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Sept 30-Oct 2,2017 Thimphu Tsechu Tour

Sept 30-Oct 2,2017 Thimphu Tsechu Tour

 

7 Nights 8 Days  Thimphu Tsechu Festival Tour Sept 30-Oct 2,2017

Brief intorduction on Thimphu Tshechu

Thimphu Tshechu is held in Thimphu for 3 days beginning on the 10th day of the 8th month of lunar calendar.  The 4th Desi, Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay,  initiated Thimphu Tsechu in 1867. In 1950, the third King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (Father of Modern Bhutan) initiated small changes to Thimphu Tshechu.

Thimphu Drubchen is celebrated 3 days before the Thimphu Tshechu. It was first introduced by Kuenga Gyeltshen (reincarnation of Jampel Dorji, son of Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyel) in 1710.

During the Thimphu festival,  thousands of people from all over Bhutan gather, dressed in their finest clothing and jewellery and receive blessings and pray for health and happiness.

The experience being surrounded by the Bhutanese people will give you an insight into the Bhutanese way of life and beliefs.

Thimphu Tshechu is held at Tendrel Thang ( Festival Ground in front of Tashichhoedzong).  Beautifully coloured mask dances and historical folk dances are performed during the festival.The sacred Thongdrol of Guru Rinpoche is unfurled early in the morning on the last day of Thimphu Tshechu. It is believed that the Thongdroel is unveiled at dawn to bring blessings to   all who view it

 

Thimphu Tshechu Schedule: Sept 30-Oct 2, 2017

7 Night 8 Day Thimphu Festival Tour Itinerary

 

Day 01: Arrive Paro, Travel to Thimphu (2Hours – 55KM)

Arrive at Paro International Airport. After completing your immigration formalities, you will be warmly welcomed by the representative of Advent Bhutan Tours who will be your Bhutan tour guide throughout your entire travel in Bhutan.

Voyage to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan, is an hourly drive journey.  The road runs down through the Paro valley, characterised by the narrow-gauged with high, rocky cliffs on the left. You can stop on the way to visit the magnificent Tamchhog Lhakhang, the hereditary place of worship for Bhutan’s iron bridge builder. Then passage through  Chuzom, is the entrance to the Thimphu valley,  the Confluence of Paro and Thimphu rivers. The road passes along the Simtokha Dzong, (Dzong means ‘castle-monastery’) – It is the oldest Dzong built in 1629 by Zhabdrug Ngawang Namgyal (who unified Bhutan). The Dzong functions as a monastic and as well as administrative centre. Today, it is one of the pre-eminent Dzongkha language (National Language) learning institutes.

On arrival at Thimphu check into your hotel and after brief rest and refreshment visit the following:

The Tashichho Dzong – It is a Buddhist monastery and fortress of the glorious religion on the northern edge of the city of Thimphu, built in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. It was rebuilt into the present structure by the late King, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the year 1962-1969. It houses the secretariat building, the throne room and the office of the king, and the central monk body.

Then, stroll down the Handicrafts Emporium and local crafts shops, aligned neatly below Norzin Lam, opposite to Nehru Wangchuk Cultural Centre, to witness Bhutanese fine traditional arts. Here you can buy hand-woven textiles, thangka paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings, jewellery, and other eye-catching items made from local materials.

Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

 

Day 02: 1st Day of Thimphu Tshechu (Festival)

Time: 9.am – 4.30 pm

After breakfast, you will go to witness the 1st Day of Thimphu Tshechu (Festival) .Thimphu Drubchen is celebrated 3 days before the Thimphu Tshechu. It was first introduced by Kuenga Gyeltshen( reincarnation of Jampel Dorji, son of Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyel) in 1710.

During the Thimphu festival, thousands of people from all over Bhutan gather, dressed in their finest clothing and jewellery and receive blessings and pray for health and happiness.

The experience being surrounded by the Bhutanese people will give you an insight into the Bhutanese way of life and beliefs.

Thimphu Tshechu is held at Tendrel Thang (Festival Ground in front of Tashichhoedzong).  Beautifully coloured mask dances and historical folk dances are performed during the festival.

In between the ongoing festival, we will visit The Tashichhoe Dzong, It is a Buddhist monastery and fortress of the glorious religion on the northern edge of the city of Thimphu, built in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. It was rebuilt into the present structure by the late King, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the year 1962-1969. It houses the secretariat building, the throne room and the office of the king, and the central monk body.

