Authentic Bhutan

Jambay Lhakhang Drup in Bumthang
Festival Date: 22-26 October 2010.

Besides honoring the Guru Rinpoche, the four day festival knows us Jambay Lhakhang Drup / Jambay Lhakhang Tsechu are held in the premises of Jambay Lhakhang, which was built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in 7th century, to commemorate an establishment of the Lhakhang.
This festival is one of the very important festivals in Bhutan. The main high light of this festival is ‘the scared naked dance known as Ter Cham and Mewang-the fire blessing’. The sacred naked dance is performed in the midnight and people are not allowed to take the photographs. A fire dance or Mewang is held in the evening to bless the infertile women so that they may bear the children.
The dances were composed mostly my Terton (Treasure Discovery) Pema Lingpa in 15th century.
Many tourist and Bhutanese people all over the country come to witness this festival to get the blessings from this festival.

Day 01: Arrive to Paro International Air port.
On the arrival to Paro International Airport, you will welcome and receive by the Representative of Authentic Bhutan Tours. Today we will do the following sightseeing:

• Paro Dzong
• Paro National Museum (if it is not on Monday. It is closed on Monday)
• The short hike, which starts from above National Museum and ends at Umaparo. From this hike we can see the Paro Valley, the International Airport in Bhutan and other adjacent villages so beautifully.
• Stroll around the Paro town.
• Dinner and overnight stay at Paro, Hotel, Ugyenphendeyling Resort & Meditation Center or similar standard.

Day 02: Paro – Thimphu
Today we will drive to Thimphu but in the morning we will hike to Taktshang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest).

• Taktshang Monastery is the most important pilgrimage site in the Buddhism world and it is the one of the main highlight of Bhutan Tour.
• Lunch at Taktshang Cafteria or at Paro.
• Drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan.
• Stroll around the Thimphu town.
• Dinner and overnight stay at Thimphu Hotel, Peaceful Resort or similar standard.

Day 03: Thimphu  halt.
Today we will do Thimphu Sightseeing:

• Mothithang mini zoo, to see the National animal of Bhutan (Takin)
• Nunnery – where the Bhutanese girls and women pursue the religious studies and goals in their life for the benefit of all the living beings.
• Folk Heritage museum – you will visit to the 19th century Bhutanese house.
• National Memorial Chhorten - which was built in 1974 in memory of our third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk-the father of modern Bhutan.
• Lunch at Thimphu Resturant.
• We will do Wangditshe hike. The hike will take about 1hour 20 minutes and we can see the Thimphu valley so beautifully.
• Walk around the Thimphu town and visit the Handicraft emporium to buy an authentic souvenir.

Dinner and overnight stay at Thimphu hotel, Peaceful Resort or similar standard

Day 04: Thimphu – Phobjikha.
Today we will be drive to Phobjikha over Dochula pass (3150m) above sea level. The pass is adorned with 108 small stupas. On the clear days, we can see the Eastern Himalayan Mountains, including the highest mountain of Bhutan so impressively. Today we will do following sightseeing:

• Lunch will be served at Nobding or we will have pack lunch.
• At Gangtey, we will visit Gangtey Goenpa, the most important temple in Nyingmapa sect.
• Hike-the Gangtey Natural Trail through the pine forest. The hike will take about 1hour 3ominutes. From this hike we can see the Phobjikha Valley so beautifully.
• Dinner and overnight stay at Phobjikha Hotel, Dewachen or similar Standard.

Day 05: Phobjikha – Bumthang.
After our breakfast, we will drive to Bumthang, which is the heart of religion in Bhutan through Tronngsa. We will do following sightseeing on the way:

• Stop at Chendibji Chorten for picture.
• Visit the impressive Trongsa dzong
• Visit the ‘Tower of Trongsa’.
• Lunch will be served at the ‘Tower of Trongsa’s’, Café’.
• Stop at Yathra Factory at Chhumey.
• Evening we will visit the festival ground for ‘MEWANG’-The Fire Blessing.
• Dinner and over night stay at Farm House.
• After our dinner we will visit the festival ground again with the family of Farm House to witness the Tercham – scared naked dance.

 

Day 06: Bumthang Halt.
Today we will do sightseeing in Bumthang.

• Enjoy with the Jambay Lhakhang Drup Festival in Bumthang and we will do some sightseeing in Bumthang
• Kurjey Lhakhang, the temple where Guru Rinpoche kept his body print there in 8th Century.
• Tamshing Lhakhang, which is one of the important temple in Ngyingma sect.
• Lunch will be served at hotel.
• Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake),
• Honey Production Center and
• Stroll around the Chamkhar town for a while.
• Visit Farm House for Dinner, Dhotsho (Hotstone bath) and overnight stay.

Day 07: Bumthang  Halt.

• Today also we will enjoy with the Festival and some sightseeing in Bumthang.
• Dinner and overnight stay at Bumthang Hotel or Farm House.

Day 08: Bumthang – Punakha.
Today we will drive to Punakha. We will visit the following places on the way:

• Trongsa Dzong, the most impressive dzong in Bhutan.
• Lunch will be served at Chendebji Restaurant.
• Continue our journey to Punakha.
• Dinner and overnight stay at Punakha Hotel, Damchen Resort or Similar Standard.

Day 09. Punakha – Paro.
Today we will drive to Paro and we will do the following sightseeing.

• Punakha Dzong, the most beautiful dzong in Bhutan.
• Hike to Chhimi Lhakhang, the temple of fertility. We have to walk about 30minutes from the road end.
• Lunch will be served at Dochula cafeteria.
• Continue our journey to Paro.
• Evening stroll around.
• Dinner and overnight stay Paro Hotel, Ugyenphendeyling Resort & Meditation Center or similar standard.

Day 10. Paro – Paro International Airport.

After our breakfast drive to Paro International Airport for your onward flight. We wish a very safe and pleasant journey back to your country. We hope to see you again in Bhutan in the future.