Jakar Tshechu Festival (10th - 12th November 2024)

Meet and greet at the airport and drive to the Hotel.

In the afternoon, visit to:

• National museum of Bhutan (Ta dzong) built in 1649.
• Rinpung dzong built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The colorful annual Paro festival is held here in early spring.

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

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

After breakfast, drive to the airport for flight to Bumthang valley.

Meet & greet at the Badbalathang airport and drive to the Hotel.

In the afternoon, visit to:

• Jambay lhakhang built in 659 AD by the Tibetan king Srongtsen Gampo. 
• Chakhar lhakhang was the palace of Indian king Sindhu Raja. In the 14th century, Dorji Lingpa, a Buddhist saint, re-built it as a place of worship.
• Tamshing lhakhang which literally means “the Temple of the good message”, established in 1501 by Pema Lingpa (1450-1521).
• Kurjey lhakhang where the body print of the Guru Rinpoche can still be seen on the rock.

In the evening, free to stroll in the town.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, drive to the Jakar dzong and witness the Jakar tshechu festival 2024 (Full day).

• Jakar dzong means “The castle of white bird” . It was built in 1667 by the Tibetan Lama Nagi Wangchuk.

In the evening, visit Kenchosum monastery built in the 9th century by Thrisong Deutsen.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, witness the Jakar festival Bhutan.

In the afternoon, drive to the beautiful valley of Ura and visit the temple. The famous annual Ura Yakchoe festival is held in the spring. On the way, visit to Mebar Tsho or “The burning lake”.

In the evening, drive back to Bumthang.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

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

• The tower of Trongsa or Ta dzong, an ancient watch tower which once guarded the Trongsa dzong. It houses the national museum now.
• Trongsa dzong built in 1644 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa.

While in Gangtey, visit to:

• Gangtey Gompa monastery founded in 1613 by Gyaltse Pema Thinley, the grandson of Pema Lingpa.
• Explore Phobjikha valley, the most beautiful glacial valley in the Himalayas. This valley is also the roosting ground of the rare black- necked cranes in winter.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, visit the crane information center. Then drive to Punakha.

• On the way, take a view of Wangdue Phodrang dzong built in 1638 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.
• Chimi lhakhang also called “the temple of fertility” built in 1499 by lama Drukpa Kuenley, popularly known as “The divine madman”.

In the afternoon, visit Punakha dzong was built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. One of the most popular festivals in Bhutan, Punakha tshechu festival is held here in early spring.

In the evening, hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Choling monastery. This monastery was built by Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuk.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, walk across the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan (160 m) across Pho chu river.

A short stop at Dochu La pass (3140 meters) with 108 stupas. You can see the great views of the higher Himalayas bordering Tibet. You can see Table mountain, Mt. Masagang (7158 meters), the highest mountain in Bhutan.

After lunch at Dochu La, drive further to Thimphu.

• Witness archery match at Changlimithang stadium.

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

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, visit to:

• National memorial chorten built in honor of late His majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
• 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.

In the afternoon, visit to:

• 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.

In the morning, visit national postal museum, textile museum and painting school (School of 13 arts and crafts).

In the afternoon, drive to Paro. On the way, visit to Tamchog monastery built in the 15^th century by Thang Tong Gyalpo.

Evening – Visit to a Bhutanese farm house.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, drive to Satsam chorten and 2 hour hike till the Tiger’s nest monastery (Paro Taktsang).

In the afternoon, visit to:

• Drugyel dzong built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.
• Kichu lhakhang built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Srongtsen Gampo.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

After breakfast, drive to the Paro airport and farewell (End of Jakar tshechu festival 2024 tour).