FESTIVAL TOUR One of the annual highlights of each monastery in various valleys, festivals – tsechus, are religious and secular docu-drama celebration of religion and life. Some are huge where thousands gather while some are small personal experiences in remote hamlets. Mask dances by monks in fearful manifestations and colorful robes take turns with rich local dances and songs by laities in century old monasteries of the country. It may perhaps be one of the most unique celebrations in the world. This tour is offered coinciding with more than 21 festivals around the country at different times of the year. Please, refer to the festival chart.

Day 1: Arrive Paro on Druk Air
Flight into Bhutan is an experience on its own. It is a mesmerizing flight across some of the highest peaks in the world, including an amazing aeronautical feat that offers an exciting decent into Paro International Airport.

On arrival at the Paro airport, after immigration and customs formalities, your local guide – for the whole trip, will receive and escort you to the hotel.

After check-in, lunch and a short break, you will have your introduction to this unique country – before you delve deeper into the country, with a visit to the National Museum, housed in a 17th century circular watchtower. In its six floors, it holds rich collection of art, relics, religious paintings, Bhutan’s famous postage stamps, and more.

Afterwards, drive a short distance below to Rinpung Dzong (dzongs are monastic fortresses mostly built in the 17th century). A living fortress that houses civil administration of the province as well as the monastic community was built in 1648, by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the spiritual and temporal ruler that unified the country. Visit couple of temples, witness monks in study and enjoy the beautiful wall frescoes in and around the temples.

Late afternoon at leisure to shake off the long flight. Evening, welcome cocktail and introductory discussion with your guide.

Day 2: Paro – Thimphu (65 Kms/45 Miles, 1hr 30min)
After breakfast drive to Thimphu, the modern capital city, established in 1964. With a population of about 45,000, it is like no other capital city – the valley is unique, displaying harmony of tradition and modernity. There are no traffic lights and policemen direct traffic at intersections. Yet it is the biggest city in the country and seat of the government as well as the main hub of commerce in the country.

En route, take a break at Chunzom, the confluence of Paro and Thimphu rivers, where you can see three types of chorten (stupas or religious monuments) prevalent in Bhutan.

After checking into your hotel and lunch, visit the Sunday market. Every weekend most of Thimphu’s population descends to the riverside market for fresh vegetables and other food items sold mainly by farmers from neighboring valleys. There is also a section of art and crafts, religious and secular ornaments for sale. It is a lively market to watch people and buy souvenirs. Bhutanese are moderate bargainers and prices are usually reasonable.

Then visit the Memorial Chorten, the stupa built in 1974 in memory of the third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, lovingly known as the Father of Modern Bhutan. It is a rare stupa that has an inner sanctum of temples, containing intricate paintings and sculptures representing tantric form of reverence, most complex of Mahayana practice. A popular monument in the city, there are always throngs of people circumambulating and saying prayers or turning one of many giant prayer wheels.

Day 3: Thimphu Halt
This morning visit Trashichhodzong, a beautiful medieval fortress that houses most of government ministries, the King’s throne room, and the central monastic body, to witness the annual tsechu (festival). Tsechus are secular and religious dance-drama performed by monks and lay people. It consists of mask dances, short plays and vibrant rituals in the main courtyard of the fortress. The brightly colored costumes, masks, spirited pageantry and the jubilant crowd will make it one of the highlights of your visit. It is ranked as one of Asia’s greatest travel experience.

In the afternoon drive north of Thimphu city to see Takins - National Animal of Bhutan, unique to the region, and Sangaygang viewpoint, which offers three-point view of the valley. It is also a favored place for multi-colored prayer flags of the valley’s inhabitants.

This evening enjoy dinner with a number of Bhutanese professionals for our signatory, “beyond your guide” experience and interaction for a wholesome understanding of Bhutan.

Day 4: Thimphu – Punakha (77 Kms/48 Miles, 2 ½ hrs)
We start our journey into farther east with first stop in Punakha/Wangdue valley. The road starts with a climb to Dochula pass at 3,050m, where we will stop for tea and enjoy the view.
On a clear day Dochula pass heralds the most enchanting view of Bhutan’s Himalaya peaks. Some of the peaks you can see from here on a clear day are, Gangchen Ta (6840M), Gangkha Puensum (7541m), Jejekangphu (7100m), Masang Gang (7165m), Teri Gang (7300m), Tsenda Gang (7100m) and Table Mountain (7100m).
Good part of drive after Dochula, in the right season, offers vista of blooming giant magnolias, fields of rhododendrons, mountain lilies, primolas and many other flowers. It is also a paradise for bird watchers.

