Thimphu Festival Tour
At different times of the year, the annual festivals known as "Tshechus" take place in different parts of the country. Tshechus are festivals extolling the great deeds of the Saint Padmasambhava also known as "Guru Rinpoche," in Bhutan. These great deeds are all believed to have taken place on the 10th day of the month which is the meaning of the word 'Tshechu.' Even though all Tshechus do not, in practice, take place on 10th days. All the districts, dzongs and a large number of villages in the east, have an annual Tshechu which attact people from various places.
Tshechus are celebrated for several days, between three to five days according to their location, and are the occasion for dances that are clearly defined in religious content. They can be performed by monks, laymen or gomchens and the repertoire is the same practically everywhere.
For the Bhutanese, religious festivals offer an opportunity to become immersed in the meaning of their religion and gain much merit. They are also occasions for seeing people, and for being seen, for social exchanges, and for flaunting success. People bring out their finest clothes, their most beautiful jewelleries, and go for picnic with abundant food, Men and women joke and flirt. An atmosphere of convivial, slightly ribald good humour prevails.
Thimphu Tshechu
DATES:
8th October 2008
27th September 2009
8 days – 7 nights
Day 1: BKK-PBH
The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular of all mountain flights. The first three gifts you will receive from Bhutan will be the cool, clean fresh air you feel as you step out of the plane. The second will be the warm welcome you will receive from our local team. The third - the enchanting Paro valley. After check-in and lunch at the hotel we will visit the National Museum of Bhutan where you will have time to admire the museum’s collections of rare Bhutanese artefacts and art, traditional weaving and other eclectic pieces. After the museum we will visit Paro Dzong which now houses the offices of the district administration and the district monk body. In the evening, time to explore Paro town before a welcome dinner and overnight at Gangtey Palace Hotel.
Day 2: Paro-Thimphu
After breakfast we will drive to Thimphu. Upon arrival we will visit the Traditional Paper Factory before check-in and lunch at our hotel. After lunch we will visit the Memorial Choeten, a stupa built in in 1974 to honour the memory of the 3rd King, His Late Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck who is known in Bhutan’s history as the “Father of Modern Bhutan” since the modern developments began during his reign. Next we will visit the Changangkha Lhakhang, which is also a focus of daily worship for many Thimphu residents before driving to Sangaygang - the viewpoint also known as “Lover’s Point” where young couples come to enjoy the bird’s eye view of the Thimphu valley.
Continue to Dupthop Lhakhang built by Dupthop Thangthong Gyalpo, also known as “Iron Bridge Builder.” It is now a nunnery and has more than 70 practicing nuns. In the evening we will visit the Government Emporium for souvenirs before dinner and overnight at Hotel Druk/ Hotel Pedling.
Day 3: Thimphu
After breakfast we will head to Tashichoedzong to witness the Thimphu Festival. Lunch in town before spending the afternoon at the festival. Evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Druk/Hotel Pedling.
Day 4: Thimphu-Punakha
After breakfast we will drive north of Thimphu to visit the Tango Monastery which is now a college for learning higher Buddhist Philosophy. It was founded by Lama Gyalwa Lhanampa in the 12th century. It takes about an hour and the trail takes you through the gradual ascends. The monastery now has about 200 practising monks. Time to enjoy the beautiful paintings inside the temple before returning for lunch in town and then heading for Punakha across the Dochula pass (3100m). If weather favours us, we will get to enjoy the magnificent views of the eastern Himalayas. The pass is marked by a massive choeten, 108 smaller choetens (Druk Wangyel Choetens) and prayer flags. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Y.T/Meri Puensum Resort.
Day 5: Punakha
In the morning we will visit Punakha Dzong which is built at the confluence of Pho Chu and Mochu in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal where there will be time to admire the fine Bhutanese architecture. The dzongs were built without even a single iron nail being used. Hike to Khamsum Yueley Namgyel Choeten which will take us through the rice fields and offer a stunning view of the Punakha valley. We will return to the hotel for a hot lunch before hading to Wangdue Phodrang Dzong built in 1638 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and now serving as the administration centre of Wangdi district and the district monk body.
In the evening we will explore the valley including a visit to the farmhouse owned by our local guides, situated about 10 minutes from your hotel. A visit to the farmhouse will give you a greater insight into the Kingdom's unique culture, which dictates simple hospitality extended to any and all guests, even to perfect strangers. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Y.T./Meri Puensum Resort.
Day 6: Punakha-Thimphu-Paro
After breakfast we will bid farewell to Punakha valley and head back to Thimphu - the capital of Bhutan. Upon arrival in Thimphu, we will head straight the weekend market, which is in a permanent set of stalls, vendors from throughout the region arrive on Friday afternoon and remain selling their goods until Sunday evening. Lunch in town before continuing our drive to Paro. Dinner and overnight in Hotel Gangtey Palace.
Day 7: Paro
Today we will head off for a full day visit to Taktshang Monastery - literally known as Tiger's Nest. This is one of Bhutan's most sacred places and an important pilgrimage destination. We will walk along a trail that slowly rises above the valley, taking us through fields and past four large prayer wheels turned by a stream. Continuing across an open meadow, we will hike up a section of trail to a ridge where prayer flags rustle in the wind next to a massive prayer wheel. Just beyond is the Taktshang Cafeteria at 9,200 feet, where we will stop to enjoy a hot drink and the striking views of the Monastery across the valley.
Depending on your energy level, you may relax in the pleasant atmosphere of the cafeteria until lunch or continue on for a mile of steep climbing to another dramatic viewpoint before returning to the cafeteria for a delicious buffet of typical Bhutanese food. You may want to try Emadatshi (a chilli cheese dish), vegetables with cheese sauce and other typical dishes.
Evening we will visit the Drukgyel Dzong which was built in 1649 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate the victory of the Bhutanese armies over the Tibetan intruders. On route we will also visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang. Farewell dinner and overnight at Hotel Gangtey Palace.
Day 8: PARO-BANGKOK
After breakfast we will take you to Paro International Airport for your onward flight. Our local team will assist you with check in formalities and bid you farewell.
Telephone: + 44 (0) 1799 521950
Email: info@godifferently.com web site: http://www.godifferently.com
Content copyright © 2006 GoDifferently and its licensors. All rights reserved.