BHUTAN FESTIVAL:PARO FESTIVAL (Tshechu)

 

MAIN HIGHLIGHTS OF PARO FESTIVAL:

Paro festival is one of the most popular festivals in the country and amongst the tourist.

Offers the best opportunity to witness the Bhutanese’s rich culture, history and religion that distinguish the people and country distinctly from rest of the countries.

Bring you a closer contact with the people and give you an insight into the Bhutanese lives, beliefs and more.

During Tshechu the dances are performed by monks as well as by laymen. The Tshechu is a religious festival and by attending it, it is believed one gains merits. It is also a yearly social gathering where the people come together to rejoice dressed in all their finery.

PARO FESTIVAL SCHEDULE:April 2-6, 2012

DAY 01 : ARRIVE PARO

You will be received by a representative from Bhutan All Seasons Tours ( Bhutan Tour Operator /Bhutan travel agent) at the Paro International Airport and transfer to hotel for overnight halt. Evening free time at leisure

DAY 02: PARO HIKE TO TAKTSANG MONASTERY (TIGER'S NEST MONASTERY)

After breakfast, take a morning hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’. The climb up to the viewpoint will take around 3 hours and from there you will enjoy a spectacular view of the monastery clinging to the side of the cliff.Then walk further upto the monastery which will take about 1 hour. It is said that in the 8th century Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan to this place and meditated in a cave here for 3 months. There have been shrines at this sacred place for many centuries. The principal Lhakhang (monastery) of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. Taktsang was damaged severely by fire in 1998 but has now been fully restored to its former beauty. After lunch at the viewpoint cafeteria, walk back down to the road and drive back to Paro. On the way back, visit Kichu temple,one of the 108 temples built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. The story goes that a giant demon lay across the whole area of Tibet and the Himalayas and was preventing the spread of Buddhism. To overcome her, King Songtsen Gampo decided to build 108 temples, which would be placed on all the points of her body. Of these 108 temples, 12 were built in accordance with precise plans. Thus, it happened that in about the year AD 638 the temple of Jokhang in Lhasa was built over the very heart of the demon.

Overnight at hotel at Paro.

DAY 03: PARO TOUR & SIGHTSEEING

Paro tour and signtseeing includes visit to some of the following depending on your interest and time availability::

• National Museum, housed in the Ta Dzong (watchtower). Here an intriguing collection of artifacts provide a wonderful introduction to the rich culture and heritage of the Kingdom.
• Paro Dzong, a fine example of Bhutanese historic architecture. It is also known as the Rinpung Dzong which means a “fortress that sits on a heap of jewels”. This imposing dzong located above the Paro river is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture with its inward sloping walls that rise to an impressive height.The dzong was built in the 16th century on the foundation of a monastery built by Guru Rinpoche (who is regarded as the "second Buddha.") .From the Dzong, walk further down to Nyamai Zampa, an oldest traditional cantilever bridge in Bhutan.
• Druk Choeding temple (located in Paro town) and Dungtse Lhakhang.

• drive up the valley to view the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, 18 km. from Paro town on the north side of the valley. It was from here that the Bhutanese repelled several invading Tibetan armies during the 17th century.

Overnight at hotel at Paro.

DAY 04: PARO TSHECHU

Attend first day of Paro Festival. Venue-Paro Dzong Courtyard. This is the perfect occasions to witness the Bhutanese unique culture, religion and history. Overnight halt in the hotel.

DAY 05: PARO-THIMPHU TRAVEL & TOUR

Distance: 55 km, estimated travel time: 1 hour

Attend second day Paro Festival. Venue-Festival Ground near Paro Dzong. Evening drive to Thimphu (about 1 hr 30 m drive). On arrival, transfer to hotel for overnight halt.

