Punakha Festival - 7 Days

Flight to Bhutan offers spectacular views of the world’s highest mountains including Mount Everest. On arrival at Paro international airport, the HBT representative will receive you and transfer to Thimphu, approximately an hour’s drive. Upon arrival we will check into the hotel, after lunch, we will visit National Memorial Chorten, the stupa built in the memory of late 3rd king. Further, we will proceed to visit the National Textile Museum, Zhorig Chusum, the school where 13 different arts are practiced and learned. We will also hop into nearby Folk Heritage Museum and perhaps time to stroll the main street for some interesting Himalayan artifacts or textiles. Overnight in Thimphu. Altitude 2400m.

After our leisurely breakfast, we will head to the north end of the valley to view Trashi Chhoe Dzong and further north to hike to Cheri Goenpa. The hike takes about 45 mins one way to reach the temple and trail passes through beautiful cantilever bridge and forest creating the chance to see birds and wild animals some time. This is the monastery where the first monastic body was established in the Kingdom. Back in town to explore some of the remaining sites like traditional paper making center, takin’s mini zoo and weaving center. Overnight in Thimphu.

We will checkout from the hotel and drive to Punakha over Dochula pass at 3050m. If the weather permits, we can enjoy a spectacular view of the highest mountains of Bhutan at a sight that stretches almost 180 degrees. After our packaged lunch we will visit Punakha Dzong (fortress) which houses the most elaborated temple in the country. One can also visit Souvenir making center and evening hike to Khamsum Yulay Namgyal Chorten, which will take about 45 mins to reach on the top, evening back to the nearby Amankora Lodge which belongs to royal once. Soak yourself with the warm hospitality of the international standard of hotel in the tiny Himalayan kingdom. Overnight in Punakha. Altitude 1350m.

After breakfast, we will proceed to the festival site and witness the most interesting annual Punakha (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 pieces of jewelry. Don’t miss to witness the unique festivals of Bhutan. Overnight in Punakha.

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.

The day starts with a visit to the National Museum, housed in the Ta Dzong (watchtower). Here, an intriguing collection of artifacts provides a wonderful introduction to the rich culture and heritage of the Kingdom. Just a short walk downhill lays the dominating Paro Dzong, a fine example of Bhutanese historic architecture. From the Dzong, the tour crosses Nyamai Zampa, a traditional cantilever bridge, and guests are then driven to the town. Paro options include picturesque picnic spots or, perhaps, a visit to a traditional farmhouse to lunch with the family. In the afternoon, hike up to view one of Bhutan’s most revered monuments, the Taktshang Goemba, more commonly referred to as the “Tiger’s Nest”. The four-hour trek offers spectacular views of this sacred monastery perched on a cliff face 900m above the valley floor. Overnight in Paro.