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Thimphu Tshechu

From $2,800/pp

Created by

From $2,800/pp

Thimphu, Bhutan

Trip Length

7 days

Availability

September - November
Created by

Thimphu Tshechu

The Thimphu Festival (Tsechu) is one of the grandest of Bhutan’s festivals and attracts the largest audience. Featuring dances performed by trained monks and laymen in amazing masks and costumes, Tsechus (festivals) are one of the best ways to experience the ancient living culture of Bhutan. A Tsechu is a Buddhist festival in honour of Guru Rimpoche, the saint who brought Buddhism to Bhutan. The Thimphu Tsechu was established by the 4th Temporal Ruler, Tenzing Rabgye (1638-1696) in 1670. This festival also provides a great opportunity to witness locals gathered in their finest Gho’s and Kira’s in a celebration of their culture and faith. This tour also visits sacred sites in Paro, Thimphu and Punakha.

Description

The Thimphu Festival (Tsechu) is one of the grandest of Bhutan’s festivals and attracts the largest audience. Featuring dances performed by trained monks and laymen in amazing masks and costumes, Tsechus (festivals) are one of the best ways to experience the ancient living culture of Bhutan. A Tsechu is a Buddhist festival in honour of Guru Rimpoche, the saint who brought Buddhism to Bhutan. The Thimphu Tsechu was established by the 4th Temporal Ruler, Tenzing Rabgye (1638-1696) in 1670. This festival also provides a great opportunity to witness locals gathered in their finest Gho’s and Kira’s in a celebration of their culture and faith. This tour also visits sacred sites in Paro, Thimphu and Punakha.

Itinerary

Day 1

ARRIVE PARO – THIMPHU

The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular mountain flights in the world, with a constantly changing panorama of some of the highest mountains on earth. Our Bhutan Druk Adventure representative will meet you at Paro airport exit doors following customs formalities.

After lunch enjoy afternoon sightseeing around Paro, including a visit to the Ta Dzong Museum housing many religious relics, works of art and handicrafts offering a great orientation into Bhutan’s historical, cultural, and religious past. Next, visit the Rimpong Dzong to see the painting of the great saint Milarepa, considered as the master of meditation by the Bhutanese and believed to have attained enlightenment in a lifetime. Dzong’s are large monasteries and district administrative centres, which were once strategic forts. Afterwards, drive to the capital, Thimphu (1.5 hours) following the Pachu River. Before dinner at the hotel there will be an orientation on Bhutanese etiquette by your guide. Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.

Explore the ancient capital city of Bhutan

Activities

  • Hotel
  • Sightseeing

Accommodation

Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.

Day 2

THIMPHU

After breakfast, drive to Tashichhodzong to attend the Thimphu festival. You will see locals dressed in their finest clothes who have walked from miles around to attend the festivities. They come to watch masked dances, to pray, and to feast. While the underlying purpose of the festival is spiritual, dances are more often like plays, telling stories where good triumphs over evil, or depicting significant historical events, especially surrounding the life of Bhutan’s patron saint, Padmasambhava (also known as Guru Rinpoche). There is inevitably a great deal of socialising as well.

Tashichhodzong, ‘the fortress of the glorious religion’. Initially erected in 1641 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was rebuilt in the 1960s during the reign of Bhutan’s third king in the traditional style, without plans or nails. Tashichhodzong houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body. Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.

Explore the ancient capital city of Bhutan

Activities

  • Sightseeing
  • Festival

Accommodation

3 Star Hotel

Day 3

THIMPHU

Enjoy a morning of sightseeing, including a visit to 12th century Changangkha Temple, and the National Memorial Chorten depicting the Buddhist faith in the form of paintings and statues. This temple was first initiated by the Third King as a protection from the negative elements of modernisation, and as a monument to world peace. The Royal Queen Mother completed it as a memorial stupa for the Third King who passed away in 1972.

In the afternoon return to Tashichhodzong to further experience the colourful events of the Thimphu festival. Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.

Activities

  • Culture

Accommodation

3 Star Hotel

Day 4

THIMPHU -PUNAKHA

Drive over the Dochu-La pass (3,100 meters), which on a clear day offers an incredible view of Himalayan peaks before descending into balmy Punakha valley (about 3 hrs total driving time). The drive through the countryside affords a glimpse of everyday life in this most remote of Himalayan kingdoms. In the Dochu-La area there are vast Rhododendron forests that grow to tree size and bloom in late April/early May covering the mountains in a riot of glorious spring colour.

Punakha was the ancient capital of Bhutan. On arrival, visit Punakha Dzong, the “Palace of Great Happiness” built in 1637 by the Shabdrung, the ‘Unifier of Bhutan’. It is situated at the confluence of the Mo Chu and Pho Chu (Mother and Father Rivers) and is the winter headquarters of the Je Khenpo and hundreds of monks who move en masse from Thimphu to this warmer location. The three story main temple of the Punakha Dzong is a breathtaking example of traditional architecture with four intricately embossed entrance pillars crafted from cypress and decorated in gold and silver. It was here in 1907 that Bhutan’s first king was crowned.