After the festival you will visit the following:

The Kuenselphodrang (commonly known as Buddha Point) – The Great Buddha Dordenma is sited amidst the ruins of Kuensel Phodrang, the palace of Sherab Wangchuck, the thirteenth Desi Druk, facing towards the Southern approach to Thimphu. It is one of the largest Buddha statues in the world, at 169 feet (52 m) and contains 100,000 8-inch-tall and 25,000 12-inch-tall gilded bronze Buddhas.

And The National Memorial Chorten (stupa), Also known as the Thimphu Chorten, was built in 1974 to honour the third Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1928–1972), who is regarded as “The Father of Modern Bhutan”.   Buddhist call the monument “The mind of the Buddha”. It is an honoured landmark in the city with its golden spires and bells, widely known as “the most visible religious landmark in Bhutan”.

Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu

 

Day 03: Witness the Thimphu Tsechu (2nd Day)-Thimphu sightseeing -Short Hike to Tango Monastery

After breakfast, the visit includes the following places:

The Centenary Farmers’ market – Thimphu weekend market is one of the largest domestic markets for Bhutanese farmers. Farmers sell their own produced vegetables, flour, rice, roasted rice, rice flakes, spices, fruits and livestock products (cheese and butter). And also sell wild ferns or bamboo shoots which are collected from forests. People from villages from different cities as well as from town come to this weekend market.

Go to Tendrel Thang and witness about an hour, the 2nd Day of Thimphu Festival. Then, we will make a visit to the following places:

The National Textile Museum – Art of traditional weaving being kept alive and preserved through exhibition and has a good collection of old textiles which are rich in colours and designs.  The National Textile Museum is located near the National Library of Bhutan. It was established in 2001 and operated by the National Commission for Cultural Affairs. Ever since its establishment, the museum has gained national and international recognition and has generated an important collection of antique textile artefacts.

Simply Bhutan– It will give you fascinating insights into the Bhutanese unique culture and way of life.

After lunch , drive to the base camp of Tango Monastery and hike up to the Monastery. Tango is the highest centre of Buddhist learning for monks in the country. It is believed that almost every Je Khenpo (religious head of Bhutan) accomplished the 9-year program there. After completing that program, monks traditionally spend years meditating at the nearby Cheri Goemba retreat, built in 1619 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal(unifier of Bhutan).

The climb aloft will take approximately about 45 minutes. The view from Tango Monastery is breathtaking, which shall rejuvenate your soul surrounded by the calm ambience.

Drive back to Thimphu. In evening, you can relax /stroll around Thimphu town.

Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.

 

Day 04: Final Day of Thimphu Tshechu

After breakfast, we will go to the Tendrel Thang (festival ground) to attend the last day of Thimphu Tsechu. You will witness most religious mask dances, historical folk dances and dance of Bhutanese warriors.

After the festival, visit the following places:

The Traditional Bhutanese paper making factory– Jungshi Paper Factory was established in November 1990 as an undertaking of the Royal Government of Bhutan.This small factory produces traditional Bhutanese paper handmade from the bark of the Daphne bush. The unit now boasts as a major and sole dealer in handmade paper and its products.

The Takin Preserve, which houses the national animal, Takin (The national animal of Bhutan). The reason for declaring Takin as the national animal is attributed to a legend of the animal’s creation (goat’s head and cattle’s body) in Bhutan in the 15th century by Lama Drukpa Kunley. Drive further to Sangaygang to get a bird’s eye view of the beautiful Thimphu valley.

Changankha Lhakhang (temple): This holy temple(spiritual home of children born in the Chang valley) was built by the illustrious Lam Phajo Dugom Zhigpo in the 13th century.

Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

 

Day 05: Thimphu-Punakha-Wangdue (3Hours -76Km)

In the morning, travel to Punakha via the Dochula pass. The Dochula Pass (3,088m/10,130ft) is a mountain pass, with the breathtaking view of 108 memorial stupas known as “Druk Wangyal Chortens”  built under the initiative of Royal Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk( the eldest Queen Mother), built in honour of the fourth Druk Gyalpo (head of the state of Bhutan), Jigme Singye Wangchuck.

