Trongasa Festivals 2010

Day 1 (Dec 13) Arrive at Paro Airport and then drive to the capital city Thimphu. Altitude: 2320m/ 7656ft above sea level.(1 hour 30 minutes drive)
After checking into the hotel later visit.
Zorig Chusum Institute: The 13 arts and Crafts institute. The two main objectives of the institute are a) to preserve and promote the traditional arts and crafts and b) to create job opportunities for the underprivileged group of the society.
Textile museum: It was established with the aim of preserving and promoting Bhutanese textile arts. Overnight in Thimphu

Day 2 (Dec 14) In Thimphu
Morning visit the weekend market: Held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the people crowd the stalls every day, dressed in full colour and gathered to meet and to barter, much like the street markets in London!
Later take a hike to Cheri Monastery(Includes Dodina and Jigme Dorji Wild life Sanctuary): Later just stroll around the city and see how local live and do some shopping. Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 3 (Dec 15) Thimphu to Trongsa. Altitude: 2200m /7260ft above sea level.(5 hours drive)
Morning driving towards Trongsa, we come across a pass known as Dochula (3140m, 10362ft from where a beautiful panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain range can be seen, especially in clear winter days. The beauty of this place is further enhanced by the Druk Wangyal Chortens- a 108 stupas built by the eldest Queen, Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck. Overnight in Trongsa.

Day 4 (Dec 16) In Bumthang
Attend the Festival: The day begins with the famous mask dances. Festivals in the Land Of Thunder Dragon are rich and happy expressions of its ancient Buddhist culture. These festivals are held in all districts in honor of Guru Rinpoche, the saint who introduced Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century. There is simply no better way of experiencing the colour, passion and sheer vibrancy of Bhutan than by attending one of the numerous religious festivals that take place around the year.Tsechus are held on auspicious days and months in the Bhutanese calendar, and last up to four days in which a series of highly stylized masked dance rituals are performed. Attendees adorned in astounding colour gather from far and wide, sporting exotic masks and taking part in the myriad events that are on offer, from games of chance at the local fairs to elaborate mystic rituals. An experience that is not to be missed! Later stroll around the town. Overnight in Trongsa.

Day 5 (Dec 17) Trongsa to Bumthang. Altitude: 2600m/ 8580ft above sea level.(3 hours drive)
Morning visit, Trongsa Dzong: It was built by Chhogyel Mingyur Tempa (sent by Zhabdrung to unify Eastern Bhutan to bring under the rule of the Desi) in the year 1644The dzong dominates the horizon, dwarfing the surrounding buildings. Both the First and the Second King ruled the country from this Dzong. And also visit the Trongsa Museum. Later drive to Bumthang valley. On the way visit Hand Loom shops. Overnight in Bumthang.

Day 6 (Dec 18)In Bumthang
Morning visit the closing ceremony of the festival and visit Jakar Dzong :The Dzong was initially built as a monastery in 1549 by the great grandfather of the Zhabdrung.
Jambay Lhakhang: It is one of the 108 monasteries built by King Songtsen Goenpo in the 8th century to subdue evil spirits in the Himalayan region.
Then hike across to Tamzhing Lhakhang: Temple of good message.
Overnight in Bumthang.

Day 7– (Dec 19) Bumthang to Gangtey Goenpa/Phobjikha, Altitude: 2800m/ 9240ft above sea level (5 hours drive)
Morning drive to Gangtey valley
Overnight in Gangtey.

Day 8 (Dec 20) Gangtey to Punakha. Altitude: 1350m/4455ft above sea level.(1hour 30 minutes drive)
Morning visit the Phobjikha Visitor Centre: This is the crane information centre. Stopping here first also ensures that visitors become aware of the codes of conducts for the conservation area. Later we will go for a Gangtey Nature Trail: Later drive to Punakha valley. Overnight in Punakha.

Day 9 (Dec 21) Punakha to Paro. Altitude: 2280m/ 7524ft above sea level(4 hours drive)
Morning visit, Punakha Dzong (fortress): Built in 1637 by Zhabdrung which is remarkably located between the rivers of Mo (Female) Chu (river) and Pho (Male) Chu. Until the time of second king it served as a seat of the king.
Chimi Lhakhang(Temple of fertility): Later drive to Paro valley
Later visit, Ta Dzong: Kichu Lhakhang(Monastery): It is one of the two most sacred and the oldest temples in Bhutan. It was built in 7th century by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. Overnight in Paro.

Day 10 (Dec 22) In Paro
Hike to Taktshang Monastery (Tiger’s nest): This is Bhutan’s most recognizable cultural icon perched 800m/2640ft up a seemingly sheer cliff. Although it was tragically and mysteriously consumed by fire in April 1998 it has now been restored to its former glory.
Visit Farmhouse: Eating, taking bath and staying for a night at a local farmhouse gives a different variation, and a chance to see the inside of such a home, rather than just the brightly decorated exteriors. Later stroll around the town and see how locals live. Overnight in Paro

Day 11 (Dec 23) Depart from Paro.
Early breakfast at the hotel and then drive to the airport. Your escort from Raven Tours and Treks will assist you with exit formalities and bid you farewell.

Book This Bhutan Tour Package..