Enchanting Festivals of Central Bhutan

Visit some of the treasures of the capital - the National Folk Heritage Museum, the Zorig Chusum school of 13 traditional arts/crafts, the Royal Textile Museum and Academy. Visit the Bhutan Post Office to see our famous stamps and you can also make your own stamps here and send postcards to your loved ones at home. Visit the Kuensel Phodrang where the gigantic 169 ft statue of Buddha Dordenma. The interior of the statue’s temple is easily one of the most beautiful and unique with thousands of other statues inside. Enjoy a panoramic view of Thimphu city from there. We can do a short hike through the Nature Park here and hoist some prayer flags along the way to send out some prayers into the world. In the afternoon we do some more hiking on Thimphu’s most popular hiking trails. Wangditse hike is a very scenic short and easy hike that rewards hikers with great views of the underlying Thimphu valley. Continue to climb up to Chhokhortse goenpa. The trail goes straight up the ridge. After about 500 m the trail levels out while crossing an open ridge with a field of prayer flags. The views of the city are excellent from here. Continue up the ridge. The trail to Chhokhortse continues up, at times to the left, then again along the ridge. It leads through open grassy areas, oak undergrowth and blue pines. Descend down to the radio tower and visit the Taken Reserve Centre to see the national animal of Bhutan. End the evening with a visit to the popular Changangkha monastery.

Drive to Punakha over the Dochula Pass (3140). Situated atop the pass at the backdrop of fluttering prayer flags is the Druk Wangyal Chortens, a collection of 108 chortens (stupas) that was built to exemplify the greatness of the Fourth King. If you would like to hike, we recommend the Lungtsezelkha hike – another lovely like that passes through Rhododendron forests and alpine vegetation. Here you might come across some Yaks as we often spot them. It starts from Dochula pass – and climbs upto the peak where the Lungtsezekha temple stands at 3800m. From here, you can see the great Himalayan peaks of northern Bhutan as well as valleys of southern Bhutan. Hike back to Dochula, and descend to the low-lying rice valley of Lobesa and pay your respects to one of Bhutan’s most charming and eccentric historic figures nicknamed ‘The Divine Madman’ at the Chhimi Lhakhang – also called the fertility monastery - our guide will explain the entire story about it. The visit involves a short nice hike through a beautiful village surrounded by paddy fields. Stay in a cozy resort overlooking the valley.

Drive to Punakha valley to visit Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal stupa, which involves a short scenic hike through paddy fields for about 45 minutes till the hilltop where the temple is located. From here you can also enjoy a majestic view of the underlying valley. The temple itself is a splendid example of Bhutan’s fine architectural and artistic traditions and the only one of its kind in the world. From here you can optionally take another great hike from the riverside crossing a suspension bridge to other side of the Mo Chu river for approximately 3 km with hours hiking. A picnic lunch is served on the banks of the Punakha river. After lunch, continue to Punakha Dzong – the most beautiful fortress in Bhutan situated at the confluence of two rivers. This ancient fortress is the winter residence of the monastic order’s leadership and still serves as the administrative headquarters for the Punakha region. The fortress is a fine example of Bhutan’s rich art and architecture, and our guide who is an expert in iconography will explain all aspects of art, architecture, history and its significance. Proceed to Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery which is atop a ridge amid pine trees and overlooking valleys of Punakha and Wangduephodrang. Interact with the nuns and they love to speak English with visitors and learn about the ways of the world.

After breakfast, continue to Phobjikha valley – also known as Gangtey valley. The drive to Phobjikha (Gangtey) follows the scenic Dang Chuu ( River), climbing through forests of bamboo and oak. After a 2-hour drive you will reach a junction where a small road splinters off into the hidden Phobjikha valley where the famous Gangtey Gonpa monastery – an important seat for the Nyingma tradition of Buddhism in Bhutan, welcomes you into the valley. After visiting the monastery, the scenic Phobjikha valley begs you to enjoy its beauty and theres no better way than exploring it on foot. So after lunch, enjoy a nice long day-hike (length of hike can be customised) down to Longtey village and the surrounding vicinity on the southside. The 2-hour moderate walk takes you to various villages heading along sloping, lined pathway that takes you through towering bushes of jade-hued bamboo, swaying together in a jumble of shadow and light. At the end of the bamboo enclave lies a small group of village houses, built in the distinct Bhutanese style, which features elevated platforms, intricately carved timber window panes and wood-lined, arched roofs. During the spring months, the woodlands on either side of the valley look particularly stunning, gloriously cloaked in a kaleidoscope of crimson, violet and candy floss colored rhododendrons. Stay overnight in a nice resort.

