Thimphu Festival Tour

Package Overview

TOUR DESCRIPTION
The Thimphu Festival (Tsechu) is one of the grandest of Bhutan’s festivals and attracts the largest audience. Featuring dances performed by trained monks and laymen in amazing masks and costumes, Tshechus (festivals) are one of the best ways to experience the ancient living culture of Bhutan. A Tsechu is a Buddhist festival in honor of Guru Rinpoche, the saint who brought Buddhism to Bhutan. The Thimphu Tsechu was established by the 4th Temporal Ruler, Tenzing Rabgye (1638-1696) in 1670.
Thimphu Tsechu underwent a change in the 1950s, when the third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, introduced numerous Boed chhams (mask dances performed by lay monks). These additions added color and variation to the festival without compromising its spiritual significance. Mask dances like the Guru Tshengye (Eight Manifestations of Guru), Shaw Shachi (Dance of the Stags) are enjoyed because they are similar to stage-theater.
To farmers, the Tshechu is also seen as a break from farm life. It’s an occasion to celebrate, receive blessings and pray for health and happiness. This festival also provides a great opportunity to witness locals gathered in their finest Gho’s and Kira’s in a celebration of their culture and faith. This tour also visits sacred sites in Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
The most solemn welcome ceremony at the airport with the offering of the scarf to the travelers
Join in with locals on a special occasion of celebration, blessings and socializing
Witness unique play, dances, and rituals performed by the monks
Receive blessing by touching the forehead, feel the charm of spiritual Buddhism
Visit most beautiful cultural attractions including medieval fortresses (Dzongs), markets and museums
Get chance to taste traditional local delicate: Cheese: beef rice; Butter tea; Yogurt; Highland barleywine
A chance to try traditional costume of Bhutan and take part in the cultural show performed by our dancers
A visit to Punakha Dzong, one of the most beautiful forts built at the confluence of two Major rivers of Bhutan
Hike to Paro Taktshang, the most iconic landmark and religious site of Bhutan clings impossibly to a sheer cliff face 900 hundred meters above the Paro Valley
A traditional hot stone bath to aid your body after a long day hike to Taktshang.Flight into Bhutan via Drukair (can be arranged with us)
Flight on other airlines to catch Drukair Flight
Meals at 4-5 stars restaurants
Hotel stay outside of Bhutan
Expenditure of personal nature
Travel Insurance (can be arranged with us)
Tips for the guide and driver
Language guide
Alcoholic drink.

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Day wise Itinerary

• Day 1 : Arrival to Paro - Thimphu

  The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular mountain flights in the world, with a constantly changing panorama of some of the highest mountains on earth. Our team will be there to receive you as you exit the airport after completing the arrival formalities. Upon warm greetings by offering scarf, our team will take you for a lunch at one of the finest restaurants at Paro.
  After lunch,
  Enjoy the sightseeing around Paro with a visit to the Ta Dzong, the National Museum of Bhutan. It houses many religious relics, works of art and handicrafts offering a great orientation into Bhutan’s historical, cultural, and religious past.
  Followed by a visit to the Paro Rinpung Dzong to see the painting of the great saint Milarepa who is considered as the master of meditation by the Bhutanese and believed to have attained enlightenment in a lifetime. Paro Dzong is also an administrative center and venue for one of the popular festival in the country known as Paro Tshechu.
  Our team will then drive to the capital, Thimphu (1.5 hours) following the Pachu River to hold a night at. (Overnight at Thimphu)

• Day 2 : Thimphu

  After breakfast,
  You will dress in Bhutanese attire and drive to Trashichoe Dzong to attend the festival. You will see locals dressed in their finest clothes who have walked from miles around to attend the festivities. They come to watch masked dances, to pray, and to feast. While the underlying purpose of the festival is spiritual, dances are more often like plays, telling stories where good triumphs over evil, or depicting significant historical events, especially surrounding the life of Bhutan’s patron saint, Padmasambhava (also known as Guru Rinpoche). There is inevitably a great deal of socializing as well.
  The Venue for the festival Trashichoe Dzong was initially erected in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It was rebuilt in the 1960s during the reign of the Third king in the traditional style, without plans or nails. Today it houses His Majesty the kings’ secretariat, some ministries and the central monk body. (Overnight at Thimphu)

• Day 3 : Thimphu

  After breakfast,
  Visit 12th-century Changangkha Temple, popular among the people living in Thimphu valley and the parents of newborn to seek blessing.
  Followed by a visit to the Buddha Statue at Buddha Point. The statue is the world largest Buddha statue and the place offer you with a spectacular view of Thimphu Valley and
  National Memorial Chorten depicting the Buddhist faith in the form of paintings and statues. This temple was first initiated by theThird King as a protection from the negative elements of modernization and as a monument to world peace. The Royal Queen Mother completed it as a memorial stupa for the Third King who passed away in 1972. Our team will then escort you for a lunch.
  After Lunch,
  Visit Trashichoe Dzong to further experience the colorful events of the Thimphu festival. Followed by a walk around the town to take part in various game stall set around. (Overnight at Thimphu)

