Wangdue & Thimphu Tsechu Festival 16-29 September 2023
Wangdue & Thimphu Tsechu Festival 16-29 September 2023
- Experience Bhutan at its most festive and bright time of the year at the Thimphu and Wangdue Tsechu festivals.
Day 1 : To Delhi
Fly from London Heathrow to Delhi with Qatar Airways.
Day 2 : Delhi
Arrive Delhi in the morning. Meeting, assistance on arrival and transfer to Hotel Oberoi Maidens for overnight stay. In the afternoon take rickshaw ride through old Delhi and a guided tour of the Red Fort. Overnight at the hotel. B
Day 3 : To Punakha via Paro
Transfer to the airport for you flight to Paro - one of the most spectacular birdseye view of the Himalayas. Meeting and assistance on arrival and drive to Punakha across Do Chula that offers the most spectacular view over the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas on a clear day.
Overnight in Punakha Dragon’s Nest Resort or similar.
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Day 4 : To Gangtey
Enjoy a lesiurely breakfast and then depart for Gangtey Valley (also known as Phobjikha). Phobjikha is one of Bhutan’s few glacial valleys and the preferred home of black necked cranes migrating from the Central Asian Plateau. Explore the green protected Valley.
Overnight stay in Gangtey Dewachen Resort or similar.
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Day 5 : Gangtey
Stroll on the beautiful Gangtey Nature trail; hike through the pine forest and small bamboo shrubs and spot some of the early arrival cranes in their roosting areas.
Visit Gangtey Goempa, where the annual, Black-Necked Crane festival takes place, celebrating the return of the endangered and migratory birds to the region. The festival is organized to create awareness and understanding of conservation in Bhutan and is celebrated with cultural programs, masked dances, and folk songs. Visit Black Necked Crane Centre.
Overnight stay in Gangtey.
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Day 6 : To Punakha
Enjoy breakfast and then drive to drive back to Punakha. Upon arrival in Wangdue visit Drenchengang village facing the famous Wangduephodrang Dzong.
Visit the Chimi Lhakhang, known as the temple of fertility. Couples come here to pray for a child. The trail leads across rice fields to the tiny settlement of Pana, meaning ‘field’ and through the village with a rare glimpse of the daily lives of the people in the community.
Overnight stay in Punakha.
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Day 7 : Wangdue Tshechu
2023 will be the first time that the Wangdue Tshechu will be held inside the newly restored Dzong destroyed in a fire a decade ago. The Festival is a very a time to when the locals flock to the Dzong in their best traditional outfit to take part in the festival.
Walk up through fields of chilies, cabbages to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, a stunning monument recently built by the Queen and consecrated in 1999.
Visit Sangchen Dorji Lhendup Nunnery, perched on a ridge amid pine trees housing a permanent higher learning centre for nuns where, apart from religious trainings, it provides life skill training such as tailoring, embroidery, statue making and thangka painting. Interact with the nuns and learn their daily routine in the nunnery.
Overnight in Punakha.
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Day 8 : Wangdue Tshechu
The second day of the Wangdue Tshechu, featuring dances by monks, laymen and local village women.
An afternoon visits to the Punakha Dzong, built strategically at the junction of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers in 1637, by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative center of the region.
Overnight in Punakha/Wangdue.
Day 9 : To Thimphu
Leave the festivities and drive to Bhutan’s capital city of Thimphu.
Visit Takin Reserve, 8.4 acres of well-managed forest that provide shelter to Bhutan's National animal - the Takin. A strange animal which has a head resembling a goad whereas the body looks like an ox / buffalo.
Visit the the Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang) with a panoramic view of the Thimphu valley. On the way you can enjoy the Changangkha Nature trail. Take an gentle walk around Thimphu’s Main Street and market area and visit the Local authentic crafts Bazaar.
Overnight stay in Thimphu Kisa Hotel or similar.
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Day 10 : Thimphu Tsechu
Witness the Thimphu Festival (Tsechu), one of the grandest of Bhutan’s festivals that attracts the bhutanses far and wide. Featuring dances performed by trained monks in amazing masks and costumes, Tsechus (festivals) are one of the best ways to experience the ancient living culture of Bhutan.
Next visit The Textile Museum, see the beautiful art of weaving.
Visit the Thimphu Kaja Throm, where local vendors sell local farm produce.
Overnight stay in Thimphu.
Day 11 : To Paro
Experience a second day at the Thimphu Tsechu. In the afternoon drive to Paro visiting the Ta Dzong, originally built as a Watchtower, which now houses the National Museum.
Visit Kyichu Lhakang – the ancient temple built to subdue demons.
Overnight in Paro The Village Lodge or Similar.
Day 12 : Paro
Morning depart for a visit to the 'Tigers Nest' - Taktshang, Bhutan’s landmark, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is called ‘Tiger’s Nest’.
On your way back, stop at the marvelous Drukgyel Dzong, a ruined fortress where Bhutanese warriors fought Tibetan invaders centuries ago.
Overnight stay in Paro.
Day 13 : To Delhi
Depart Bhutan after breakfast. Fly to Delhi with Druk Air. Meeting, assistance on arrival in Delhi and transfer to Oberoi Maidens Hotel. Overnight stay in Delhi. B
Day 14 : Departure India
Fly to Heathrow with Qatar Airways via Doha.
Why not add on a couple of days to laze on the golden beaches of India, continue to the explore the Himalaya in India or Nepal or take in a couple of nights shopping in the Middle East. Ask for extension options.
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Itinerary map
Prices
| Price per person (Double/Twin share) |
|---|
| £4,735.00 |
- International flights from London to Delhi and back with Qatar Airways in economy class. (Upgrade and regional departures avialable on request.
- International flights from Delhi to Paro and back with Druk air or Tashi Air in economy class.
- Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary.
- Meals: Delhi is on breakfast basis. All Meals are included in Bhutan.
- All transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary.
- Accompanying English speaking guide.
- Bhutan Government royalty and taxes
- Entrance fees
- All excurions/ activities mentioned on the itinerary
- Bhutan Visa Arrangements.
- Visa for India.
- Any expense of a personal nature.
- Tips & Gratuities
- Travel Insurance.
What our clients say
G Ashby - India HolidayI thoroughly enjoyed my tour of Gujarat and congratulate you on the itinerary and organisation. My driver Babu and guide Bheru were both outstanding, I learned a great deal about Gujarat which I had always imagined was mainly desert. The hotel/palace accommodation was superb, once of twice the suites were the size of a footprint of a house! The food was excellent throughout, I had…
