Bumthang Ura festival-11 nights 12 days
Bumthang is one of the historic places in Bhutan. Some of the oldest temples and monasteries of Bhutan are located in this beautiful place. It has four main valleys.i.e Ura, Chumey, Tang and Chhoeker. Bumthang Ura Tshechu is an annual event and it last for three days. ‘Tshechu’ means the 10th day of each month of the lunar calendar (Buddhist calendar). It is performed as a tribute to Guru Rinpoche for bringing Buddhism to Bhutan.
During the festival, a famous dance known as ‘Ura Yakchoe’ is performed. Moreover, the local people take part in performing various dances too. A sacred relic is also being revealed to bless the people. Hence, people from all over the valley make it to witness this festival so as to receive blessings to have a prosperous year.
Day 1
ARRIVE PARO AIRPORT AND SIGHTSEEING AT PARODay 2
PARO TO THIMPHUDay 3
THIMPHU TO PUNAKHADay 4
PUNAKHA TO TRONGSADay 5
TRONGSA TO BUMTHANGDay 6
BUMTHANGDay 7
BUMTHANG TO URA VALLEY (TO ATTEND THE FESTIVAL)Day 8
URA TO GANGTEYDay 9
GANGTEY TO WANGDUEDay 10
WANGDUE TO THIMPHU TO PARODay 11
PARO- HIKE TO PARO TAKTSHANG (TIGER’S NEST)Day 12
DEPART PARO to OUR GUIDE WILL DROP YOU AT THE AIRPORT
Destination
Detailed Itinerary
DAY 01 (ARRIVE PARO AIRPORT)
You will be received at the Paro airport. Then engaged in sightseeing around Paro after lunch wherein we will accompany you to Taa Dzong (Museum), Paro Rinpung Dzong, Drugyal Dzong, and Kicchu Lhakhang.
Taa Dzong lies on the hill located above the Paro Dzong. It is an ancient watch tower which is now used as the National Museum. The building has a unique design built in a shape of a conch shell. The museum has different galleries which provide better display and various categorizations such as anthropology, arms and armor, pre-history, manuscript, paintings, textiles, bronzes, decorative arts, philatelic items, epigraphic items and numismatics.
Next visit will be to Paro Rinpung Dzong. Rinpung means, “Heaps of jewels” and it is a fortress monastery possessing a long history. Inside the Dzong, there are fourteen shrines and chapels.
After exploring Paro Rinpung Dzong, we will accompany you to Drugyal Dzong and Kicchu Lhakhang. Drugyal Dzong is one of the oldest Dzongs in the country which was built to commemorate the victory over an invasion from Tibet. This Dzong now lies in ruins. Right after the visit to Drugyal Dzong, you would enjoy the visit to Kicchu Lhakhang on the way back to the Paro town. The temple is one of the oldest temple built by a Tibetan Emperor, Songtsan Gampo. It is believed that this temple is filled with various hidden treasures.
Overnight at your hotel in Paro
DAY 02 (DRIVE TO THIMPHU)
On the next day, we will have a smooth drive towards Thimphu which would approximately take 1 hour from Paro. You will visit the following places and other sightseeing in and around Thimphu.
Visit Tashi Chhoe Dzong – This marvelous fortress was built by Lama Gyalwa Lhanapa. The Dzong houses the office of the King, the cabinet secretariat, ministry of home affairs and finance and also other government departments.
Visit Bhutanese Craft Bazaar – It is a handicraft market in Thimphu which is acquainted with unique arts and crafts of the country. It will indeed take you to the different world exhibiting its own beauty and charm.
Watch Archery game – Visit changlimithang ground to witness an Archery match. Archery is the national sport of Bhutan and the sport is played by the Bhutanese on several occasions. Archery is played differently in Bhutan as compared with the internal standards where the two targets are placed 100 meters apart from each other
Visit centenary market – in the evening where many local produces foods stuffs as well as arts and crafts are sold in the market. Thus, this provide great opportunities for you to interact with the local and have photography session as well.
Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu
DAY 03 (THIMPHU TO PUNAKHA)
Travel to Punakha (2 hours’ drive)
Visit Dochula Pass – On the way to Punakha you will come across Do Chula pass which is placed 3100 meters above the sea level. There are about 108 sacred stupas or temples being build out there. Gangkar Puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan is seen from the Dochula Pass.
Visit Punakha Dzong – Punakha Dzong is the second largest and one of the most beautiful dzongs in Bhutan. It was built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel as prophesied by Guru Rinpochhe. This Dzong is built at the confluence of Po Chhu and Mo chhu.
Visit Chimi Lhakhang – It is a popular Buddhist monastery built around 1499 by Ngawang Chogyal in honor of Lama Drukpa Kuenley who is also known as a “divine madman” after he subdued the demon of the Dochula with his “magic thunderbolt of wisdom”. He is called as a “Divine madman because of his unusual ways of teaching Buddhism by means of singing, humor and outrageous behavior, which amounted to being bizarre and awful. He is also considered as a symbol of fertility and most childless couples visit his temple for blessing.
Overnight at your hotel in Punakha.
DAY 04 (PUNAKHA TO TRONGSA)
After breakfast, to Trongsa (5-6 hrs) over Pele La pass (3,420m) on the Black Mountain range. Visit the beautiful Chendebji Chorten on the way which is built in a style unusual for Bhutan, with painted eyes facing the four directions. The Chorten was founded in the 18th century by a Tibetan lama to cover the remains of an evil spirit that was subdued at this spot. Trongsa Dzong, an ancestral home of Bhutan’s ruling dynasty can be sighted afar before approaching the town.
Overnight at your hotel in Trongsa.
DAY 05 (TRONGSA TO BUMTHANG)
Visit Trongsa Dzong – Trongsa Dzong is the largest Dzong in Bhutan built in 1647 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The Dzong is considered to be very significant. The first two leaders of the Nation, Jigme Namgyal and Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck ruled from this dzong which is why the crown prince serve as Trongsa penlop before acceding to the throne.
Visit Trongsa Taa Museum – Later you will be accompanied to Ta Dzong, towering over the east side of the Dzong. In ancient times, the tower was a fortress against internal rebellions. Since then, it has been transformed into a National Museum. The tower also houses a chapel which is dedicated to the Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyal in the 19th century.
Drive to Bumthang – After visiting Taa Museum, you will have a ride for 2.5 hours to another amazingly stunning landmark of the country, Bumthang from Trongsa.
Overnight at your hotel in Bumthang.
DAY 06 (GANGTEY / PHOBJIKHA – BUMTHANG)
Drive to Trongsa (4 hrs) over Pele La pass (3,420m) on the Black Mountain range. Visit the beautiful Chendebji Chorten on the way which is built in a style unusual for Bhutan, with painted eyes facing the four directions. The Chorten was founded in the 18th century by a Tibetan lama to cover the remains of an evil spirit that was subdued at this spot. Trongsa Dzong, an ancestral home of Bhutan’s ruling dynasty can be sighted afar before approaching the town.
After lunch, visit Trongsa Dzong, a masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture. Trongsa is the largest Dzong in Bhutan. The Dzong was built in the 16th Century and apparently there are 22 temples in the compound. Next, we will accompany you to Ta Dzong museum housing an incredible collection of historical artefacts of the Royal Family and series of traditional armour.
Then, continue driving towards Bumthang (2.5 hrs), one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the spiritual and historical heartland of the country. The road takes you sharply up to Yo Yutung La Pass (3,400m) before descending through dense coniferous forest to Chummey valley. Enjoy a visit to the Chummey weavers’ workshop wherein you can find various Bhutanese fabrics among which Mathra is the most popular one.
Overnight at your hotel in Bumthang
DAY 07 (BUMTHANG TO URA VALLEY)
Early morning after the breakfast, we will drive towards URA valley to attend the ‘URA Festival’. The valley is 48 km away and it will take approximately 1.5 hours.During the festival, a famous dance known as ‘Ura Yakchoe’ is performed. There are other colorful mask dances performed by the monks. Moreover, the local people take part in performing various dances too. A sacred relic is also being revealed to bless the people.
