Nalakhar Tshechu Festival (15th - 17th December 2024)

Meet and greet at the Paro International Airport and drive to Thimphu. On the way, a short stop to view Tamchog lhakhang built in 1420 by Thang Tong Gyalpo.

Afternoon, visit to:

• National memorial chorten (1974) built in honor of late His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
• Craft bazaar where you can buy handicrafts and art works.
• Tashichho dzong, the royal secretariat and the winter residence of Je-Khenpo (The chief abbot of Bhutan).

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Morning, visit to:

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

Afternoon, visit to:

• Bhutan postal museum.
• 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 enjoy the great view of Himalayan ranges in the north.
• Chimi lhakhang built in 1499 to honor Lama Drukpa Kuenley, popularly known as the Divine madman. This temple is also called “the temple of fertility”.

Afternoon, visit to:

• Punakha dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The annual Punakha tshechu festival which is for 3 days is held here in the spring.

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

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Morning – Drive to Gangtey. On the way, we stop to 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 grandson of Terton 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 valley. A short stop on the way at Pele la pass (3420 m) which opens corridor to the central Bhutan.

While in Trongsa, visit Trongsa dzong was built in 1644 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa.

Afternoon  – Visit tower of Trongsa (Ta dzong) which now serves as the national museum of Bhutan.

In the evening, drive further to Bumthang and explore Chamkhar town.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Morning, visit to:

• Jakar dzong which means “The castle of white bird” was built in 1667 by the Tibetan lama Nagi Wangchuk. 
• Jambay lhakhang built in 659 AD, on the same day as Kichu lhakhang in Paro by King Srongtsen Gampo of Tibet. The oldest and unique annual Jambay lhakhang festival is held here in October.
• Chakhar lhakhang, the palace of the indian King, Sindhu Raja.
• 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.

Afternoon, visit to:

• Kenchosum monastery built in the 6th century, this lhakhang was renovated in 1995 and so it has a modern look to it. Legend has it that the lhakhang contained a large bell that when it was rung, the sound could be heard all the way in Lhasa, Tibet.

In the evening, free to stroll in the town.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Morning, – Drive to witness the Nalakhar tshechu festival 2024. Packed lunch will be served.

In the evening, drive back to Bumthang.

On the way, back visit the Mebar tsho or “The burning lake”.

• Visit to the cheese factory.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Morning – Drive to the airport and fly to Paro.

Your guide will receive you at the Paro airport and drive to the Hotel.

Afternoon, visit to:

• Ta dzong built in 1649 which now houses the national museum of Bhutan.
• Rinpung dzong built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. One of the grandest festival in Bhutan, Paro tshechu festival is held here in the spring.

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

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Morning – Drive to Satsam chorten and hike to the Tiger’s nest monastery (Paro Taktsang). 

Afternoon, visit to:

• Drugyel dzong built in 1647 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.
• Kyichu lhakhang built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan King Srongtsen Gampo.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

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