Paro Tshechu is held every year in spring season, towards late March or Early April for 3 days. Highlight of the festival includes unfurling of large Thongdrol (scroll painting) of Guru Rimpoche. The word Thongdrol means liberation at sight. It is believed that a mere sight of Thongdrol will wash away your sins.
Duration : 5 days and 4 nights
Festival Venue : Paro Rinpung Dzong, Paro
Nature of tour : Festival and cultural sightseeing
Departure date : 17 March 2019
Festival date : 17-21 March 2019
Places covered : Paro and Thimphu
Entry : Paro
Exit : Paro
After landing, guide and driver from See Bhutan Travels will pick you up from Paro international airport. Towards afternoon we will pay visit to Paro Ta Dzong (museum) and Kichu Lhakhang.
Paro Ta Dzong: Located on a spur above Rinpung Dzong, five and a half kilometers’ drive from Tshongdu town, the dzong was built in the mid-17th century as a watchtower overlooking Rinpung Dzong by Lanyongpa Tenzin Drukdra and Chogyal Migyur Tenpa. The circular Dzong houses the National Museum of Bhutan.
Paro Kichu Lhakhang: Located about 10 minutes’ drive from Paro town, the temple is one of the two among 108 temples built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century to subdue a demon that lay supine across Tibet and Bhutan. The temple contains sacred relics dating back to the 7th century like a statue of Lord Buddha and four statues of Chagtong Chentong. It also contains the statues of Guru Nangsi Zilnon, Dolma Kukuli (a manifestation of Tara), Zhabdrung, the bone relic of his Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.
Overnight: At hotel in Paro
After breakfast we will visit to Paro Rinpung Dzong, the venue of Paro Tshechu. Like any other festival in Bhutan, mask dances known as Cham in local languages are the main event of Paro Tshechu. Native folk dances are also performed during the festival.
During this festival, one will enjoy a spectacular view of Bhutanese culture being displayed by the Tshechu viewers. The way they dress with those hand women Bhutanese national dress (Gho for men and Kira for women), the jewelries and necklaces put on by ladies, the delicacies that people pack for their lunch, friends and families getting together will be a thing of beauty to witness.
Overnight: At hotel in Paro
Today we will head towards capital city of Bhutan. Once at Thimphu, we will explore following sites:
Memorial Chorten: Located in the heart of Thimphu city, it was built in 1974 by Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Phuntsho Choden in memory of her son, Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The three-storey Chorten houses several relics such as Phurba Lhatshog, Kagay, Khrowo Nampur Gyalwa, Guru Tshengye, and Khenlop Chesum. The Chorten is today the spiritual nerve centre of the city.
Buddha Statue: Located at Kuenselphodrang, facing Thimphu valley down bellow is the worlds’ largest and tallest Buddha statue standing at the height of 169 feet (52m). The statue houses one hundred thousand of smaller Buddha statues, the exact replica of the outer Buddha statue. From here one can have a 360 degree view of Thimphu valley.
Textile museum: Located near National library at Chubachu, it was established in the year 2001. The museum contains Bhutanese textiles, arts, crafts and more importantly the royal collections which includes first version of the Raven crown worn by first and second King of Bhutan, dresses and accessories worn by royal family and the bedding of his holiness Zhabdrung Jigme Dorji.
Tashicho Dzong
Located on the bank of the Wangchu River in the Hejo village, Tashicho Dzong was built in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and enlarged in 1694 by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay. It was entirely rebuilt under the command of Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in 1962. Today, the dzong is the seat of the central government, His Majesty the King’s office, and the summer residence of the Central Monastic Body.
Overnight: At hotel in Thimphu
After an early breakfast we will drive towards Paro Taktsang base from Thimphu, which will roughly take about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Taktsang monastery to Bhutan has become like an Eifel tower to Paris. The hike on average will take around 6 hours in total. Horse riding facilities are available (own expense) till view point while hiking up towards the monastery.
History tells that, on this very cliff where the monastery stands today, Guru Rimpoche, the great Buddhist saint flew from Kurtoe Singye Dzong (located in eastern Bhutan) on a back of Tigress to subdue the demon who was opposing him from spreading Buddhism in Bhutan. Hence the name Taktsang, Tigers Lair or nest derived.
After subdueing, Guru Rimpoche meditated here for 3 years. The monastery was later built in 1694 by 4th Druk Desi (secular head of the country), Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye. Tragically, the monastery was gutted down by fire in the year 1998 but soon it was restored to its former glory.
Overnight: At hotel in Paro
After breakfast, guide and driver will see you off at Paro international airport for your onward destination.
Some may find food in Bhutan monotonous with the same menu being offered in every restaurants and hotels but these foods are true to Bhutan, unique in its own way, different from anywhere else in the world.
Bhutanese people are very fond of spicy foods and chili lies in the center of every cuisine as its main ingredient. A proper meal from the Bhutanese point of view is a plate full of rice with curry prepared either of vegetable or meat items.
Bhutan being cultural destination rather than a culinary, there are not much to choose from but whatever that are offered are authentic and native.
Other than rice and curry, Momo is a popular snack that one will enjoy in Bhutan. Momo is a Tibetan originated dumpling stuffed with cabbages and onions along with beef, pork or cheese.
Other than Bhutanese cuisine, restaurants in Bhutan also serves Chinese and Indian dish such as noodles and Roti. Popular drink one must try while at Bhutan are Suja, the salted butter tea, Ara the locally brewed wine from rice, maize or millet and Bangchang the rice, millet or maize beer. It will be quite a task to get Ara and Bangchang at western parts of Bhutan but are easily available if you are visiting some of the far away villages in eastern parts of Bhutan; they will even offer to you for free as a gesture of hospitability.
Refrain from drinking water directly from tap or streams. Bottled water will be provided everyday by the tour operators.
Tour VehicleTour vehicles are prearranged by your respective tour operators and its costs are covered by the minimum daily packages that are paid prior to your arrival in Bhutan. Depending on the size of travelers tour vehicles are arranged as follows:
Tourists to Bhutan are not allowed to travel on their own and it is mandatory to use the service of a professional guide trained and certified by Tourism council of Bhutan. Guides in general speak English but language speaking guides are also available for few languages such as French, German, Chinese and Japanese. Your guide and driver along with tour vehicle will be waiting for you at the port of entry.
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We organize Cultural sightseeing tour, Trekking, Mountain biking tour, Festival tour, Luxury tour and White water rafting tour within Bhutan.
| All three meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) | |
| Accommodations in 3 star rated hotels in twin sharing basis. (4 Stars and 5 Star available on paying extra premium) | |
| Licensed English speaking guide | |
| Transportation in a comfortable SUV cars, Mini Bus and Medium size Buses depending on the number of travelers | |
| Experienced driver | |
| Sustainable Development Fee of $65 per person, per night stay in Bhutan, which goes for infrastructure development, free education, free medical services and reducing poverty | |
| All government taxes | |
| Bhutan visa fee | |
| Entry fee to all the tourist visiting sites and museums. | |
| Tea and snacks. | |
| Bottled water during the day. |
| Flight tickets (both international & domestic) | |
| Beverages, Laundry & personal shopping | |
| Travel insurances | |
| Tips and gratuity for guide and driver | |
| Cost incurred due to road blockage, flight cancellation, rescue operation and any cost beyond our control |
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