Duration: 8 Days 7 Nights
Places covered: Thimphu, Paro and Punakha
Date:September 27-29, 2023.
Venue:Gangtey Sangacholing Monastery

Gangtey Tsechu is held in Gangtey Sangacholing Monastery in Gangtey. It's pretty similar to any other festival with various sacred mask dances and cultural program.

This trip will cover popular districts in western Bhutan. Will have 2 nights in Paro, 2 Nights in Thimphu 1 Night each in Punakha and 2 nights Phobjekha under Wangdue district. Its also a mix of cultural and historical sights that will include National Museum and Ringpung Dzong in Paro, Tashichodzong, Memorial chorten, big buddha in Thimphu. In Punakha will visit Majestic Punakha Dzong and Temple of fertility. Will also have hike to the most popular Tigers Nest Monastery in Paro, also hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten in Punakha.

This tour will be one of the more exciting as we will be visiting Phobjekha, that most of the people compare to Switzerland. And if you visit in winter you will also have the chance to see Black Necked Crane an endangered bird species in World. And at Gangtey there is a Natural trial which will take you through the villages and forest alongside the roosting ground of Black Necked cranes and also you will enjoy some natural places such as Dochula and riversides.

Will spend a day or half according to your interest at the festival place.

Iron Chain Bridge
Our Guest at Iron Chain Bridge

You will be received by our people at the airport. Then will drive to Ta Dzong (watch Tower) which was converted to National Museum in 1969 by the third king. Then will visit Paro Rinpung Dzong one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture which serves as Paro district head office as well as a monastic community. If you feel energetic then will walk down to Paa chu, cross over the cantilever bridge and get to other side where our driver will be waiting.

After lunch will drive to Thimphu. On way will stop at Tamcho to see the 15th Century Iron Chain Bridge. Then will continue to Thimphu.

Evening can stroll in Thimphu market.

Night Halt: Thimphu

Buddha Statue
Buddha Dordenma at Thimphu

After breakfast will visit National Memorial Chorten which was built by Her majesty Ashi Phuntsho Choden in memory of her late son His majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk ("the father of modern Bhutan") the third king of Bhutan. Then will drive to Kuenselphodrang to see Buddha Statue which is one of the biggest sitting Buddha in the world measuring 169 feet tall. Then will visit Bhutan Post if you want to make some personalized stamps.

After lunch will visit Folk and Heritage Museums, a fascinating testimony of Bhutan's living traditions. Then will visit Takin Preserve where you will find Takin, the National animal of Bhutan and it is native to Himalayas and also an endangered species. Towards evening will visit Tashicho Dzong the beautiful fortress which houses most of the Government's office and King's Throne room. It is also the summer residence of Central Monastic Body and Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot of monastic body.

Evening can stroll in Thimphu town.

Night Halt: Thimphu

Gangtey Natural Trail
Guest Enjoying the view of Gangtey Valley

After breakfast will drive to Gangtey its a beautiful valley which is compared to Switzerland and also the place where Black Necked Crane migrates in winter from Tibet. On reaching Dochula will stop there. Its a beautiful pass with 108 stupas and also if the weather is good we will be able to see the Eastern Himalayas that fall within Bhutan including the highest peak in the country Mt. Gangkar Puensum (7,541 m). Then will continue to Gangtey.

After lunch will do a short Gantey Natural Trail which will take about 1 hour plus. It's an easy and beautiful trail that will take you through the blue pine forest, and a beautiful village. After that will visit Black Necked Crane Information Center where you can see some documentary about this elusive bird and other information too. And if its in winter you can use binoculars to see those birds.

Night Halt: Phobjekha

Gangtey Tsechu
The Clown during Gangtey Tsechu

After breakfast will drive to drive to Gangtey Sangacholing Monastery which was built in 1613 by Gyalse Pema Thinley grandson of Terton Pema Lingpa and also this is the only Nyingma Monastery in the western part of country.Gangtey Its here the festival takes place and will participate in the festival with the locals. There will be various mask dances and cultural programs.

Night Halt: Gangtey

Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten
Our Guest enjoying the view at Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten roof top

After breakfast will drive to Punakha. After lunch will drive to Kabesa and then will hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten which was constructed by Her Majesty Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Yangden which is dedicated to world Peace. Then will drive to hotel have rest.

Night Halt: Punakha

Chimi Lhakhang
Our Guest Hiking to Chimi Lhakhang

After breakfast will drive to Sangchen Dorji Lhundrup Nunnery; it's the place where the nuns study and from there you will have a beautiful view of Tobesa village. Then will drive to Punakha Dzong which is one of the most majestic fortresses in the country which is located between 2 rivers, Mo chu(Female river) and Pho Chu (Male river). Today it is the winter residence of the Je-Khenpo the chief abbot and also serves as the administrative center of the Punakha district. After that if you want can walk to Suspension Bridge spend some time. Then will go for lunch.

After lunch will visit Chimi Lhakhang which was blessed by Lam Drukpa Kuenley who is also known as Devine Madman for his philosophy of "Salvation Through Sex". And its also known as Temple of Fertility.

After that will drive to Paro. Will ake some stops on way as when you want. On reaching Paro will chek-in to hotel and rest and prepare for the next day Hiking to Tigers Nest.

Night Halt: Paro

Taktshang Monastery
Our Guest in front of hotel before heading to Tigers Nest

Today after breakfast will drive to Taktshang Base and then will hike to Taktshang (Tiger's Nest) which is one of the most popular tourist sites. Its the place blessed by Guru Padmasambhava in the 8th century, though the monastery was only constructed in 1692 by Desi Tenzin Rabgay.

The hike will take on average 5 to 6 hours up and down.

In the evening will go for Farm Dinner and also if you want can try Traditional Hot Stone Bath.

Night Halt: Paro

Depending on the flight time will reach you to airport and seeoff.