• Day 4 : Thimphu - Punakha

  After breakfast,
  Drive to Punakha, the ancient capital of Bhutan. Enroute, stop at Dochula Pass (10,100feet). The pass is a popular location among visitors as it offers a stunning 360-degree panoramic view of Bhutanese Himalayan range. The view is especially scenic on a clear day with snowcapped mountains forming a majestic backdrop to the tranquility of the 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens gracing the mountain pass.
  Visit the Divine Madman’s Monastery Chimmi Lhakhang famously known for its fertility shrine where one can receive a special fertility blessing. Our team will then escort you for a lunch.
  After Lunch,
  Drive to Punakha where you will visit Punakha Dzong, the most spectacular Dzong in Bhutan, built at the confluence of the Mo Chhu (Female River) and Pho Chhu (Male River) in 1637. This huge fortress/monastery was the national capital until 1966 and is the place where the country’s kings have been crowned and the site for the 5th King’s Royal Wedding in Oct. 2011.
  Followed by a walk to one of the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan for you to have a heart-pumping experience in Bhutan. The bridge offers you with a view of the village nearby and the river below. (Overnight at Punakha)

• Day 5 : Punakha - Thimphu - Paro

  After Early Breakfast,
  Drive through upper Punakha valley to Yabesa village to hike through farmhouses and rice field to the beautiful Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Lhakhang built by Azhi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck for peace and stability of the country. This temple is situated on the hilltop overlooking the valley below. The leisurely walk up to the temple would take about an hour and offers you the breathtakingly beautiful view surrounding mountain and the valley below. You will have your lunch at Punakha.
  After lunch,
  Then drive back to Thimphu from where you will do the last minute shopping of gift and souvenirs for your family. If your visit to Thimphu coincides with the weekend, you can walk through the Thimphu Market to see the variety of Bhutan product including basket upon basket of fiery chilies, fresh cheese and a variety of fresh greens. In addition, many stalls contain Bhutanese handicrafts and household items.
  Afterward proceed to Paro, on arrival at Paro check into the hotel. (Overnight at Paro)

• Day 6 : Paro

  After breakfast,
  Hike to Taktsang Monastery and for those who cannot hike, we will arrange a horse for transfer up to the viewing point.
  Taktsang Monastery built on a sheer cliff face 900 meters above the valley floor is a spectacular sight. The Monastery is also an important pilgrim site for the Buddhists. The great Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown here on the back of a tigress when he brought the teachings of the Buddhist Dharma to Bhutan in the 8th Century. He then meditated in a cave there for three months where the monastery was later built. Nearby there is a teahouse where you can stop for refreshments and lunch.
  After Lunch,
  Walk down to the base from where our team will take you to other tourist spot depending on the time.
  Our team will then take you to one of the popular restaurants in the country at the middle of the farm for you to have a hot stone bath to aid your joint from a tiring hiking.
  Followed by a cultural show, where our team will show cast some of the traditional dances, Play, and song. You will also take part in the song and enjoy to the fullest before you have your dinner. Our team will then take you to your hotel for rest and preparation for the next day departure. (Overnight at Paro).

• Day 7 : Departure

  After Breakfast, our team will drive to the airport for flight to your onward destination.

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Inclusions

• Hotel
• Sightseeing
• Private guided tour
• Visas for Bhutan
• Airport transfers
• Daily 3 meals (B/L/D) at designated restaurants or hotels
• Accommodation at 3-star hotel
• A qualified & licensed English-speaking guide
• An experienced driver
• A tour vehicle
• Entry fees & road permits
• Government fee, royalty, taxes & surcharges
• Mineral bottled water
• Set of traditional costume (to return at the end of your stay)
• A traditional hot stone bath to heal your body after Taktshang Hike Cultural Program provided that there is a minimum of 4 travelers in a group
• Full service & assistance before, during and after your Bhutan trip

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Exclusions

• Flight into Bhutan via Drukair (can be arranged with us)
• Flight on other airlines to catch Drukair Flight
• Meals at 4-5 stars restaurants
• Hotel stay outside of Bhutan
• Expenditure of personal nature
• Travel Insurance (can be arranged with us)
• Tips for the guide and driver
• Language guide
• Alcoholic drink.

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Total Tour Cost

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Package Start From

• Paro, Bhutan, Asia

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Terms & Conditions

Other Terms & Conditions :

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This Tour is Offered by

Bhutan Entire Season Travelers View Profile

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• Norzin Lham, Thimphu, Bhutan - 11001
• XXXXXX3177 View Contact
• XXXXXXXXXX@gmail.com View Mail ID

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