In almost every district and dzong (fortress that houses both the monastic body and the government administrative wings) there is an annual traditional festival (tsechus). The festival normally spans 3-4 days. Colourful and well choreographed mask dances are performed during the tsechus. During these tsechus, people come dressed in the finest attires to witness the mask dances. It is also an occasion during which families come out together and eat together. Thimphu tsechu is one of the biggest festivals in the capital of Bhutan. Thimphu Tsechu falls in the autumn season every year. During this season you can see the changing colour of the nature creating a beautiful natural scenery. The Tsechu will take place in the following dates:
17th - 19th September, 2010
Venue : Thimphu Dzong.
Day 1 Arrive at Paro from Bangkok
Day 2 Thimphu sightseeing
Day 3 Thimphu festival (Tsechu)
Day 4 Thimphu festival (Tsechu)
Day 5 Thimphu - Punakha
Day 6 Punakha - Paro
Day 7 Paro - Taktshang hike
Day 8 Paro - Depart
Day 1. Arrive at Paro from Bangkok
Your flight to Paro will provide you a wonderful experience with a view of various high snow capped mountains of Bhutan and Mt. Everest on a clear day. Upon arrival at Paro, our representative from Bhutan Travel Adventures will receive you at the Airport. Visit Kyichu monastery dating back to the 7th Century. This is one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan built by Tibetan king Songtshen Gempo to pin down the ogress. Afterwards visit the historical Drugyel Dzong which is a ruin fortress now, built by Shabdrung in 1649 to commemorate the winning victory over the Tibetans in 1644. Thus Drugyel Dzong means the Bhutanese victorious fortress.
Drive to Thimphu for 1 ? hrs. After checking in at the hotel you could have rest for a while, and later walk around the city to see the life of urban Bhutan. Overnight stay in Thimphu.
Day 02. Thimphu sightseeing
Visit the school of Arts and Crafts which was established to preserve and promote our age old practice. The students here are taught 13 different traditional arts and crafts. Visit the folk Heritage museum, to see how people live in some of the rural areas or the way people maintained their home in olden days. Visit our National library next to the folk museum. And visit the mini zoo to see the Takins which is our national animals.
After lunch you can visit the Handicraft emporium for your souvenir shopping. Visit the Memorial stupa which was built in the memory of our beloved 3rd King in1974. Overnight halt at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 03. Thimphu festival (Tsechu)
Attend the first day of the festival with the local folks. Different mask dances will be performed until the late afternoon. There will be some cultural songs and dances shown during the break time of some mask dances. Your overnight will be in Thimphu.
Day 04. Thimphu festival (Tsechu).
Attend the second day of the festival as you could still see some other mask dances which you haven't seen on your first day of the festival. After noon you can still visit some places or take a leisure time in the Thimphu city. Overnight stay at hotel in Thimphu.
Day 05. Thimphu - Punakha
After breakfast, Drive to Punakha for 2 ? hours with short stop at Dochula pass. If the weather is clear, you could have a superb view of the Bhutan's Himalayas. Have lunch in Punakha town and visit beautiful Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Based on the prophecy of Guru Padmasambava the dzong is situated between two famous rivers, Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). Punakha was also the capital of Bhutan until 1955. Night halt in Punakha.
Day 06. Punakha - Paro
Drive to Paro for 4 hours and check in at the hotel first. Have lunch in the town. After lunch you will visit the National museum, the museum which houses numerous collections of arts and artifacts. This museum is also rated as one of the best museum in Asia. It was originally built in the 17th Century as a watch tower for the dzong below.
After lunch visit Paro Ringpung dzong built in 1646 and now serves as head of the administration for Paro district. You can stroll around in the town in the evening for your last minute souvenirs shopping. Overnight stay in Paro.
Day 07. Paro - Taktshang hike
After your breakfast drive till the road end and begin your hike up hill. Walking time will be around 5 hours for a round trip.
Taktsang monastery is perched on the face of a cliff 800 Mts, above the Paro valley. It is a memorable spiritual journey. It was here that the great Tantric master, Guru Padmasambhava flew in from Tibet on the back of a flying tigress to propagate his teachings in Bhutan. If you cannot continue your hike inside the monastery, you can stop at the Cafeteria from where you can have a spectacular view of the Tiger's Nest. Lunch at the cafeteria or you will be served catering lunch from a restaurant. Overnight halt in Paro.
Day 08. Paro - Depart
Our guide and driver will drop you at the airport for your departure.
