Authentic Bhutan

Trongsa Festival.
Festival Date: 15-17Dec 2010.

Trongsa Tsechu is one the oldest festival in Bhutan. It is believed the festivals in Bhutan were spread from Trongsa. Most of the Champoen, the mask dance teacher, learned in Trongsa and they went to different parts of the country and teach the dancer. On the last day of the Trongsa festival, they unfurl the Thongdrel (liberation and blessings at the sight) every time, which is the highlight of the Trongsa Tsechu. Thongdrel is the big thankkha. It takes place always in winter month.

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.
• At around 5PM, we will drive to Babesa, Chunding Resort for Bhutanese Traditional & Indigenous food (dinner).
• 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 – Trongsa.
Today we will be drive to Trongsa 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:

• Wangdi Dzong
• Lunch will be served at Nobding.
• Continue our journey to Trongsa.
• At Chendebji Restaurant, stop for a while for photography.
• Dinner and overnight stay at Trongsa Hotel. Yangkhill Resort or similar standard.

Day 05: Trongsa Halt.
Today we will enjoy the festival of Trongsa with the local people from Trongsa. At around 12noon, we will visit:

• Tower of Trongsa –
• Lunch will be served at Tower of Trongsa’s cafeteria.
• Dinner and over night stay at Trongsa Hotel. Yangkhill Resorts or similar standard.

Day 06: Trongsa – Phobjikha.
 If this day falls on the last day of the festival, we will see the Thgongdrel ceremony till noon and then we will drive to Phobjikha valley – the valley is the winter home of black necked cranes that migrate from the arid plains in the north to pass their winter in milder and lower climate. The valley is the one of the most important wildlife preserves in the country. On reaching Gangtey, we will visit:

• Gangtey Goenpa – one of the most important goenpa in the Nyingmapa sect.
• Dinner and overnight stay Phobjikha Valley Hotel, Dewachen or similar standard.
  

Day 07: Phobjikha – Punakha
Today we will drive to Punakha. We will do the following sightseeing.

• In the morning we will do the Gangtey Natural Hike - The hike will take about 1hour 3ominutes through the pine forest. From this hike we can see the Phobjikha Valley so beautifully and also we can see endangered bird – black neck crane.
• Lunch will be served at the Hotel.
• Then drive to Punkha.
• Dinner and over night stay at Punkha Hotel, Damchen Resort or similar standard.

Day 08. 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 09. 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.