Highlights of Bhutan Cultural Tour

Participating in the remarkable Tsechu Festival

About the Program:
Length: 15 days
Min/max: 10/25
Tour type: cultural adventure

Cradled in the deep folds of the Great Himalayas, very little has been known about Bhutan, the "Land of the Thunder Dragon". Guarded by gigantic mountains and covered with thick primeval forests, Bhutan has enchanted visitors with its natural beauty and the spiritual, generous, and welcoming attitude of its unassuming people.

Using Bangkok as our gateway, this trip will start in Thimphu, the country's remarkable capital lying in a broad fertile valley of the Wang Chu River at an altitude of 7,600 feet. After three days of exploring Thimphu and the surrounding area, we will drive to Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan with a magnificent dzong (temple) built on an island in the middle of the river.

Finally, we will spend our last few days in the quaint valley of Paro. From the moment you alight onto this picturesque valley, a blissful feeling will envelope you. The Drukgyel Dzong fortress and the ancient Taktsang monastery of hermits are some of the more fascinating historical places to visit in Paro. The National Museum, Ta Dzong and Rimpung Dzong are other interesting places added into the itinerary. Staying in Paro at this time of the year will also give us an opportunity to participate in the Tsechu religious festival and explore the rarely visited Haa in the western-most part of the country.

The Tsechu religious festival shall be the highlight of our journey. It is an exuberant and earthy affair featuring fancifully costumed dancers performing masked dance-dramas before hundreds of onlookers. Mingling with the locals in this joyous celebration - a major event of their social calendar - is a unique honour, bestowed to only a limited number of visitors each year!

This cultural odyssey will be escorted by Nancy Shoemaker, a seasoned traveler from Guelph, Ontario and a true lover of Bhutan. The Himalayan experience has been Nancy's favorite among her many years of travel. She firmly believes that taking a step back in time for a glimpse of traditions and customs disappearing from the rest of the world makes for a necessary and healthy balance to a busy professional life in North America.

Itinerary

Day 1, Wednesday - Home City/Bangkok
Depart home city for Bangkok.

Day 2, Thursday - Arrive Bangkok
Arrive Bangkok late at night. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel for two nights.
Amari Watergate Hotel or equivalent

Day 3, Friday - Bangkok
At leisure. B

Day 4, Saturday - Bangkok/Paro/Thimphu
Early morning departure for Paro via Druk Air.
Upon arrival, you will be transferred to Thimphu, Bhutan’s charming capital, which still retains a strong traditional national character in its architecture. The ride will take about two hours driving past the Tashichodzong, or "Fortress of Glorious Religion ", the administrative and religious centerrof Bhutan built on the riverbank that dates back to the 13th century. Like all of Bhutan’s dzongs and traditional houses, it was built without any nails. Arrive Thimphu in the afternoon. B/L/D

Day 5, Sunday - Thimphu
Sightseeing around Thimphu and spend some time at the weekend market. B/L/D

Day 6, Monday - Thimphu
Visit the School of Arts and Crafts and learn about the 13 arts and crafts in Bhutan: Painting, carpentry, carving, sculpture, casting, blacksmith, bamboo works, goldsmith & silversmith, weaving, embroidery, masonry, leather works and paper works.
We will attend dance performances at the Royal Academy of Performing Arts and meet with local artists to gain insights into Bhutanese art and lifestyle. B/L/D

Day 7, Tuesday - Thimphu/Punakha Valley
Drive for about three hours into Punakha Valley passing Simtokha and through Dochula Pass. En route visit the Simtokha Dzong, the oldest dzong in Bhutan, which now houses the Institute for Language and Culture.
After viewing the Himalayan mountain ranges from Dochula Pass (3150m), we drive downhill into Punakha Valley.
Punakha was the old capital of Bhutan and the magnificent dzong is situated on an island in the middle of the river. It is also the winter residence of the Central monastic body. It is climatically a warmer valley than Paro and Thimphu. In Punakha we will visit the Punakha dzong, some traditional farmhouses, and picturesque villages and monasteries. B/L/D

Day 8, Wednesday - Punakha Valley
Time in Punakha will be spent visiting local villages to gain insight into the life of the rural Bhutanese farmers who form the majority of the population of Bhutan.
Age-old traditions are still adhered to where the locals display traditional courtesy towards visitors who are always touched by the warmth of the Bhutanese welcome. B/L/D

Day 9, Thursday - Punakha Valley
Sightseeing around the valley. Visits include Chimi Lhakhang where many locals go to pray for progeny with great success. The monastery is blessed by Lam Drukpa Kinlay who was a highly unorthodox Buddhist saint whose deeds form the basis of many local legends. B/L/D

Day 10, Friday - Punakha Valley/Paro
Drive to Paro which should take 3-4 hours. Upon arrival, check into the hotel.
We will participate in the Tsechu Festival in the morning with afternoon sightseeing.
The Tsechu Festival is a religious festival held annually by most Dzongs and monasteries. The religious festival is homage to Guru Rimpoche, who introduced Buddhism to Bhutan. The dances bring blessings as well as educational experience about the Buddhist dharma. B/L/D

Day 11, Saturday - Paro
Today visit the Drugyel Dzong and the National Museum of Bhutan.
In the evening stroll around Paro town to gain further insight into the urban life of Bhutan. B/L/D

Day 12, Sunday - Paro
Today’s activity involves walking and trekking through alpine forests and along scenic hilly routes to the Taktsang Monastery and the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Should you require a horse ride, it can be arranged for a small extra charge. B/L/D

Day 13, Monday - Paro/Haa/Paro
Full day trip to Haa. Haa, the Western-most district of Bhutan, has been recently opened to tourists. This is a wonderful opportunity to see a totally unspoiled and seldom-travelled part of Bhutan. The drive to Haa will bring us through the highest pass in Bhutan. Return to Paro in the evening. B/L/D

Day 14, Tuesday - Paro/Bangkok
Morning flight to Bangkok. Overnight at the Amari Airport Hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure. B

Day 15, Wednesday - Bangkok/Home City
Depart Bangkok for your home city. Arrive on the same calendar day. B