Thimphu Tshechu Festival in Bhutan 2024.

Our representative will receive you at Paro Airport and drive to Thimphu.

On the way, view Tamchog lhakhang built in 1420 by the Tibetan lama, Thang Tong Gyalpo. He built 108 bridges across Tibet and Bhutan, out of which 8 were built in Bhutan.

In the evening, visit Tashichho dzong, the royal secretariat and the summer residence of Je Khenpo, the chief abbot of Bhutan.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, visit to:

– National postal museum where you can print your pictures on the official Bhutanese stamps.
– Changangkha lhakhang, the oldest monastery of Thimphu valley built in the 13th century by lama Phajo Drugom Shigpo.
– Takin preserve center, a mini zoo that houses Takins, the national animal of Bhutan. The Bhutanese believe that Takin is created by lama Drukpa Kuenley, the Devine madman of Bhutan.
– Sangaygang view point from from you can see the beautiful views of Thimphu valley below.
– Dupthop lhakhang, one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan.

In the afternoon, hike to Cheri monastery.

In the evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, drive to Punakha. On the way, visit to:

– The beautiful Dochula pass (3140 m) with its 108 stupas. If the weather is clear, you can enjoy the spectacular view of Himalayan mountain ranges. The annual Druk Wangyel festival is held here on the 13th December.
– Chimi Lhakhang or “The temple of fertility” built in 1499 by lama Drukpa Kuenley (The Divine madman). He traveled throughout Tibet and Bhutan using songs and humor to spread his teachings of salvation through sex. Many childless couples from across the country visit the temple to pray and seek blessings. It is also the highlight of our honeymoon tour in Bhutan.

In the afternoon, visit to:

– The magnificent Punakha dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Rinpoche. Punakha is the winter residence of Je Khenpo and the monk body.
– Walk across the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan built across Pho chu river.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, hike to the Imperial Khamsum Yulley Monastery built by Her Majesty the Queen Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck.

Then drive to Gangtey. On the way, view the Wangdue Phodrang dzong.

This majestic dzong was built in 1638 by Shabdrung Rinpoche. It was destroyed by fire in 2012.

In the afternoon, visit to:

– Gangtey Gompa monastery built in 1613 by Gyaltse Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind re-incarnation of Pema Lingpa.
– Crane information center.
In the evening, explore the beautiful Phobjikha valley, the roosting ground of the rare black necked cranes in winter.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, drive to Thimphu. We occasionally stop on the way to take pictures.

Afternoon – witness Bhutan Thimphu festival (Half day).

In the evening, witness archery match at Changlimithang stadium.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

After breakfast, drive to the dzong and witness Bhutan Thimphu festival (Full day).

In the evening, visit to:

– Memorial chorten (1974) built in honor of the third king of Bhutan, late His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
– Tallest statue of Buddha in the world (51.5 m) at Kuensel Phodrang.
In the evening, free to stroll in the town.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, witness the Bhutan Thimphu festival 2023 (Half day).

Then drive to Paro. In the afternoon, visit to:

– Ta dzong built in 1649, an ancient watch tower which now houses the national museum of Bhutan.
– Rinpung dzong built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Rinpung literally means “The heap of jewels”. The dzong presently functions as the administrative centre of Paro district.
In the evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, drive to Satsam Chorten and 2 hour hike till the Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Paro Taktsang).

This temple is probably the most photographed monument in Bhutan. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche who brought buddhism in Bhutan flew here on a back of a tigress. The trail is also a part of the beautiful Bumdra trek. This is also the main highlight of the trip.

– The primary temple was built around Guru Rinpoche’s meditation cave in the 1684 by Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche flew here on the back of a flying tigress, Dorji Drolo.

In the afternoon, visit to:

– Drugyal dzong built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It served as a defense post against the Tibetan invasion in ancient times. This dzong was destroyed by an accidental fire and is under repair now.
– Kyichu lhakhang built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Srongtsen Gampo. He built 108 Temples in a single day to pin the ogress to the earth forever.

In the evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

After breakfast, drive to the airport and farewell (End of Bhutan Thimphu festival tour).