Tour Price & Itinerary for 8 Night 9 Day Punakha Drubchen & Tshechu Tour

 

Brief Background on  Punakha Drubchen and Tshechu

Punakha is located in the western part of Bhutan and this place has critical importance in the history of Bhutan since the time of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the Buddhist Saint who unified Bhutan, in 17th century.

During 17th century Bhutan was invaded several times by Tibetan forces seeking to seize a very precious relic, the Ranjung Kharsapani.  Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal led the Bhutanese to victory over the Tibetans and to commemorate the triumph he introduced the Punakha Drubchen. Since then Punakha Drubchen became the annual festival in Punakha.

The Punakha Drubchen is a unique festival because it hosts a dramatic recreation of the scene from the 17th century battle with Tibetan army. The ‘pazaps’ or local militia men dress in traditional battle gear and reenact the ancient battle scene on the last day of Punakha Drubchen.

Punakha Tshechu was introduced in 2005 in response to the requests made by Punakha District Administration and local people to host a Tshechu in order to better preserve Buddhist teachings and keep alive the noble deeds of Zhabdrung Rimpoche.

Both the festival consists of typical masked dances which are very colourful and interesting, the events and enactments are different on each day. Punakha Dromchoe is a five day long festival dedicated to the goddess Mahakala. The religious aspects are performed in the same manner as in early times.

Schedule of Punakha Drubchen : Mar 6-8, 2025

Schedule of Punakha Tshechu : Mar 9-11,2025

Tentative Travel Schedule: Mar 5-13,2025

Overview of the Tour Itinerary

Day 01 Mar 5: Arrive Paro, Paro –Thimphu Sightseeing,stay in Thimphu

Day 02 Mar 6: Thimphu Sightseeing,stay in Thimphu

Day 03  Mar 7:Thimphu-Punakha Sightseeing,stay in Punakha

Day 04 Mar 8: Witness the Last Day of the Punakha Drubchen,Stay in Punakha

Day 05 Mar 9: First Day of  Punakha Tsechu & Punakha-Phobjikha,Stay in Phobjikha

Day 06 Mar 10: Phobjikha Short Nature Hike & Sightseeing -Thimphu,Stay in Thimphu

Day 07 Mar 11:Thimphu-Paro Sightseeing,Stay in Paro.

Day 08 Mar 12: A Hike to Paro Taktsang Ghoempa(Tiger’s Nest Monastery)

Day 09 Mar 3: Depart Paro

Detailed Tour Itinerary:

Day 01 Mar 5: Arrive Paro, Paro –Thimphu Sightseeing,stay in Thimphu

Distance:54 Km, Estimated Driving time:1 hr

Altitude at Thimphu:2300m

On arrival at Paro airport and after completing your immigration formalities, you will be received by your tour guide from Access Bhutan Tours and Treks.Then drive to Thimphu . On arrival at Thimphu check into your hotel and after refreshment visit the following:

• Tashichhoe Dzong, a fortress of the glorious religion. It was built in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel and was reconstructed into present structure by the late King, His majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the year 1962-1969. It houses the secretariat building, the throne room and the office of the king, and the central monk body.
• Craft Bazaar where craftsmen and artisans from across the country display and sell their handicrafts . Here you can buy hand-woven textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings, jewelry, and other interesting items made from local materials.

Dinner and overnight at a hotel  in Thimphu.

Day 02 Mar 6: Thimphu Sightseeing,stay in Thimphu

After breakfast visit the following:

• Kuenselphodrang where largest Buddha statue in the country is perched on the hillock overlooking the Thimphu valley and also if interested/if time permits, take a leisure walk through Kuenselphodrang Nature park and enjoy the nice view of the entire Thimphu valley below.
• Bhutan Post Office Headquarters to get personalized Bhutanese postage stamps with your photo on them. You can bring along your favorite photo to put on the stamps and put these stamps on your postcard to send to your family and friends.
• National Textile Museum which is  a good place to see the art of traditional weaving being kept alive and preserved through exhibition and has a good collection of old textiles which are rich in colors and designs. You will also see people weaving with intricate designs.
• Traditional Bhutanese paper making factory. The handmade paper making in Bhutan stemmed from the age old tradition originated in 8th century of Bhutanese history. The handmade paper constitutes as valuable National heritage of Bhutanese cultural identity and is preserved through all the ages. The Traditional paper is recognized and held high esteem both in home and outside world. Jungshi Paper Factory was established in November 1990 as an undertaking of the Royal Government of Bhutan. The unit now boasts as a major and sole dealer in handmade paper and its products.
• Simply Bhutan– A living museum of rural life which provides visitors and tourists with fascinating insights into the Bhutanese material culture and way of life.

