Punakha Tshechu Festival Bhutan Tour (7Days)

National Memorial Chorten – which was built in honor of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk

Papermaking Factory – Witness the art of papermaking

Day trek to Tango Goemba and picnic/lunch by the river in the afternoon. The Tango Goemba site has had religious significance since the 12th century when it was the home of the lama who brought the Drukpa Kagyupa school of Buddhism to Bhutan. The monastery was built there in the 15th century by Drukpa Kunley ("The Divine Madman"). Tango is the highest center of Buddhist learning in the country; almost every Je Khenpo (religious head of Bhutan) completed the 9- year program there. After completing that program, monks traditionally spend a 3-year program there. After completing that program monks traditionally spend 3 years, 3 months, and 3 days in meditation at the nearby Cheri Goemba retreat, built in 1619 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the founder or first unifier of Bhutan. It is currently the home of an 11-year-old boy believed to be the seventh reincarnation of the fourth desi or ruler of Bhutan.

Later in the afternoon, drive to Punakha.

Festival activity in Punakha

Punakha Dzong – Built in 1637, the dzong continues to be the winter home for the clergy, headed by the Chief Abbott, the Je Khenpo. It is a stunning example of Bhutanese architecture, sitting at the fork of two rivers, portraying the image of a medieval city from a distance. The dzong was destroyed by fire and glacial floods over the years but has been carefully restored and is, today, a fine example of Bhutanese craftsmanship.

The Punakha Tshechu, like all Tshechu festivals, honors Padma Sambhawa, also known as Guru Rimpoche, the precious yogi and saint who is credited with having introduced Tantric Buddhism throughout the Himalayas. The culmination of the festival constitutes the unfolding of a huge cloth thangka, a sacred scroll, depicting Padma Sambhava and imagery from the Buddhist pantheon.

Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten –Built by the third Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck this Chorten is a splendid example of Bhutanese architecture and art and is the only one of its kind in the world.

Festival activity in Punakha

Punakha Dzong – Built in 1637, the dzong continues to be the winter home for the clergy, headed by Chief Abbott, the Je Khenpo It is a stunning example of Bhutanese architecture, sitting at the fork of two rivers, portraying the image of a medieval city from a distance. The dzong was destroyed by fire and glacial floods over the years but has been carefully restored and is, today, a fine example of Bhutanese craftsmanship.

The Punakha Tshechu, like all Tshechu festivals, honors Padma Sambhawa, also known as Guru Rimpoche, the precious yogi and saint who is credited with having introduced Tantric Buddhism throughout the Himalayas. The culmination of the festival constitutes the unfolding of a huge cloth thangka a sacred scroll, depicting Padma Sambhava and imagery from the Buddhist pantheon.

Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten –Built by the third Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck this Chorten is a splendid example of Bhutanese architecture and art and is the only one of its kind in the world.

Chhimi Lhakhang – A 20 minutes walk across the terraced field through the village of Sopsokha from the roadside to the small temple located on a hillock in the center of the valley below Metshina. Ngawang Chogyel Built a small Chorten there. It is a pilgrim site for barren women. Paro Valley –The beautiful valley is home to many of Bhutan's old monasteries and temples. The country's only Airport is in Paro. The valley is also home to mount Chomolhari (7,300m) situated at the northern end of the valley whose glacier water forms the Pachu flowing through the valley. The following are some of the prominent places to visit in Paro. Paro Dzong also is known as Rinpung Dzong this 15th-century massive fortress/monastery is also the administrative center of the dzongkhag. A morning drive north of Paro valley brings us to the ruins of Drukgyal Dzong. Built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father, and unifier of medieval Bhutan, the Dzong was destroyed by an accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate explore the ramparts and relive the memories of a glorious past.

Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s nest temple): A one-hour hike to the cafeteria is also a vantage view whereby you can enjoy the stunning view of the monastery. Prayer flags adorn the cliffs and this is also where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in the 8th century.

Drukgyal Dzong: a morning drive, north of Paro valley brings us the ruins of Drukgyal Dzong. Built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal father and unifier of medieval Bhutan, the Dzong was destroyed by an accidental fire and left ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate explore the ramparts and relive the memories of a glorious past.

Kyichu Lhakhang: After a sumptuous local lunch, we will retrace our steps to visit Kyichu Lhakhang one of the oldest temples in Bhutan.