Bhutan General Information >> Punakha Festival Tour in Bhutan

During your flight to the Kingdom of the Thunder Dragon you will have breathtaking views of Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Mount Chomolhari and Jitchu Drake in Bhutan. After being received by a Adventure Pilgrims Trekking Pvt. Ltd's representative, you'll stay in cozy restaurants, eat delightful and unique Bhutanese cuisine, cross beautiful wooden bridges as you hike to places like the “Tiger’s Nest” and Ta Dzong.

On your third night on the way to Wangduephodrang and Punakha we'll learn about and visit the historical temple of Bhutan's famous Divine Madman where your can ask for a fertility blessing if you wish.

The highlight of our trip will be the Glorious Punakha festival of intense color, horns, drums, and mystical mask dancers. Festival deities are invoked to increased prosperity and peace and misfortunate will vanish. Later you'll enjoy a picnic lunch on the festival grounds, converse with the locals and enjoy making life long memories.

We'll also visit Trongsa Dzong, the Ancestral home of Bhutan’s monarchy. See Jakar, in the central district of Bumthang, the land of princesses and ghosts. The drive between Trongsa and Bumthang is the most scenic and exciting leg of the journey into the clouds of the Hidden Kingdom. You cross rivers and streams and pass chortens with water driven prayer wheels and colorful rock carvings at many point along the way. An hour outside of Bumthang, just after crossing the Yotongla pass, we make the first sighting of the golden-roofed Jakar Dzong, the Castle of the White Bird, with the Chamkar River cascading in one continuous waterfall down through the valley beneath. Overnight at the beautiful and home-like River Lodge of Lompen Pema.

Returning to the west of Bhutan, we'll stay again at the Dragon’s Nest Resort up the river and in view of the Wangduephodrang Dzong. Before you leave Bhutan you can treat yourself to a well earned Bhutanese hot stone bath at a farm house with more Bhutanese hospitality.

Glimpse the history of Bhutan retold in festivity (11 - 18 February 2008 )
Trip Length: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Cost: 1 person US $1740, 2 persons US $1670 each, 3 more US $1460

Cost includes:
Government royalty, all meals, tea and snacks, accommodations, transport, entrance fees, guide services, mineral water and sightseeing.

Cost does not include:
Druk Air fares, visa fee, airport tax, drinks and other personal bills.

Trip Facts
Punakha was the ancient capital of Bhutan where much of the history of the nation unfolded. Through the festival, get a visual display of the arrival of Bhutan 's founding saint, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal; battles with Tibetan invaders and the various British expeditions into Bhutan . The first king of the monarchy was also crowned here in 1907.

Detailed Itinerary
Where from you like to Travel to Bhutan?? You can enter from Kathmandu, Bangkok, Dhaka and India, we prefer you entry from Nepal .

Day 1: Arrive Paro
The flight to Paro crosses the Himalaya Mountains , affording spectacular views of the awesome peaks, including the sacred Jumolhari and Jichu Drake peaks in Bhutan . Upon arrival in Paro, you will be greeted by our representative and transfer to hotel. After lunch, visit Paro Dzong, which was built in 1646, and visit Kyichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the country and the National Museum . Overnight hotel in Paro.

Day 2: Paro - Punakha
After breakfast you will drive to Punakha, with a stop en route for tea at Dochu La (3,100 meters), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas . After lunch you will drive to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan . On the way to Punakha, you will stop at Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to Chimi Lakhang, which is a fertility temple, where you may receive a special fertility blessing if you wish. Overnight hotel in Punakha.

Day 3: Punakha - attend full day of festival
After breakfast, you will attend the festival in Punakha. Enjoy the celebration of the mask dances by the local people and by the monks. Overnight hotel in Punakha.

Day 4: Punakha - Thimphu (3-hour drive)
After breakfast, you will attend a half day of the Punakha festival. Later you will visit Wangdiphodrang Dzong and explore Wangdue town. In the late afternoon you will drive to Thimphu . Overnight hotel in Thimphu .

Day 5: Thimphu sightseeing
In the morning you can hike to Tango Monastery, which was built by the "Divine Madman" (Lama) in the 15th century. It's a center of study for monks. After lunch you will visit the King's Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972), Changgangkha Monastery, the radio tower (for a great view of Thimphu Valley and the Thimphu Dzong), the National Library (which houses ancient manuscripts), and the zoo, which contains the national animal of Bhutan: the takin. In the evening you can explore Thimphu town. Overnight hotel in Thimphu .

Day 6: Thimphu - Paro (2-hour drive)
In the morning you can stroll through the weekend market with the local people. Later you will visit the School of Arts and Crafts (also known as the painting school), the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, a traditional paper factory, the majestic Tashichhodzong, and Simtokha Dzong (the oldest fortress in the kingdom. After lunch you will drive to Paro and you will visit the National Museum , formerly the watchtower for the Dzong. In the evening you can explore Paro town. Overnight hotel in Paro.

Day 7: Paro
After breakfast hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan 's most famous monastery. Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown on the back of a tigress from Singye Dzong in Lhuntse to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands. It is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley . Overnight hotel in Paro.

Day 8: Depart Paro
Adventure pilgrims trekking Representive will see you off at the Paro airport.