The Paro spring Festival, also known as Paro Tshechu, is a vibrant and culturally significant religious festival celebrated annually in Paro, Bhutan. This festival holds a special place in the hearts of Bhutanese people and is one of the most anticipated events in the country. The most significant and remarkable event of paro festival is the great unfurling of massive 17th century Thondrel painting of Guru Rinpoche on the last day of the festival. On that day as the dawn breaks, as early as 3 AM you will find yourself walking towards the festival ground to witness the unfurling event. Even the king of Bhutan presents himself in front of the enormous painting every year. One can enjoy the full 5 days festival or tune to fit the last day of the festival in your tour program in the best way.
Trip Facts
INSURANCE
Package does not include insurance of any kinds, and that you are required to obtain separate coverage from your home country before your trip begins.
Our representative will receive you from Paro airport and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, you will visit Kichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and the most sacred shrine in the country. Next, you can stroll in Paro town.
Attend full day Paro Festival, the most popular festival in the country. It offers the best opportunity to mingle with local people who come out with their best dress to witness the festival.
Attend festival in the morning. Afternoon, you will drive to Thimphu. Evening is free to stroll in Thimphu City.
Enjoy some sightseeing in Thimphu, which includes King’s Memorial Chorten (which was built in honor of late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck), School of Arts and Crafts (also known as the painting school), Folk Heritage Museum, giant Buddha Statue, and Motithang Takin Preserve. In the evening, visit the Tashi Chhoedzong, known as the “Fortress of Glorious Religion”.
Enjoy scenic drive to Punakha. Stop at Dochula pass (3150 meters) where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas. When you arrive at Metshina Village, you can take 20-minute walk through rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, the Divine Madman’s temple popularly considered to be a temple of fertility. Take lunch in one of the restaurants and continue drive to Punakha. On arrival, visit Punakha Dzong, which is noteworthy for being one of the most beautiful Dzongs in Bhutan.
After breakfast, we begin our activity by visiting the Punakha Dzong, which is stunningly situated in between the male and female rivers like an anchored ship. Wooden cantilever bridge over the Mochu or the female river give as additional aura to this architecture. This Dzong has three courtyards each with an exquisite arts and design. It was an ancient capital and now it functions as the summer home of state monk body. We will then walk from the Dzong towards suspension bridge passing by a Crematorium. On the other side of the bridge is the village of Kabesa – we will explore this village, talking and interacting with people about their ways of living. If you wish, we can visit any a farmhouses for a cuppa traditional tea. We return to local restaurant in the town for a lunch.
We drive about 12km north of Punakha Valley to embark on a hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. Crossing a small bridge over Mochu River, walking along the sides of village on rice fields uphill for about 40 minutes we reach the Chorten. Circumambulate the chorten and then climb over the staircase leading to an open terrace to see and photo shot the scene below. You will have amazing views of Valley with Mochu River meandering through beautiful rice fields and farmhouses. On our return to hotel, we explore town of Punakha. Overnight at hotel in Punakha.
Following breakfast, you will head to remote Gangtey with short stopover in Wangdue to get a glimpse of WangduePhodrang Dzong that dramatically sits on the ridge. After Wangdue, the road winds up through dense forests of oak and rhododendrons till Lawala pass, which is blanketed with dwarf bamboos. The pass offers panoramic views of the Himalayan Mountains. Drive downhill for little while and you will be awestricken by the stunning views of GangteyGoenpa and Phobjikha Valley. Visit GangteyGoenpa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan. Later in the afternoon, you can hike in Phobjikha valley, the home to the rare Black Necked Cranes, which migrate from the Tibetan plateau to escape the harsh winter.
After an early breakfast, embark on the Longtey Hike. It is a 30minutes drive from Phobjikha to the starting point in Longtey village on the East-West highway. Start by walking downwards following the path to the right of the road. The path will lead through bush bamboo towards a small cluster of village houses. There are beautifully coloured rhododendron forests on both sides of the valley, and in the winter months, yaks graze in the area. Continue straight through the village upwards until you reach the start of mystifying old-growth rhododendron forest.
The last part through the forest is slightly steeper uphill until you reach the pass with impressive views of the GangteyGoemba, the Shedra, the lodge and the rest of the valley down below. Before you continue on the path as it slopes down the valley towards the idyllic Kumbu village. It is possible to get picked up from here, or you may continue down to the Shedra or all the way down to the valley.
Later in the afternoon, visit Gangtey Monastery and do Gangtey Nature trail hike
After breakfast, you will drive back to Paro. It will take you about 4 hours 20 minutes for the 125 kilometers. On the way, you will visit Simtokha Dzong enroute, built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Simtokha Dzong is the first dzong in Bhutan built by Zhabdrung
Today, you will hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, Bhutan’s most famous monastery, which stands at 3180m. According to the legend, it is believed that Guru Rimpoche, the 8th century Spiritual Master, flew to this location on the back of a tigress to meditate.
Lunch will be served at Cafeteria Restaurant halfway up on the mountain. Explore the monastery and hike back to Paro.
In the morning, you will drive to the airport for departure. Our representative will bid you farewell
