Thimphu Tshechu
A Tshechu is a Buddhist festival in honor of Guru Rinpoche who brought Buddhism to Bhutan. The Thimphu Tsechu has its origins in 1670 and has since become one of the most impressive festivals in Bhutan. During the festivities, one can fully experience the original and venerable culture of the kingdom. In addition to the famous mask dances, which are presented by monks dressed in the most beautiful robes, you will also meet locals who celebrate the festival in their finest, traditional clothing. You will also discover sacred places in Punakha, Thimphu, Gangtey and Paro.
8 days / 7 nights
Paro - Thimphu - Punakha - Gangtey - Paro
Data: October 2019
Price per person for groups of 4-10 persons: 1.910, - €
Travel price includes:
- Accommodation in a 3 * hotel in a double room
- Full board
- private vehicle
- all entrance fees
- English speaking tour guide
- Taxes, visa fees
Supplements:
Individual travel 1 person: 75, - € per night
Individual travel 2-3 persons: 32, - € per night per person
Single room: 43, - € per night
Depending on the time and interest, all tours and services can be adapted and expanded according to your wishes.
Possible flight variants:
Hamburg - Bangkok (including 1 night) - Paro: from 1.470, - €
Hamburg - Delhi (including 1 night) - Paro: from 1.245, - €
Hamburg - Kathmandu (including 1 night) - Paro: from 1.110, - €
Paro - Thimphu - Punakha - Gangtey - Paro
Data: October 2019
Price per person for groups of 4-10 persons: 1.910, - €
Travel price includes:
- Accommodation in a 3 * hotel in a double room
- Full board
- private vehicle
- all entrance fees
- English speaking tour guide
- Taxes, visa fees
Supplements:
Individual travel 1 person: 75, - € per night
Individual travel 2-3 persons: 32, - € per night per person
Single room: 43, - € per night
Depending on the time and interest, all tours and services can be adapted and expanded according to your wishes.
Possible flight variants:
Hamburg - Bangkok (including 1 night) - Paro: from 1.470, - €
Hamburg - Delhi (including 1 night) - Paro: from 1.245, - €
Hamburg - Kathmandu (including 1 night) - Paro: from 1.110, - €
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1
Paro - Thimphu
The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular flights through a snow-capped mountain world - with stunning views of some of the highest mountains in the world, including Mount Everest. Our guide will welcome you at the airport and take you to Thimphu. The trip takes about two hours and on the way you visit the Tamchok Lhakhang (monastery), which can only be reached via a suspension bridge with prayer flags. The Bhutanese believe that when we cross this bridge we purify ourselves from bad deeds of our past.
Upon arrival in Thimphu, you can refresh yourself in the hotel. In the evening you visit the Kings' Memorial Stupa and have the opportunity to observe the people exercising their religiousity.
Overnight in Thimphu.
(Altitude Thimphu: 2,300 m)
The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular flights through a snow-capped mountain world - with stunning views of some of the highest mountains in the world, including Mount Everest. Our guide will welcome you at the airport and take you to Thimphu. The trip takes about two hours and on the way you visit the Tamchok Lhakhang (monastery), which can only be reached via a suspension bridge with prayer flags. The Bhutanese believe that when we cross this bridge we purify ourselves from bad deeds of our past.
Upon arrival in Thimphu, you can refresh yourself in the hotel. In the evening you visit the Kings' Memorial Stupa and have the opportunity to observe the people exercising their religiousity.
Overnight in Thimphu.
(Altitude Thimphu: 2,300 m)
Day 2
Thimphu Tshechu
Visit Tashichho Dzong and join the famous Thimphu Tshechu Festival. All members of the royal family and politicians are present at this annual event. They visit the festival until lunchtime. After lunch, you have the opportunity to continue to participate in the festival, or you can take an alternative excursion.
Overnight in Thimphu.
Visit Tashichho Dzong and join the famous Thimphu Tshechu Festival. All members of the royal family and politicians are present at this annual event. They visit the festival until lunchtime. After lunch, you have the opportunity to continue to participate in the festival, or you can take an alternative excursion.
Overnight in Thimphu.
Day 3
Thimphu Tshechu & Excursion
Today you will participate again in the festival. Afterwards you will start an excursion to the Kunsel Phodrang, a seated Buddha statue over 50 meters high, where you can enjoy a view of the whole valley of Thimphu.
In the evening there is the Tashichho Dzong on the program, seat of the Bhutanese government and summer residence of the monks. The majestic architecture with the balanced proportions, the traditional decoration and the paintings impress every visitor.
Later you will have time for a stroll in the city and, for example, a visit to a craft shop.
Overnight in Thimphu.
Today you will participate again in the festival. Afterwards you will start an excursion to the Kunsel Phodrang, a seated Buddha statue over 50 meters high, where you can enjoy a view of the whole valley of Thimphu.
In the evening there is the Tashichho Dzong on the program, seat of the Bhutanese government and summer residence of the monks. The majestic architecture with the balanced proportions, the traditional decoration and the paintings impress every visitor.
