Bumthang Festival

Day 1:- Arrival at Paro (Elevation: 2,280m)
Upon arrival you will be welcomed and escorted to your lodge/hotel by your host/guide from Bhutan Tours & Treks. Your private guide will take you for a stroll around the vibrant town of Paro in the evening. The wide and fertile valley of Paro is considered as the "Rice bowl of the country".

Attractions of the day:
1. Paro Dzong or the Rinpung Dzong - 'Fortress of the heap of Jewels'
2. Ta Dzong: It is the National Museum, a conical watch tower overlooking the Rinpung Dzong
3. Kichu Lhakhang: One of the 108 temples built by the Tibetan king Songsten Gampo in the 7th century to subdue an ogress. There is another temple said to be built on the same day called Jampey Lhakhang in Bumthang.

Day 2:- Paro to Thimphu (Elevation: 2,320m)
After breakfast at Paro, we will drive to the capital city Thimphu (58 km 2:00hrs). The capital city houses the seat of the Government, many glittering monuments, temples, museums, monasteries and dzongs. In the evening, we shall travel to Paro. Have dinner and overnight stay at Paro.

Attractions of the day:
1. The Memorial Stupa
2. Folk Heritage Museum
3. Changangkha Lhakhang
4. Trashichhodzong
5. Buddha Point, The 169 feet Buddha Dordenma statue, largest Statue of Buddha in the world
6. Weaving Center
7. Handicraft Stores

Day 3:- Thimphu - Wangdue (Elevation: 1,240m)
Early morning drive to Wangdue Phodrang via Punakha. Overnight at Wangdue.

Attractions of the day:
1. Punakha Dzong: The second of Bhutan's Dzongs built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Rinpoche. The official name is Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang, which translates as "The Palace of Great Bliss".
2. Chhimi Lhakhang: The fertility temple dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley, a Tibetan Buddhist saint and a folk hero popularly known as "The Divine Madman" (1455-1529).

Day 4:- Wangdue - Trongsa (Elevation: 2,180m)
Drive to Trongsa Valley. Enroute view Chendebje Chorten, Tongsa Dzong and Ta-Dzong. Overnight stay at Trongsa.

Chendebje Chorten: The impressive stupa was built in the traditional Nepalese style and is situated on a river confluence.
Trongsa Dzong: It is one of the finest spectacular examples of Bhutanese architecture. It is the ancestral home of Bhutan's Royal Family.
Ta Dzong: Built in 1652, today this watchtower serves as National Museum, monastic residence and a place of meditation.

Day 5:- Trongsa - Bumthang (Elevation: 2,580m)
Travel to Bumthang, followed by evening walk around Bumthang valley. Dinner and overnight stay at Bumthang.

Day 6:- Bumthang Valley Sightseeing

Highlights of the day:
1. Jakar Dzong: It is in a picturesque location overlooking the Chokhor valley. Jakar Dzong roughly translates as the "The Castle of the White Bird".
2. Jampey Lhakhang: One of the 108 temples built by the Tibetan king Songsten Gampo in the 7th century to subdue an ogress. There is another temple said to be built on the same day.
3. Tamzhing Goemba: Also called "The Temple of Good Message", it was built in 1501 by Terton Pema Lingpa.
4. Kenchosum Lhakhang: A small temple dating back to 6th or 7th century, it's a source of many interesting stories.
5. Kurje Lhakhang: The name "kurjey" translates into 'kur - body' and 'jey - print'. Guru Rinpoche has left his body print on a rock inside the main old Lhakhang.

Day 7:- Bumthang Festival
Enjoy the festival as well as sightseeing in and around Bumthang Valley.

There is a wide range of Bumthang Tshechu festivals to choose from depending upon the Tshechu dates and your holiday duration.
Nimalung Tshechu: Famed "Trenda Tshechu" is held at Nimalung Dratshang annually.
Thangbi Mani: one of the most popular festivals held in Chhoekhor Geog under Bumthang Dzongkha due to the most famous fire dance call Mewang (fire blessing) performed by the local monks. It is believed that this festival brings happiness, better harvest and prosperity of the village.
Ura Yakchoe: The various Mask dances are performed by the Monks wearing the Mask of the Yak in the courtyard of the Ura Temple.
Jambay Lhakhang: In October one of the most spectacular festival, "Jambay Lhakhang Drup" is staged at Jambay Lhakhang.

