Jambay Lhakhang Festival - 11 Days

Flight to Paro has spectacular views of the Everest, Kanchen Junga and other Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Chomolhari and Jichu Drakey in Bhutan, which is awesome. Evening strolls old Paro town and peeps into some local handicraft stores. One can also venture to try a local restaurant for dinner. Overnight in Paro. Altitude 2200m.

After our breakfast transfer to Paro airport for your flight to Bumthang, center Bhutan. On arrival at Batpalathang airport, you will be received by our representative and transfer to your hotel in a white bird valley. The evening explores the tiny town and relaxes at your hotel. Overnight in Jakar, altitude 2650m.

After breakfast, we will proceed to the festival site and witness the most interesting annual Jambay Lhakhang Drup (Tsechu) for the whole day. Festivals are preformed to honor Buddhist saint Guru Rimpoche who brought Buddhism in the country in the 7th century. Tse meaning date and chu meaning tenth are performed annually in all the districts coinciding with the tenth day of the Bhutanese calendar. Interesting and colorful mask dances are shown publicly in an open ground especially in the courtyard of the fortress, “The Dzong”, where all people gather to witness the dances. Witnessing the Tsechu is believed to accumulate the good deeds and help us to ride of the sins committed in the past. This is also a wonderful opportunity to click the Bhutanese in the best outfit with the most expensive garments and jewelry. Don’t miss to witness the unique naked dance at midnight. Overnight in Jakar.

Visit the Kurjey Temple, the site where Bhutan’s royals are cremated. One can either walk cross the suspension bridge and visit the village of Parar and Tamshing or drive there. End your day with a walk passing by the Swiss farm. Evening stroll in Jakar town and try some local pancakes and noodles. Overnight at Jakar.

After our leisurely breakfast, we will hike to Chimi Lhakhang, temple of fertility which is associates with religious arts of phallus and after descending back down from Dochula, we will follow our way back up the dramatic Wang Chu and Paro Chu river valleys, before crossing through Paro town towards the north end of the valley. Here, set in a pine forest, you will find the Amankora lodge and its spa. We take an opportunity for a quick stroll to the nearby ruins Dzong. Evenings enjoy the facility of aman soaking yourself into the culture, spa or perhaps enjoy the Bhutanese movies that aman provides. Overnight in Paro. Altitude 2200m

Check out from the hotel and drive to Trongsa. En-route we will stop at Chumey yatha factory which is famous for woolen products in the region. The beautiful drive will bypass Yotongla pass at 3400m before reaching Trongsa. On arrival, we will visit Trongsa Dzong, the beautiful ancient homes of the royals. Evening we will explore the charming little town. Overnight in Trongsa, altitude 2200m.

Checkout from the hotel, take an excursion drive to Phobjikha from Pelela. The valley of the black-necked crane is so beautiful and perfect for nature lovers and a paradise for hikers. On arrival at Gangtey, we will pay homage to Gangtey Gonpa and further drive to the warm valley of Punakha. En-route if time permits we will hike to Rinchengang village. Evening relaxes in the hotel we can walk around the resort. Overnight in Punakha, altitude 1350m.

Punakha was the capital of Bhutan until the 1950s. Today, the central monk body moves to Punakha in the winter when it gets too cold in Thimphu. With a climate almost tropical in the summer, the valley is blessed with an abundance of fruits and rice. We will visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong which without doubt showcases the finest example of Bhutanese arts and crafts. After the Dzong, we will drive to the capital, Thimphu, over the Dochu La pass (3000m). Overnight in Thimphu, altitude 2400m.

Check out from the hotel visit painting school, folk heritage museum and textile museum before proceeding to Paro. On arrival in Paro, we will visit the national museum of Bhutan and Paro dzong. Evening we will explore the tiny Paro town. Overnight in Paro. Altitude 2200m.

Early morning after our delicious breakfast drive to the north end of Paro valley and hike to Tiger Nest Temple. The hike to Tiger’s Nest will take most of our day. The temple is one of the most renowned temples in the Buddhist world one of the ten most visit sites before we die. This is the most revolted temple in the country that literally hangs on a granite cliff overlooking the Paro Valley at 900m above the valley. En-route visit Kichu Lhakhang, one from the 2 oldest Buddhist temples in the country, historic Drukgyal Dzong (Fortress) and Evening at leisure. Overnight in Paro.