Paro Festival Tour. The Paro Tshechu or Festival is a Buddhist Festival and one of the major annual events of Bhutan. The Tshechu holds religious significance and is held to commemorate the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava, the patron saint of Bhutan who introduced Tantric Buddhism in Bhutan. This is the most popular Spring festival in Bhutan.
Paro International Airport (Google Map)
2nd to 4th April 2023
4 Bedrooms
6 Bathrooms
This famous festival, originally a consecration ceremony of the Dzong Paro Rinpung in the mid-17th century, is now held annually to honor the enlightened Guru Rinpoche.
The flight into Bhutan takes you close to the great Himalayas, offering dazzling scenic views of some world’s highest glacial peaks. As you enter Paro valley, you will sweep past forested hills with the silvery Pa Chu (Paro river) meandering down the valley below. Paro Dzong (fortress) and Ta Dzong (watchtower) on the hills above the town will be a fine sight. Our representative will meet you at Paro airport, after arrival & visa formalities and collection of baggage, who will be your tour guide during your entire trip in Bhutan.
After an early breakfast attends the first day of the Tshechu which is held in the courtyard of Paro Rinpung Dzong. This is the main Secretariat Building, where the government offices and living quarters of the monk body and its Chief Abbot are housed. Witness the festival the entire day
The Festival includes the Dance of Black Hats (Shana / Ngachamp), Dance of the Nobleman and Ladies (phole Mole), Dance of the drum beaters, from Dramitse (Dramitse Ngachamp), Dance of the Stag and the hounds (shawa Shachi) Evening Thimphu Exploration, Visit memorial Chorten, National Memorial Chorten.
After a 50-minute drive check into Hotel and after a tea visit, The National Memorial was built by Bhutan’s third kind, H.M.Jigme Wangchuck who is also known as the ‘’Father of Modern Bhutan’’. He wanted to erect a monument carrying the message of world peace and prosperity.
After his untimely demise in 1972, the Royal Family and Cabinet resolved to fulfill his wishes and erect a memorial that would perpetuate his memory and also serve as a monument to eternal peace, harmony, and tranquility. The National Memorial Chorten is located in the center of the capital city, Thimphu, and is designed like a Tibetan-style Chorten. The Chorten has patterned off the classical Stupa design with a pyramidal pillar crowned by a crescent moon and sun. One of the most distinctive features of the Chorten is it’s outwards flaring rounded part that makes the Chorten look more like a vase rather than a classical dome. The interior of the Chorten has a large number of paintings of Tantric deities, in explicit sexual poses that sometimes can be a little disconcerting to visitors.
Evening visit to DechenChholing, (about 30 minutes drive from Thimphu to view the palace of the Queen Mother from a hilltop. Visitors are not allowed to enter the palace complex, especially when the Queen Mother is in residence. Overnight hotel in Thimphu
Early breakfast and visit Simtokha Dzong. This is one of the oldest fortresses in Bhutan. It was built in 1629 A.D. Drive to Punakha via Dochula Pass at 3150mts. The drive would take about 3 hours. On arrival, drive to Punakha Dzong, the “Palace of Great Happiness” Built-in 1637 by the Shabdrung, the ‘Unifier of Bhutan’, Punakha Dzong is situated at the confluence of the Mo Chu and Pho Chu (Mother and Father Rivers). It is the winter headquarters of the Je Khenpo and hundreds of monks who move en masse from Thimphu to this warmer location. The three-story main temple of the Punakha Dzong is a breathtaking example of traditional architecture with four intricately embossed entrance pillars crafted from cypress and decorated in gold and silver. It was here in 1907 that Bhutan’s first king was crowned. Overnight hotel in Punakha.
Drive to Paro. Visit 6th Century Kichu monastery, Dungtse monastery, and later visit Farm House. Over night at Hotel
Today is the last day in Bhutan. Our staff will see you off at the airport.
