The Thimphu Tshechu (Festival), initiated in 1867, draws thousands to Thimphu for a vibrant three-day celebration. It offers Bhutanese farmers a welcome respite from daily farm life, uniting them in their finest attire for blessings, prayers, and cultural festivities. The festival features prayers, mask dances, and folk dances (cham), conveying blessings and Buddhist teachings. Attending the festival is believed to bring merit, with the final day marked by the unfurling of Guru Rinpiche’s Thongdrol for added blessings. Join Himalayan Windows Tours for a unique and meaningful Thimphu Tshechu (Festival) Tour 8-day.
Fly into Paro, after completing your immigration formalities, you will be received by our representative who will be your tour guide throughout your tour. Then drive to Thimphu. On arrival at Thimphu check into your hotel and after lunch visit the following.
Bhutan Postal Museum (recently established): The museum tells the story of Bhutan’s progress and development through the evolution of communications and the postal system in the country. And also you can get personalized Bhutanese postage stamps with your photo on them. You can bring along your favorite photo to put on the stamps and put these stamps on your postcard to your family and friends.
Changzamtok Weaving center: It is to observe beautiful colorful silk and cotton textiles being woven into shawls, scarves, and traditional Bhutanese dresses.
Craft Bazaar where craftsmen and artisans from across the country display and see their handicrafts.
In the evening, free to relax or stroll around Thimphu town, do shopping, etc.
Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu
After breakfast, you will go to witness the First day of Thimphu Tshechu (Festival) which will be held at Tendrel Thang (the festival ground in front of Thimphu Tashichhodzong). Dressed in traditional finery, devotees frock to Tendrel Thang to proclaim their faith and receive blessings.
You will take off some time from the festival to visit Tashichhoe Dzong, a fortress of the glorious. It was built in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and was reconstructed into the 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.
After the festival you will visit the following:
Watch Archery match– Bhutan’s national game
Kuenselphodrang, where Bhutan’s largest Buddha statue (167 feet tall) is perched on the hillock overlooking the entire Thimphu valley below, and the view from there, is magnificent.
National Memorial Chorten, Chorten literally means the seat of Buddhists often claims such monuments as the ‘Mind of Buddha’. Meet the elderly generation in circumambulation at the National Memorial Chorten.
Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu
After breakfast, visit the following:
Centenary farmers market (open from the –sun only): most of Thimphu’s population and many valley dwellers converge on the bustling weekend market, held by the side of Wangchu River. A wide range of foodstuffs and local arts and crafts are sold at the market, which runs from Friday afternoon till Sunday evening. A visit to the market provides great photo opportunities as well as the chance to mingle with local people and perhaps buy souvenirs.
Go to Tendrel Thang to get a glimpse of the 2nd Day of the Thimphu Festival and stay at the festival for about an hour or so.
National Textile Museum 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 that are rich in colors and designs. You will also see people weaving with intricate designs.
Simply Bhutan- A living museum of rural life that provides tourists with fascinating insights into the Bhutanese material culture and way of life.
After lunch drives for about 30 minutes to the base camp of Tango Monastery and hikes up to the monastery. The walk up to the Monastery is through the forest filled with Rhododendron flower trees which will be in full bloom during April month. Tango monastery is the center for higher studies for monks. The view from Tango Monastery is breathtakingly beautiful. You will experience complete peace and serenity in this area. After visiting the monastery, walk back to the road and then drive back to Thimphu.
Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu
After breakfast go to Tendreal Thang (festival ground ) to witness the most spectacular last day of Thimphu Tsechu with religious dance performances mixed with folk dance and dance of Bhutanese warriors. People from all walks of life gather at the festival in their finest dresses and ornaments.
After the festival, visit the following:
Traditional Bhutanese paper making factory: the handmade paper making in Bhutan stemmed from the age-old tradition that originated in the 8th century of Bhutanese history. The handmade paper constitutes a valuable National heritage of Bhutanese cultural identity and preserved through all the ages. The traditional paper is recognized and helps hold high esteem both in-home and outside the world. Jungshi paper factory was established in November 1990 as an undertaking of the Royal Government of Bhutan. The unit now boasts of a major dealer in handmade paper and its products.