After lunch, enjoy a walk to Chimi Lhakhang, temple of the Drukpa Kuenly who is also known as the Divine Madman. He inherited the Divine Madman title since he revolted against the orthodox Buddhism in his time. He taught the people that religion is an inner feeling and it’s not necessary that one should be an ordained monk. He is also considered a symbol of fertility and most childless couples go to his temple for blessing. Overnight at your hotel in Punakha/ Wangduephodrang.

Activities

  • Culture
  • Hike

Accommodation

3 star Hotel

Day 5

PUNAKHA – THIMPHU – PARO

In the morning drive to Yabesa village and hike to through ricefields and up to Khamsum Yueley Namgyal Chorten, built by her majesty the queen Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuk. Perched high on a hill on the bank of the river, the Chorten houses paintings belonging to Nyingmapa Traditions.

Drive back to Thimphu where you will visit The National Library housing the collection of Bhutanese scriptures dating back to the 8th century and a fascinating replica of a medieval farmhouse at the Folk Heritage Museum. You will also have an opportunity to visit handicraft and souvenir stores. If your visit to Thimphu coincides with the weekend, you can walk through the Thimphu Market to see the variety of food of Bhutan, including basket upon basket of fiery chillies, fresh cheese and a variety of fresh greens. In addition, many stalls contain Bhutanese handicrafts and household items.

Afterwards proceed to Paro, On arrival in Paro, check into the hotel. Overnight at your hotel in Paro.

Activities

  • Culture Sightseeing
  • Hiking
  • Nature
Day 6

PARO

After breakfast hike to Taktsang Monastery. The trail is broad and the walk of approximately 2 hours uphill takes you almost a kilometre above the Paro valley floor (for those who cannot hike we will arrange a horse for transfer up to the viewing point). The view of Taktsang Monastery built on a sheer cliff face 900 metres above the valley floor is a spectacular sight. The Monastery is also an important pilgrim site for the Buddhists. The great Guru Rimpoche is said to have flown here on the back of a tigress when he brought the teachings of the Buddhist Dharma to Bhutan in the 8th Century. He then mediated in a cave there for three months where the monastery was later built. Nearby there is a teahouse where you can stop for refreshments.

In the afternoon drive to the almost fully reconstructed Drukgyel Dzong. The original monument (destroyed by fire in 1951) was built by Shabdrung to commemorate his victory against invading Tibetans in 1644. In fine weather the towering peak of the sacred Mount Jomolhari (7314m) appears as a stunning backdrop. On the return drive to Paro, visit other sights in Paro valley. Overnight at your hotel in Paro.

Activities

  • Hiking
  • Dsicover Paro Town

Accommodation

3 Star Hotel

Day 7

DEPART PARO

Breakfast in the hotel, then drive to the airport for flight to your onward destination.

Activities

  • Flight

Accommodation

Na

What's Included

Accommodation

Private guided tour Visas for Bhutan Airport transfers Daily 3 meals (B/L/D) Accommodation A qualified & licensed English-speaking guide An experienced driver A tour vehicle Entry fees & road permits Government fee, royalty, taxes & surcharges Mineral bottled water Laundry service on a daily basis Full service & assistance before, during and after your Bhutan trip

Ground Transport

Full service & assistance before, during and after your Bhutan trip

Tips

Tips for the guide and driver

Tour Dates

All of our Bhutan tours and treks are private, customizable journeys for independent travel on dates of your choosing, subject to the trek taking place during the trekking season as identified in the itinerary overview above. We can easily customize your Bhutan tour and trek to spend more time in the places, doing the activities that YOU are interested in.

Meals

Daily 3 meals (B/L/D)

Flights

Flight into Bhutan (can be arranged with us)

Insurance

All visitors are advised to get their insurance coverage from their own country

Created by
Rinzin Dorji

I was born in the central region of Bhutan, where the culture and the history are vibrant and the land is beautiful. I grew up hearing the stories of the places around me, from no other than my father, who is a Tourist Guide too.

I began my career as a tour guide after working with my father in his tour company. This enabled me to expand my knowledge and explore the world, making me appreciate the beauty of my country. For more than a decade now, I have spent my good years working as a tour guide, mountain biker, and photographer with various tour operators in Bhutan.

It was an incredible experience meeting tourists from every corner of the world, as well as gaining my own experience travelling to several places. I love to travel and have been to many parts of Asia.I believe people should travel to gain new experiences in life. It gives you the chance to enjoy the local living style, taking photos with like-minded people, or simply to indulge yourself in a well deserved luxury holiday.

I enjoy every tour as a new and unique experience. Basic knowledge of flora & fauna identification, bird watching, and textiles, as well as a sound knowledge of religious sites and adventure travel in Bhutan. This turns every journey into something new, something fascinating.

I am very happy to welcome you to my country, to show you its wonders and help you get in touch with its beauty. I am seeing my dream of a travel agency that truly connects Bhutan to people from all over the world, come true.

It’s my pleasure to turn your wishes into reality!

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Rinzin Dorji can customise and book any and all elements of this trip for you


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