14 Nights - 15 Days Festival Tour

Day - 01 ARRIVAL AT PARO

You will be on board Druk Air , Bhutan ’s only National Airlines, and land at Paro Airport (the only Airport of the kingdom).  The journey offers you the most magnificent and breathtaking views of the Eastern Himalayas , including the towering Mt Everest. 

While en route, complete immigration and custom form formalities for later declaration. Put your address in Bhutan as c/o Himalayan Kingdom Tours. Keep your custom forms safe, as you need to produce the same on departure. Put the forms in the passport along with $20 visa fee and two passport sized photos.

On arrival, the group will be accorded a very warm reception by a representative of Himalayan Kingdom Tours and driven to the capital, Thimphu .  Night halt at hotel in Thimphu .

Day – 02 Thimphu – Trongsa

After an early breakfast, begin the journey to central Bhutan which takes about 7-8 hours passing through alpine and coniferous forests across three districts. While the drive can be arduous, there are, however, splendid views of mountain ranges, village hamlets and two high passes. Pack lunch will be served at Chendebji, an ancient Newari stupa like those found in Nepal . Halt at hotel in Trongsa.

Day 03 – Trongsa - Mongar

The drive from central Bhutan to the east in Mongar will take seven to eight hours. After traversing the scenic Bumthang valley the road winds up to the highest motorable pass within the nation, the Thrimshing La pass at 12500 ft, before descending into the east and Mongar, at 5,600 ft. Overnight at the Tourist Guesthouse.

Day – 04 Mongar – Galing

After breakfast, visit Mongar Dzong (built in 1953), which houses the local monastic community and the district administration. Continue drive to Trashigang, the eastern most region of Bhutan and the business hub if the east. Lunch at tourist lodge. After lunch drive to Galing, this lies 13km north from Trashigang to watch the festival.

Day –05 Galing Festival  

The first day of festival program includes mask dances, folk dances and Achi Lamo a dance by Brokpas or nomadic herders.

Day – 06 Galing Feastival

The second day of the festival program includes mask dances, folk dances and the YAK dance by the Brokpas.

Day –07 Trashiyangtse Excursions

After breakfast, drive to Trashiyangtse (Alt. 1850m), the extreme eastern district of Bhutan bordering Arunachal Pradesh in India . The Trashiyangtse Dzong was established after the Drukpa conquest in 1656 A.D. but was completely renovated in 1976. Trashiyangtse is a beautiful valley renowned for traditional paper production and wooden bowls. It is also the winter nesting ground for the endangered Black Necked Crane.

In Trashiyangtse, visit the popular Chorten Kora (a huge Stupa) constructed in Nepali (Sherpa) style. It is said that Guru Rimpoche subjugated a demon at the spot where the stupa stands. Popular legend has it that Bhutanese craftsmen replicated the Boudha stupa on a radish and brought it here as a copy for the chorten.  Visit the traditional woodcraft workshop where typical Bhutanese bowls and other wooden items are made. (These products are very popular in Bhutan ). Night at Trashigang

Day –08 Trashigang – Bumthang

After early breakfast drive to Bumthang via Mongar.

Day –09 Bumthang sightseeing

After breakfast explore the valley which is different from other valleys in Bhutan . It is a spacious and open valley ranging in altitude from 8’500 ft to over 13’000 ft. It is a haven for trekkers and hikers. Today’s sightseeing includes the Jamphel Lhakhang, Kurgey Lakhang, and Tamshing Lhakhang. After lunch, visit Jakar Dzong and Membartsho flaming Lake . Overnight at hotel.

Day –10 Bumthang – Punakha

After breakfast drive to Punakha with picnic lunch on the way.

Day –11 Punakha – Thimphu

After breakfast visit Punakha Dzong. Once the capital of the nation, the Punakha Dzong is now the seat of the district administration and the winter residence of the head abbot and the monastic school. It lies between two rivers known as Phochu and Mochu. After lunch drive to Thimphu .

Day – 12 Thimphu Sightseeing

Visit the weekend market if it’s a weekend. Visit the National Library where many rare and ancient manuscripts are preserved, and the School of Arts & Crafts. Visit the Memorial Chorten, built in memory of King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, (1952-1972). Visit Changangkha Lhakhang and Sangaygang for a bird’s eye view of the city. Enroute visit Zilukha nunnery. After lunch, visit Handicrafts Emporium where Traditional Bhutanese textiles and other Arts and Crafts are displayed. You can also purchase the items of your choice.

In the evening visit Tashichho Dzong, which is the seat of the national administration and the summer residence of the head abbot and the monastic order.

Day –13 Thimphu – Paro sightseeing

After breakfast drive to Paro. In Paro visit ruined Drukgyel Dzong, a victory fortress of the 17th century. Although in ruins, this Dzong is of great historical importance. It was here that the Bhutanese finally defeated the invading Tibetans and drove them back. In the afternoon, you will visit the National Museum and Rinpung Dzong (built in 1645 A.D)

Day – 14 EXCURSION TO TAKTSHANG

After an early breakfast,  drive to the foot of the Taktshang cliff before walking uphill for 2 hours to reach this monastery, giddily perched on a sheer 800m rock face.  Taktshang means ‘Tiger’s Nest’ as legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava flew to this spot on the back of a tigress in the eight century. He meditated here making this temple a sacred pilgrimage destination for Buddhists. Lunch at the Taktshang Cafeteria. The trip to and fro takes four hours for which riding ponies can be arranged.

Day – 15 Departures

Representative of Himalayan Kingdom Tours will bid you farewell.

TASHI DELEK.