Bhutan Cultural Tour with Paro Festival

Enjoy the breath-taking landing of the plane and feel the crisp fresh air of the Himalayas as soon as you step out of the Airplane. At the petite Paro International Airport you will be welcomed by your enthusiastic guide and driver; and checked into your hotel after briefing and introduction. A quick rest and you can start your cultural extravaganza from the National Museum located just above the town.  Take your time to casually browse through the National Museum, where an intriguing collection of artifacts serves as a great introduction to the rich culture and heritage of the Kingdom. Some artifacts even date back to 2000 BC.

Afternoon and evening is an opportunity to acclimatize to the rarefied air at this altitude and to get to know your guide and driver, who will accompany your sightseeing for the rest of the day depending on your interest and energy level.

In the evening walk around town and notice that clusters of quaint farmhouses embellish the beauty of Paro Valley and the small handicraft and souvenir shops will mesmerize you with a unique handicraft of Bhutan.

After a good and healthy breakfast, you will drive towards the Rinpung Dzong / Fortress of Heaped of Jewels which was built in 1644 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (the saint who unified Bhutan) to defend from the numerous Tibetan invasion. The breathtaking structure and courtyard inside the Dzong is also the locale for the Hollywood movie “Little Buddha” starring Keanu Reeves – one of the most popular and favorite actors of the Bhutanese. But this time it will be more beautiful because of the Festival. Watch the various masked dances, join in with the crowd and interact with the local people who will be dressed up in their finest traditional attire to witness the Tshechu.

A variety of masked dances will be lined up for the day and your tour guide will explain to you the significance and stories behind each dance. The Atsara or the Clown will entertain you throughout the Festival; in their comic attire and wooden phallus hanging from their mask ready to fly on to the women spectators. Don’t get paranoid if an Atsara tries to get too close to you – it is all in jest! 

Before the day ends you can enjoy the breath taking scenery of Paro town from the the Fortress and walk through the nyimazam (cantilever bridge) over the glacial Paro river. Walk through the valley and market places, and you can have your dinner in one of the restaurants in town or go back to your hotel

The food must be good and your stomach well fed in any journey especially in the Himalayas. So after a sumptuous breakfast at your hotel, you will drive for about an hour and half from Paro to Thimphu along the Pachu (Paro River). From Thimphu it is another 5 hours to Gangtey and Phobjika valleys. It is a beautiful place of rolling hills and green meadows surrounded by snow capped mountain.

Enroute stop over at the Dochula Pass (3,150m) and soak in the picturesque view of the Himalayan Ranges floating above the dancing clouds and the magnificent 108 Stupa blessing all the travelers passing through. Get lost in nature for a while.

To stretch your legs from the long drive, enjoy a short walk through the paddy fields to reach the Chime Lhakhang / The Temple of Fertility of the the Divine Mad Man. Paintings of phalluses on the wall of the house will welcome you humorously when you cross the village with many small handicraft shops along the way. Don’t feel pressurized or obliged to buy, but enjoy the arts and craft items.

You will continue the drive towards Gangtey via Wangdue valley along the longest river and Dangchu River as well. Be prepared for cool temperate to tropical weather conditions and changing vegetation along the drive. The bumpy road will give you a natural massage so you can have a good sleep as soon as you check into your hotel at Gangtey.

Gangtey, Phobjika and the neighboring villages are the sacred roosting grounds for the endangered Black Necked Cranes in the winter, and also one of the most beautiful glacial valleys of Bhutan.

Around this time, the Black Necked Cranes would have just migrated back to Tibet for its summer habitat. If you are fortunate there will a few left behind.

After breakfast visit the Crane Center and enjoy the Gangtey Nature Trail, which is a leisure and wonderful walk of about 1.5 hours. From the valley you head upward to the beautiful forest of lichens which is also known as old man’s beard! Walk on to the village and climb through flower meadows to the small hilltop overlooking the Gangtey Monastery. Built in the 16th century, The Gangtey Goemba /Monastery is one of the most important center for the Nyingma school of Buddhism and the Monastery is a showcase of the fine Bhutanese architecture.

In the evening drive back to Punakha, which will take a little more than 2 hours to your hotel.

