Punakha Festival Tour

The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular mountain flights in the world, with a constantly changing panorama of some of the highest mountains on earth. Our Bhutan representative will meet you at Paro airport exit doors following customs formalities.

Following lunch, drive to the capital, Thimphu (1.5 hours) following the Pachu River. Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.

Begin your day with a visit to the 169ft Buddha tample and  handmade paper factory. Paper has been made in the Himalayas from a long period of time, traditionally to supply the Buddhist monasteries with paper for woodblock and manuscript books. The most common and popular papers of Bhutan are made from the bark of the de-nar plant, a variety of Daphne. It is a dark woody paper fiber found only in Bhutan. Bhutanese Handmade Paper is made without environmental damage to the land.

If your visit to Thimphu coincides with the weekend, you can walk through the Thimphu Market to see the variety of food of Bhutan, including basket upon basket of fiery chillies, fresh cheese and a variety of fresh greens. In addition, many stalls contain Bhutanese handicrafts and household items. (This market is open only from Friday until mid Sunday). Later visit the Folk Heritage Museum featuringan exhibition of items and artifacts of Bhutanese villages and rural households. The museum also organizes demonstrations of rural traditions, skills, habits and customs, educational programs for children and research and documentation on rural life of Bhutan and the Takin Preserve Centre,the national animal of Bhutan. if time permits evening walk towards wangdtse tample a really nice hike which have a nice scene over looking the whole capital city. Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.

Embarking on the 125-kilometer, 5-hour journey from Thimphu to Gangtey in Phobjikha Valley promises an enchanting experience through Bhutan's diverse landscapes. Leaving Thimphu, the capital's modern aura transforms into tranquil countryside. The ascent to the Dochu La Pass at 3,100 meters offers breathtaking mountain panoramas and a spiritual touch. Descending, you'll pass picturesque villages and pine forests through Wangdue, then climb the Black Mountains, crossing the Lawala Pass at 3,250 meters, revealing the wide and spectacular Phobjikha Valley.visit Gangtey Gonpa and walk through the Gangtey nature trail(1-2 hours) with stunning view of the phobjikha valley.Overnight at your hotel.

Today we will drive towards Punakha after visiting the Black Nacked Crane information centre. Upon arrival in Punakha We will walk through the paddy field and enjoy the lunch After lunch visit Chimilhakhang,the fertility tample.  The Temple of the Divine Madman Located on a round hillock on the edge of the Punakha Valley, Chimi Lhakhang was built in 1499 by the 14th Drukpa hierarch, Ngawang Choegyel, after the site was blessed by ‘the Divine Madman’ the maverick saint, Drukpa Kunley. Famously known as the temple of fertility, the lhakhang draws local people, from near and far, to receive blessings from the lama (monk). The local people also bring their new-borns to be named here. The lhakhang is truly a revered and blessed space for many.

Many childless couples make a devout pilgrimage to the lhakhang in the hope that they will be honoured with a wang, or a blessing from the lama. Woman entering the temple, who are hoping to conceive, are made to carry a wooden phallus around the temple three times.

The lhakhang is about a 30-minute walk through fields from Sopsokha on the main road to Punakha. After lunch we will visit Sangchen Dorji Lhundrup Nunnery, Buddhist nuns university established in 2015.

In view of the healthy climate in the region, Punakha is the winter capital of Bhutan. The head of the clergy of Bhutan with his entourage of monks spend the winter in this dzong. Jacaranda trees grow around the dzong, blooming with mauve flowers in the spring. Punakha is also the center of Bhutan’s longest suspension bridge (Punakha Suspension Bridge).Overnight at your hotel Zhingkham/Similar.

Morning at Punakha dzong wearing the national dress of Bhutan to witness Punakha Tsechu (festival). Punakha festival was introduced in 2005 by Ministry of Home & Culture Affairs as per request made by Punakha district Administration and local people to preserve Buddhist teachings and to keep alive the noble deeds of Zhabdrung Ngwang Namgyal, the person who unified Bhutan and built Dzongs in Bhutan and also introduced monastic school in the country. The festival’s masked dances are performed by monks clad in colorful brocade attire and permeated by chants and reading of Buddhist scripts.we will also visit the monk assembly of the monks inside the Dzong. lunch at the local farm house/picnic river side lunch with local people.

After lunch take a short walk to the longest suspension bridge of Bhutan. we will walk through the village  at the other side of the bridge.hae some tea and snacks and enjoy the farm house.Overnight at your hotel in Punakha.

After breakfast we will drive back to paro crossing Dochula pass and we will also visit the meditation caves at the pass and if you are interested do some short meditation at the cave. Lunch in Thimphu or on the way in the local restaurant. Upon arrival in paro we will visit the National museum of bhutan and then we will go around the paro town for shopping. Overnight at your hotel in Paro.

After breakfast hike to Taktsang Monastery. The trail is broad and the walk of approximately 1.5 to 2 hours uphill takes you high above the Paro valley. The view of Taktsang Monastery built on a sheer cliff face 900 metres above the valley floor is a spectacular sight. The great Guru Rimpoche is said to have flown here on the back of a tigress when he brought the teachings of the Buddhist Dharma to Bhutan in the 8th Century. Nearby there is a teahouse where you can stop for lunch. If the time is early we will go to the town for lunch and after lunch we will check in the hotel and rest for awhile. in th evening we will go for a hot stone bath and farewell dinner at the farm house. Overnight at your hotel in paro.

    * We will take tea and snacks for the hike  and extra water *

*If its a group above 5 pax we will organise a Bhutanese traditional cultural dance program*

Happiness is a place, wish you had gotten your happiness philosophy from the beautiful Himalayan country with us. It is time to end your 8-day Bhutan  Tour. Your guide will escort you to Paro International Airport  for your flight to your next destination.

Thank you for choosing Unveilinghappiness Tours and Treks for your Bhutan tour, we are always here working for you and hope to see you again. Safe journey!