Paro Tsechu
Posted by: Bhutan Incredible Tours / Category: Festival Tours / Posted On: 9th Dec 2018
Entry & Exit: Paro
8 Days & 7 Nights
Day 01: Arrival and Paro valley excursion
There will be spectacular views of Mt Everest (8,848 m), Kanchenjunga (8,586m) and Lhotse (8,414 m); and a literal adrenaline-pumping landing on the roof of the world. Your flight to Paro, the country’s only international airport, will be an exhilarating experience, as the route traverses parallel to the mighty Himalayas enabling passengers to see the world’s highest peak, Mt Everest, and many more. The descent affords a panoramic view of Bhutan’s foothills culminating into a thrilling landing at what is considered one of the world’s most challenging airports. Our Company’s representative will meet you at the airport and lead you to the hotel for lunch.
Your first visit will be Paro National Museum, which was once a watch tower and today houses some of the Kingdom’s historical treasures. You will also visit Paro Dzong (Fortress), which is the head quarters of Paro District and Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 monasteries believed to be built in a day by the Tibetan Buddhist King Songsten Goempo in the 7th century. Then you will stroll through the town calling it a day. Overnight at hotel in Paro
Day 02: Witness Paro Tsechu
After breakfast we will drive to Paro Rinpung Dzong which isthe venue hosting the Paro festival; One of the highlights of the Bhutanese calendar, Paro Tsechu brings hundreds ofpeople from in and around Paro to the grounds of the great Paro Rinpung Dzong. Maskdances are performed like any other festival. It is a cultural treat, for onewill see all aspects of Bhutanese culture during the Tsechu, manifested in thedresses and jewelleries worn, special delicacies that people prepare and bring,music and dances performed, amongst many others.
Mask dances performed by the monks convey several religious meanings, the core one being the triumph of the good over evil.
Day 03: Paro to Thimphu
The drive from Paro to Thimphu is just under an hour. There are great many places to see in Bhutan’s capital. In the morning we will drive to Buddha Point which provides a spectacular 360 degree close quarter view of entire Thimphu and the adjoining areas. This isthe site of the world’s tallest statue of Shakyamuni Buddha. Our nextdestination is the 12th century Changangkha Temple, Takin Zoo and the view point at Sangaygang. On our way back, we stopover at a nunnery, the Folk Heritage Museum and the Textile Museum. After lunch, we will proceed to Tashichho Dzong,a 17th century castle-fortress which today houses the offices of the King,Chief Abbot and government ministries. We will also take the opportunity to seethe nearby parliament complex, the School of Arts and Crafts, vegetable market,and then spend the rest of the day watching an archery match and strolling around the town.
Day 04: Thimphu to Punakha
The three to four-hours drive from Thimphu traverses thorough a constantly changing kaleidoscope of vegetation,waterfalls, flowers, mountains and meadows. In about 45 minutes we will reach the famous Dochula pass (3,100m) where on a clear day we can see the entire eastern Himalayan range, teeming with 6,000m to 7,554m snow-capped mountains.The pass also known for its abundant species of extremely beautiful flowers has 108 Buddhist stupas exquisitely built around a mound, adding to the natural splendor of the place. From the pass we descend to the sub-tropical valley of Punakha. Punakha served as the ancient capital of capital and still possesses the country’s main treasures in the form of Buddhist relics. Resembling a gigantic ship on an ocean floor from afar, and girdled by two (Male and Female)rivers, the castle-fortress also represents the best specimen of Bhutanese architecture.
On the way, we will walk along a footpath flanked by an endless view of ripening paddy fields to the Temple of Fertility – Chimi Lhakhang. This temple, built in the 15th century to honour the “Divine Madman”, a saint iconoclast who is also associated with phallus worship, attracts barren couples from all over to receive fertility blessings from an anointed phallus. Night halt in Punakha
Day 05: Punakha to Phobjikha
The drive from Punakha to phobjikha will take about 3 hours. Phobjikha is one of the few glacial valleys in Bhutan and chosen home of black necked cranes which migrate from the central Asiatic Plateau to escape its harsh winters. On reaching Phobjikha we will explore the beautiful valley and visit Gangtey Monastery.
Day 06: Phobjikha to Paro
We will be driving for six hours to Paro and on the way; we will take a short stroll through Wangdue town and have lunch there. On the way, there will be a stopover at Dochula pass.
Overnight at hotel in Paro
Day 07: Paro Taktsang hike
After breakfast, we drive for half an hour and start the hike, which is about 5 hours (round trip.) The trail is along an ancient path marked by river powered prayer wheels. As you reach Taktshang you will be struck by the architectural wonder of this most pious Buddhist shrine in Bhutan. Perched some 1000m, 3000ft on a cliff overlooking the valley, it would justifiably qualify as one of Bhutan’s wonders. Tragically wrecked in a fire early in 1998, it has been rebuilt to its original glory. It is said that the legendary Indian saint, Guru Padma Sambhava, flew from Tibet on the back of a tigress to tame five demons, who were opposing the spread of Buddhism in Bhutan in 746 A.D. Hence the name, Taktshang, or the “Tiger’s Lair”. On our way back, we will visit another symbolic structure, which is now in ruins, the Drugyel Dzong, or “Castle of the Victorious Drukpa,” which was also built by the Shabdrung to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over the Tibetans in the 16th and 17th centuries. From here, the Jomolhari Peak (“Mountain of the Goddess”) can be seen on a clear Day (Alt. 7,329m/24,029ft.). The next stop will be at Kyichu Monastery, one of Bhutan’s oldest, built in 659 A.D. by the Tibetan King Songsten Goembo. On arrival at Paro, we will visit the Paro Rimpong Dzong (Fortress), which was built in 1646 and also ta Dzong, the watch tower. Overnight at hotel in Paro.
Day 08: Departure
After breakfast we will drive towards Paro Airport for your onward destination.
