Jambay Lhakhang & Prakar Festivals (13 Days/12 Nights)

Itinerary

Day 1: ARRIVE AT PARO, PARO – THIMPHU (50 km/1 hour drive)

Stop At: Tachogang Lhakhang Bridge, Paro-Thimphu Highway, Paro 12001 Bhutan
Stop at Tachogang: Tachogang Lhakhang (Temple) was built by Thangthong Gyalpo in the fifteenth century. The temple was likely constructed in 1420. While the Tibetan master was meditating here, he had a vision of an emanation of Avalokiteshvara and decided to build a temple as well as an iron suspension bridge at this location. Tachogang lies on the way from Paro to the capital Thimphu. A new temple at Tachogang was built in the seventeenth century by the Fourth Druk Desi (local leader) Tenzin Rabgye as the original was destroyed after it served as the main seat for the Five Groups of Lamas, a coalition of local leaders who had opposed the Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (a Buddhist teacher who unified Bhutan) .
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Thimphu Chorten (Memorial Chorten), Thimphu Bhutan
Visit National Memorial Chorten (Stupa): The building of this landmark was envisaged by the third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, as a monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it is both a memorial to the Late King (”the father of modern Bhutan “) and a monument to world peace. The paintings and statues inside the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy.
Duration: 40 minutes

Stop At: Tashichho Dzong (Thimpu Dzong), Chhagchhen Lam, Thimphu Bhutan
Evening visit Tashichho Dzong the impressive fortress which houses the secretariat building, the throne room of His Majesty the King and various government offices. It is also the summer residence of the Chief Abbot and central monk body. Witness the Flag lowering ceremony before you enter the Dzong.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel Bhutan/Hotel Pedling/Gyelsa Boutique Inn 3*

Day 2: THIMPHU SIGHTSEEING

Stop At: Buddha Dordenma, Kuenselphodrang, Thimphu, Bhutan
Drive to Kuenselphodrang (Buddha Point) where world’s tallest Buddha Statue (169 feet) sits overlooking the Thimphu Valley. Enjoy the spectacular view of Thimphu city below.
Duration: 40 minutes

Stop At: Motithang Takin Preserve, Thimphu Bhutan
Visit the Takin (National Animal of Bhutan) enclosure at Motithang. The unique animal is only seen in Bhutan with a story of its own as to how it came into existence (your guide will narrate the story).
Duration: 40 minutes

Stop At: National Institute for Zorig Chusum, Thimphu Bhutan
Zorig chusum (meaning 13 arts and crafts) which is popularly known as the painting school. Students in this institute learn 13 different traditional arts and crafts like painting, sculpture, wood carving, weaving, embroidery, etc.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: National Folk Heritage Museum, Pedzoe Lam, Thimphu 11001 Bhutan
Folk Heritage Museum: To learn how the Bhutanese people lived in the past and even at present in the villages.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Bhutan Postal Museum, Thimphu Bhutan
Postal Museum – where you can also make a postage stamp with your own photo and can be posted in Bhutan.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Thimphu’s Weekend Market, Chhogyal Lam, Thimphu Bhutan
Centenary Farmer’s Market – popularly known as the weekend vegetable market where the local farmers sell their farm produce. Across the wooden cantilever bridge you will find handicraft shops.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Changlimithang Archery Ground, Chang Lam, Thimphu, Bhutan
Witness an archery (National) game if one is going on during your visit.
Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Lungtenzampa Parking, Thimphu, Bhutan
Traditional handmade paper factory – where age old traditional method of paper making is still followed.
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel Bhutan/Hotel Pedling/Gyelsa Boutique Inn 3*

Day 3: THIMPHU-PUNAKHA (71 KM/3 HOURS DRIVE)

Stop At: Dochula Pass, Thimphu Bhutan
Stop at Dochu-la pass (3,088m/10,130ft) stopping briefly here to take in the view and admire the 108 chortens, mani wall, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road. If skies are clear, the high Himalayan peaks towards the north east will be revealed in all their glory. On a clear day, the following peaks can be seen from this pass (left to right): Masagang (7,158m), Tsendegang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m), Jejegangphugang (7,158m), Kangphugang (7,170m), Zongaphugang (7,060m) a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana, and finally, Gangkar Puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Punakha Dzong, Punakha 13001 Bhutan
Visit Punakha Dzong, a massive structure built at the junction of two rivers. Punakha was Bhutan’s capital until 1955 and Punakha Dzong still serves as the winter residence of the central monk body. Bhutan’s first king, Ugyen Wangchuck, was crowned here in 1907. The fortress has withstood damage from fire, earthquake and flood over the centuries. The latest flood, in October, 1994, caused great damage to the fortress but miraculously spared its most holy statue
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, Punakha Bhutan
Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten hike: About 7km drive from Punakha Dzong and about 40 to 50 minutes hike from the road point is Khamsum Yuelly Namgyal Chorten which was completed in the year 1999 after eight years of construction. Located atop a hill commands a very beautiful view of the valley.
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Drubchhu Resort/Khuru Resort/Meri Puensum Resort/Damchen Resort/Punakha Residency 3*

Day 4: PUNAKHA-TRONGSA(152 km/4-5 hr drive)

