BHUTAN- with Thimphu Tsechu & Drubchen Festivals

Arrive in Paro, meeting assistance by A Classic Tours Collection representative & guide. In Paro, you will encounter picturesque houses, built in traditionalyoung monks Bhutan style and painted with colored designs lining the main streets. The bustling main street hosts no traffic lights, as is the case throughout this startling land. Check into our hotel for time to relax. This afternoon take an orientation drive through the picturesque Paro valley with its quaint clusters of hamlets amid terraced paddy fieldsAlso visit the National Museum of the country. It holds fascinating collection of art, relics, religious Thangkha paintings and Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps. HOTEL (LD)

Visit Kyichu Lhakhang, said to have been built by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet in 659, Satsam Chorten and Rinpung Dzong also known as the Fortress of the Heap of Jewels, the old ruined fortress of Drugyel Dzong an ancient monastic and administrative complex/fortress, from the ramparts of which the Bhutanese repelled Tibetan invaders. Next visit Dungtse Lhakhang, a Chorten-like temple. This unusual building was built in 1433 by the iron bridge builder Thangtong Gyalpo. It has three floors representing hell, earth and heaven and the paintings inside are said to be some of the best in Bhutan. Ugyen Pelri Palace is in a secluded wooded compound on the south side of the river just west of the Dzong. This Palace was built by the Paro Penlop, Tsering Penjor, in the early 1900s. (subject to opening schedule of Palace). On a clear day, you will be overawed by the sight of the 24,000 feet white-domed peak of the sacred Mt Jhomolhari that looms overhead. HOTEL (BLD)

The trip involves walking on narrow mountain trails and some steep climb. After breakfast, drive to Satsam Chorten to begin hiking to Taktsang image004Monastery’s viewpoint. The terrain to the monastery climbs through beautiful pine forests. Taktsang means “Tiger’s Nest”, built around a cave where Guru Rimpoche meditated. The 8th century monastery is perched on a rock overlooking a sheer drop and clings seemingly impossibly to a cliff of rock at 9678 feet above the valley floor.Stop at local villages on the way *& enjoy picnic lunch. On your return to Paro, walk through the market followed by a visit to a typical Bhutanese farm house

After an early Breakfast, you will be driven to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. Thimphu, with a population composed mainly of monks, the royal family, and government employees, has a distinctive Bhutanese character. Attend the Thimphu Drubchen festival. The festival is different as it showcases the sacred dances dedicated to the chief protective deity of Bhutan, Palden Lhamo. Legend has it, that the deity Pelden Lhamo appeared before Kuenga Gyeltshen and performed the dances while he was in meditation. The mask dances known as Cham are performed flagsto bless onlookers, to teach them the Buddhist dharma, to protect them from misfortune and to exorcise all evil. It is believed that merit is gained by attending these festivals. For Bhutanese people, the dances invoke the deities to wipe out misfortunes, increase good luck and grant personal wishes. Thereafter free time to shop at the Handicrafts Emporium to buy traditional crafts and textiles also wander through Thimphu’s bazaar. HOTEL (BLD)

After Breakfast leave Thimphu for Punakha. The road climbs steeply through a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochula pass (3,050 meters). This pass offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges, descending along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha (1,350 meters). Enroute visit Chimi Lakhang, which is a short easy walk though farmland and mountain villages. The Monastery is dedicated to Tibetan saint Drukpa Kuenley also popularly known as `Divine Madman’. The original Chorten was built in 14th century and a temple was added later in the 15th century. On arrival at Punakha, check in at your Hotel. Punakha was the capital of Bhutan until 1955. It still serves as the summer residence of Je-khenpo, the spiritual leader. HOTEL (BLD)

HIGHLIGHT- Visit and photograph Sunday market. Weekend markets are where the farmers as well as small home made handicrafts families come to sell their produce/crafts. It is colorful to see so many people and different products. Sellers sit on the ground displaying all their goods while buyers squat to choose what they want and make bargains. It is also a collection of Bhutan’s unique local products. You can find strings of chugo (dried yak cheese), either white (boiled in milk and dried in the sun) or brown (smoked). The jars of pink paste contain lime, which is ingested with the betel nut. There are also exotic-looking ferns, powdered juniper incense, squares of dried jellied cow skin known as khoo (a local snack) and slabs of datse, the cheese used in almost every Bhutanese dish. Best time to visit is between 6.30 am to 10 am.

