Punakha Tsechu

Welcome to Bhutan, Land of Thunder Dagon. Your Journey begins by flying on Druk Air or Bhutan national Airlines. You will meet the representative from Always Bhutan at Paro Airport. We start your tour by fist, visiting Paro Ta-Dzong museum, perched on top of a hill overlooking Paro valley. The museum boast a wide collection of treasures and artifacts reflecting Bhutan’s mythical history.
Later transfer to Thimphu, the Capital of Bhutan, passing through hills and some astounding countryside. Thimphu is situated in a large valley traversed by the Wangchu River and overshadowed by high peaks. En-route- view Tachogang monastery “temple of excellent horse” built by Thangthong Gyalpo“ the (Iron chain builder in Bhutan and visit the Iron Chain Bridge which is one of the most visible ancient craft work in the middle Ages.) before reaching to Chunzom. Later visit some cultural sites and walk through the main street of Thimphu.

Today, we participate in a wide variety of interesting activities, which represent many diverse aspects of Bhutanese culture. Drive to visit Kuensel Phodrang to visit the Buddha Statue, 169ft, symbolizing indestructibility and one of the most religious monuments built in recent times. The view of Thimphu valley from the Kuenselphodrang is spectacular. We then visit the National Memorial Chorten: Built in honor of third King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Elderly devotees flock throughout the day to circumambulate and turn the prayer wheels. Drive to visit Takin Enclosure to see the National Animal of Bhutan. Visit the Art and Craft Institute, a vocational training Institute for students learning some of the 13 arts, preserving and producing skilled man power. Lunch at one of the local restaurant in Thimphu. Afternoon we visit the Royal Textile Museum “living art of Bhutan” which houses old Bhutanese Textiles and artifacts from the various regions and tribes of Bhutan. Take a short trip Tashicho Dzong, the fortress of glorious religion,” seat of the national government and the central monk body.

Today we depart in the morning to Punakha and the drive takes about 3 hours over 3050m/10,000ft Dochula pass, Dochula Pass offers a spectacular view of the eastern Himalayas from this pass on a clear day, many colorful prayer flags and chortens also dot the pass. Walk around the pass and stop for light refreshment at Dochula cafeteria. Descend through the forest of rhododendrons and magnolia passing through villages of Lumitsawa; Thinleygang and the fertile valley of Lobesa. Later, you will take a gradual hike through the rice fields about an hour to Chime Lhakhang, a monastery, which is built in 15th Century and dedicated the famous saint Drukpa Kuenley, also popularly known as “Divine Madman. One of the popular pilgrimage point for all Bhutanese and visitors and is especially revered by women for its fertility powers. Drive for lunch at Lobesa. 

Today, we will visit Punakha Dzong, a stunning example of Bhutanese architecture built in 1637, and which continues to be the winter home for the clergy, headed by Chief Abbott, the Je Khenpo. The dzong is located at the fork of two rivers, and from a distance, it portrays the image of a medieval city. Despite being destroyed by fire and glacial floods over the years, the dzong has been carefully restored and is today a fine example of Bhutanese craftsmanship.

Furthermore, we will have the chance to attend the Punakha Tshechu, a festival that honors Padma Sambhawa, also known as Guru Rimpoche, the precious yogi and saint who is credited with introducing Tantric Buddhism throughout the Himalayas. The festival will culminate in the unfolding of a huge cloth thangka, a sacred scroll depicting Padma Sambhawa and imagery from the Buddhist pantheon.

Drive for lunch at one of the local restaurant. We then continue our drive towards Gangtey valley, a serene and beautiful valley surrounded by shrubs and baby bamboos, Gangtey valley is famous for its nestling grounds for the endangered Black Necked Crane.Towards the evening hours, we take a dip in ‘Dotso’ herbal healing bath at a nearby tavern and enjoy herbal nourished waters which is believed to heal one from diseases and illnesses. The bath is prepared using stones burned in fire and the water boiled with herbs up to 20 varieties with medicinal properties

Early morning, we pay a visit to Gangtey Goenpa monastery to experience meditation on the lawns of this special monastery whose history dates back to 7th century. The monastery is believed to posses sacred relics and religious texts from ancient masters that has been preserved at the monastery.
After a relaxed morning session, we than continue our journey towards Paro valley that can take upto 5 hours. In the evening, we check in at our hotel and rest for our hike tomorrow.

Drive to the north of Paro valley to Ramthangkha and hike to visit Taktsang monastery, the trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of trees festooned with moss and an occasional grove of fluttering prayers flags. This monastery is one of the most venerated and sacred of all Buddhist sights around the world, the legend has it that Guru Rinpoche (founding saint of Buddhism) flew from eastern Bhutan on a tigress and meditated for three months. After visiting the monastery, walk down to cafeteria for lunch. Afternoon walk down to the base and drive to Paro town before a visit to Paro Kyichu Monastery, one of the oldest monastery in Bhutan.

Breakfast in the hotel, then drive to the airport for flight to your onward destination. We bid farewell and wish ourselves in the hope to meet again. We hope you cherish this special trip in your life and nourish yourself with all the positive energy accumulated through the journey.
Tashi Delek!