The Ura Yakchoe festival, April 2008. Photos by Raym Richards
This itineray is flexible and subject to change before and during the trip.
NB
A dzong is a ancient fortress style monastery which may serve several modern functions as a seat of government, museum or spiritual centre.
A lhakhang is a Bhutanese Buddhist temple, centre of religious and cultural activities.
A tshechu is the local name for an annual religious festival.
14th April. Arrive Paro – Thimphu sightseeing (54 km, 1 hour drive):
Meet and greet at the airport and drive to Thimphu.
On the way, we stop at Shaba and visit Dra karpo monastery. The monastery’s name, “Split Rock,” originates from the legend that Guru Padmasambhava subdued a demon that had sought refuge inside the rock, which dates back to the 8th century. Around the monastery there are handprints, footprints, and other auspicious imprints attributed to the spiritual energies that have blessed the site over centuries, it is a very sacred place for the Bhutanese.
A short stop on the way to view Tamchog monastery built Gyalpo in the 15th century by Thang Thong also popularly known as, “The iron bridge builder”.
We will also visit Chagri Dorjeden Monastery, also called Cheri Monastery, a Buddhist monastery established in 1620 by Ngawang Namgyal, 1st Zhabdrung Rinpoche, the founder of the Bhutanese state.
While in Thimphu we will visit the National Institute for Zorig Chusum often called the “Painting School,” it is Bhutan’s premier institute for preserving and teaching the thirteen traditional arts and crafts known as zorig chusum. Here you may purchase stunning hand painted Thankas.
We may visit the tallest statue of sitting Buddha in the world (51.5 m) at Kuensel Phodrang.
In the evening we may visit Tashichho dzong, seat of the national government and the central monastic body including the summer residence of the chief Abbot.
Then we have free time to stroll around Thimpu. Overnight City Heritage Hotel
15th April. Thimphu – Wangdue Phodrang – Gangtey (140 Km, 4 hours drive):
After an EARLY BREAKFAST, drive to Gangtey / Phobjikha. A short stop on the way to explore the beautiful Dochu la pass (3140 m) with 108 stupas. If the weather is clear, you can also view the panoramic view of the Himalayan ranges. We drive further and visit the Wangdue Phodrang dzong built in 1638 by Shabdrung
While in Gangtey, visit the Gangtey monastery built in 1613 by Gyaltse Pema Thinley, the grandson and reincarnation of Pema Lingpa. The present abbot, Kunzang Pema Namgyal is the ninth re-incarnation. After lunch, you may enjoy an optional hike along the Gangtey nature trail (2 hours). You can see the beautiful view of Phobjikha valley below.
We will explore Phobjikha valley (Altitude 3000 m). The most beautiful glacial valley in the Himalayas and the roosting ground of the rare black- necked cranes in winter.
Overnight Dewachen Hotel and Spa
16th April. Gangtey – Trongsa sightseeing – Bumthang (143 km, – 4 hours drive):
After breakfast, drive to Bumthang. We stop in Trongsa and visit: Trongsa dzong was built in 1644 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa. The First two Kings of Bhutan ruled the country from this ancient seat. As per the tradition, the King of Bhutan is appointed the Penlop (Governor) of Trongsa and then becomes the King. The dzong was strategically built by the ancient rulers to control the trade between eastern and western Bhutan.
After lunch, visit Ta dzong, an ancient watch tower which once guarded the Trongsa dzong from internal rebellious forces and enemies, stands on the edge of the town. The First Governor of Trongsa, Chogyal Minjur Tempa built it in 1652 and has four observation points which resembles Lion, Tiger, Dragon and a Garuda (Eagle). Today the Ta dzong serves as a national museum.
Overnight in Swiss Guest house
17th April. Bumthang sightseeing
After breakfast, visit to: Jakar dzong which means “The castle of white bird” was built in 1667 by the Tibetan Lama Nagi Wangchuk. This dzong sits on a small hill over-looking the Chamkhar valley. The dzong played a vital role as the fortress to defend the eastern part of the country. The first king ruled Bhutan from here.
We may also visit Jambay lhakhang an ancient temple built by King Srongtsen Gampo of Tibet in 659. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche has hidden “Terma” or relics under the temple. In the late October, a famous annual festival is held here and the main event is “Ter Cham” or the fire dance.
We may also visit Chakar lhakhang is the site of the palace of the Indian king Sindhu Raja, you can see the body-print of the Guru Rinpoche on the rock housed in this temple. The Kurjey festival is held in June and includes a masked dance that dramatizes Guru Rinpoche’s defeat of Shelging Kharpo.
After lunch we visit Kenchosum monastery built in the 6th century, this lhakhang was renovated in 1995 and so it has a modern look to it. Legend has it that the lhakhang contained a large bell that when it was rung, the sound could be heard all the way in Lhasa, Tibet. During the 17th century, the invading Tibetan armies tried to steal the bell but because it was too heavy, they dropped the bell and, in the process, cracked it. It is now on display at the national museum in Paro.
We may also visit Tamshing lhakhang (Temple of the good message), established in 1501 by Pema Lingpa. It is the most important Nyingma monastery because of its direct connection to Terton Pema Lingpa (1450 -1521) and his re-incarnations.
