Tshechu festival and trek

Trip Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu . Welcome clients at the airport and trasfer to hotel and check-in. A short briefing on the program after refreshment.

Day 02: An exciting sightseeing tour in three beautiful queen cities in Kathmandu Valley meanwhile our liaison officer will process and obtain travel permits For Bhutan .

Day 03: Arrive Paro at 1505 Hrs: After Breakfast, free time till the airport time. Drive to airport and fly to Bhutan . On arrival o ur representative from Bhutan will receive you and drive to the Hotel. After tea, drive to the ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong 16 km up the valley. Built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father and unifier of medieval Bhutan , the dzong was destroyed by accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. Explore the ramparts and on a clear day experience an unforgettable view of Mt. Jhomolhari (7,314 m). On the way Back, visit Kichu Lhakhang, built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Srongsen Gampo. This Monastery is one of the 108 monasteries built in a single day across the Himalayan region by the Tibetan King to subdue the Demoness that lay across the Himalayan region. The rest of the monasteries lie in other neighboring countries. Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Day 04: Paro Sightseeing: Hike to Taktsang Monastery: After early breakfast, Hike to Taktsang Monastery. The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. We stop For a rest and light refreshments at the Taktsang Jakhang {cafeteria} and then walk a short distance until we see, clearly and seemingly within reach, Taktsang monastery. The primary Lhakhang was built around Guru Rimpoche's meditation cave in the 1684by the Penlop of Paro Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan , flew here on the back of a flying tiger, Dorji Drolo, said to be his favourite consort. Lunch will be served in Paro Market.

After lunch, visit Ta Dzong {built in1656 and renovated in 1968}, an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum . Below the museum is the Paro Rimpung Dzong literally meaning "Heap of Jewels", built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the centre of civil and religious authority in this valley. A short walk takes you to the base of the dzong and across a traditional cantilevered, covered bridge. A short distance further is one of the innumerable archery grounds. {Archery is the national sport of Bhutan }. If we are lucky, we may catch a match in action. The evening ends with a walk through Paro's main shopping district. Dinner and over night in Hotel.

Day 05: Paro- Punakha: After early breakfast, drive to Punakha { 130 Kms, 3 hours drive}. via Dochula pass. If the weather is clear, we stop for a while at Dochula pass to view Higher Himalayas. On the way, visit Chimi Lhakhang, which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley {Popularly known as "The Devine Madman"} in the 15 th Century. He subdued the demons with his "Magical Thunder bolt". The Temple is also known as "the Temple of Fertility ". Lunch at Punakha. After lunch, visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is situated between Pho Chu { Male River } and Mo Chu { Female River }. For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the Government. The construction of the Dzong was foretold by Guru Rimpoche, who predicted, "…a person named Namgyal will arrive at a hill that looks like an elephant". There was a smaller building here called Dzong Chu {Small Dzong} that housed a statue of Buddha. It is said that Shabdrung ordered the architect, Zowe Palep, to sleep in front of the statue, while Palep was sleeping; the Shabdrung took him in his dreams to Zangtopelri and showed him the palace of Guru Rimpoche . From his vision, the architect conceived the design for the new Dzong,which in keeping with the tradition, was never committed to paper. The Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang { Palace of Great Happiness}. The war materials captured during the battle with Tibetans are preserved here. Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the new national Assembly here in 1952. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 06: Punakha – Bumthang {Tsechu Festival Nimalung Monastery}: After breakfast, drive to Bumthang. On the way visit Wangdi Phodrang Dzong built in 1638. Legend relates that as the people were searching for the site of the Dzong; four ravens were seen flying away in four directions. This was considered auspicious sign, representing the spread of religion to the four points of the compass. The Dzong is situated at the confluence of Mo Chu and Tang Chu . Lunch at Trongsa. After lunch, visit Trongsa Dzong on the way, the most impressive dzong in Bhutan , built in its present form in 1644 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa, the official who was sent by Shabdrung to unify eastern Bhutan and enlarged at the end of the 17 th century by Desi Tenzin Rabgay. Trongsa Dzong is the ancestral home of the present Royal Family and first two hereditary kings ruled Bhutan from this Dzong. Drive further to Bumthang. Dinner and over night in Hotel in Bumthang.

Day 07: Bumthang {Nimalung Tshechu}: After breakfast, witnesses the Festival. In the evening, witness the Fire Dance {Naked dance}

Day 08: Bumthang {Nimalung Tshechu}: After breakfast, witnessing the Festival. After lunch, visit Jakar Dzong, which literally means "The Castle of White Bird". The current structure was built in 1667 and is said to be the largest Dzong in Bhutan . We then visit Kurjey Lhakhang that is named after body print of Guru Rimpoche, built in 1652 by Minjur Tempa. Visit Tamshing Lhakhang { Temple of the good message}, established in 1501 by Pema Lingpa and is the most important Nyingmapa temple in the kingdom. In the evening, visit Membarstho, which literally means "THE BURING Lake ". Dinner and over night in Hotel.

Day 0 9 . Bumthang - Gangtey: After breakfast, witnesses the Kurje Tshechu. After lunch, drive to Gangtey, visit Gangtey Gompa Monastery. Gyaltse Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa founded the Temple in 1613, and Tenzin Legpai Dhendup, the second re-incarnation, built the temple. The present Abbot, Kunzang Pema Namgyal is the ninth re-incarnation. It is a Nyingmapa monastery and is affiliated to other Nyingmapa monasteries including Tamshing in Bumthang. Explore Phobjikha valley, which is the roosting ground for the rare Black necked cranes. Dinner and overnight in Camp.

Day 10: Gangtey – Gogona: Start of Trek. { Phobjikha Valley , at 3000meters is in one of the few glaciers valleys in Bhutan . It is the chosen home of the rare black– necked cranes, which migrate here in winter from the Tibetan Plateau. The valley of Gangtey is one of the most beautiful places in Bhutan and the Gangtey Gompa monastery is the only Nyingmapa monastery on the western side of the Black mountains. This moderate trek passes through the village of Gogona and Khotokha, through meadows and fields, then forest of juniper, magnolia and rhododendrons. One of the finest low level treks in Bhuta}.

Day The trail winds up on a slow climb through field and then ascends the Tselela Pass for your lunch stop. Then the trail descends gradually for some time trough forest of juniper, bamboo, magnolia and rhododendron. After the last short climb you will reach Gogona village. The people of Gogona were originally nomads and they speak a language, "Jopkha" {language of the nomads}. Distance 15 km, about 6 - 7 hours. Over night in camp.

Day 11: Gogona – Khotokha: In the morning you will climb up a gentle slope to Shobjula {11,155 ft.} for your lunch stop. Then the path leads down to a wide valley of Khotokha , a summer place of the people of Sha {under district of Wangduephodrang} Distance 15 – 16 KM. Time about 6 - 7 hours. Over night in camp.

Day 12: Khotokha – Chazam – Paro: A short ascend leads to Mulaila Pass 9200ft. then the path descends through ever changing vegetation till the bridge in Wangdi Phodrang. Your trek ends here at. Lunch at Wangdi. After lunch, drive to Paro via Thimphu . Dinner and over night in Hotel.

Day 13: Paro – Departure: Early morning, drive to the airport and farewell.

Day 14: Arrive in Kathmandu

Day 15: Departure

Cost Includes

• Trekking guide
• Trekking permit

Cost Excludes

• Nepal Visa fee
• International Air fare

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