivals with locals.
- Explore the key cultural sites of Thimphu, Punakha, Paro including Phobjikha valley.
- Discover some of the most sacred monasteries, medieval fortresses and temples.
- Enjoy a walk around Punakha and Phobjikha valley.
- Visit Switzerland of Bhutan.
- Visit local farm house taste Bhutanese cuisine.
- Hike to Tiger’s Nest.
One of the biggest and the most famous festival of all Bhutanese in the country is the Thimphu Tshechu. Three-day festival is held at a newly built Tsechu ground adjacent to the Tashichhodzong, provides breathtaking opportunities for photography.
Thimphu festival is attended by communities travelling from across the western districts. The festival usually falls in September or October, on the 10th day of the 8th month of the Bhutanese calendar.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1(24 September, Sunday): Arrive Paro international airport.
During the journey, one will experience breath-taking view of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks including the sacred Jumolhari and Mount Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be received by your guide and take you to Thimphu which is 54 km from Paro Airport and about 45 minutes drive. Later in the afternoon , visit Post office were you can personalize your stamp, , visit giant Buddha statue, Traditional paper factory, visit the King’s Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan);. Overnight hotel in Thimphu.
Day 2(25 September, Monday) Thimphu Festival
After breakfast you will go to Tashichhodzong to attend festival, later in the afternoon visit the mini zoo where you will see national animal of Bhutan Takin, , visit Changgangkha Monastery, visit weaving centre,. Evening: Stroll through the town. Overnight hotel in Thimphu.
Day 3(26 September, Tuesday) Thimphu – Punakha
After breakfast this morning, enjoy the scenic drive to Punakha with a stop for tea at Dochu La (3,100 meters), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Eastern Himalayas. From the pass, drive downhill through the forests of rhododendron, fir and hemlock. You will arrive Punakha after traversing through rice field and along the bank of Punakha River. On the way to Punakha, you will stop at Metsina village and take a 20 minute walk through the rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, which is a fertility temple. After Lunch you will visit the Punakha Dzong, which is stunningly situated inbetween the male and female rivers like an anchored ship. Overnight hotel in Punakha
Day 4(27 September, Wednesday) Punakha – Phobjikha
After breakfast you will be driving to Khamsum Yuelley Namgayl chorten. Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten stands out on a beautiful ridge above the Punakha valley. It was built by Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck. It took 9 years to build and Holy Scriptures rather than engineering manuals were consulted to construct this 4-storey temple. It is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture and artistic traditions. This temple has been dedicated for the well being of the kingdom, its people and all sentient beings. From the parking it is another 45 minutes uphill walk through the rice fields and the return portion downhill takes around 30 minutes. Best view of the Punakha Valley is seen from the top of the temple. After lunch you will drive to Phobjekha which is a famous for winter roosting place for Black necked crane. Overnight hotel in Phobjikha.
Day 5(28 September, Thursday) Phobjekha – Paro
After early breakfast, you will be hiking on Gangtey Natural Trail which is 1 hour 30minutes approximately. Phobjikha is one of the most beautiful glacial valley in the Bhutan. It is a winter roosting place for the black neck crane. You will be hiking through pine forest and small bamboo plants. You can see the Phobjikha valley so beautiful from this hike. It is one of the best hike for the nature lovers, after hike visit Gangtey Goenpa, the largest Nyingma monastery in Bhutan. Gyalse Pema Thinlay built a small temple in 1613, which was later built into larger Goenpa by the 2nd reincarnation Tenzin Legpai Dhendup. After monastery you will proceed Paro with a stop at Dochula for lunch . After lunch continue drive towards Paro. Evening Stroll through the Paro town. Overnight hotel in Paro.
Day 6(29 September, Friday) Paro. Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery
In the morning you will hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan’s most famous monastery situated at 3180 meters. Guru Rinpoche (spiritual master) is said to have flown on the back of a tigress from Singye Dzong in Lhuntse to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands. The Moanstery is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. Lunch will be served at the Cafeteria. Explore the monastery and hike back to the valley in the afternoon. Then you will visit Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the country built by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in 8th century. Overnight hotel in Paro.
Day 7(30 September, Saturday) Departure
Drive to the airport for departure. Our representative will bid you farewell.
At a Glance
Tour duration: 7 Days | 6 Nights
Tour type: Festival Tour with Day hikes
Festival date: 24 – 26 September 2023
Activity type: Cultural tour, Attend festival, Historical sites, Village tour, Religious sites and Day hike
Places covered: Thimphu, Punakha, Paro and Phobjikha( Western Bhutan)
Maximum elevation: 3150m
Inclusions
- Sustainable Development Fee(SDF)
- Accommodation
- All meals
- Transport
- Government certified Bhutanese Licensed tour Guide
- Bhutan Visa fee
- All internal taxes & charges
Exclusions
- Flight tickets
- Travel Insurance
- Tips
- Drinks and Beverages other than tea and coffee
- Sleeping bag on trek
- Internet bill and Phone bill
- Other bills of personal nature
Accommodation
- Accommodation in 3 star hotels (upgrade with supplement)
- Homestay accommodation certified by Tourism Council Bhutan
- Camping (optional)
Insurance
Package does not include insurance of any kinds, and that you are required to obtain separate coverage from your home country before your trip begins.