In the evening we may explore Bumthang market. Overnight in Swiss Guest house
18th April. Bumthang – Witness the Ura Yakchoe festival 51 km. (1 hour 50 minutes drive):
In the morning, drive to the beautiful Ura valley 3,200m. On the way, visit “Mebar Tsho” or the Burning lake. According to legend Terton Pema Lingpa had a vision of the sacred treasures that Guru Rinpoche had hidden within the lake centuries earlier. However, the people of Tang and the local ruler were cynical of his claims. In order to prove his claims, Pema Lingpa held a butter lamp in his hand as he jumped into the lake. After remaining under water for a long time he re-emerged holding a chest and a scroll of paper with the butter lamp held in his hand still burning bright. Thereafter, the lake came to be known as Mebar Tsho (The Burning Lake). Today, this small fresh water lake is a pilgrimage site for the Bhutanese.
We then drive further to Ura valley and witness the Ura Yakchoe festival whch is one of the most culturally significant festivals in central Bhutan, held in the idyllic Ura Valley. Known for its intimate, village-based atmosphere, this tshechu stands apart from larger dzong festivals by offering a closer, more personal connection to Bhutanese spirituality, tradition and rural life. At the centre of the festival lies a revered relic, believed to have been left behind by a mysterious lama centuries ago.
Each year, this sacred artefact is displayed to the public, drawing pilgrims from all over the country who come seeking blessings, protection, and purification. For travellers, Ura Yakchoe is an exceptional opportunity to witness untouched cultural heritage in one of the most beautiful highland valleys of Bhutan.
The Ura Yakchoe Tshechu is filled with sacred masked dances traditional rituals and community celebrations. Monks and lay practitioners perform centuries-old cham dances, each one retelling stories of guardian deities, moral triumphs and spiritual cleansing. These dances are believed to ward off evil spirits and purify the environment.
We also visit the Ura temple which was built in the 1986 on the site of an old temple which was in a bad condition. Packed lunch will be served. You can interact with the locals and see the local lives of village people.
In the evening we drive back to Bumthang and you are free to stroll in the town. Overnight in Swiss Guest house
19th April. Bumthang – Punakha sightseeing (216 km, 6 hours drive):
After early breakfast (7 am), drive to Punakha. After lunch, we visit Chimi lhakhang also called the “Temple of fertility” built in 1499 by Lama Drukpa Kuenley, also popularly known as “Divine madman”. He travelled through-out Bhutan and Tibet as a “Neljorpa” (Yogi) using songs, humor and outrageous behavior to dramatize his teachings of salvation through sex. Punakha dzong, was built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Punakha is the winter residence of Je Khenpo (The chief abbot of Bhutan). Punakha is also an ancient capital of Bhutan until the rule of the second king of Bhutan.
The first national assembly of Bhutan was convened here in 1957. Then we walk across the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan across Pho chu river. This bridge is considered the longest of its kind in Bhutan and connects the two sides of the Pho chu river. You will get a great view of the river, valley, temple, and a good boost of adrenaline as well.
Overnight in Meri Puensum Resort
20th April. Punakha sightseeing – Paro sightseeing (128 km, 3 hours 50 minutes drive):
After breakfast, drive to Paro. We occasionally stop on the way to take pictures, stopping at the viewpoint where you can see the bird’s eye view of Paro and the valley.
Then we visit a typical Bhutanese farmhouse and explore. You can also try archery /darts (very large “darts” in Bhutan!). After lunch in the farmhouse, visit: Kichu lhakhang built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan King Srongtsen Gampo. He built 108 temples in a single day to pin the ogress to the earth forever and at the same time, convert the Tibetan people to Buddhism. Six of these temples lie in Bhutan; most prominent of them are Jambay lhakhang in Bumthang and Kichu lhakhang in Paro.
We may visit the Dzongdrakha monastery built on a cliff face in the village of Bondey in Paro, it literally translates into the ‘The temple on a cliff’. Located at an altitude of 2227 meters, the temple was built in the 16th century. It is one of the many places Guru Rinpoche meditated in.
In the evening we are free to explore the local area. Overnight in Tashi Namgay Resort
21st April. Paro sightseeing – Hike to the Tiger’s nest monastery (Taktsang):
In the morning, drive to Paro and the 4 hour hike to the Tiger’s nest monastery (Taktsang). The primary temple was built around Guru Rinpoche’s meditation cave in the 1684 by the Penlop (Governor) of Paro, Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay. This incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padma Sambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan flew here on the back of a flying tigress, Dorji Drolo, said to be his favorite consort.
NB: You can hang prayer flags near the Tiger’s nest and offer prayers inside the monastery.
In the afternoon we may visit to: Drugyel dzong built in 1647 by the Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It served as the defense post against the Tibetan invasion in ancient days. This dzong was destroyed by an accidental fire and is under repair now.
In the evening we are free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography. Overnight in Tashi Namgay Resort
22nd April. Paro – Departure: After breakfast, drive to the Paro International airport and farewell.
Your investment.
Pre-sale $3,990Au For a few very special people.
Early bird $4,490Au A limited number available.
Full Price $4,990Au Until sold out.
Ticket price includes:
* All meals [Breakfast and dinner in the respective hotels. Lunch in local tourist restaurants].
* Accommodation Rooms on twin/double sharing basis in government approved “clean & safe” 3 star hotels.
* All transportation within the country including airport transfers
* Entry fees for museums / monuments & festival visits.
* Sustainable development fee (SDF) as mentioned above.
* Bhutan Visa Fee.
* English speaking local guide.
* Sightseeing.
* Bottled water throughout the tour.
* 5 % GST (Goods and services tax).
NB Single rooms may be available for a supplimental fee.
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Dancers at the Ura Yakchoe festival, April 2008. Photos by Raym Richards