Paro 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

Paro Tshechu is a grand religious festival celebrated annually on the tenth day of a lunar month in honor of Guru Rinpoche. The festival is held in Paro, Bhutan, and is considered a major attraction, with people from neighboring districts traveling to participate in the festivity.

During the festival, monks perform mask dances while clad in colorful brocade attire, permeated by chants and readings of Buddhist scripts. The dances have special meanings or stories behind them, with many based on incidents from as long ago as the 8th century.

It is believed that everyone must attend a Tshechu and witness the mask dances at least once to receive blessings and wash away their sins. The Paro Tshechu, held every spring, is one of the most significant events in Paro Dzongkhag.

To experience the grand celebrative activities of Paro Tshechu, wake up early and head to Paro dzong. Bring your camera and prepare your senses for the colorful silk costumes and hand-crafted masks worn by the monks during the dances.

Take a break for lunch to try some traditional Bhutanese cuisine at a local restaurant. Return to Paro dzong in the afternoon to watch more mask dances, listen to chanting, and immerse yourself in the religious significance of the Tshechu.

In the evening, witness the unfurling of Thongdrel, a large embroidered painting inside the dzong, and enjoy the colorful Bhutanese dances and other forms of entertainment. Interact with the locals and other tourists to learn more about their cultures and traditions.

Stay overnight in Paro to fully experience the festival and rest after a day filled with excitement and cultural immersion.

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. Transfer to 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. 

Morning drive through Punakha valley to visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngwang Namgyel and was named as Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang, “Palace of Great Happiness, Punakha Dzong is the former capital of Bhutan and played a vital role in shaping the political history of Bhutan. Located ideally between two rivers Pho Chu “Male River” and Mo Chu “Female River”. Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo (Chief Abbot” and central monk body. Drive for lunch at one of the 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.

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!