LODAY ZANGPHEL TOURS & TREKS

LODAY ZANGPHEL TOURS & TREKS

Punakha Tshechu

Itinerary

Useful Info

Day 1: Arrive Paro

 

Druk Air/ Bhutan Airline flight to Paro offers you beautiful view of mountains and landscapes. Our guide and driver will welcome you and drive to hotel. Take a rest for a while and after lunch, drive towards Ta Dzong, the National Museum where there are huge collections of antiques and relics. Just below the museum is Rinpung Dzong. Rinpung Dzong is the head of administration office in Paro and it also houses monk Dratshang. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Paro.

 

Day 2: Paro- Thimphu

 

After breakfast drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. Drive towards top of the hill to see largest Buddha statue of the world in Kuensel Phodrang known as Buddha Point. The 51.5 meter statue is made out of bronze and gilded gold. After that go to Memorial chorten. There you will find hundreds of people praying everyday. Then we will drive to Sangaygang view point of  whole Thimphu. While returning we can visit the mini zoo in upper Motithang where the national animal of Bhutan, Takin, is conserved. In the evening we will visit the Royal Garden that is located behind the Tashichoe Dzong. The Royal Garden was made to pay tribute to the 4th King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck. On our way back to hotel we can visit Tashi Chhoe Dzong, the seat of government of Bhutan. Overnight hotel in Thimphu

 

Day 3: Thimphu- Punakha

 

After Breakfast, drive to Punakha. Enroute visit Dochula pass. Dochula is 30 kilometers away from Thimphu. It is famous for housing 108 Druk Wangyel Chorten. The Chortens were built in 2003 to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over Indian militants and every year Dochula Tshechu is conducted. After lunch, visit Chimi lhakhang. The temple is known as “the Temple of Fertility” and is a pilgrim site for barren women. Upon reaching Punakha, visit the majestic  Punakha Dzong. The fortress is a fine example of Bhutanese craftsmanship and was built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It is located right at the confluence where Pho-Chhu and Mo-Chhu meet and flow as Punatsangchhu. Ovenight at hotel in Punakha

 

Day 4: Punakha Tshechu

 

Today attain the full day of Punakha festival. Punakha Tshechu brings people from far and near together to witness the mask dances and get blessing from eminent religious figures. Overnight hotel in Punakha

 

Day 5: Punakha- Paro

 

Morning, go for an hour hike to the temple of Khamsum Yuley Lakhang. After lunch, drive to Paro. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

 

Day 6: Paro

 

Begin this day with a short drive to the ruined fortress of Drugyel dzong which still attracts visitors due to the strategic location of the fort. From this fort Bhutanese repelled several invasions by Tibetan armies. Nearby visit traditional Bhutanese Farm House which offers good insight into lifestyle of local people. Then take an excursion to Taktsang Monastery, the spot where Guru Rinpoche arrived on the back of a tigress and meditated. The temple is perched on a sheer rock face. The excursion to monastery’s view point takes about 5 hours for round trip. While return to Paro town visit enroute Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

 

Day 7: Paro Depart

 

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

 

Punakha Festival is unique festival in the country. It depicts deeds of Guru Rinpoche and Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. Punakha Dromche takes place in the first month of the lunar year. Punakha Festival is held for 6 days long, three days for Punakha Dromche and another three days of Punakha Tshechu. The Three day Punakha Dromche is Drama like festival which narrates the noble deed of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel 17th century to win the battle from the Tibetan. It is a recreation of the scene from the battle with Tibetan army. The ‘pazaps’ or local militia men, dressed in battle gear showcase a battle scene of this distant past recalling the days when in the absence of a standing army, men from the eight Tshogchens or great village blocks of Thimpu came forward and managed to expel the Tibetan forces out of the country ushering in a new-found internal peace and stability. The Thongdroel unveiled during this festival is of enormous significance. Measuring 83 ft by 93 ft, Punakha Thogdroel (thongdroel = huge painted scroll) is the largest ever made.

 

Total cost includes:

 

  • Standard Hotel (3 star hotel) twin sharing accommodations
  • Full Board – All meals at local restaurants/ standard hotels – Buffet System
  • All internal Transport/ Transfers in luxury vehicle
  • Airport Transfers
  • Services of Licensed English Speaking Guide
  • Sightseeing
  • Entrances fees to museums, monuments and cultural sites
  • Evening tea/ coffee with snacks
  • Mineral water in car while traveling as complementary
  • All internal taxes and charges
  • Government royalty (US$65 per night per person)
  • FIT Surcharge of US$ 40 per night per person for single person and US$ 30 per night per person for 2 pax
  • Bhutan Visa fee: US$ 40 per person (one time only)
  • Tourism Development Fee: US$ 10 per person (one time only)
  • Bank Transfer Charge
  • But Total cost does not include:

 

Travel Insurance

  • Laundry bill, phone bill, bar bill and other bills of personal nature
  • Tipping
  • Air Fare for both Drukair/Bhutan Airline and International flight [Please note that the cost of any domestic airfare for the guide must be paid by the clients/agents]
  • Single room supplement (If number of pax in odd number): For, peak season = US$ 30/ per single room per night and for, other season = US$25/ per single room per night
  • Luxury star hotels and resorts available at an additional cost
  • Specialized guides (Foreign Language, Photography, Bird Watching, Buddhism, Flora and Fauna) available at an additional cost
  • Extra expenses due to the unavoidable circumstance beyond our control.
  •