You can also explore the magnificent URA valley having clustered settlement where 40 to 50 beautiful traditional houses are built. The valley also possess URA Lhakhang which dominates the valley. Most people here are farmers and rear sheeps and yaks. Women here wear white scarf on their head to protect against cold and they also wear sheep’s skin behind their back which act as a cushion to carry heavy load.
Drive back to Bumthang in the evening.
Overnight stay at your hotel in Bumthang.
DAY 08 (URA TO GANGTEY)
Drive back, following the same route towards Pobjika and you will reach there by evening. In the evening, visit one of farm house for dinner together with the family members. This provides an excellent opportunity to interact and understand the life of local people out there.
Overnight at your hotel in Pobjika.
DAY 09 (GANGTEY TO WANGDUE)
Explore Phobjika valley
The Phobjika valley is one of the most beautiful U-shaped valley in Bhutan.Phobjika valley is home to Black necked cranes (endangered bird) which flies to Bhutan from Tibetan plateau during winter to roost. They migrate from higher attitude to spend their winter here because of an extreme cold weather in Tibet. The best time to visit this place is during winter as you can see Black necked cranes all over this magnificent valley. You can also see Yaks grazing on the mountains before entering the valley.
Visit Gangtey Goenpa (monastery), which is built on a hill top. It is the only Nyingmapas monastery on the western side of the Black Mountain. Moreover, it is the biggest Nyingmapas monastery in the country. Finally, we will drive to Wangdue in the evening.
Overnight at your hotel in Wangdue.
DAY 10 (WANGDUE TO THIMPHU TO PARO)
After breakfast, drive back to Thimphu in the morning.You will visit the following places in Thimphu
Visit Buddha Dordenma Statue – It is a massive Shakyamuni statue built on the hill top of Kuenselphodrang which is 51.5m in height. It is made up of bronze and gold. The statue is one of the largest statue in the world. This great statue also houses over one hundred thousand small Buddha statues. I bet that you will be startled to gaze at this gigantic statue right in front of you.
Visit Bhutan Post Office – Bhutan post office is located in the heart of the Thimphu city. This is one exciting place to visit as there is unique collection of Bhutanese stamps and you will get to explore about Bhutan’s history from these stamps as well.
Visit Museum – Thimphu has Many Museums. Each artifact in the museum has its own stories to tell which you would love to listen to.
Visit Royal Textile Academy
Simply Bhutan Museum National Folk Heritage
National Textile Museum
Overnight at your hotel in Paro
DAY 11 (HIKE TO PARO TAKTSHANG)
After the breakfast, there will be a hike to Taktsang Monastery. Paro Taktshang is one of the most prominent tourist destinations of the country and your trip would be tedious without visiting this most important Buddhist temple. Taktshang “Tiger’s nest” is built on a cliff which is about 3120 meters above the sea level. It is located 10 km away from the Paro town and will take at least 2-4 hours for trekkers to reach the spot. You can even have an exhilarating uphill ride on a rented horse. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche (Buddhist saint) came riding on a tigress to this site and meditated in the cave for 3 years, 3 months, 3 days and 3 hours so as to subdue evil spirits dwelling in that region. He was indeed victorious which is why Taktshang was built to signify the victory over the evil spirit. There is a Taktshang cafeteria which serves tea, lunch, snacks and fruit drinks at a reasonable price as well.
In the evening, we will accompany you to a farm house in Paro for a hot stone bath. This traditional bath uses fresh water from the river mixed with Artemisia leaves. The water is then heated by dipping hot stones in the water tub. This hot stone bath is a traditional method of healing diseases. In additional, you would feel relax while taking hot stone bath. So, if you are tired, a hot stone bath is all you need!
DAY 12 (DEPART PARO)
After the breakfast, we will drop you to the Paro International Airport from where you will fly back home.
Khadenchey la!