Paro Festival | Festival Tours to Bhutan

Paro Tshechu with Day Hikes

Day 1 : Arrive at Paro by Druk Air

During the flight, one will experience breath-taking views of Himalayan Ranges. On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be received by representatives of Zopa Adventure Travel and escort you to the hotel. Visit the National museum "Ta-Dzong" used as the Watch Tower of the Paro Rinpung Dzong in the 17th century. It was converted into the National Museum in 1968. It is located on the top of a hill above the Paro Dzong overlooking Paro valley and the river. Night halt at Tenzenling Resort.

*Dzong means Fortress.

Day 2 : Paro Sightseeing

After breakfast watch festival for full day. Evening, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. Overnight at Tenzenling Resort.

Day 3 : Thimphu Sightseeing

Drive towards Thimphu and visit Art and craft School, Folk Heritage Museum, Nunnery, Mini Zoo, Local hand made paper factory and the Memorial Chorten (Stupa). Night halt at Druk Hotel.

Day 4 : Thimphu - Wangdiphodrang, with afternoon excursion to Punakha

In the morning, you will drive to Wangdiphodrang across Dochu La (3,100 meters), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas ranges. It is about 2 and half hours drive before you reach Wangdi where you will be checked in Dragon Nest Hotel at Wangdi. After lunch you will drive to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan, and visit Punakha Dzong built by the first Shabdrung in 1637. Visit Drupthop Nagi Rinchen’s, famous shrine. Evening, walk across the Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to the Divine Madman’s Monastery, famously known as a fertility shrine, where you may receive a special fertility blessing if you wish. Night halt at Wangdi at Dragon Nest.

Day 5 : Wangdiphodrang – Gantey

In the morning, drive towards Gantey through dense forests of oak trees and rhododendrons where you will visit Gantey Gompa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan. From Gantey, you can see the picturesque Black Mountain range as well as Phobjika Valley, the winter habitat of the black-necked cranes. In the evening, you will explore the beautiful Phojikha valley with one-hour valley hike, known as the cultural hike of Phojikha. Night halt at Dewachen Hotel.

Day 6 : Gantey to Bumthang

After breakfast you'll head to Trongsa, the ancestral home of the royal family. The route is along a spectacular winding road, crossing 3,300-meter-high Pele La, and sometimes you may also see herds of yak along this way. Lunch at Trongsa and proceed to Bumthang for night halt. Bumthang is the religious heartland of the nation, with lush valleys and hilly forests. Bumthang consists of four valleys--Chumey, Choekhar, Tang, and Ura--with altitudes varying from 2,600 to 4,000 meters. Your destination today is Jakar Valley. Night halt at Samtenkhangsar Lodge.

Day 7 : Bumthang sightseeing

Morning explore picturesque sightseeing at Bumthang. Today’s sightseeing includes visit to Jambay Lakhang (one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan), Kurjey Lhakhang and Tamshing Lhakhang, Afternoon visit Jakar Dzong (the giant Fortress), Karchu Dratsang and Membertsho (Flaming Lake). Evening explore and stroll around in Bumthang town. Over night: SamtenKhangsar Lodge.

Day 8 : Bumthang – Wangdiphodrang (Journey Back)

Morning, drive back to Wangdiphodrang.
Lunch at Chendebji Chorten. Visit Wangdi Dzong.
Evening shop and explore Wangdi town. Overnight at Kyichu Resort.

Day 9 : Wangdi/ Thimphu.

After breakfast, drive towards Paro via Thimphu. After Lunch, Hike to Tango Monastery, the famous Buddhist College located toward the north of Thimphu. The hike is for 45minutes. Night halt at Druk Hotel.

Day 10 : The Highlight of the Short Hike Tour : Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastry

After breakfast, hike up to the most famous Monastery in the entire kingdom of Bhutan perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. The hike to the viewpoint is for one hour and to the monastery is for 2hours hike. If you wish, you can take short meditation section in the monastery. Lunch at the viewpoint. Night halt at Tenzinling Resort at Paro.

Day 11: Departure from Paro