DAY 06 : THIMPHU TOUR & SIGHTSEEING

Thimphu tour and signtseeing includes visit to some of the following depending on your interest and time availability::

• National Textile Museum which is a good place to see the art of traditional weaving being kept alive and preserved through exhibition and has a good collection of old textiles which are rich in colors and designs.You will also see people weaving with intricate designs.
•National Institute of Traditional Medicine, where medicinal herbs are compounded and dispensed, and traditional medical practitioners trained.
• The folk heritage museum, an outdoor museum that gives an insight into rural life.
• School of Traditional Painting of Arts and Crafts where students undertake a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan.
• Traditional Bhutanese paper making factory,the handmade paper making in Bhutan stemmed from the age old tradition originated in 8th century of Bhutanese history. The handmade paper constitutes as valuable National heritage of Bhutanese cultural identity and is preserved through all the ages. The Traditional paper is recognized and held high esteem both in home and outside world. Jungshi Paper Factory was established in November 1990 as an undertaking of the Royal Government of Bhutan. The unit now boasts as a major and sole dealer in handmade paper and its products

• Memorial Chorten which was constructed in 1974 as a memorial for the third King of the country, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who is widely regarded as the father of modern Bhutan.
• Takin Preserve, which houses the national animal the Takin that is only found in Bhutan. This is an extremely rare member of the goat family. Found in herds in the very high altitudes (13,125ft and over). They live on a diet of grass and bamboo. It can weigh as much as 550 pounds.

• Kuenselphodrang where world’s largest Buddha statue is located.
• Craft Bazaar where craftsmen and artisans across the Kingdom bring their own products for display and sale at the Centenary Farmers’ Market
• Tashichhoe Dzong, a fortress of the glorious religion. It was built in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel and was reconstructed into 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.
• Changangkha Lhakang: Changangkha Lhakhang is an old fortresslike temple and monastic school perched on a ridge above Thimphu. It was established in the 12th century on a site chosen by Lama Phajo Drukgom Shigpo, who came from Ralung in Tibet. The central statue is Chenresig in an 11-headed, thousand-armed manifestation ( God of compassion). There are enormous prayer wheels to spin and even the prayer books in the temple are larger in size than usual Tibetan texts
• Government-run Handicrafts Emporium and local crafts shops, to browse through examples of Bhutan’s fine traditional arts. Here you can buy hand-woven textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings, jewelry, and other interesting items made from local materials.Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.

DAY 07 : THIMPHU-PUNAKHA/WANGDUE TRAVEL & TOUR

Distance: 76 km,estimated driving time: 2 ½ hours
After breakfast, drive to Punakha through southern part of Thimphu valley and Dochula Pass (3,088m/10,130ft). If you have a clear sky, the view of the Himalayan Mountain ranges is spectacular Visit the beautiful 108 chortens built on the hill by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo (Queen of Bhutan) for the security and well being of His Majesty, the King of Bhutan.And also visit Druk Wangyel temple. Then have refreshment at Dochula pass. Then drive onto Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan and presently the winter residence of the central monk body. On the way, Devine Madman’s Monastery-Chhimi Lhakhang, famously known for its fertility shrine, where one can receive a special fertility blessing.
Check into your hotel and afternoon visit the Punakha Dzong, located on the island of the Pho - Chu (male) river and the Mochu (female) river.
Then visit Wangdue Dzong, situated on a ridge overlooking a river junction. In the 17th century, Wangdue played a critical role in unifying the western, central and southern regions of the country.
Overnight at hotel at Wangdue/Punakha.

DAY 08 : PUNAKHA/WANGDUE-PARO TRAVEL

Distance: 132km,estimated driving time: 3½ hours

After breakfast, drive through upper Punakha valley passing through farmhouses. Then, walk to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten (50 Mins) temple built by the Queen of Bhutan for peace and stability in this ever-changing world. This temple is situated on the hilltop overlooking the valley below.
Afternoon, drive to Paro and overnight at hotel at Paro.

DAY 09 : DEPART PARO

In the morning, your Bhutan tour guide from Bhutan All Seasons Tours will see you off at the Paro International Airport for your onward destinations.