Journey to Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan and presently the winter residence of the central monk body. It is also known as Pungtang Dewa chhenbi Phodrang (meaning “the palace of great happiness or bliss). It is the second oldest and largest dzong built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal (Unifier of Bhutan) to serve as the religious and administrative seat of the region. Visit the Punakha Dzong, majestically sprawl between the Pho Chu (Male River) and the Mo chu (Female River).

After lunch, drive to Metshina Village and take 15 minutes walk through the rice fields to the Devine Madman’s Monastery-Chhimi Lhakhang, famously known for its fertility shrine, where it is believed, one can receive special fertility blessings.

Later on, drive to Wangdue (25 Minutes journey from Punakha). Visit Wangdue Dzong. It was founded by the Zhabdrung in 1638. In the 17th century, Wangdue played a critical role in unifying Shar Chog Khorlo Tsebgay (the western, central and southern regions of the country). It is one of the largest dzongkhags (districts) in the country covering 4,308 sq km and ranges from 800-5800 m in altitude. In 24 June 2012, the dzong caught fire and was burnt down.The renovation is still ongoing and is expected to continue until 2021.

In the evening you may visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendup Lhakhang Nunnery and enjoy the beautiful view of Punakha and Wangdue valleys.

Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Punakha/Wangdue.

 

Day 06: Punakha-Paro (3Hours-71Km)

After breakfast, drive through upper Punakha valley and take a hike through farmhouses to the beautiful Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten(stupa),(also known as Nyizergang Chöten and Punakha Zangdopelri). It was built in 2004 by the Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck. The establishment of the stupa is to bring peace and firmness in the world. Enjoy the amazing view of Punakha and Wangdue valleys from there.

Then travel to Paro with lunch en route. On arrival at Paro visit

In the evening, visit a farmhouse which gives good insight into the authentic lifestyle of a Bhutanese.

Overnight at a hotel in Paro

 

 

Day 07: Paro Excursion to Taktsang (3hours 30 minutes Walk)

Drive to Satsam Chorten and then hike to the Taktshang, the Tiger’s Nest. Normally it takes about three and half hours to complete the hike but might take longer depending on your fitness.  Paro Taktsang, also known as the Tiger’s Nest, is an important Buddhist sacred site which clings to the rock face, 900 metres above the valley floor. To the rear of the Taktsang lies Senge Samdup cave where Guru Rinpoche is said to have meditated for three years, three months, three weeks, three days and three hours in the 8th century. Today, Paro Taktsang is popularly known for the thirteen Taktsang or “tiger lair” caves in which he meditated..it is believed that Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) flew to Taktshang from Tibet on the back of a tigress from Khenpajong. This place was consecrated to tame the Tiger demon.

Refreshment will be served at View Point Cafeteria en route.After visiting the monastery, descend back to viewpoint cafeteria for lunch and then further descend downhill to the base. Then drive back to the hotel.

On the way visit the Kichu temple– It is one of the 108 temples built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. The Jowo Temple of Kyichu is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. To overcome a giant demon who prevented the spread of Buddhism, laid on the whole area of Tibet and the Himalayas, King Songtsen Gampo build 108 temples placed on all the points of her body.

In the evening you may relax in the traditional hot stone bath.

Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Paro.

 

Day 08: Paro – Departure

Advent Bhutan Tours & Travels (your local Bhutan travel agent) will see you off at the Paro International Airport for your onward destinations.

End of Tour

 

 

 

Bhutan Trip Cost for this  7 Nights 8 Days  Tour Itinerary

 
Travel Time 1 pax 2 pax 3 pax & above
High Season:Sept & Oct 2017  USD2030 USD1960/person USD1750/person

The above Bhutan tour package prices includes the following:

  • Bhutan Government Royalty of US$ 65/person/night
  • FIT surcharges of US$40/person/night for a single traveler and US$30/person/night for a double
  • Twin sharing hotel rooms at 3 star hotels
  • All meals ( breakfast, lunch, dinner & light refreshments) with standard menu at 3 star hotels
  • English speaking tour guide service
  • All transfers and excursions by private vehicles
  • All entrance fees to museums and monuments
  • All internal taxes and fees
  • Mineral drinking water

The above tour prices do not include the following:

  • Single room supplement of US$ 50/room/night (optional)
  • Visa fee of US$40/person (must be paid in advance with tour cost)
  • Airfares (optional)
  • Travel issurance (recommended)
  • 4 star and 5 star accommodations and meals (optional)
  • Other personal expenses like overseas calls, laundry,etc

***Thank you & Tashi Delek***

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