Jambay Lhakhang Drup Festival (15th - 18th November 2024)

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

On the way, view Tamchog monastery built in 1420 by Thang Tong Gyalpo.

In the afternoon, visit craft bazaar, national memorial chorten and Tashichho dzong, the royal secretariat.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Morning sightseeing includes:

• Tallest statue of Buddha Dordenma in the world (51.5 meters).
• Changangkha lhakhang.
• Takin preserve center.
• BBS tower view point.
• Dupthop lhakhang, one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan.

Afternoon – visit Bhutan postal museum and 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 valley. On the way, visit to:

• Dochu La pass with its 108 stupas and view the beautiful Himalayan ranges.
• Chimi lhakhang or “The temple of fertility” built in 1499 by Lama Drukpa Kuenley. He is also popularly known as “The Divine madman” (1455 – 1529).

Afternoon – visit Punakha dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The famous annual Punakha festival is held here in early spring.

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

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Early breakfast and drive to Gangtey.

On the way, take a view the Wangdue Phodrang dzong built in 1638 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

Note: Upper part of the valley is called Gangtey and lower part is called Phobjikha.

While in Gangtey, visit to:

• Gangtey Gompa monastery founded in 1613 by Gyaltse Pema Thinley, the mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa.
• Crane information center.

In the evening, explore Phobjikha valley, the roosting ground of the rare black-necked cranes in winter.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Morning – Drive to Bumthang. A short stop on the way at Pele la pass (3420 m) which opens corridor to the central Bhutan.

While in Trongsa, visit to:

• Trongsa dzong was built in 1644 by Chhogyal Minjur Tempa.
• Ta dzong is an ancient watch tower which once guarded the Trongsa dzong. It is now converted to the royal heritage museum.

In the evening, drive further to Bumthang. Spend a short time exploring Chamkhar town.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Morning sightseeing includes:

• Chakhar lhakhang, the palace of the indian king, Sindhu Raja. In the 14th century, Dorji Lingpa, a Buddhist saint, re-built it as a place of worship.
• Tamshing lhakhang (Temple of the good message), established in 1501 by Pema Lingpa.
• Kurjey lhakhang, where you can see the body print of Guru Rinpoche on a rock.
• Jakar dzong which means “The castle of white bird” was built in 1667 by the Tibetan Lama Nagi Wangchuk.

Afternoon, visit to:

• Kenchosum monastery built in the 6th century. The temple had a large bell, when rung could be heard all the way in Lhasa, Tibet. It is now on display at the national museum in Paro.

In the evening, free to stroll in the town.

After early dinner, drive to witness the Jambay lhakhang festival 2024.

• Jambay lhakhang built by king Srongtsen Gampo of Tibet in 659 AD. The temple is visited by Guru Rinpoche who came to Bhutan in the 8^thcentury.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Morning – Excursion to the beautiful Ura valley.

• Explore the beautiful Tang valley.
• Visit Ogen Choling palace museum.

In the evening, drive back to Bumthang. On the way back, visit Mebar Tsho or “The burning lake”. Time permitting visit the Nalakhar temple.

After early dinner, drive to witness Jambay lhakhang Drup festival 2024.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Morning – Fly to Paro by mountain flight (25 minutes). Your guide will receive you at the Paro airport. You can visit the beautiful Chele la pass near Haa valley if the time permits.

Afternoon, visit to:

• Ta dzong built in 1649, an ancient watch which now houses the national museum of Bhutan.
• Rinpung dzong built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. In the spring, the most spectacular annual Paro Tshechu festival is held here.

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

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

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

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. This temple is the oldest in Paro valley and in Bhutan.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

After breakfast, drive to the Paro airport and farewell (End of Jambay lhakhang festival Bhutan 2024).