Trongsa Festival Tour
A land of friendly, devout Buddhists, mountain monasteries and snow-capped 22,000 foot peaks, Bhutan is the cultural explorer’s Philosopher’s Stone. This itinerary takes in the Trongsa Festival where every winter, people from all over Bhutan come to the town to partake in the festivities. Festivalgoers and monks alike dress in brilliant costumes and wear masks representing Buddhist deities. Here they dance and re-enact Bhutanese legends. A unique, special and spiritual way to begin the year.
Trongsa Tshechu
DATES:
1st January 2009
21st December 2009
12 days – 11 nights
Day 1: BKK-PBH
The flight to Paro is a befitting introduction to Bhutan - an untouched and pristine wilderness. Upon arrival your local guide will meet you and transfer you to your Bhutanese home - a traditional styled hotel.
After lunch at the hotel, you will visit the National Museum of Bhutan where you’ll have time to admire the museum’s collection of rare Bhutanese artefacts and art, traditional weaving and other eclectic pieces including a piece of “moon rock,” a bequest of Neil Armstrong and the other astronauts who made the first landing on the moon. After the museum you will visit the Paro Dzong – which now houses the offices of the district administration and the district monk body. Then take a short ten-minute hike down to the traditional cantilever bridge which was featured in the film Little Buddha. Your transport will pick you up from the other side of the river. Take a short while to explore Paro town before returning to your hotel for the night. Welcome dinner and overnight at hotel Gangtey Palace/Hotel Holiday Home. - L/D
Day 2: Paro-Thimphu
After breakfast you will drive to Thimphu – the capital of Bhutan. Visit the weekend market, which is in a permanent set of stalls, with vendors from throughout the region arriving on Friday afternoon and remaining selling their goods until Sunday evening. Next you will visit the Bhutan Post, where you will have time to admire and buy some stamps. Bhutan is well known among the philatelists and stamps constitute one of its delightful exports.
Check in and lunch at your hotel before visitng the Memorial Choeten, a stupa built 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” in recognition of the many modern developments he initiated during his reign. Next, 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. Next you will visit the Dupthob Lhakhang built by Dupthob Thangthong Gyalpo, also known as the “Iron Bridge Builder.” It is now a nunnery and home to more than 70 practicing nuns. You will have time to enjoy the beautiful paintings inside the temple before returning to visit the Government Handicrafts Emporium for souvenirs and then heading back to your hotel. Dinner and overnight at Hotel River View or similar. - B/L/D
Day 3: Thimphu
You will start your day with a visit to the Textile and Folk Heritage Museum where you will gain a fascinating insight into rural Bhutanese life. Then head to the National Library - a tall stately building constructed in the traditional Bhutanese style and a repository of precious historical and religious manuscripts written in gold. Next you will visit the Institute for Zorig Chusum - a painting school where the traditional style of Thangka painting is passed on from one generation to the next.
Enjoy lunch in town before driving north of Thimphu to visit the Tango Monastery which is now a college for learning higher Buddhist Philosophy. Founded by Lama Gyalwa Lhanampa in the 12th century, it is now home to about 200 practicing monks. The journey takes about an hour and the trail takes you on a gradual ascent. You will have time to enjoy the beautiful paintings inside the temple before returning to Thimphu. Overnight at Hotel River View or similar. B/L/D
Day 4: Thimphu-Punakha
After a leisurely start drive to Punakha across the Dochula pass (3100m). If you’re lucky with the weather, you will get to enjoy the magnificent views of the eastern Himalayas. The pass is marked by a massive Choeten, 108 smaller choetens (Druk Wangyal Choetens) and prayer flags. Check into your hotel and relax.
In the evening you will visit the farmhouse belonging to our local partners which is located about 10 minutes from your hotel. A visit to the farmhouse will offer you a closer look at the Kingdom’s unique culture, which dictates simple hospitality extended to any and all guests, even to perfect strangers. Overnight at hotel Y.T or similar. - B/L/D
Day 5: Punakha-Gangtey-Trongsa
Early breakfast and start your journey to Trongsa. On route you will visit the Wangduephodrang Dzong built in 1638 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The location of the Dzong is remarkable as it completely covers the spur and commands an impressive view over both the north-south and east-west. The approach to Phobjikha valley is through a forest of oak and rhododendron. Phobjikha valley is one of the few glacial valleys in Bhutan and chosen home of black necked cranes which migrate from the Tibetan plateau to escape the harsh winters. Explore the valley and relax over lunch before continuing your journey to Trongsa. Overnight at Yangkhil Resort or similar. - B/L/D
Day 6: Trongsa Tshechu
After breakfast you will visit the majestic Trongsa Dzong - built in 1644 by Choegyal Minjur Tempa. It’s the most impressive Dzong in the country containg some beautiful, not to mention magnificent examples of Bhutanese architecture.
