Paro Festival - 6 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 breakfast, we will proceed to the festival site and witness the most interesting annual Paro (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 festivals of Bhutan. Overnight in Paro.

The morning we will visit the festival and in the afternoon drive north end of Paro valley and hike to Tiger’s Nest, the most revered temple in the country that literally hangs on a granite cliff overlooking the Paro Valley at 900m above the valley. The hike will take about 2 hours uphill for an average hiker. Evening relax at your hotel. Overnight in Paro.

Check out from the hotel and drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. On arrival check into your hotel. Afternoon visit Memorial Chorten built in the memory of our late 3rd king, further drive to Buddha viewpoint. We have a magnificent view of the whole valley from here; visit Changangkha Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the valley.

Enjoy delicious breakfast, check out from the hotel and proceed to visit the School of Arts and Craft and nearby national library. Later, explore craft bazaar of Thimphu city and government own handicraft emporium before proceeding to Paro. Late lunch in Paro. After lunch, visit the National Museum, the first of its kind which has a collection from natural history to religious paintings. 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.