Trashigang Festival Tour

Tours Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival  Paro - Thimphu
The most spectacular mountain flights you will ever experience in a life time. Flying in from the heat of the plains of India one can witness from the left side of the aircraft window a series of the world’s highest peaks. Your pilot will announce the names of the peaks if the weather is clear. You will descend into the high mountains and as the plane lowers you will not find any airstrip or any city but instead you will enjoy the view of the approaching valley of Paro, the alpine forests, little monasteries, temples and farm houses. Before the plane touches the runaway you will get a glimpse of the fertile valley of Paro, the Paro Dzong (Fortress) and Paro chu (river). Our representative will be at the airport to assist you and meet. And transfer to Thimphu. Evening visit Tashichoe Dzong (Fortress of Glorious Religion). Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.  

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Day 02: Thimphu sightseeing.

Thimphu sightseeing includes the following: After breakfast you will be transfer to the following places. And lunch will be served.

• Visit King's Memorial Chorten (Stupa). This Stupa was built in the memory of our Third King of Bhutan.

• Buddha Point (There is a statue of Buddha which is 169 feet).

• National Library - There are lots of Bhutanese scripts and also we have the biggest book in the world. 

• Handmade Paper Factory - The Jungshi handmade paper factory uses traditional methods to produce the authentic Bhutanese paper known as Deh-sho. It is located approximately 1 km from Thimphu City.  The factory uses the bark of two tree species, the Daphne tree and Dhekap tree in the manufacture of traditional paper.

Visitors can observe the entire process of producing handmade paper using ancient traditional methods that have been practiced for generations. You can even try your hand at this ancient craft and make some paper of your very own as a souvenir. Deh-sho paper was originally used by monasteries for woodblock and manuscript books and also for writing prayer books.

• Zilukha Nunnery - Zilukha nunnery in Drubthob Goemba,Thimphu  is biggest nunnery in Bhutan. The Nunnery and Goemba once it belonged to the Drubthob (Realized one) Thang Thong Gyalpo often referred to as The King of the open field. In the early 15th century with his multiple talents he popularly became the Leonardo da Vinci of the Great Himalayas. It is located above Tashichhoedzong (2 KM drive from the Dzong). The Zhilukha Nunnery is overlooking the

Tashichhoedzong or Thimpu Dzong. You can see many nuns chanting prayers and turning prayer wheels in Zhlukha nunnery. In the same compound there is one-storey building which is serving as sleeping quarters. You can see views of golf course and other side of Thimphu valley. In Bhutan girls and women are admitted to nunneries for short to long period of time. From the nunnery they get an education. Finally they dedicate their lives to serve the society. These nuns are very much involved in local communities in Bhutan and helping needy families.

• Takin Preservation Centre (contains national animal takin). Evening at leisure or take a walk to the main city from Clock tower square for shopping. It provides excellent opportunity to mingle with local people. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 03:  Thimphu-Punakha

Morning drive to low lands of Punakha valley touching Dochula pass 3,100 m and on the stop at Hongtsho village. Stop at the immigration check point to stamp in your permit. Next to the check point you will find small local stalls selling fresh juicy local apples available for sale in plastic bags you could try some. You will be driving through the first mountain pass in the western part of Bhutan. You will find the 108 Druk Wangyal chortens on the top of the pass where the ridges are draped in colorful prayer flags greet you. You could take three rounds and offer prayers, take some best photo shots. If the weather is clear you will be able to see the highest peaks towards the north, Gangar Punsum among others is the highest unclimbed peak (24,000 ft) in the world.

If you are lucky you could see red pandas, different species of birds, you can take some photo shot close to the natural lake. Proceed down towards Punakha through Thinleygang village and upon reaching Lobesa turn left and enter Punakha valley. On the way have Lunch at Lobesa and take a hike to Chimi Lhakhang (Temple).  This monastery is dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kunley” Divine Madman” known for his outrageous behavior. It was built in 1499 by Ngawng Chogyal the, 14th Drukpa Hierarch. Many childless women visit this lhakhang (Temple) and seek blessings for a child. The existing footpath to Chimi Lhakhang (Temple) passes through beautiful terraces of paddy filed after crossing paddy field. You will come across a Lobesa Village with lots of traditional house.

Lobesa Village is situated in valley, surrounded by paddy fields on the way to important Buddhist Shrine “Chimi Lhakhang” in Punakha. You can very well interact with local people and here also, you can visit some village houses to understand about their life style and proceed towards Chimi Lhakhang (Temple). Drive to Punakha. Overnight at a Hotel in Punakha.  

