Paro Tshechu Festival, Bhutan - Bhutan Omkara Tours and Travels

The flight to Paro is renowned as one of the most spectacular mountain flights in the world, offering a breathtaking panorama of some of the highest peaks on Earth. Upon arrival, our Bhutan Travel Bureau representative will greet you at the airport exit after you complete customs formalities.

After lunch, we’ll embark on an afternoon of sightseeing in Paro, starting with a visit to the Ta Dzong Museum, which houses a wealth of religious relics, artworks, and handicrafts, providing an excellent introduction to Bhutan’s historical, cultural, and religious heritage. Next, we’ll drive to the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. This temple is designed similarly to the Jokhang in Lhasa and features a magnificent golden statue of Buddha Shakyamuni.

Before dinner at the hotel, your guide will provide an orientation on Bhutanese etiquette. Overnight stay at your hotel in Paro.

After breakfast, we’ll hike to Taktsang Monastery, famously known as “Tiger’s Nest.” The uphill walk takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, bringing you nearly a kilometer above the Paro Valley floor. For those who prefer not to hike, we can arrange for a horse to transfer you to the cafeteria. The sight of Taktsang Monastery, perched on a sheer cliff 900 meters above the valley, is truly spectacular. This monastery is also a significant pilgrimage site for Buddhists, as it is believed that the great Guru Rinpoche flew here on the back of a tigress in the 8th century to bring the teachings of Buddhism to Bhutan.

There is a nearby teahouse where you can stop for refreshments before we return to Paro for lunch.

In the afternoon, we will attend the Paro Festival, where you’ll see locals dressed in their finest attire who have traveled from miles around to join the celebrations. They gather to watch the vibrant masked dances, pray, and enjoy festive feasts. While the festival has a spiritual purpose, the dances often resemble plays that tell stories of good triumphing over evil and depict significant historical events, particularly those surrounding Bhutan’s patron saint, Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche). This occasion is also a wonderful opportunity for socializing. We’ll spend the night at your hotel in Paro.

Wake up very early at 2:30 AM and drive to Paro Dzong to witness the thongdroel ceremony, where a large religious painting of Guru Rinpoche made of cloth is unfurled on the side of the Dzong. This significant event marks the final day of the annual festival.

After spending some time resting back at the hotel, we’ll drive to the capital, Thimphu, which takes about 1.5 hours following the Pachu River. Along the way, we can stop to admire the magnificent Tamchhog Lhakhang, the hereditary place of worship for Bhutan’s famed iron bridge builder. We’ll spend the night at your hotel in Thimphu.

Once a rustic village nestled in a broad, fertile river valley, Thimphu is now the bustling capital of Bhutan. Enjoy a full day of sightseeing, starting with a visit to the National Memorial Chorten, completed by the Royal Queen Mother as a memorial stupa for the Third King, who passed away in 1972. Next, we’ll explore the 12th-century Changangkha Temple, the Zilukha Nunnery, and the National Library, which houses a collection of Bhutanese scriptures dating back to the 8th century.

If time allows, we may visit the nursing pen for the Takin, Bhutan’s national animal, and Tashichhodzong, known as ‘the fortress of the glorious religion,’ which serves as the home for several ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body. If your visit to Thimphu coincides with the weekend, you can stroll through the Thimphu Market, open from Friday to mid-Sunday. We’ll spend the night at your hotel in Thimphu.

Drive from Thimphu to Trongsa, a journey of 7 to 8 hours, crossing the Dochu-La Pass (3,100 m) and Pele La Pass (3,420 m) on the Black Mountain range. Along the way, we’ll stop to visit the beautiful Chendebji Chorten, which was erected in the 18th century. As we approach Trongsa, the imposing Trongsa Dzong will come into view across a deep canyon, marking your arrival in the town along a winding road. Trongsa is the ancestral home of Bhutan’s ruling dynasty. We’ll spend the night at your hotel in Trongsa.

In the morning, we’ll visit Trongsa Dzong, a masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture and the largest dzong in the country, where the institution of monarchy began. The views from the dzong are spectacular, offering a panoramic vista of the impressive landscape stretching for miles. We’ll also explore the Ta Dzong museum, which houses an incredible collection of historical artifacts from the Royal Family and a variety of traditional armor.

After our visit, we’ll proceed to Bumthang, a drive of approximately 2.5 hours through stunning scenery. The road winds steeply up to the Yo Yutung La Pass (3,400 m) before descending through dense coniferous forests into Chummey Valley.

Bumthang Valley is known as the spiritual heartland of Bhutan and is home to some of the country’s oldest palaces, temples, and monasteries. As we explore, you’ll see barley fields, apple groves, and meadows nestled below the towering hills that rise toward the Himalayan mountain wall separating Bhutan from Tibet. Key sites include the 16th-century Tamshing Lhakhang, which features ancient Buddhist wall paintings, the 7th-century Jambay Lhakhang, and Kurje Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places in the kingdom where Bhutan’s patron saint, Guru Rinpoche, meditated. We’ll spend the night at your lodge in Jakar, Bumthang.

Enjoy a day exploring the many sites around Bumthang. We’ll visit the 16th-century Tang Ugyen Chholing Palace, which features a museum that offers an excellent overview of traditional rural life in Bhutan.

Next, we’ll continue to the pool of Mebartso, also known as the Lake of Fire. According to legend, this is where Pemalingpa, the founder of the Nyingmapa sect, discovered treasure hidden by Guru Rinpoche. After a day of exploration, we’ll return to your lodge in Jakar, Bumthang, for the night.

Depart for Punakha, the ancient capital of Bhutan, with a stop for lunch in Trongsa along the way. Upon arrival in Punakha, take a leisurely stroll through the charming township, soaking in the local atmosphere and scenery. We’ll spend the night at your hotel in Punakha.

Start your day with a visit to Punakha Dzong, known as the “Palace of Great Happiness.” Built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the ‘Unifier of Bhutan,’ the dzong is located at the confluence of the Mo Chu and Pho Chu (Mother and Father Rivers). It serves as the winter headquarters for the Je Khenpo and hundreds of monks who migrate here from Thimphu for the warmer climate. The three-story main temple of Punakha Dzong is a breathtaking example of traditional architecture, featuring four intricately embossed entrance pillars crafted from cypress and adorned with gold and silver. Notably, this is where Bhutan’s first king was crowned on December 17, 1907.

Afterward, we’ll drive a short distance to Chimi Lhakhang, the temple dedicated to Drukpa Kuenley, known as the Divine Madman. He challenged the orthodox practices of his time, teaching that religion is an inner feeling and that ordination is not a requirement for spiritual connection. Regarded as a symbol of fertility, many childless couples visit his temple to seek blessings. We’ll spend the night at your hotel in Punakha or Wangduephodrang.

In the morning, we’ll drive to Yabesa village and embark on a hike through picturesque rice fields, making our way up to Khamsum Yueley Namgyal Chorten. This stunning chorten was built by Her Majesty the Queen, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuk, and is perched high on a hill overlooking the river. Inside, you’ll find exquisite paintings reflecting the Nyingmapa traditions.

After our visit, we’ll drive back to Thimphu, where you’ll have the opportunity to explore local handicraft and souvenir stores. Following this, we’ll proceed to Paro for the night, where you can relax at your hotel.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before we drive to the airport for your flight to your onward destination. Tashi Delek!