Trongsa Tsechu

Day 1: Arrive at Paro Intentional Airport – Punakha.  Soon after drive to Punakha through winding valley of Paro. It takes 5hour drive along the Paro and Thimphu rivers offering gorgeous scenic views at every turn. Stop for while at Dochula pass (3080mtrs) and enjoy the spectacular views of Himalayan mountain ranges. Have lunch at Dochula cafeteria and drive to Punakha. Overnight stay hotel in Punakha.

Day 2: Punakha & Wangdue Sightseeing.   Morning visit Punakha Dzong, the old capital of Bhutan.  Take a drive along the upstream river valley. You will see the white bellied heron along the river valleys. It is globally an endanger bird species. Take a short walk to Khamsum Yullley temple built on a hillock overlooking the valley. Lunch at Punakha. After lunch, take a walk to Chime Lhakhang (temple of fertility) built on a spectacular site in 1499 by Ngawang chogyel.  Visit Wangdiphodrang Dzong built in 1738, by Zhabdrung Rimpoche and stroll over the small town of Wangdue. Overnight stay at hotel in Punakha.

Day 3: Punakha - Trongsa via Phobjikha.  Morning drive to Trongsa across the Pelela passes (3270mtrs). Enroute visit the gracious valley of Phobjikha. Gangtey is a beautiful place situated at an altitude of 3000m. From there one can closely view the picturesque black mountain ranges as well as the beautiful Phobjikha valley that is one of the biggest and the most beautiful valleys in the country. During winters, we can also see the famous Black Necked Cranes there. Visit the Nyingma Institute and the Monastery at Gangtey Goenpa.  After lunch, resume your way to Trongsa. Overnight at hotel in Trongsa.

Day 4: Trongsa Festivals. After an early breakfast attend the Tsechu which is held in the courtyard of Trongsa Dzong. The Trongsa Dzong was the ancestral home of the ruling dynasty. It is also the district administration office of the Trongsa region. Chogyel Minjur Tempa built it in 1643. The Ta-Dzong is currently under renovation and will be turn up into multi-media museum. Overnight at hotel Trongsa.

Day 5: Morning – Attend Festival.  Afternoon, drive to Kuenga Rubten the winter palace of second king (19 km from Trongsa town). It is a splendid building, which belongs today to the National Library. It is worth to visit inner courtyard to look at the woodwork and decorations. Take a walk around Kuenga Rubten villag and back to Trongsa. Overnight at hotel in Trongsa.

Day 6: Trongsa – Wangdiphodrang.  Drive to Wangdiphodrang. Enroute visit Rukupje monastery & acclimatize in village for a while and continue your journey to Wangdue. Overnight at hot in Wangdue.

Day 7: Wangdue – Thimphu.  Morning drive to Thimphu. Enroute visit Semtokha Dzong built in 1629. Its historically important as it is a first Dzong built by Zhabdrung Rimpoche. Today its houses for more than 250 monks. On arrival at Capital, visit National Memorial Stupa built in 1974 to honour the memory of third king by his mother and textile factory at Changzamtog. Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.

Day 8: Thimphu Sightseeing.  Morning, drive to Changangkha monastery & Takin reservation centre and Sangaygang for spectacular view of majesty capital city of Bhutan.  Visit Drupthog Goenpa Nunnery at Zilukha, National Library and Painting School and Folk Heritage museum. Lunch in local Restaurant. Afternoon, explore Handicraft emporium and relax / stroll around the city. Evening visit Tashi Chhodzong, the capital Dzong.  This is the main Secretariat Building, where the government ministries, the office of His Majesty the King, the Throne Room, the offices and living quarters of the monk body and its Chief Abbot are housed. Evening, relax at the hotel or stroll through capital city. Overnight stay at hotel in Thimphu.

Day 9      Thimphu – Paro & Sightseeing.   After an early breakfast drive to Paro up to road head and take a walk to Taktsang. The monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 900m overlooking the Paro valley and the river. Lunch at the hotel.Afternoon, visit the National museum ("Ta-Dzong"). The Watch Tower of the Paro Rimpung Dzong. Visit the massive fortress of Rimpung Dzong (the fort on the heap of jewels) built in 1645. Overnight stay at hotel in Paro.

Day 10: Morning drive to Paro International Airport for your onward destination.