BHUTAN TREKKING WITH PARO TSHECHU FESTIVAL

Early Morning, Drive to international airport for the Flight to Paro. Upon arrival at Paro, Meet & greet at Paro International Airport and Transferred to Hotel.

PM: Visit the National Museum (Ta Dzong):

In the afternoon, visit Ta Dzong Museum housing many religious relics, works of art and handicrafts offering a great orientation into Bhutan’s historical, cultural, and religious past. The National Museum is housed in an ancient watchtower, which has a fine collection of ancient Thangka painting, textiles, weapons and artifacts.

Later walk down to Paro Rinpung Dzong.

This massive fortress is approached by a gently sloping flagstone road and a beautiful wooden bridge roofed with shingles and abutted by two guard houses. These days, The Dzong is the administrative seat of the district of Paro and it also contains a state monastic community of about 200 monks. The central tower (Utse) of the Dzong is one of the most beautiful in Bhutan with its superb woodwork. The Dzong was built in 1645 A.D. This Dzong also host the Paro Tshechu festival.

Altitude: 2,250m

Overnight: Paro

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Participate in the 3rd day of the Paro Tshechu festival at Rinchen Pong Dzong. The Paro Tshechu festival is one of the most popular festivals in Bhutan and features dances performed by trained monks and laymen in amazing masks and costumes, Tshechus (festivals) are one of the best ways to experience the ancient living culture of Bhutan. The whole event takes place at the Rinchen Pong Dzong. This massive fortress is approached by a gently sloping flagstone road and a beautiful wooden bridge roofed with shingles and abutted by two guard houses. These days, The Dzong is the Administrative seat of the district of Paro and it also contains a state monastic community of about 200 monks. The central tower (Utse) of the Dzong is one of the most beautiful in Bhutan with its superb woodwork. The Dzong was built in 1645 A.D.

Enjoy a leisurely walk through Paro's charming town center, lined with traditional Bhutanese buildings, handicraft shops, cafés, and local markets. This is an excellent opportunity to experience the relaxed lifestyle of Bhutan while shopping for authentic souvenirs, textiles, and handicrafts.

Overnight: Paro

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast proceed to the Dzong to participate in the 4thday of the festival.
The dancs performed on this day are:

The Black Hat Dance (Shana), Dance of the 21 black hats with drums (Shanganga cham), Dance of the Noblemen and the Ladies (Pholeg Moleg), Dance of the Drums from Dramitse (DramitseNga cham), Dance of the Noblemen and the Ladies (Pholeg Moleg) and Dance of the Stag and Hounds (Shawa Shachi) Later visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest and most beautiful temples. The temple is popularly believed to have been built in 659 by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet, to pin down the left foot of a giant ogress who was thwarting the establishment of Buddhism in Tibet. As one enters the intimate inner courtyard, there is a mural to the right of the doorway of King Gesar of Ling, the popular Tibetan warrior-king, whose epic poem is said to be the worlds longest. Ashi Kesang Wangchuck the third King’s wife, sponsored the construction of the Guru Lhakhang in 1968. It contains a 5m-high statue of Guru Rinpoche and another of Kurukulla (Red Tara), holding a bow and arrow made of flowers. The inner hall of the main Jowo Lhakhang houses an original 7th-century statue of Jowo Sakyamuni, said to have been cast at the same time as the famous statue in Lhasa.

After Sightseeing, drive back to Hotel.

Overnight: Paro

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Early Morning Participate in the festival. A highlight of the Paro Tsechu is the unfurling of the silk Thangka – so large it covers the face of an entire building and is considered one of the most sacred blessings in the whole of Bhutan. The ‘Thangka, known in Bhutan as a ‘thongdroel’ OR “Thondrul” which is a religious picture scroll of Padmasambhava “Guru Rimpoche” and is only exhibited for a few hours at daybreak on the final day of the festival enabling the people to obtain its blessing.

Return Back to Hotel for Breakfast.

After Breakfast, drive through the spectacular Chelela Pass (3,988m), Bhutan’s highest motorable mountain pass, offering breathtaking Himalayan panoramas, colorful prayer flags, and stunning views of Mt. Jomolhari on clear days before descending into the beautiful Haa Valley, one of Bhutan’s most peaceful and culturally preserved regions.

Visit Haa Valley for a deeper cultural immersion and further exploration of the vibrant Haa valley by visiting to the sacred Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple) and Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple), two ancient and spiritually significant temples believed to date back to the 7th century and deeply woven into Bhutan’s cultural and religious history.

