Thimphu Tshechu Festival in Bhutan (13th - 15th September 2024)

Meet and greet at the Paro International Airport and drive to Thimphu. On the way, visit to:

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

After lunch, visit to:

• 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).
• National postal museum.

In the evening, visit to:

• National memorial chorten built in honor of the late His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
• Largest statue of Buddha Dordenma in the world (51.5 meters) at Kuensel Phodrang.
• Free to explore Thimphu town.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

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

• Dochu La pass with its 108 stupas.
• Chimi lhakhang (Temple of fertility) built in 1499 by Lama Drukpa Kuenley.

After lunch, visit Punakha dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal where Punakha Tshechu festival is held.

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

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Morning – Walk across the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan (160 m) built across Pho chu river.

Then drive to Gangtey. On the way, we 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 Gangtey Gompa monastery and 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.

Early breakfast and drive to Thimphu valley. We occasionally stop on the way to take pictures.

Afternoon – Drive to the dzong and witness the Thimphu tshechu festival Bhutan 2024:

• Tashichho dzong, seat of the national government and office of the King.
• Visit to the craft market.

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

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

After breakfast – Drive to the dzong and witness the Bhutan Thimphu tshechu festival 2024 (Full day).

Evening sightseeing includes:

• Changangkha lhakhang.
• Takin preserve center.
• Sangaygang view point.
• Dupthop lhakhang, one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Morning – Drive to the dzong and witness the festival. (Note: The Thimphu tshechu ends at 12 pm) and drive to Paro.

Afternoon sightseeing includes:

• Ta dzong built in 1649, an ancient watch tower which now houses the national museum of Bhutan.
• Rinpung dzong built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal where the famous annual Paro festival is held in the spring.

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

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Early breakfast and hike to the spectacular Tiger’s nest monastery (Paro Taktsang).

Afternoon visit to:

• Drugyel dzong built in 1647 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.
• Kichu lhakhang built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Srongtsen Gampo. He built 108 temples across the Himalayas to subdue the demoness that lay across the region. The other most prominent one is Jambay lhakhang in Bumthang.

In the evening, explore the Paro market.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Early breakfast and drive to the airport and farewell (End of Bhutan Thimphu tshechu 2024 tour).