In Bhutan, Tshechu means the tenth day of the lunar calendar and it marks the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava or Lotus Born. He is the founder of Nyingmapa Sect and contributed enormously to the diffusion of Tantric Buddhism in Himalayan regions around 800 AD. The festival of sacred dances is held annually. It was Desi Tenzin Rabgye, the fourth temporal ruler, who established the tradition of Tshechu in 1670 on the 10th day of the 8th month of the Bhutanese calendar to commemorate the birth anniversary of Guru Rinpoche. This religious event plays an important role in the lives of Bhutanese people as it is an opportunity for the Buddhist followers to immerse and cleanse themselves of the negative karma. The mask dances are performed by the monks and Royal Academy of Performing Arts which were the visions and treasures revealed by the Tertons (treasure revealers). During the Tshechu, Bhutanese people dressed in their finest locally produced outfits and jewelries to stay true to the age-old traditions. This spiritual social event brings people together unified by the common culture, traditions and beliefs.
Activities: Festival Tour & Sightseeing
Duration: 8 Nights 9 Days
Season: Autumn Season
Day 01: Paro/ Thimphu/ Drubchen
Drive: 1 Hour
Altitude: Around 2300m/7590 ft
Distance: 65 km/ 39 miles
Welcome to Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Touching down at Paro International Airport, you will be greeted by our representatives at the arrival gate and then directly transported to Thimphu to witness Dromchoe. Thimphu Lhamo Dromchoe is held every year on the 6th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar. It was first started in 1707 in Thimphu by the second Je Khenpo Kinga Gyalsthen. This festival is dedicated to the deity Palden Lhamo to invoke her blessings for the well-being of all sentient beings in the universe. The Dromchoe dances are performed for the public for three days. Meanwhile, Drubchen prayers continue. Lhamo Ramati and Lhamo Tsomo Chham are the highlights of the Dromchoe.
Overnight: Thimphu
Day 02: Thimphu Sightseeing
Morning visit Memorial Chorten (Stupa) which was built in the memory of the third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (also called father of modern Bhutan) in 1974. Then proceed further to Kuensel Phodrang (Buddha Point), which was completed and consecrated in 2015 coinciding with the Descending Day of Lord Buddha and then to National Takin Preserve (where national animal is kept) . Later, visit one of the oldest Nunneries in Bhutan (also called Drubthob Goemba). In the afternoon visit painting school (school of thirteen Arts and crafts), where the students learn thirteen different arts and crafts commonly used in Bhutan, then visit weaving centre, next to handmade paper factory and later to the weekend market (Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday).
Overnight: Thimphu
Day 03: Thimphu to Punakha
Drive: 2 ½ Hours
Altitude: 1350m/4455ft
Distance: 76 km/45.6miles
Drive through Dochula pass, which is at the elevation 3140m above the sea level. When the weather is sky blue clear, you can enjoy a scenic view of the highest unclimbed mountain in the world in Bhutan and Himalayan ranges stretched almost 180 degrees. Sooner you can break for tea for some time and resume your way to Punakha via sub-tropical Forest. Afternoon, take a short hike to Chimi Lhakhang (known as temple of fertility), which was built in 1499 by the cousin of Lama Drukpa Kuenley (Divine Madman) in his honor after he subdued the demoness of the Dochula with his ‘magic thunderbolt of wisdom’. Then take a visit to Punakha Dzong (the palace of great happiness) which is arguably the most stunning dzong in the country and construction was foretold by Guru Rinpoche. Then it was built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1637 and was completed in the following year.
Overnight: Punakha
Day 04: Punakha to Phobjikha
Drive: 3 Hours
Altitude: 2900 m/9570 ft
Distance: 78 km/ 46.8 miles
After breakfast drive to the roosting ground of black-necked crane in Phobjikha valley. Black-necked cranes are one of the most endangered species of birds in the world. These birds winter in south-central Tibet, north-eastern Yunnan province in China and in some parts of Bhutan as well. After you enter Phobjikha valley, visit Gangtey Goenpa, in 15th century treasure discoverer Pema Lingpa prophesied that a Goenpa named gang-teng (hill top) would be built on this site. Thus, his teaching would flourish far and wide from here. Gangtey is the only Nyingma monastery found in western Bhutan. Then take a Phobjikha Nature Trail hike from the Goenpa which takes around 1 ½ hours. It is simply a very beautiful hike and you can have a breathtaking view down in the valley and suppose you are lucky and in the right season you could see the black necked cranes in the valley.
Overnight: Phobjikha
Day 05: Phobjikha to Thimphu
Drive: 5 ½ Hours
Distance: 154 km/ 92 miles
Retrace, leisurely back to Thimphu with the eye-feasting views and sceneries on the way. En-route, at Dochula visit Druk Wangyel lhakhang which was built by Queen mother Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck in the honor of the 4th king. In Thimphu, try to make yourself comfortable with the atmospheric environment of Thimphu festival. Relax and have a leisure spree in town.
Overnight: Thimphu
Day 06: Thimphu Tshechu
Thimphu Tshechu is an annual spiritual social event normally celebrated on the 10th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar. Actually in Tshechu, all the days are very interesting and amazing but the second day is considered as one of the most significant days during the Tshechu since Bhutanese believe that the second day symbolizes intermediate state. On that day, they perform mask dances like Durdag Cham (dance of the Lords of the cemetery), Tung Ngam Cham (dance of the thirteen terrifying deities), Raksha Go Cham (dance of the Spirit of Hell and Lord of the Death) and Raksha Mang Cham (dance of the spirit of Hell). These mask dances and other dances are performed by the monks and Royal Academy of Performing Arts (RAPA).
Overnight: Thimphu
Day 07: Thimphu Tshechu
On the third day people come and witness Tshechu since several mask dances will be performing on that day as well and especially they get a chance to witness the Guru Tsengay Cham (dance of the eight Manifestations of Guru Rinpoche or Precious Master) which are performed by the monks of the central monastic body. In the meantime, people receive blessings from Guru Rinpoche. Later in the evening drive back to Paro. Have a complete relax and prepare well for next day’s hike to Tiger’s Nest (Taktshang).
Overnight: Paro
Day 08: Taktsang Hike
After breakfast, the car will drop you to the basement of the excursion to view spectacular and the most famous Taktshang monastery. You can climb up to the monastery through beautiful pine forests, many of the trees with the beautiful hanging of mosses (also called Old man’s beard) and pass through an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. Stop at Taktshang Cafeteria for a stunning view of the monastery and break for coffee as well. Then after some time resume your hike and continue until you see clearly within reach of the monastery. It is believed that in 8th century, Guru Rinpoche, the tantric mystic flew here on the back of a tigress from Singye Dzong in Kurtoe to Taktshang to subjugate demons and all evil spirits obstructing to flourish Buddhism and blessed them as the protector of the doctrine. It is also believed Guru Rinpoche has meditated here for three months and took his last manifestation in the form of Guru Dorje Dragpo (fierce thunderbolt) during subjugation. Later in the evening go around in the town and grasp some souvenirs from Bhutan.
Overnight: Paro
Day 09: Departure
After breakfast check-out from the hotel and drive to the Airport. Our team will see you off at the Airport.