Driving Distance: 67kms

Driving Time: 3hrs

Altitude: 2,700m

Overnight: Haa

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Separate yourself with the Cultural Tour Group and begins with a gentle climb up the Talela Pass at 3780m through a thick forest of rhododendron and conifer trees. You will continue ascending gradually to a yak herders’ camp at Tshojo. Climb up further to Gochula pass, which is at 4200m. After this pass, walk through the trail following a ridge and then descend gradually to our camp at Womji.

Trek Distance: 14kms

Trek Time: 5-6 hours

Altitude: 2,870m (Womji)

Overnight: Camp

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Start your trek by climbing steeply through juniper and rhododendron forest to the Gochhila pass at 4350m, providing spectacular views of the whole Tshejala range. You will continue walking to Tshejalum passing through several yak herders’ camps and in spring the trail will be carpeted with wild flowers. You will then walk towards Tshejala pass crossing the ancient trade route from Haa to Tibet.

Trek Distance: 22kms

TrekTime: 7-8 hours

Altitude: 3,750m

Overnight: Camp

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

You will spend the day exploring the area around this sacred lake, visiting the yak herders camp and seeing golden trout or exploring the surrounding hillsides.

Altitude: 3,750m

Overnight: Camp

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinne

You will retrace as far as the Gochhila Pass. From the pass take a different route over a ridge to Lake Tsojo at 3780m. Before the lake, take a detour from the main route for about half r

an hour to lakes – Ngatsho or a Drum Lake and Dungkar Lake where you will have a picnic lunch. After lunch, you will descend to the camp in a yak meadow at Tsojo.

Trek Distance: 19kms

Trek Time: 6-7 hours

Altitude: 4,605m

Overnight: Camp

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

The last day’s trail descends gradually through juniper and rhododendron forest until you reach the Talila Pass. Crossing the pass, you will re-enter the Haa Valley. Your trek ends here and your transport will be waiting here to take you to Thimphu via Chelela Pass or the lower route through Chuzom depending on weather.

Arrive in Thimphu & Light Sightseeing tour of Thimpu.

PM: VISIT MEMORIAL CHORTEN + FLOK HERITAGE MUSEUM

National Memorial Chorten also known as Dodrul Chorten. This iconic landmark was envisaged by the third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, as a monument to world peace and prosperity.

Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it is both a memorial to the Late King ("the father of modern Bhutan") and a monument to world peace. The paintings and statues inside the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy.

Continue on to the Folk Heritage and National Textile Museums: These museums, both of which opened in 2001 provide fascinating insights into Bhutanese material culture and their way of life. Also visit the Handicrafts Emporium: This government-run enterprise displays a wide range of beautifully hand-woven textiles and craft products. It also carries a small collection of books on Bhutan, Buddhism and Himalayan culture.

Later return to Hotel.

Trek Distance: 10kms

Trek Time: 3-4 hours

Drive Distance: 106kms

Driving Time: 3hrs

Altitude: 2,350m

Overnight in Thimphu

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

AM: Visit Dordema Stupa

Bhutan has the largest and tallest statue of Lord Buddha and will perhaps become the eighth wonder of the world. The 169ft (51m) bronze Buddha Dorderma, symbolizing indestructibility, is erected at Changi Kunsel Phodrang overlooking the capital city, Thimphu. This project is initiated by His Eminence Trizin Tsering Rinpoche.

The statue accommodates 100,000 statues of eight-inch and 25,000 statues of twelve-inch Buddha Dordenma, made of copper and glided in gold. It is placed in a multi-layered grid boxes. The names of sponsors are inscribed separately on copper plates and displayed in the meditation hall. The well- being of future generations is dependent on the kindness and compassion of the present sponsors and Buddha makers. This project is expected to benefit self and all sentient beings. From here one can see the mountains (weather permitting) and the valley of Thimpu spread out below. Later return to the hotel.

PM: Visit the Motithang mini Sanctury to see the rare "Takin", national animal of Bhutan. It is also called Gnu Goat OR Cattle Chamois and found in the eastern Himalayas in forested valleys to rocky, grass-covered alpine zones, at altitudes between 1,000 and 4,500 m above sea level.

Takin feed in the early morning and late afternoon, grazing on a variety of leaves and grasses, as well as bamboo shoots and flowers. They have been observed standing on their hind legs to feed on leaves over 3.1 m (10 ft) high. Salt is also an important part of their diets.

Overnight: Thimphu

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Drive across the stunning Dochula Pass (3,100m), adorned with 108 memorial chortens and offering sweeping Himalayan views on clear days, creating one of Bhutan’s most scenic mountain crossings. From here, descend gradually into the lush Punakha Valley, where the landscape transforms into a warm subtropical setting filled with terraced rice fields, orange orchards, and traditional Bhutanese farmhouses, offering a striking contrast to the high alpine terrain above.