Takin Preserve 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 very high altitudes (13, 125ft, and over). They live on a diet of grass and bamboo. It can weigh as much as 550 pounds.
Changankha Lhakhang (temple): This temple is situated at top of a small hound overlooking the Thimphu valley was built in the 13th century by the illustrious Lam Phajo Duaom Zhimpo. The temple is considered the spiritual home of children born in the Chang valley.
Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
After breakfast, travel to Punakha and Wangdue through Dochula Pass 3140m. In the clear spring sky, you can enjoy the panoramic view of the Himalayan ranges. Then pass by the beautiful 108 Chortens built on the hill by her MajestyAshi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck (Queen Mother of Bhutan) for the security and well being of His Majesty, the King of Bhutan.
You will also visit Druk Wangyal Lhakhang (monastery) which was built by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck (the Queen Month of Bhutan) as a tribute to His Majesty the fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, and armed forces after His Majesty led a successful operation against Indian militants who had occupied certain areas of Bhutan. The galley of the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang has beautiful murals depicting some of the important events in the reigns of the Kings of Bhutan.
Then travel into Punakha has been inextricably linked to some of the most momentous events in Bhutanese history and deserves its reputation as one of the most beautiful and significant regions at the heart of Bhutanese culture. Punakha had served as the capital of Bhutan from 1637 till 190. The dzong is historically important and stands as the symbol for unified Bhutan.
On the way, stop by Devine Madman’s Monastery – Chhimi Lhakhang, popularly known for its fertility shrine, where one can receive a special fertility blessing.
Overnight at the hotel
After breakfast, the visit is Punakha Dzong, Built tactically at the junction of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative center of the region and travel through upper Punakha valley and take a hike through farmhouses to the beautiful Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Lhakhang (temple) built by Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck (the Queen Mother of Bhutan) for peace and stability in the ever-changing world. This temple is situated on the hilltop overlooking the valley below. The leisurely walk up to the temple would take about an hour. Visit the temple and also enjoy the breathtakingly beautiful view from there.
On the way to Paro visit the following places:
Rinpung Dzong: Rinpung Dzong is built in 1645 to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The Dzong is now being used as an administration center and school for monks. The walk down to Rinpung Bridge (traditional Bridge), the oldest bridge in Bhutan.
Visit Farmhouse in Paro valley and a visit to a farmhouse offers a good glimpse into the lifestyles of farmers.
Overnight at the hotel in Paro
After Breakfast, hike to Tiger’s Nest (Taktsang Monastery). The hike up to the viewpoint will take about two hours and from there you will enjoy the spectacular view of the monastery clinging to the side of the cliff. You will stop here for refreshment and then hike further up to the monastery which should take you another one and half hours. The total hike to reach the Tiger’s nest would take about three and a half hours.
It was first built in 1692, around the Taktsang Senge Samdup, a cave where Guru Padmasambhava is said to have meditated for three months in the 8th century. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche (Guru Padmasambhava) flew to this location from Khenpajong, Tibet on the back of the tigress and subdued a demon. He then performed meditation in one of the caves here and emerged in eight incarnated forms (manifestations) and blessed the place. Subsequently, the place came to be known as the Tiger’s Nest. Guru Padmasambhava is known for introducing Buddhism to Bhutan. Today, Paro Taktsang is the best knowledge of the thirteen caves in which he meditated.
After visiting the monastery, walk back downhill to the road with lunch at the viewpoint cafeteria. Then drive back to your hotel after visiting Kichu Lhakhang on the way back. Kichu Lhakhang, 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 638AD the temple of Jokhang in Lhasa was built over the very heart of the demon.
In the evening relax in the traditional hot stone bath after a tiring day.
Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
After breakfast, your tour guide from Himalayan Windows Tours will drive you to the Paro International airport and bid your farewell.