Gangtey Tshechu Festival Bhutan (16th - 18th September 2024)

Meet your guide and driver at the Paro Airport and drive to Thimphu, the capital city.

A short stop on the way to view Tamchog lhakhang built in 1420 by Thang Tong Gyalpo (popularly known as the iron bridge builder). His surviving bridge can be seen at Dungsam in eastern Bhutan.

While in Thimphu, visit to:

• The tallest statue of Buddha Dordenma at Kuensel Phodrang nature park. This is the tallest statue in the world (51.5 m).
• Memorial chorten built in honor of the third king of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.

In the evening, visit to the Tashichho dzong that houses the office of king and the summer residence of Je-Khenpo (The chief abbot of Bhutan). 

• Free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Morning – We drive to the beautiful Punakha valley. On the way, visit to:

• Dochu La pass (3100 m) with its 108 stupas. You can enjoy great views of the Himalayan mountains.
• Royal botanical garden at Lam Pelri, also called Rhododendron garden.
• Chimi lhakhang or “the Temple of fertility” built in the 15th century by Lam Drukpa Kuenley (Also called the Divine madman). This monument is the main highlight of honeymoon in Bhutan.

Afternoon – visit to:

• The beautiful Punakha dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is situated between female river and male river.

In the evening, hike to the imperial Khamsum Yulley temple (30 minutes hike-one way).

Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Morning – Drive to Gangtey.

On the way, visit to the Wangdue Phodrang dzong built in the 17^th century on the command of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

• Short drive to Pele La pass that separates Wangdue Phodrang from Trongsa.
• Visit to Gangtey Gompa, a Nyingmapa monastery founded in 1613 by Gyaltse Pema Thinley.

After lunch,

• Explore the beautiful Phobjikha valley; roosting ground of the rare black-necked cranes during winter months.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Morning – Drive to Gangtey monastery and witness Gangtey tshechu Bhutan 2024. 

In the evening, free to explore the beautiful Phobjikha valley.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

After Breakfast, witness Bhutan Gangtey festival 2024 at Gangtey Gompa monastery (Full day).

You also have the option to go on a hike (Gangtey nature trail) in the valley which is for 3 hours.

In the evening, you may drive to Gogona valley to enjoy the scenery.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Morning – Drive to Thimphu valley. Lunch, will be served on the way.

• Tashigang goemba hike (2 ½ hrs.).

After lunch, visit to:

• National postal museum, where you can make your own stamps.
• Handicraft craft bazaar.

In the evening, drive to Changlimithang stadium and witness the archer match.

Free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

After breakfast, visit to:

• Dupthop nunnery, one of the nunneries in Thimphu.
• Takin preserve center.
• Changangkha lhakhang built in thirteenth century by Phajo Drugom Shigpo.
• BBS view point (Sangaygang).

Then drive to Paro. After lunch, visit to:

• National museum of Bhutan in Paro (Ta dzong). The Druk path and Tshaluna trek starts from the trail above Ta dzong.
• Rinpung dzong which literally means the “fortress of a heap of jewels”.

In the evening, visit to a Bhutanese farm house to see a typical Bhutanese way of life.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Morning – Enjoy 2 hours hike to the iconic Tiger’s nest (Paro Taktsang) monastery.

After lunch, visit to:

• Drugyel dzong, the ruined fortress built in the 17th century by the Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the unifier and father of medieval Bhutan.
• Kyichu lhakhang, one of the oldest temples built in 7^th century by the Tibetan king Srongtsen Gampo.

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

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

After breakfast, drive to the Paro International Airport for departure and farewell (End of Gangtey tshechu festival 2024 tour).