Meet Cultural group at the hotel.

Upon arrival at Punakha, proceed for a hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal. From the car park, you have to cross a suspension bridge and walk through rice fields before you start climbing a moderately inclined trail surrounded by pine trees. It takes about 1 hour from the car park to hike up to the temple, and 30 minutes to hike down.  Khamsum Yulley Namgyal stands majestically on a strategic ridge above the Punakha Valley.

After lunch, the hike starts from the restaurant and a brisk 20-minute walk past rich alluvial rice fields through the village of Sosokha brings us to this famous temple “Chimi Lakhang” or popularly known as the “Temple of Fertility.” It is the most revered and visited temples in Bhutan and people from all corners of the country visit the Lhakhang to seek blessings from Drukpa Kuenley. However, the majority of the visitors are childless couples who come to pray and ask for fertility. All crops grow and thrive well here in the valley and the farmers of this region are among the most well-to-do in Bhutan. They attribute this to the blessings of Lam Drukpa Kuenley.

Conclude the exploration with a walk across Bhutan’s longest suspension bridge, suspended above the river with panoramic valley views and fluttering prayer flags, creating a memorable and scenic experience in Punakha.

After the sightseeing tour, return to the hotel.

Distance: 73 kms

Time: 2 hours

Altitude: 1,300m

Overnight: Punakha

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

AM: Drive for 20 minutes to reach Punakha Dzong that was built in 1637 and the winter residence of the monk body. This remarkable fortress is built between two rivers the Pho-chu (male) and the Mo-chu (female) and has survived many glacial floods and fire. The Punakha Dzong has been restored to its full glory after about 12 years of restoration work and is replete with detailed traditional carvings and colorful paintings in perfect condition. It also houses many sacred temples.

After the sightseeing tour, drive to Paro, one of Bhutan’s most enchanting valleys. The journey spans approximately 125 kilometers and takes 4.5 to 5 hours, with a scenic climb over the famous Dochula Pass (3,100 m).

Leaving Punakha (1,200 m), the road gradually ascends through temperate forests and charming rural settlements. Upon reaching Dochula Pass, stop to admire the spectacular views of the eastern Himalayas (weather permitting) and visit the iconic Druk Wangyal Chortens—a cluster of 108 stupas built in honor of Bhutanese soldiers.

From the pass, descend into the Thimphu valley and pass through the capital before continuing westward along the Wang Chhu river valley toward Paro (2,200 m). The final stretch features stunning countryside views, traditional farmhouses, and occasional glimpses of Paro Dzong and Rinpung Dzong as you near your destination.

Upon arrival at paro, check into Hotel.

Rest of the day is free to browse through the Bazaars of Paro.

Driving Distance: 115kms

Driving time: 3-4hrs

Overnight at the Hotel

Meals included: Lunch, Dinner and Breakfast

After an early breakfast board the waiting vehicle and drive to Satsam Chorten (10 Kms) for a short trek to Taktsang Monastery. The Taktsang also known as “the Tiger’s Nest” was named after Guru Rimpoche miraculously flew to the cave on the back of a tigress from Khempajong in the region of Kurtoe. From Satsam, start a steady climb of about 2 hours on a well defined trail through wooded alpine forests to the Taktsang Monastery.

According to the legend, the tigress was a form taken by a consort for the occasion. Guru Rimpoche meditated for three months in a cave in Taktsang and converted the Paro valley to Buddhism. Later, Longchen Pelki Singye, a student of Guru Rimpoche also meditated here in a cave which came to be known as Pelphug or “Pelki’s Cave.

Taktsang is one of the holiest pilgrim sites in the Himalayas. There are 13 holy places in the complex. His Holiness, the 69th Je Khenpo Late Gayshe Gaden Rinchen was born in a cave on the way to the last viewpoint of Taktsang.

After the visit, walk down to the Restaurant for a much deserved lunch break. Then descend to the valley floor to meet up with waiting vehicle and drive to Paro town.

EVE: Traditional Hot stone bath and Dinner at the farm House

Overnight at the Hotel

Meals included: Lunch, Dinner and Breakfast

After breakfast board the waiting vehicle and drive to the airport to catch the flight to Kathmandu.

Upon arrival at Kathmandu International airport met by the representative and board the waiting vehicle and drive to Hotel.

EVE: FAREWELL DINNER

Overnight at the Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner (Lunch on own)

After breakfast, met by representative and transferred to the airport for the onward flight home. (Reporting time is at least 3hrs before flight time)