Gangtey valley is home to the endangered black-necked cranes that visit the valley in winter. While the cranes would not be back by this time, we could still visit the crane centre to meet Karma the juvenile crane that was injured and couldn’t fly back for the summer. These birds are a big part of the local cultural folklore in the valley. Drive to the scenic Tangsibje village – my mother’s village. Stay overnight in our Tangsibji heritage house, which my grandfather built in the 60’s. You will be welcomed by my cousin and her husband who is the “Strongest Man of Bhutan” as he had won the national twice in a row. He might be Bhutan’s strongest man but is also the softest being we know and a great host for our guests. His younger brother also won the competition last year, so you are in good hands for the night! We are the only tour operator in Bhutan taking visitors to our beautiful village which is considered one of the most beautiful villages of Trongsa district, and therefore makes it a real off-the-beaten-track experience. Some of the best singers in Bhutan hail from this village as it is blessed by a holy spring water is believed to make your voice beautiful when you drink it. The host family will prepare a splendid dinner for you using fresh organic vegetables and herbs from her garden. Spend an evening listening to stories and legends from our village while being entertained by the lovely host family. Continue to drive to my village – the scenic Tangsibje village where I spent most of my school holidays with my grandparents and relatives. Stay overnight in my Grandfather’s heritage house, which he built in the 60’s. You will be welcomed by my cousin sister and her husband who was recently won the “Strongest Man of Bhutan” contest. We are the only tour operator in Bhutan taking visitors to this beautiful village which is considered one of the most beautiful villages of Trongsa district, and therefore makes it a real off-the-beaten-track experience. Some of the best singers in Bhutan hail from this village as it is blessed by a holy spring water is believed to make your voice beautiful when you drink it. The host family will prepare a splendid dinner for you using fresh organic vegetables and herbs from her garden. Note: This experience is consistently rated as a favourite amongst our guests.

Take an easy morning hike through the village upto the road. Drive to Trongsa town. After lunch at Trongsa town, visit the Tower of Trongsa museum, an old watchtower now converted to a museum highlighting the establishment of our monarchy and the royal dynasty of Bhutan. Of the various artifacts, relics and historical items on display, the most important exhibit is the Raven Crown used by the first two kings of Bhutan, and the royal robes of the founding fathers of Bhutan. Continue to Chumey valley and visit the famous textile weavers of Chumey valley who specialise in Yak Wool textiels popularly called Yatha. Stay Continue to Chamkhar valley in Bumthang.

After breakfast, drive to Nimalung Monastery in Chumey village where the annual festival will be held. The main relic of the two-storied temple is a magnificent statue of Guru Rimpoche. The monastery is decorated with murals of the Nyingmapa and Drukpa traditions. There are also paintings of Guru Rimpoche and his disciples, the lineage of Terton Pema Lingpa, and several Buddhist masters affiliated with the monastery. During the Tshechu festival an awe-inspiring Thongdrol (gigantic scroll painting) of Bhutan's patron saint Guru Rimpoche is put on display for attendees. The Thongdrol is nine meters long and twelve meters wide and in addition to inspiring wonder is said to cleanse the sins of all those who look upon it. A series of other colorful and spectacular mask dances are performed. Drive to Tharpaling Goenpa which was founded by the great Tibetan lama Longchenpa in the 1300s. After visiting the temple, start hiking on what we consider one of the most beautiful day hikes in Bumthang valley, that starts at 3800m – and descends gradually through temperate forests. Here hikers usually spot various Pheasants and other avi-fauna common in this region. It's a brand new trail and stretches for 11km and exits on the highway in Kikila in Chamkhar valley.

After breakfast, drive back to Bumthang valley. Continue to the airport and take a 30 minutes domestic flight to Paro. Many guests love the experience as it's a nice glide over the himalayan ranges. After reaching paro, visit the 7th century Kyichu lhakhang monastery - considered the oldest Buddhist temples in Bhutan. Our tour leader will share its history and significance. If you are interested you can also visit the National Museum of Bhutan at the Paro Ta Dzong fortress. Visit a farmhouse in the evening to soak in a herbal hot-stone bath which is known to be therapeutic and helps ailments related to joints and muscle aches, besides simply soothing your mind and body. Perfect to unwind and goes well with the Red Panda local beer. This is a complimentary value-added experience from Bhutan Travel Club without any hidden costs. Proceed to your resort. Continue to Tang and stay overnight at the Ogyen Chholing Manor house – a museum developed by popular Bhutanese Author and royalty Ashi Kuenzang Choden. Stroll around the village meeting locals and visit the village temple. From here continue to Tang village in the afternoon and explore the countryside. Return to your hotel in the evening.

Saved the best for the last. Today you’ll experience Bhutan’s most valued attractions, and perhaps the biggest highlight for your trip! An excursion to the famous Taktshang monastery –translated as- Tiger’s nest monastery. The temple was built in 1692 by a prominent historical figure named Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgye whose reincarnation is now a young teenager and already a prominent figure in the clergy. Your guide will complement the experience with its story. On the way back visit the ruins of Drugyal Dzong fortress, which is an important Bhutanese heritage as it served as a strategic watchtower and a fortress that helped repel numerous Tibetan invasions in the 1600s. Peak of Jumolhari ‘Mountain of the Goddess’ can be seen on a clear day from here (7,329 mts/24,029 ft.). Stroll around town visiting various handicrafts shops and proceed for your farewell dinner.

After breakfast at your hotel, your driver will take you to the airport. Your guide will help you with the formalities and fare you well on your onward journey.