After lunch visit the following:

• National Institute of Traditional Medicine (outside only), where medicinal herbs are compounded and dispensed, and traditional medical practitioners trained.
• Takin Preserve, which houses the national animal the Takin that is only found in Bhutan. This is an extremely rare member of the goat family. Found in herds in the very high altitudes (13,125ft and over). They live on a diet of grass and bamboo. It can weigh as much as 550 pounds.
• National Memorial Chorten (stupa), chorten literally means ' seat of faith' and Buddhists often call such monuments the 'Mind of Buddha'. Meet the elderly generation in circumambulation at the National Memorial Chorten.

In the evening stroll around Thimphu town where you can visit local handicraft stores.

Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

Day 03  Mar 7:Thimphu-Punakha Sightseeing,stay in Punakha

Distance: 71 km, estimated driving time: 2  hours

Altitude at Punakha:1300m

After breakfast, travel to Punakha & Wangdue through Dochula Pass 3140 m). In the clear spring sky, you can enjoy the panoramic view of the Himalayan Mountain ranges. . Then pass by the beautiful 108 chortens built on the hill by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck (Queen Mother of Bhutan) for the security and well being of His Majesty, the King of Bhutan.

You will also visit Druk Wangyal Lhakhang (monastery) which was built by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck ( the Queen Mother of Bhutan) as a tribute to His Majesty the fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck and armed forces after His Majesty led a successful operation against Indian militants who had occupied certain areas of Bhutan. The gallery of the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang has beautiful murals depicting some of the important events in the reigns of the Kings of Bhutan.

 Then travel onto Punakha. Punakha has been inextricably linked to some of the most momentous events in the Bhutanese history and deserves its reputation as one of the most beautiful and significant regions at the heart of Bhutanese culture. Punakha had served as the capital of Bhutan from 1637 till 1907. The dzong is historically important and stands as the symbol for a unified Bhutan. 

On the way, stop for lunch at Metsina village and then visit the Devine Madman’s Monastery-Chhimi Lhakhang, famously known for its fertility shrine, where one can receive a special fertility blessing.

After lunch visit Rinchengang village in Wangduephodrang where you will take a short walk through the village and have free interaction with the villagers. Round trip hike will take about 1 hr. At the same time you can view the rebuilding work of Wangdue Dzong (the Dzong was razed to the ground by fire in 2012).

In the evening you may visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendup Lhakhang Nunnery and enjoy the breathtakingly beautiful view of Punakha and Wangdue valleys from there.

Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Punakha.

Day 04 Mar 8: Witness the Last Day of the Punakha Drubchen,Stay in Punakha

After breakfast, witness the last day of Punakha Drubchen which is the most spectacular day of Punakha Drubchen which would be held at the courtyard of the Punakha Dzong. The last day of Punakha Drubchen ends with dramatic recreation of the scene from the 17th century battle with the Tibetan army.

You will also visit the Punakha Dzong, located on the island of the Pho - Chu (male river) and the Mochu (female river). The dzong was built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative seat of the region.  At the dzong, you can see the highest standards in woodwork. 

After lunch drive through upper Punakha valley and take a hike through farmhouses to the beautiful Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Lhakhang (temple) built by Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck (the Queen Mother of Bhutan)  for peace and stability in this ever-changing world. This temple is situated on the hilltop overlooking the valley below. The leisurely walk up to the temple would take about an hour. Visit the temple and also enjoy the breathtakingly beautiful view from there.

Dinner and overnight at hotel at Punakha.

 

Day 05 Mar 9: First Day of  Punakha Tsechu & Punakha-Phobjikha,Stay in Phobjikha

Distance: 68 km,estimated driving time: 2  hrs  

Altitude at  Phobjikha :2900m

After breakfast attend the first day of Punakha Tsechuwhich will be held at the courtyard of Punakha Dzong. 

Dressed in traditional finery, devotees flock to the courtyard of Punakha Dzong to proclaim their faith and receive blessings. Monks and lay people, dressed in elaborate silk brocade costumes perform festive dances of good triumphing over evil to the haunting sounds of trumpets, cymbals and flutes. The dances and costumes have survived unchanged for thousands of years, each dance is an exact re-enactment of visions seen by Bhutan’s great Buddhist saints and any changes would be seen as sacrilege. The dances are interspersed with folk songs and clowning. The festival is a magnificent cacophony of sound and colour and a photographer’s delight. 

After lunch travel to Phobjikha valley through Wangdue and through conifer and broadleaf forests. Phobjikha valley lies within Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park ( former Black Mountain National park). The park remains one of the largest undisturbed tracks of forest anywhere in the Himalaya’s. The varying altitude and rainfall have created a wide range of climatic conditions, making it home to many species of plants, animals and birds. 

On arrival at Phobjikha check into your hotel.

Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Phobjikha.

Day 06 Mar 10: Phobjikha Short Nature Hike & Sightseeing -Thimphu,Stay in Thimphu

Distance: 135 km & estimated driving time: 4  hours

Altitude at Thimphu:2300 m

 After breakfast visit Gangtey Monastery. From the Gangtey Monastery take a short hike downhill through meadows to Semchubara village and from here through beautiful forests and into open valley. After passing a chorten ( Stupa) , your trail ends at Kinga Lhakhang ( temple). This hike will take approximately 50 minutes.