Punakha is one of the most beautiful valleys amid the greenery of chirpine trees and terraced paddy fields. It is the old capital of Bhutan and still the winter residence of the Central Monastic Body.

Wangdue is also located alongside the Punakha valley and located at an elevation of 1,400 m above the sea level.

Have a leisurely breakfast and hike for an hour towards the Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten / Stupa and enjoy the view of the meandering river between terraced paddy fields and the Fortress in the far distance. Then drive to Punakha and visit the most beautiful Fortress in Bhutan (Punakha Dzong / Fortress of Great Bliss) built in 1637. Important national ceremonies are conducted in the Punakha Dzong, like the crowning of the First king Ugyen Wangchuck in 1907 and the Royal Wedding of our Royal King and Queen in 2011. Just behind the Dzong is the longest Iron Suspension bridge and enjoy the walk along the swaying iron bridge.

In the evening stroll through the beautiful valley along the road by the riverside. Overnight at your hotel in Punakha.

Before you drive back to Thimphu, visit the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery located on a ridge overlooking the vast Punakha and Wangdue valleys. You can watch the nuns as they go about their daily life and also interact with the nuns who speak English.

Then drive back to Thimphu and start your tour of the capital city.

Thimphu is the only capital city in the world with no traffic lights and the main traffic controlled by a policeman with hand gestures. As you enter the city drive towards the Buddha Point which is a 51.5m bronze statue of the present Buddha (Buddha Shakyamuni) and enjoy the panoramic view of Thimphu Valley.

Check into your hotel and visit the oldest 13th century Changangkha temple considered to be home of guardian deity of all children born within the Thimphu valley. After, visit the Simply Bhutan Museum - showcasing Bhutan’s ancient cultural heritage. The magnificent Memorial Chorten consecrated in the memory of our Third King, and be amazed to witness the senior citizens and young people alike circumambulating the Chorten with prayer beads in hand to gain karmic merit. The Stupa also holds the legacy of tantric Buddhism. In the evening you will visit the Tashi Chho Dzong / Fortress of the Auspicious Religion and the office of the Golden Throne and after enjoy a leisurely stroll in  the Thimphu City and your dinner in one of the many restaurants that serve traditional, Continental, Nepal, Indian and Chinese cuisine.

Continue exploring the valley with a visit to Zorig Chusum (Traditional School of Arts and Crafts) a leading institute to preserve and promote culture. The thirteen traditional arts of Bhutan were introduced by Pema Lingpa the Treasure Discoverer in the 14th century. You can also watch the students at their work stations and maybe learn some tips too!

The Bhutan Postal Museum was established in 2015 to commemorate the 60th birth anniversary of our fourth king. One of the most intriguing story you will learn will be that of the legend of Garp Lungi Khorlo (literally translates into wind below the feet) - a messenger who used to travel from Trongsa to Wangdue on foot in one day which is approximately 123km.

Next visit the Royal Textile Museum showcasing the finest Bhutanese textiles and you can also watch the weavers at their looms. Located next to the Museum is a single line of small bamboo huts selling traditional authentic made in Bhutan art and craft items.

Drive to Paro and check into your Hotel, rest well for your hike to the Tiger Nest tomorrow.

The Taktsang Monastery / Tiger’s Nest is one of the most important cultural icon of Bhutan and a must visit for all.

Have a good breakfast and try to start as early as you can.  Your driver will drop you at the base of the Monastery from where you will start the hike. It takes about 3 hours uphill on a comfortable and leisurely pace. A frequent hiker can complete it in 1 hour! The total distance walked is about 4km one way with 800m elevation gained. Along the hike your guide will enthrall you with motivating local jokes and stories. You will have your lunch in Taktsang view cafeteria facing the magnificent Monastery hanging on the cliff.

In the evening visit a traditional farm house with Bhutanese cuisine and a hot stone bath to relax. Your guide will take you around the farmhouse which is replete with farm animals, paddy fields and vegetable garden.

Rest and relax at your hotel.

After breakfast drive to Paro International Airport where your guide and driver will bid you farewell and hope you had a pleasant holiday and hope to see you in Bhutan again.