Chhukha Tshechu Festival (9th - 11th November 2024)

Meet and greet at the Paro International Airport and drive to Thimphu.

On the way we visit to:

• Tamchog monastery built in the 15th century by Thang Tong Gyalpo.

In the afternoon, visit to:

• National memorial chorten (1974) built in honor of the late His majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
• Craft bazaar where you can buy Bhutanese handicrafts and art works.
• Tashichho dzong, seat of the national government and the central monastic body.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Morning sightseeing includes:

• Tallest statue of sitting Buddha (51.5 meters) at Kuensel Phodrang.
• Changangkha lhakhang.
• Takin preserve center.
• Sangaygang view point.
• Dupthop lhakhang, one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan.

Lunch at Simply Bhutan museum restaurant, where you can enjoy typical Bhutanese dishes, Ara (Local wine), witness folk dances, visit to the folk museum and many more.

• The school of 13 arts and crafts (Painting school).

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

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Morning – Drive to Punakha. On the way, visit to:

• Dochu La pass with 108 stupas and the beautifully arranged Himalayan ranges in the north. Just below the pass is Lam Pelri botanical garden where you can find 42 species of rhododendrons.
• Chimi lhakhang built in the 15^th century to honor Lama Drukpa Kuenley (The devine madman). The temple is also called “the temple of fertility”.
• Punakha dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The annual Punakha tshechu festival is held here in the early spring.

In the afternoon, hike to the imperial Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Choling monastery.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Morning – Walk across the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan (160 meters).

Then drive to Thimphu valley via Wangdue Phodrang.

• Visit Wangdue Phodrang dzong built in 1638 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

Lunch at Dochu La cafeteria.

While in Thimphu, witness archery match at Changlimithang stadium.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Morning – Drive to Chhukha. A short stop on the way to view the Dobji dzong.

While in Chhukha and witness the Chhukha tshechu festival 2024. Packed lunch will be served.

In the evening, drive back to Thimphu.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Morning sightseeing includes:

• National postal museum where you can make your own personalized stamps.
• National textile museum.

Then drive to Paro and after lunch, visit to:

• Ta dzong, an ancient watch tower built in 1649 which now houses the national museum of Bhutan.
• Rinpung dzong built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The grand Paro tshechu festival is held here in the spring. This is the one most popular Bhutan festivals.

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

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Morning – Hike to the beautiful Tiger’s nest monastery (Paro Taktsang).

After lunch, visit to:

• Drugyel dzong built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. This dzong was destroyed by an accidental fire and is under repair.
• Kichu lhakhang built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king, Srongtsen Gampo. He built 108 temples across the Himalayan region and Kyichu monastery is one of them. The other prominent one is Jambay lhakhang in Bumthang.

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

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

After breakfast, drive to the Paro airport and farewell (End of Chhukha tshechu festival tour).