Punakha Festival Tour (9 Days and 8 Nights)

• Take a DrukAir or Bhutan Airline flight to Paro. Following the completion of your immigration procedures, a representative from our company will meet you and serve as your tour guide for the duration of the remainder of the trip to Thimphu.
• Visit the National Memorial Chorten built in memory of the third king and offer your prayers.
• The sole mammal discovered in Bhutan, the Takin, is housed in the Takin Preserve. This goat species member is relatively uncommon. In the really high heights, found in herds (13,125ft and over).
• Visit Tashichhoe Dzong, a stronghold of the illustrious faith. Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel completed it in 1641, and His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the late King, rebuilt it into its current form between 1962 and 1969. In addition to the central monk body, it also houses the secretariat building, the throne room and the king’s office. a location where visitors may both experience and purchase products created in Bhutan. All facets of Bhutanese traditional arts and crafts are represented in the bazaar’s 80 stalls. At this bazaar, craftspeople and artists from all across the nation exhibit and sell their handmade goods. Visit further craft shops as well.

Visit the following places after breakfast

• The Institute for Zorig Chusum, also called the Arts and Crafts School or the Painting School, offers a six-year training on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. During a tour, visitors can observe students developing the many skills offered at the institution.
• Coronation Park offers a beautiful and soothing atmosphere for strolling or sitting and watching the river flow by. It is situated on the banks of the river (next to the city stadium).
• Visit the highest Buddha statue at Kuensel Phodrang and take in the expansive views of the Thimphu Valley below.
• The Folk Heritage Museum (Phelchey Toenkhyim) aims to introduce visitors to rural Bhutanese history through displays, demonstrations, educational programs, and documentation of rural life. A three-story conventional rammed mud and timber home from the middle of the 19th century that has been rebuilt serves as the museum’s main display. The house is built in the style and shape of a typical family home from that time period in the Wang area. The longevity and efficiency of the building materials are demonstrated by the age of the structure. Household items, common domestic tools, and equipment that would have been utilized by a family during that time are shown from the ground to the top floors. The museum is also growing some of the indigenous trees and plants that were utilized for a variety of domestic tasks in rural homes.
• South of Motithang, on a ridge overlooking Thimphu, is the fortress-like temple and monastic institution known as Changangkha Lhakhang. The temple was built in the 12th century on a location picked by Tibetan immigrant Lama Phajo Drugom Shigpo. Chenrezig is depicted in the statue’s centerpiece as an 11-headed incarnation. The Thimphu valley may be seen with great interest from the temple courtyard.
• Centenary farmers market- On the banks of the river, where the weekend market is held, the majority of Thimphu’s small population and many valley residents converge every Saturday and Sunday. It offers the chance to interact with locals and is a fascinating location to explore.

• Travel across Dochula Pass (3140 m) to Punakha after breakfast. The Himalayan Mountain ranges are visible from a great distance under a springtime sky that is clear.
• After that, walk by the stunning 108 chortens that Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck (the Queen Mother of Bhutan) erected on the hill for the safety and wellbeing of His Majesty, the King of Bhutan.
• One of Bhutan’s most stunning locations is the Gangtey valley. In Bhutan, where most of the valleys are closely contained, it is an incredibly unique sensation to come across such a large, flat valley devoid of any trees after a strenuous climb through dense forests. This feeling is further enhanced by the sense of boundless space. The interesting Phobjikha Valley is located on the valley floor a few kilometers beyond the Gangtey Monastery. Afterwards, go to Gangtey Goempa The Gangtey Monastery is the lone Nyingmapa monastery on the western side of the Gangtey valley of the Black Mountain, perched on a small hill that rises from the valley floor.
• The families of the 140 Gomchens who look after the monastery reside primarily in the big community that surrounds it. Pema Trinley, the grandson of the illustrious Nyingmapa saint of Bhutan known as Pema Lingpa, created Gangtey. Pema Trinley founded the monastic complex in 1613 and at that time was recognized as the first Gangtey Tulku. There are still taught the religious practices of Pema Lingpa. Tenzin Legpa Dondrup, the second Tulku (1645–1726), renovated the monastery in the shape of a Dzong while expanding Gangtey and maintaining excellent relations with the Drukpas.
• The Black-necked Crane Information Center features an observation room with high power telescope and spotting scopes for getting the best view of the cranes. It is located on the border of the forest and marsh along the main road of Phobjikha Valley. The center also has exhibits with information outlining the region’s natural and cultural history. There is a tiny gift shop where you may buy locally made crafts.