An hour and half downhill from here will bring us to the Punakha/Wangdue valley at 1200 meters. We will check into the hotel and have lunch.

After lunch we will visit the spectacular Punakha Dzong, built in 1637, on a strategic junction at the confluence of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. Punakha Dzong has played a hallowed role in history of Bhutan. It served as the seat of Shabdrung’s government, several foreign delegations were received here in 18th and 19th century, the election and coronation of the first King was observed 1907 and the Third King convened the first National Assembly in the Dzong. The central monastic body continues to reside here in winter. The embalmed bodies of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Terton Pema Lingpa are kept on the top floor of the main tower.

We will visit the main assembly hall of the monks – Hall of Hundred Pillars, richly adorned with giant statues, frescoes, carvings and metal work, one of the best showcase of Bhutanese artisans.

Later on the way back hike to Chime Lhakhang perched on top a hill surrounded by fertile alluvial fields of rice. It is an easy walk and it will take about half an hour from the road. The famous saint Drukpa Kuenley, also known as the Divine Madman built it in the 15th century. Hundreds of stories abound on his unusual ways of imparting dharma teachings. Saving details for the day of visit it is a popular destination for fertility blessings including foreigners.

Day 5: Punakha – Bumthang (197 Kms/122 Miles, 7hrs)
Our drive today will take us through town of Wangdue Phodrang past a beautiful bridge with the dzong overlooking from the hill above. The bridge was once an impressive cantilever cum drawbridge, which was washed away in flood a few decades ago. You can still see the main support tower of the old bridge in the middle of the river.

Sitting right above from the bridge is the dzong of Wangdue Phodrang, town’s most visible feature. When Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal was scouting for a place to build a dzong at this strategic place, he came across a boy building sand castles by the river. On enquiring his name the boy replied, “Wangdue”. Shabdrung took this as a good omen and built the dzong naming it Wangdue Phodrang.

After a short break for visit to thedzong or to explore the unique township built on stilts on the slope, facing the river valley, drive through Black Mountain forests where we can often come across grey langurs (monkeys) passing through the trees or resting by the roadside. Later, cross Pelela Pass at 3,300 meters, and stop for a picnic lunch at Chendebji under the gazing Buddha eyes of a giant stupa.

Trongsa, the ancestral home of Bhutanese Kings is 1 ½ hrs from here. The drive offers a great view of the largest fortress of country as we drive close by to climb again to cross over into Bumthang valley, 2 hrs away. The four valleys that make Bumthang is the sacred heart of the country. Besides natural beauty the valley is bountifully blessed with numerous ancient temples and is the revered birthplace of many saints. It was here that the legendary saint Pema Lingpa was born, to whom the Bhutanese Royalties trace their lineage. Bumthang is also distinguished in history as the first place in Bhutan where Guru Rimpoche brought Buddhism.

Before reaching Bumthang stop in Chumey valley at a local weaving center. Textiles in Bhutan are unique in style to each region, and Bumthang is famous for woolen textiles called Yathra and Mathra. The weaving center here always has numerous women weaving and a store full of their products.

From here Chamkhar valley, our destination is only half hour away.

Day 6: Bumthang Halt
Bumthang is a general name given to combination of four valleys – Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura with altitude varying from 2,600m to 4,000m. It is home to many prominent Buddhist temples and monasteries.

Start the morning with visit Jambey Lhakhang, the other temple built by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo, in the 7th century. It was here that Guru Rimpoche conducted his first sermon on Tantric Buddhism for his host King Sendha, the local ruler, his family and subjects. The alcove above the entrance to the inner temple where Guru Rimpoche sat during the sermon can be still seen to this day. The then governor of Bumthang carried out the last known major renovation in 1905.
Then we will stop by the Kurjey Lhakhang complex. It consists of three temples. The one on the right was built in 1652 on the rack face where Guru meditated in the 8th century. The body imprint of the great master can be distinctly seen in the rock cave enshrined in the temple. Your guide will explain the fascinating stories connected to this place.

After lunch drive visit Tamshing Lhakhang, located in a village across the river from Kurjey Lhakhang. It is the seat of Bumthang’s famous son saint Pema Lingpa. He built it himself in 1501. A skilled tantric master and an artist he sculpted the main statues and painted the frescoes, which can be seen even today, mostly in original state. There is also a chain mail made by Pema Lingpa that devotees carry and circumambulate the inner sanctum. The throne from which he performed the consecration ceremony is preserved in a small temple outside the main hall. Pema Lingpa’s expansive skills in building, painting, sculpture and metal work can still be seen in mostly original state.