Then visit the Black necked crane center. The cranes will start immigrating to this area by mid November and February you will be able to see the rare black necked cranes in plenty and enjoy the fascinating sight of these birds in this beautiful scenic valley.

From black crane center take short walk through fields and farmhouses where you can have free interaction with local people and visit their houses.

After lunch travel to Thimphu through Wangdue Phodrang and Dochula pass.

Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

Day 07 Mar 1:Thimphu-Paro Sightseeing,Stay in Paro.

Distance: 54 km & estimated driving time: 1  hour

Altitude at Paro: 2200 m

After breakfast travel to Paro and visit National Museum, housed in the Ta Dzong (watchtower). Here is an intriguing collection of artefacts which provide you with a wonderful insight to the rich culture and heritage of the Kingdom of Bhutan. From the National Museum take a short 2km hike with approximately 1 hour 30 minutes hiking duration through the ancient walking trail through lush green forests along the hillside ,crossing a narrow bridge over a small stream to Zuri Dzong (Fort). Zuri Dzong dates from 1352 and is home to the valley’s local protector gods. The walk to Zuri Dzong passes Gonsaka Lhakhang and provides wonderful birds eye view of the entire Paro valley and Paro Rinpung Dzong below. From here take a gentle hike down to Uma Resort where your car will pick you up. 

After lunch drive for about 20 minutes through Woochu vlllage to visit Dzongdrakha Goempa: Often called the mini- Taktsang, Dzongdrakha temples are built on the cliffs above Bondey village. Take a short walk to the temple for about 15 minutes. Legend says one of the temples is built around a levitating monument. Folks built a stronger temple around this monument with the hope that the levitating monument does not fly away into the sky. 

Then drive back to Paro town where you will have refreshment before walking through the Rinpung Bridge ( oldest Traditional Cantilever Bridge) to visit Rinpung Dzong, built in 1645 to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The Dzong is now being used as an administration center and school for monks. Then walk back down to Rimpung Bridge in Bhutan

Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Paro.

Day 08 Mar 12: A Hike to Paro Taktsang Ghoempa(Tiger’s Nest Monastery)

Altitude at Taktsang:3000m

After breakfast travel by car to the base camp of Tiger's Nest Monastery and then hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’. The climb up to the viewpoint will take around 1 ½ hours and from there you will enjoy a spectacular view of the monastery clinging to the side of the cliff. Stop for refreshment at the View Point Cafeteria.Then walk further up to the monastery which will take another 1 ½  hour. It is said that in the 8th century Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan to this place and meditated in a cave here for 3 months. The principal Lhakhang (monastery) of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. Taktsang was damaged severely by fire in 1998 but has now been fully restored to its former glory.After visiting the monastery, walk back down to the road on the way stop for lunch at the view point cafeteria and then walk further down to the road point.

Then visit Kyichu Lhakhang is one of Bhutan's oldest and most beautiful temples. The temple is popularly believed to have been built in 7^th century by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet, to pin down the left foot of a giant ogress who was thwarting the establishment of Buddhism in Tibet.

From here drive for about 15 minutes to visit a Farmhouse in Paro Valley and a visit to a farmhouse offers a good glimpse into the lifestyle of a farmer.

In the evening relax in the Traditional Bhutanese Hotstone bath at a farmhouse in Paro valley.

Tradtional Hotstone bath: A traditional Bhutan hot stone bath uses river rocks that therapists place in water where they crack and steam, releasing key minerals and relieving deep-set aches.

You will also see around inside of the traditional Bhutanese house and dinner at the farmhouse.

Overnight at a hotel l in Paro.

Day 09 Mar 3: Depart Paro

In the morning, your Access Bhutan travel guide will seee you off at the Paro Airport for your onward journey.

***End of Tour Program***

Bhutan Trip Price for the 8 Nights  9 Days Punakha Tshechu Tour 

Travel Time	1 pax	2 -3 pax	4 pax & above.
Low Season:February	USD2760/person	USD2000/person	USD1920/person

The above Bhutan tour package prices includes the following:

• Twin/double sharing hotel rooms at premium 3 star hotels
• All meals ( breakfast, lunch, dinner & light refreshments)  at 3 star hotels
• English speaking tour guide service
• All transfers and excursions by private vehicles
• Mineral drinking water
• Tourist Tax (SDF) of USD100/person/night 
• Visa fee USD40 per person 

The above tour prices do not include the following:

• Single room supplement of USD 40/room/night (optional)
• Airfares 
• Entrance fees to Museums & Monuments
• Travel insurance (required)
• Accommodations and meals at luxury hotel accommodations and meals -4 star and 5 star (optional) 
• Other personal expenses like overseas calls, laundry,etc

***Thank you & Tashi Delek***

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