• The Chimi Lhakhang, located on a hill in the middle of the valley, is devoted to Lama Drukpa Kuenley, who in the late 15th century employed humor, songs, and outlandish behavior to dramatize his teachings and who as a result became known as “Divine Madman.” As the temple of fertility, it is also known by that name. It is a common belief that couples who are desirous of having a child and who pray at this temple are frequently blessed with one very quickly. The distance across the field to the temple is around 30 minutes. To get to the tiny community of Pana, which means “field,” the trail crosses through rice fields. After that, it traverses more farms and a small brook on its way downhill to Yoaka before climbing quickly to Chimi Lhakhang.
• Punakha Dzong, which Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal strategically erected in 1637 at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers in Thimphu, has been a significant figure in Bhutanese history. It was built to serve as the region’s religious and administrative center. The Dzong has been totally reconstructed by the current King despite having been severely damaged by four devastating fires and an earthquake. The Punakha Festival and the summer months, when the monk body relocates to Thimphu, are the only times the Dzong is open to visitors.
• Punakha has a well-deserved reputation as one of the most stunning and important areas at the center of Bhutanese culture because it has been intimately connected to some of the most crucial moments in Bhutanese history. From 1637 to 1907, Punakha served as Bhutan’s capital. The dzong represents a united Bhutan and is significant historically.

• Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten – A stunning hike leads to the opulent Khamsum Yuelley Namgel Chorten, which was constructed to drive away evil energies and encourage peace, stability, and harmony in the midst of the world’s change. The Chorten is the dominant structure in the upper Punakha Valley, dominating views of the Mo Chhu, the rocky peaks of Gasa, and beyond may be seen from here.
• Drive to the village of Limbukha, then walk across the 200-meter-long suspension bridge while enjoying a breath-taking view of the Dzong. As you approach the Dompala Hills, continue on the farm houses’ gentle ascent. In the midst of chirpine trees, the view of the Dzong, Pho, and Mo rivers and the neighboring community is magnificent. To reach Limbukha, it takes a further 2.5 hours of climbing. Farmers in Limbukha cultivate the renowned red rice of Bhutan, which is said to have therapeutic properties. Clean mountain spring is required for this particular rice in order to keep the flavor and nutritional content.
• Limbukha is renowned for its appreciation of serenity and peace. According to legend, the “limpus” or Limbukha residents constantly offered to serve as peace mediators during medieval conflicts. This is also demonstrated during the annual Serda festival, when men are seen traveling to Gangtey Valley with peace flags rather than swords and fireworks.

• Visit Paro after breakfast. Once you reach Paro, check into a hotel and make the following stops: Ta Dzong, where the National Museum is located (watchtower). Here, an intriguing collection of antiquities offers a superb introduction to the Kingdom’s rich tradition and culture. A beautiful example of traditional Bhutanese architecture is the Paro Dzong. A “fortress that lies on a heap of diamonds,” Rinpung Dzong is another name for it.
• The Guru Rinpoche-built monastery served as the foundation for the 16th-century construction of the dzong, who is known as the “second Buddha.” Continue your descent from the dzong to Nyamai Zampa, the country of Bhutan’s oldest traditional cantilever bridge.
• Wander through Paro town in the evening and stop by local handmade shops. Stay the night in Paro.

• After breakfast, travel to the monastery’s base. Depending on your level of fitness, the hike up to the viewpoint will take between 1 and 1 1/2 hours, and from there, you’ll have a breathtaking view of the monastery clinging to the cliffside. Visit the View Point Cafeteria to rest and recharge. After that, continue climbing for another hour to reach the monastery. According to legend, Guru Rinpoche traveled here from eastern Bhutan in the eighth century on the back of a tigress, where he spent three months in solitary meditation. The main Lhakhang (monastery) of the current monastic complex was constructed in 1692. Taktsang suffered significant fire damage in 1998, but it has since been totally restored to its former splendor. After seeing the monastery, return to the road by making a stop for lunch at the cafeteria at the viewpoint before continuing to the road’s end. and then return to the hotel.
• Visit Kyichu Temple, one of the 108 temples that Tibetan King Songsten Gampo built in the seventh century, on the route there. According to legend, a huge demonic being guarded the entire region of Tibet and the Himalayas and was preventing Buddhism from spreading. King Songtsen Gampo made the decision to destroy her by erecting 108 temples, one for each of her body’s 108 points. 12 of the 108 temples were constructed in line with detailed blueprints. As a result, the demon’s very heart was covered by the Jokhang temple in Lhasa, which was constructed in the year AD 638.

• Our journey to Kila Gompa will begin after breakfast (total time around 3.5 hours). First, take a 45-minute drive from Paro to Chele La pass at an elevation of around 3800 meters, from which, weather allowing, you may enjoy a magnificent panorama of the Himalayan range. To get an even greater perspective of the mountains, including Mount Jomolhari and other distant peaks like Kanchenjunga, hike for around 1.5 hours up the incline to the highest point at 4500 meters from the road. Walk down the hill through a rhododendron and hemlock forest to Kila Gompa, a nunnery with around 30 nuns living there, and then continue on past there to Gorina Lhakhang, another temple with a tiny monk house (the descent will be another 1.5 hours in total). It takes about 30 minutes to get back to your car from here.
• Drive back to Paro in the evening.

• Take flight from Paro to your other destinations.