Later you will have time for a stroll in the city and, for example, a visit to a craft shop.
Overnight in Thimphu.
Day 4
Thimphu - Punakha
Today you cross the Dochu-La (pass / 3,100 meters) - on a clear day you have a spectacular view of the mountains of the Himalayas - and then drive back down into the valley of Punakha. Punakha is the ancient capital of Bhutan. First, visit the Punakha Dzong, the Palace of Great Happiness, built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the unifier of Bhutan. The palace is located at the confluence of Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu (Mother and Father River). Dzong's three-story main temple is a stunning example of traditional Bhutanese architecture. In 1907, the first king of Bhutan was crowned here.
Later you will walk to the temple Chimi Lhakhang. This temple is also seen as a symbol of fertility, childless couples come here for blessing. The hike takes about an hour.
Overnight in Punakha.
(Height Punakha: 1,300 m)
Today you cross the Dochu-La (pass / 3,100 meters) - on a clear day you have a spectacular view of the mountains of the Himalayas - and then drive back down into the valley of Punakha. Punakha is the ancient capital of Bhutan. First, visit the Punakha Dzong, the Palace of Great Happiness, built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the unifier of Bhutan. The palace is located at the confluence of Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu (Mother and Father River). Dzong's three-story main temple is a stunning example of traditional Bhutanese architecture. In 1907, the first king of Bhutan was crowned here.
Later you will walk to the temple Chimi Lhakhang. This temple is also seen as a symbol of fertility, childless couples come here for blessing. The hike takes about an hour.
Overnight in Punakha.
(Height Punakha: 1,300 m)
Day 5
Punakha - Gangtey
Today you drive to Wangdue Phodrang and visit the monastery fortress there, which sits on a ridge above a river and offers a wonderful view of the valley and the mountains. Then, your path will lead you on serpentines up into the mountains - through oak and rhododendron forests and over a high pass - and then into the valley Phob-ji-kha. The valley is one of the most beautiful high valleys of Bhutan and offers a resting place to the rare black-necked cranes in winter. The species is under protection, lives in the Tibetan mountain country during breeding season and overwinters in Bhutan. Explore the beautiful valley and visit 15th-century Gangtey Gompa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan.
Overnight in Gangtey.
(Altitude Gangtey: 3,000 m)
Today you drive to Wangdue Phodrang and visit the monastery fortress there, which sits on a ridge above a river and offers a wonderful view of the valley and the mountains. Then, your path will lead you on serpentines up into the mountains - through oak and rhododendron forests and over a high pass - and then into the valley Phob-ji-kha. The valley is one of the most beautiful high valleys of Bhutan and offers a resting place to the rare black-necked cranes in winter. The species is under protection, lives in the Tibetan mountain country during breeding season and overwinters in Bhutan. Explore the beautiful valley and visit 15th-century Gangtey Gompa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan.
Overnight in Gangtey.
(Altitude Gangtey: 3,000 m)
Day 6
Gangtey - Paro
In the early morning drive again towards Paro. Upon arrival in Paro, visit the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang Temple, one of the oldest in Bhutan, built by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo.
Overnight in Paro.
(Height Paro: 2,300 m)
In the early morning drive again towards Paro. Upon arrival in Paro, visit the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang Temple, one of the oldest in Bhutan, built by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo.
Overnight in Paro.
(Height Paro: 2,300 m)
Day 7
Hike to the Taktsang Monastery
(Tigernest)
In the morning you walk to the monastery Taktsang - to the famous "Tigernest". The monastery is built at about 3,000 meters altitude on a rocky outcrop and offers a magnificent view of the Paro valley. It is said that in the second half of the eighth century Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) flew to this spot on the back of a tigress and spread the teachings of Buddhism in Bhutan. The hike takes about 1.5 to 2 hours uphill - more than 500 steps up and through a valley. The view and the experiences on the way make up for it. It goes through pine forests and past prayer flags, again and again you have the view of the valley of Paro. Those who like to ride horses can lend one and cover part of the way.
On the way back to Paro visit the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang Temple - one of the 108 temples built by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo.
Overnight in Paro.
(Tigernest)
In the morning you walk to the monastery Taktsang - to the famous "Tigernest". The monastery is built at about 3,000 meters altitude on a rocky outcrop and offers a magnificent view of the Paro valley. It is said that in the second half of the eighth century Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) flew to this spot on the back of a tigress and spread the teachings of Buddhism in Bhutan. The hike takes about 1.5 to 2 hours uphill - more than 500 steps up and through a valley. The view and the experiences on the way make up for it. It goes through pine forests and past prayer flags, again and again you have the view of the valley of Paro. Those who like to ride horses can lend one and cover part of the way.
On the way back to Paro visit the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang Temple - one of the 108 temples built by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo.
Overnight in Paro.
Day 8
Departure
Depending on the departure time you still have time to explore Paro. Then drive to the airport and say goodbye.
Depending on the departure time you still have time to explore Paro. Then drive to the airport and say goodbye.
