Thimphu Festival - 8 days
8 Days Starting and ending in Paro
Visiting: Paro, Punakha, Chimi Lhakhang Temple & Camp by the Mo Chu River, Punakha Valley, Masked dances of the Thimphu Tshechu (Festival), Memorial Chorten & Handicrafts, National Museum and Kichu Lhakhang, Tiger's Nest Monastery
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 16
Age range:
18 years or 16 years with an adult
Special diets catered:
Please advise requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
Take your place at the famed mask dance performances at the Thimphu Tshechu Festival, whilst discovering the best of Bhutan. Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery, see the world's biggest Buddha Dordenma statue and explore the Punakha Valley before
sitting back to watch the unique and colourful displays of traditional culture performed at the city's most popular event.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Paro
Location: Paro
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Welcome to Bhutan! Upon arrival to Paro Airport you'll be met and transferred to our hotel. The remainder of today is free for you to independently explore.
Day 2: Punakha, Chimi Lhakhang Temple & Camp By The Mo Chu River
Location: Punakha, Chimi Lhakhang Temple & Camp by the Mo Chu River
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Paro – Punakha. It's an early start as we travel the road to Punakha, climbing up through pine, oak and rhododendron forest to reach Dochu La Pass (3050m). After a short break we continue onto the spectacular Punakha Valley, where we enjoy a scenic 1.5 - 2 hour walk up to Chimi Lhakhang Temple - dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kunley (also known as the Divine Mad Monk).
After, we visit the impressive Punakha Dzong an exemplary masterpiece of Bhutanese
architecture built at the confluence of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu Rivers. Later this afternoon we head to our campsite on the banks of the Mo Chu River, where there's free time to relax and explore the natural surrounds. In the early evening you can opt for a hot stone bath served with local drinks, followed by dinner.
Day 3: Punakha Valley
Location: Punakha Valley
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Punakha Valley – Thimphu. After an early breakfast, we drive along the shores of the
Mo Chu River and hike (approximately 2 - 2.5 hours) up through rice fields to the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, a stunning temple located on a hill with impressive views of the valley below. After exploring the area, we drive to the picturesque villages of Talo scattered along a ridge above the Punakha Valley.
This afternoon, we stop for a picnic lunch before visiting Sangchen Dorji Lhendrup Nunnery, perched on a ridge with spectacular views of the Punakha and Wangdue Valleys. In addition to religious training, the nuns are also taught skills such as embroidery, tailoring and statue making. After our visit to the nunnery we drive to Thimphu.
Day 4: Masked Dances Of The Thimphu Tshechu (Festival)
Location: Masked dances of the Thimphu Tshechu (Festival)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The Tshechu Festival of Thimphu is a 3 day religious event which marks the tenth day of the lunar calendar and honours the birthday of Guru Rimpoche Padmasambhava, an Indian Saint who spread Buddhism in the country in the 8th century. Tshechus are grand occasions where entire communities come together to witness religious mask dances, receive blessings and socialise. It is said that anyone who attends a Tshechu and witnesses the colourful masked dances is profusely blessed. Every mask dance performed has a special meaning or a story behind it and many are based on stories of the life of the Guru.
Today, we drive to Tendrelthang at Tashichho Dzong and mingle with the residents of
Thimphu and nearby districts of Paro, Punakha, whom are dressed in their best attire
to witness the unique spectacle that is - the famed masked dances, and other colourful
and exciting displays of traditional culture performed on this very special day.
Day 5: Memorial Chorten & Handicrafts
Location: Memorial Chorten & Handicrafts
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Thimphu is the political, social and spiritual heart of the nation and although this is
Bhutan's most modern city, it has retained the unique character of a Bhutanese town.
Today we discover the city's sites with visits to, the Memorial Chorten - a beautiful stupa built in the memory of Bhutan’s third King, Kuenselphodrang (Buddha point) - to see the world's biggest Buddha Dordenma statue and enjoy the views of Thimphu Valley, a handmade paper factory where the age old tradition of paper making is still followed.
Day 6: National Museum And Kichu Lhakhang
Location: National Museum and Kichu Lhakhang
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Thimphu - Paro. Today we drive to Paro with sightseeing en route. We'll stop at Chuzom, the confluence of Paro (Pachu) and Thimphu (Wangchu) rivers which provides incredible views of three different types of Stupas – Bhutanese, Tibetan and Nepalese. We continue, to Tachogang Iron chain bridge and Lhakhang (Temple) which was built by
Thangthong Gyalpo in the fifteenth century. The temple was likely constructed in 1420.
While the Tibetan master was meditating here, he had a vision of an emanation of Avalokiteshvara and decided to build a temple, as well as an iron suspension bridge at this location. A new temple at Tachogang was built in the seventeenth century by the
Fourth Druk Desi (local leader) Tenzin Rabgye as the original was destroyed after it served as the main seat for the Five Groups of Lamas, a coalition of local leaders who had opposed Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (a Buddhist teacher who unified Bhutan).
Arriving into Paro we visit the National Museum, housed within the old watch tower Ta Dzong and perched on of a hilltop, overlooking the city. We continue to the famed Rinphung Dzong, the backdrop for the Hollywood film, Little Buddha. After lunch, we tour Kichu Lhakhang - one of the oldest temples in the Kingdom built in the 7th century, and lastly Dungtse Lhakhang Temple.
Day 7: Tiger's Nest Monastery
Location: Tiger's Nest Monastery
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tiger’s Nest Monastery, officially Taktshang Pelphung Monastery is regarded as one of
the most venerated and famous of Bhutan’s monasteries. It is located on the face of a
sheer 900m cliff above the floor of Paro Valley. Today, we embark on a scenic hike (approx. 4 -6 hours) to view this spectacular and unmissable sight. The monastery is only accessible by foot (you can ride a pony part of the way, but this must be arranged in advance by your guide). Once inside the Monastery, there are a temples to see and the monks that reside. After exploring the monastery we retrace our steps and return to Paro.
This evening we enjoy a traditional Bhutanese dinner at a farm house, giving you the
opportunity to interact with a local family and learn about the local cuisine of Bhutan.
Day 8: Paro
Location: Paro
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, our holiday sadly concludes after breakfast. Bidding farewell to your fellow travellers, a departure transfer will take you to Paro airport to meet your onward flight
What's Included
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Accommodation
3-4 star -
7 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners
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6 nights 3-4 star hotels and 1 night camping near the banks of scenic Mo Chu River
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Airport arrival and departure transfer on day 1 & day 8 (only)
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Guided sightseeing of Paro, Thimphu, Punakha and the Punakha Valley
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Traditional Bhutanese dinner at a farm house, giving you the opportunity to interact with a local family
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Escorted by a licensed English-speaking local tour guide
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All relevant transfers and transportation in private A/C vehicles
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Entrance fees to all included sightseeing
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All Bhutan government royalties and taxes
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Bhutan Visa fee and travel Permit (excludes visa admin fee of USD$40 pp, payable upon arrival)
What's Not Included
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International flights, Bhutan visa administration fee payable upon arrival USD$40
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Tipping - an entirely personal gesture
Age Policy
18 years or 16 years with an adult
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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What is the tipping policy?
An entirely personal gesture.
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Airport arrival and departure transfer on day 1 & day 8 (only) are included.
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
3-4 star
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What is the maximum group size?
16
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
Yes
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Are flights included in this tour?
nternational flights, Bhutan visa administration fee payable upon arrival USD$40 are not included.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Low Deposit
On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 600 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.