On the way back stop by Konchosum Lhakhang. It is an old temple suspected to be from the 6th or 7th century but the current structure dates back to the same period as Tamshing Lhakhang. The temple has a bell, which when rung was believed to be heard as far as Lhasa, Tibet. The Tibetans once tried to steal the bell and when discovered by the caretakers left in haste, dropping the bell. So, only half the bell remains with the other half believed to be in Tibet.
On the way back explore the local town.

Day 7: Bumthang Halt
Today is the exciting Thangbi Mani Festival, and the monastery courtyard becomes a stage for enactment of ancient Buddhist tales. Dancers clad in colorful costumes and masks act out themes – morality plays, purification rites, and the triumph of virtuous life. Also, witness the fire blessing, where the gathered multitude run through towers of fire in an act of receiving blessing as well as purification by fire.

Thangbi is approximately half an hour drive from the hotel. It may entail twenty minutes of walk to get to the temple.

Day 8: Bumthang – Punakha (197 Kms/122 Miles, 7hrs)
Today we retrace our drive back to Punakha. In Trongsa, if you wish, you can walk through the massive fortress or make a short visit to a small museum in the watch towers above the main road, facing the dzong.

Day 9: Punakha – Thimphu (77 Kms/48 Miles, 2 ½ hrs)
Drive to Thimphu for lunch. Afternoon at leisure for independent exploration of Thimphu city.

Day 10: Thimphu Halt
Today we will visit places of interest closed during festival period.
Start with the Institute of Traditional Medicine. Bhutan has long and rich tradition of medicine based on natural remedies derived mainly from plants and earth, and some animals. This institute has facility for out patients, training, research and production of traditional medicine. The institute has an exhibition room that imparts excellent look into the tradition.

Next briefly stop at the School of Traditional Arts and Crafts. The school offers an eight-year course in the techniques of traditional art in religious and secular paintings, woodcarving, clay sculpture and traditional mask making. One can see students working through progressive levels practicing precise rules of Bhutanese art.

Then visit the Folk Heritage Museum. Established in 2001, this is an interesting museum housed in an old traditional house. The museum is a walk through the fast changing rural tradition, habits and skills, and those of the past.

Start the afternoon with National Library. Since the dzongs where seats of monastic schools, in the past all texts and scriptures including historical references were stored there. Over many centuries most dzongs suffered fires and natural calamities resulting in loss of many valuable records. Historically an oral society, loss of any written record was a great loss. So in 1967 the National Library was established as a repository of Bhutanese history and religious texts. It has copies of almost all texts relevant to Mahayana Buddhism and a rich collection of lithographs and some excellent examples of old ornate scriptures.

Next, Textile Museum, one of the new theme museums in the city established in 2000. It is dedicated to the rich skill of Bhutanese weaver, primarily women. Literally, women were ones who clothed the family before the availability of machine made fabrics. The museum has a good collection of samples including rare pieces and antiques, some belonging to the royal family.

Then, visit the Jungshina Handmade Paper Factory to see the traditional way of making papers from bark of Daphne plants. Bhutan in ancient days was the biggest supplier of paper in the Himalayan region for printing religious scriptures and prayers. Even to this day handmade paper continues to be favored for the same, although mass machine printing of prayers is inconvenient due to its rough texture. It has also seen a new use in modern arts and artifacts.

Just before dinner enjoy cocktails and a private performance by Tashi Nencha dance company. They specialize in traditional secular dances, including tribal dances from around the country.

Day 11: Thimphu – Paro (65 Kms/45 Miles, 1hr 30min)
A.M. drive to Paro. In the afternoon, hike to Taktasng monastery. Built on an impossible perch in a cliff, it is a sight to behold. One of the most famous monasteries of Bhutan, especially to the outside world, is perched 900 meters above the Paro valley. Guru Rimpoche, the Indian saint who brought tantric Buddhism to Bhutan, is believed to have arrived here on the back of a tigress and remained in meditation for about three months. Revered as one of the most sacred place, many great saints from both Tibet and India traveled here on pilgrimage.

The hike up to the viewpoint is worth every step. It takes about an hour and half to two hours. Ponies can be arranged on the way up for those who wish to ride.
Enjoy farewell cocktail and dinner, and reflect back on your travel and experience.

Day 12: Departure
Journey into the little known, mystical kingdom ends today. Your local guide will see you off at the airport, on to your next journey.

Nirvana Expeditions
P.O Box 611, Deki Lam, Changangkha
Thimphu, Bhutan
Telephone : 975 232 8875
Fax : 975 233 1781
Email : info@nirvanaexpeditions.com


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