Later you will be driven to Khamsum Yueley Namgyel Chorten, about 20mins drive to the base. From base it takes about 45 minutes hike toIMG_7867 reach the Chorten. The Chorten offers a beautiful view of Punakha valley. After the visit, more energetic participants have option to walk back along the farms and through the village on side of the river bank of Punakha (takes about 2 hours hike). Others will return by car/bus to Punakha. Enjoy picnic lunch by the river before visiting Punakha Dzong, the winter residence of the Chief Abbot and the Central Monastic Body. The Dzong was damaged by fire in 1986 and has been rebuilt using traditional building techniques that eschew the use of nails. Rest of the day is free to explore the town, market etc. HOTEL (BLD)

After breakfast, embark on a 2 hours drive along the bank of the river Dangchu to Phobjikha valley. The altitude of the valley is about 2900 meters and is well known for bird watching including endangered black necked cranes Also visit the Gangtey monastery, the extensive complex consists of the central goemba and outlying monk’s quarters, meditation centers, schools and a small guesthouse. In 15th century Pema Lingpa the famous treasure discoverer prophesied that a goemba named Gang-teng (hill top) would be built on this site and that his teachings would spread from here. This being only Nyingma temple was founded here in 1613 by Gyalse Pema Thinley. Also visit the Crane information center, meet with the locals, visit their homes, cattle farms etc. You will experience the authentic Bhutanese traditional style of living in this valley. Return back to Punakha in the evening. HOTEL (BLD)

Retrace your steps back to Thimphu, in time for the biggest & grandest Bhutanese festival `Thimphu Tsechu’. Featuring dances performed by trained monks and laymen in amazing masks and costumes, Festival is celebrated in honor of Guru Rimpoche, who brought Buddhism to Bhutan. The Thimphu Tsechu was established by the 4th Temporal Ruler, Tenzing Rabgye (1638-1696) in 1670. Attend the first day of the festival celebrations followed by an Archery match, Bhutanese national game. HOTEL (BLD)

After breakfast spend full day exploring the colorful events of the Thimphu Tsechu, markets and more. Mask DancerSpend the day with our host Bhutanese family, learning about traditions, mythology and spiritual beliefs depicted through the dance dramas. Enjoy traditional Bhutanese picnic lunch with the family. Bhutanese people attend the festival with great vigour and joy as they believe they will gain spiritual merit by doing so. People come out in their finest dresses and jewelleries and rejoice together. HOTEL (BLD)

After breakfast go to Tendrel Thang (festival ground) to witness the most spectacular last day of Thimphu Tsechu with religious dance performances mixed with folk dances and dance of Bhutanese warriors. Spend some time to see the festivities and later visit Buddha statue and Semtokha Dzong. Time permitting we will visit (or they will be added to next day tour plan) the Mini Zooto see the Golden Takins, Bhutan’s national animal. Stop at a traditional paper factory where paper is made from Daphnia and Edgeworthia shrub and also visit a silver and goldsmith workshop. HOTEL (BLD)

This morning visit Zilukha Nunnery; meet with Buddhist nuns to learn about their life and Buddhism. Continue to the Folk Heritage Museum, farmers market, where farmer’s around the city brings varieties of vegetables, food items, fruits for the sale. A visit to the market provides great photo opportunities, as well as the chance to mingle with local people and perhaps buy souvenirs for friends and family. Tashichhodzong is the capitol and palace of King Jigme Khasar Namgyel Wanchuck, newly coronated in 2008. Here, the king and the Je Khenpo (supreme religious leader) rule side-by-side. They are both equally venerated by the Bhutanese. HOTEL (BLD)

Breakfast at Hotel & transfer to airport in Paro for your international flight. (B)