Day 8:- Excursion to Tang valley
Visit Membartsho (The burning Lake) and hike to Tang valley. Night halt at Bumthang.
Membartsho: The burning lake is named so after Terton (Treasure Discoverer) Pema Lingpa went into the lake with a butter lamp in his hands and came back with the butter lamp still burning and holding a statue and treasure chest (Terma).
Tang valley: Tang is the most remote valley in Bumthang. The hike will prove to be very interesting with bright buckwheat flowers in the valley (October) welcoming us. We shall take warm packed lunch. We shall visit Ugyen Choling Palace, which is a short hike. The family that owns Ugyen Choling Palace has turned the complex into a museum to preserve its legacy and provide a place for religious studies, research and solitude.

Day 9:- Bumthang - Trongsa (Elevation: 2,580m)
Morning, watch the Festival. Travel to Trongsa in the afternoon, overnight stay at Trongsa.

Day 10:- Trongsa - Thimphu (Elevation: 2,320m)
Whole day travel by road to Thimphu. Dinner and overnight stay at Thimphu.

Day 11:- Thimphu - Paro

Attractions of the day:
Mini Zoo, at Motithang houses Takin, the National animal of Bhutan.
Wangditse Goemba, located at an hour walk distance from the Mini Zoo area. It provides great view of Thimphu. Wangditse Goemba was founded in 1750.
Travel to Thimphu in the morning and trek to Wangditse Goemba after visiting Mini Zoo and Sangaygang Hilltop. In the evening, we shall travel to Paro. Dinner and overnight stay at Paro.

Day 12:- Excursion to Paro Taktsang
Day hike to Taktshang Monastery view point. The Taktshang or "The Tiger's Nest Monastery" clings precariously to a cliff of 3,000 feet above the Paro Valley. The legend has it that Guru Rinpoche flew to the site of the monastery on the back of a tigress, a manifestation of his consort Yeshe Tshogyal, to subdue a local demon. He then meditated in a cave for three months. For the local people it is a place of pilgrimage, but for a tourist, a hike up to the view point opposite the monastery is exhausting, thrilling and a mystical experience.

Farewell dinner and overnight stay at Paro.

Day 13:- Departure
Depart from Paro International Airport to your homeland. Your Guide will escort you to bid you farewell and a safe journey back.

Note:
The itineraries can be tailored to suit your interest and convenience.

Daily Tariff (High tourist season):
US $250 per person per day on twin sharing basis during the Month of March, April, May, September, October, November

Daily Tariff (low tourist season):
US $ 200 per person per day on twin sharing basis during the month of January, February, June, July, August, December

All the tours can be customized and clients can request extra services.
SINGLE ROOM SUPPLIMENT US $ 30 PER NIGHT PER PERSON.
FIT surcharges 1 pax US $ 40 per day per person.
FIT surcherges 2 pax US $ 30 per day per person.

Cost Includes:
1. All Permits
2. Museum Fees
3. All Sightseeing
4. Walks and Hikes
5. Bottled Mineral Water
6. English Speaking Guide
7. Double/Twin in 2/3 Star Accomodation
8. Receive and Transfer to Airport
9. 3 Meals every day with Evening Tea
10. Toyota SUV for FIT & Toyota Bus for Group with Driver

Cost Does Not Include:
1. Insurance
2. Inbound Airfare
3. Gifts & Souvenirs
4. Alcohol & Beverages
5. Round Trip Air fare
6. Donations to Monasteries
7. International Telephone Calls
8. Tips for Guide, Driver & other Staff

Note:
TCB Licensed language Speaking Guides US $ 100 per day.
Tour price is based on High Season Tariff of US $ 250. For low season months it will be based on Low Season Tariff of US $ 200