Get your first taste of the Trongsa Tshechu festivities before returning to your hotel for the night. Overnight at Yangkhil Resort or similar. - B/L/D
Day 7: Trongsa-Bumthang
After breakfast you will witness the unfolding of the Trongsa Thongdrol and then resume your journey to Jakar ascending to the Yutongla (3400m). As you descend from the pass, your first stop will be at Chumey village. Here you will have time to admire the village weavers weaving woollen fabric popularly known as “Yathra”, a speciality of the Bumthang valley. Upon arrival in Jakar, enjoy lunch at the hotel before heading out to explore the town. In the evening, visit Jakar Dzong the “Fortress of the White bird.” It now houses the administration office of the Jakar district and the district monk body. Overnight at Kaila Guest House or similar. - B/L/D
Day 8: Bumthang
Begin your day with a visit to Jambay Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built in a day across the Himalayas by King Songtsen Goenpo who was believed to be the reincarnation Buddha of compassion. According to legend, the temples were built to pin down an ogress who was causing hindrance to the spread of Buddhism in the Himalayas.
Next you will visit the Kurjey Lhakhang, which consists of three temples. The first one is built on the site of a cave containing a rock with the body imprint of Guru Rinpoche and is considered the most holy. The first king of Bhutan, His Late Majesty Ugyen Wangchuck, built the second one. The third temple is the newest of the three and was built by the present Royal Queen Mother, Her Majesty Azhi Kesang Choeden Wangchuck. These temples are surrounded by 108 small choetens (Buddhist Stupas) forming a retaining wall, and symbolic of each joint of the human body.
After lunch at the hotel, you will explore the other side of Chamkhar Chu(River) on foot. It is an easy hike through wheat fields. Visit the Tamzhing Goenpa built by Terton Pema Lingpa in 1501 before ending your day with a visit to the Swiss farm where you may like to enjoy the soft Gouda cheese. Overnight at Kaila Guest House or similar. - B/L/D
Day 9: Bumthang-Punakha
After breakfast you will say good-bye to Jakar and head to Wangduephodrang. On route you will visit the Ta Dzong (Watch Tower) in Trongsa, which once guarded the Trongsa Dzong from internal rebellions. The Ta Dzong stands impressive and provides an insight into the historical significance of Trongsa in the country’s history. Resume your journey to Wangduephodrang stopping to enjoy a picnic lunch at Chendebji Choeten along the way. Overnight at hotel Y.T. or similar. - B/L/D
Day 10: Punakha-Paro Via Thimphu
Today you will head back to Paro, stopping for lunch Thimphu. After lunch you will have time to do any last minute shopping you may have before continuing the drive to Paro. Overnight at hotel Gangey Palace/Hotel Holiday Home. - B/L/D
Day 11: Day Excursion to Taktshang Monastery
Celebrate your last day with a visit to Taktshang, literally known as Tiger’s Nest. This is one of Bhutan’s most sacred places and an important pilgrimage destination. You will walk along a trail that slowly rises above the valley to a ridge where prayer flags rustle in the wind next to a massive prayer wheel. Just beyond is the Taktshang Cafeteria at 9200 ft., where you will stop to enjoy hot drink and the striking views of the Monastery across the valley.
Depending on your energy level, you can choose to relax in the pleasant atmosphere of the cafeteria until lunch or continue on for a mile of steep climbing to another dramatic viewpoint. Return to the cafeteria for a delicious buffet of typical Bhutanese food where you may like to try Emadatsi (a chilli cheese dish), vegetables with cheese sauce and other traditional dishes. In the evening 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 you will also visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang. Overnight at hotel Gangtey Palace/Hotel Holiday. - B/L/D
Day 12: PBH-BKK
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.
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