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Day 04: Punakha (Hike)

Morning we will visit beautiful nunnery built on the hill top of Walakha, join the nuns for morning prayer and later on drive further north of Punakha to visit one of the beautiful Stupa or Temple built on ridge near the Punakha river known as Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten which will take around 30 minutes to reach from the town. It was built in hon-our for then Crown Prince Jigme Kheser Namgyel Wangchuk which was built in 1990s and took period of nearly 10 years. From the parking, it will take another 45 minutes uphill hike to reach crossing through rice suspension bridge and rice field and return portion downhill takes around 30 minutes. Overnight at a hotel in Punakha  

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Day 05: Punakha – Trongsa 

Morning transfer to Trongsa via Wangdi we drive uphill towards Pela La Pass crossing the Black Mountains that divides western and central Bhutan. The roads uphill is pretty curving with sharp bends but you need not worry as our drivers are well experienced and on the way you will find rhododendron, magnolias and yaks grazing and on clear days you will find the Mt. Jumolhari standing still towards the west, at an elevation of 23,685 feet.

Before arriving to Trongsa you will pass by Nikkarchu Bridge and here you will find white washed stone chorten built in Nepalese style in the 18th century which lies below the road. This temple was founded by a lama called Shida who subdued a demon that was a trouble to the valley. Here you will experience something interesting as you will be approaching Trongsa where from the road you will be able to view the massive Trongsa Dzong also known as "the never reaching Trongsa Dzong. this place used to be the old gateway between the east and west.

If you have time you could visit the Trongsa Dzong and Ta Dzong (Ta means watch tower in Dzongkha) was built in 1652 and now it is a museum which displays Buddhist art and the history of our Monarchy. Overnight at Trongsa.  

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Day 06: Trongsa – Bumthang

Post breakfast, we will drive you towards Bumthang. Bumthang valley is very open and spacious which is different from other valleys in Bhutan, its altitude ranges from 2,600 meters (8530 ft) to 4000 meters (13,125 ft). Bumthang is known as heaven for hikers and trekkers and you will come across many beautiful monasteries, also important Buddhist monasteries and pilgrimage sites.

This valley is full of surprises and fascinating as almost every valley or hill has a background of interesting myths and legends about kings, Buddhist masters and serpents. This place is important in terms of religious relics left by the famous Guru Rinpoche and his reincarnation. Morning visit Jakar Dzong founded by a white bird built on a ridge overlooks the valley. The Kurjey Lhakhang where the kings of Bhutan are taken for their cremation rites. Kurjey translates into “Kur” means body and “Jey “means Lhakhang. The big cypress tree is believed to be the walking stick of Guru Rimpoche.

The great Guru also created a holy water hole beside the temple which people frequent either for religious or medical purposes. Wangdicholing Palace – built during the times of the first king’s father, Jigme Namgyel was used by the first King Ugyen Wangchuk as his main residence. Visit the town or take a walk till the bridge though the township was burnt down by fire in recent times. If you are a cheese and honey lover you could try the Bumthang cheese which is available and honey produced in Bumthang. Evening at leisure. O/n at Bumthang.  

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Day 07: Ura Valley Excursion

Beautiful Ura valley is located on the way to eastern Bhutan with incredible community and amazing valley. It is also the most beautiful valley within Bumthang district with traditional and well preserved cultures and traditions. On the visit also visit Mebartsho also referred as “The Burning Lake” it’s believed to be one of most sacred religious sites in Bhutan. During the time of tertoen (Treasure Discoverer) Pema Lingpa it’s said that he discovered the hidden treasure of Guru Padmashambava from that lake with lamp burning on his hand. Overnight at a hotel in Bumthang.  

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Day 08: Bumthang – Tashigang

Post breakfast, we will be driven towards Tashigang and Overnight in a Hotel in Tashigang.  

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Day 09: Tashigang– Mongar

After our breakfast, we will drive to Mongar. But before we drive, we will visit to Trashi Yangtshi, Chhirten Kora, Gomphu Kora and take a drive to Mongar. On the way we visit Mongar Ngatshang Lhakhang and learn the lifestyles of Bhutanese monks. You can visit their living rooms and ask about their life styles. Lunch at Mongar. After lunch, visit to Mongar Dzong and Mongar Yalang Lhakhang, where a very few tourist have an opportunity to visit this monastery. Dinner and over night stay at hotel Mongar.

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Day 10: Mongar  –  Bumthang (184 kms – 7 hours)

Early morning we drive to Bumthang, lunch will be served on the way. We visit Thrumsingla Pass (3780 m altitude) on a mid way from Mongar. After that visit Sengor village on the way and take pictures at Namling Cliff. We have dinner and overnight in Hotel at Bumthang.

Day 11: Bumthang – Phobjikha (130 km – 5 hours)

Early morning after breakfast we drive to Gangtey. Today we will 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.

And we also explore Phobjikha valley, the most beautiful glacial valley in the Himalayas and the roosting ground of the Rare Black- necked Cranes. Then We have dinner and overnight in hotel in Phobjikha.

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Day 12: Phobjikha – Paro

Drive back to Paro. Overnight at a hotel in Paro  

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Day 13: Departure

After Breakfast drive back to Paro International Airport. Bhutan Tour Treks will help you with exit formalities and then bid you farewell.