Punakha Tsechu Festival Tour
A journey shaped by the landscapes, people and experiences of Nepal.
Offered by Nexus Travel & Tours Pvt. Ltd.
NEPAL · TRAVEL EXPERIENCES
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Punakha Tsechu Festival Tour combines the popular Punakha Tsechu Festival with visits to important attractions of Punakha, Paro and Thimpu. The Punakaha Tsechu Festival offers a rare glimpse into the traditional Bhutanese culture and faith. The festival is held every year during February at Punakha Dzong to offer honor to Guru Padmashambhava. It features mask dances by monks accompanied by Bhutanese traditional instruments, reading of religious scripts and chants and the unfolding of sacred scroll depicting Padmashambhava. While the locals attend the colorful festival to acquire merit, visitors travel from far and near to witness the spectacular display of color, aged old traditions, and tantric Buddhist rituals. The event inside Paro Rinpung Dzong initiates with monks performing the Shingje Yab Yum – the dance of the lord of death (Shingje) and his companion. This is followed by Durdag – the dance of the lords of the cremation grounds, after which, the dance of the black hats, Shanag, and the dance of the drums from Drametse (Drametse Ngacham) are performed. The second part of the tour will engage you in visiting sacred Buddhist monasteries and ancient fortresses such as Punakha Dzong, Taktsang Monasery etc. and exploring Phobjikha Valley, Thimphu and Paro. .
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Kathmandu - Paro — Fly from Kathmandu to Paro on a Druk Air flight which offers the most fascinating aerial views of the Himalayas including Everest and Kanchendzonga. At first glimpse, the Bhutanese landscape will mesmerize you with its green rolling mountains, river valleys, waterfalls and the great snowcapped Himalayan peaks.
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Day 2Paro sightseeing — This day is set aside for Paro Sightseeing.
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Day 3Paro to Punakha — Morning drive over the Dochu-La pass (3,100 meters), which on a clear day offers an incredible view of Himalayan peaks including Mt. Chomlohari (7134m) or the Mountain of Gods.
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Day 4Attend Punakha Tsechu Festival — The Punakaha Tsechu Festival offers a rare glimpse into the traditional Bhutanese culture and faith. The festival is held every year during February to offer honor to Guru Padmashambhava at Punakha Dzong. It features mask dances by monks accompanied by Bhutanese traditional instruments, reading of religious scripts and chants and the unfolding of sacred scroll depicting Padmashambhava.
Confirm daily arrangements with the provider.
Day 5Punakha to Phobjikha Valley — Early morning drive from Punakha to Phobjikha Valley which takes about 3 hours. Drive up a winding mountain road through oak and rhododendron forests, and over a high pass down into the picturesque Phobjikha Valley. Phobjikha is famous for glaciers and also for rare birds like black necked cranes.
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Day 6Phobjikha Valley to Thimphu — Early morning drive back to Thimphu which takes about 6 hours.
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Day 7Thimpu Sightseeing — After early breakfast, we will visit the National Library to see ancient Buddhist manuscripts and traditional art school. The Traditional Medicine Institute showcases ancient Bhutanese practices of making medicine.
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Day 8Thimphu to Paro — Early morning drive to Paro. We will spend the rest of the day visiting some of the important landmarks of Paro. We will tour Ta Dzong, which houses the National Museum, the ruins of Drugyel Dzong and the courtyard of 7th century Kichu Lhakhang. Kichu Lhakhang was built by Tibetan King Trsongsan Gampo, and is one of the 108 chortens he built all across the Himalayas to suppress the influence of demons.
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Day 9Paro to Kathmandu — You will take morning flight to Kathmandu from Paro Airport.
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What's included in your experience
Included
- All airport pick-up and drop-off services by private vehicle
- Flight tickets from Kathmandu to Paro and Paro to Kathmandu
- Tour guide
- Visa for Bhutan
- Travel permit
- All land transportation by private vehicle
- All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the Bhutan trip
- Hotel accommodation at 3 star standards hotel (upgrading of hotel is possible with additional charge)
- All entry fees
- Sightseeing
- Tourist Development Fee (TDF)
Not included
- Personal nature expenses
- Drinks, beverages, etc.
- Travel insurance
- Tips
- Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu (We can book your accommodation in Kathmandu according to your preference.)
Essential trip information
Fitness & eligibility
1
Meeting point
Kathmandu
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