Stop At: Chendebji Chorten, Chendebji, Trongsa Bhutan
Chendebji Chorten: This Napalese style stupa lies on the banks of Nikka Chu at an extremely serene spot. It was built in the eighteenth century by Lama Shida of Tibet to suppress a demon who had been troubling the inhabitants of the valley. A smaller Bhutanese style chorten was constructed nearby by the Royal grandmother in 1982.
Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Tongsa Dzong, Trongsa Bhutan
Trongsa Dzong: The most impressive Dzong (Fortress) in the country – it is intricately layered into the hillside, in complete harmony with its surroundings. The structure is aesthetically designed and its clean lines boast a superb sense of proportion and space while finely carved woodwork and elegant paintings suitably embellish it. Following the instruction of Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyel, the Dzong was built in 1644 by Chhogyel Minjur Tempa who later became the third Desi (Governor). The Dzong was named Chökhor Raptentse Dzong. The structure was enhanced by Desi Tenzin Rabgye in 1771 and now contains twenty-three temples. It is a veritable maze of corridors, courtyards and passageways leading to the multiple levels contained within the great outer impregnable shell.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: The Tower of Trongsa Museum, Trongsa Bhutan
Ta Dzong: Literally meaning “Watch Tower” is located strategically above the Trongsa Dzong, it was built by Choeje Minjur Tenpa, the first governor of Trongsa, in the year 1652. The tower stood guard over the Trongsa Dzong to protect the main stronghold of the town from any external threats. It has now been turned in to a Museum.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Yangkhil Resort/Puensum Resort 3*

Day 5: TRONGSA-BUMTHANG (68 km/2-3 hr drive)

Stop At: Kurje Lhakhang, Bumthang Bhutan
Kurjey Lhakhang: This monastery is the country’s most historical holy place – the complex is surrounded by 108 chortens (stupas), transforming it into three dimensional mandala patterned on the lines of the Samye Monastery in Tibet. ‘Kur’ means body and ‘jey’ is print – it is here that guru Padmasambhava meditated when he first arrived in the country, leaving an imprint of his body on the rock enshrined here.
Duration: 40 minutes

Stop At: Tamshing Lhakhang Temple, Bumthang Bhutan
Walk half an hour to the 3rd temple Tamshing Lhakhang which means ‘temple of good message’. This temple was founded by Lama Pema Lingpa in 1501. The temple contains original wall painting from 1501 which it was never repainted.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Jakar Dzong, Chamkhar Valley, Jakar Bhutan
Jakar Dzong: Which literally means “The Castle of White Bird” was built in 1646. The building was damaged by fire and then again by earthquake of 1897 after which it was rebuilt by King Ugyen Wangchuck in 1905. Today it is the administrative Head Quarters of Bumthang district.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Jakar View Resort/Kaila guest House/Mountain Resort/Ugyenling Resort 3*

Day 6: BUMTHANG-JAMBAY LHAKHANG DRUP (FESTIVAL)

Stop At: Jambay Lhakhang Temple, Near Bumthang River, Jakar Bhutan
• Drive to festival venue and mingle with the locals to enjoy the festival of various mask and folk dances among them don’t miss the “Mewang” the fire blessing.
• Evening at leisure.
• After dinner prepare to attend the most popular “Ter Cham” (the Naked Dance).

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Jakar View Resort/Kaila guest House/Mountain Resort/Ugyenling Resort 3*

Day 7: BUMTHANG-PRAKAR DUCHHOED FESTIVAL AT CHUMMEY

Stop At: Chamkhar Mani Dungkor, Jakar, Bhutan
• Attend Prakar festival.
• Afternoon continue at the festival or you can go around exploring the Chhumey village.
• Overnight at your hotel/farm house in Chummey.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Chummey Resort/Home stay

Day 8: BUMTHANG-PHOBJIKHA (133 km/4-5 hr drive)

Stop At: Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan
Phobjikha Valley: This valley is famous for potatoes which is one of the cash crops of the region and an important export to India. Phobjikha is also famed for the migratory black-necked cranes that make it their winter home. This endangered species of birds arrives from Tibet towards the end of October. Known as ‘Thrung Thrung Karmo’ by the Bhutanese, the locals have great affection for these beautiful birds and are featured in many folk songs. Their departure by the end of February is marked by songs of lamentation. Details of their habitat and habits are available at the Crane Observation and Education Center. If you visit the place at the time when the birds are in residence, you may be able to get a close view from the hides specially constructed for this purpose.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Gangtey Monastery, Gangtey Bhutan
Gangtey Goenpa: Gangtey Goenpa (Monastery) was established by Pema Lingpa’s grandson who became the first Gangtey Trulku. The goenpa is affiliated with several other important goenpas in this region, including Tamzhing in Bumthang. Currently the ninth reincarnation, Kunzang Pema Namgyel is the abbot here. Besides the goenpa there are several schools, a Tibetan style chorten (stupa) and meditation centers where monks retreat for periods ranging from three days to three years. There is also a Buddhist College nearby that offers a nine-year course in Buddhist studies.

After the Monastery you have the option to hike the Gangtey Nature Trail. During the months of November to March you get to see the endangered Blacked Necked Cranes which migrate from Tibet.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel Dewachen 3*/Home stay

Day 9: PHOBJIKHA-LAMPELRI (104 km/4-5 hr drive)

Stop At: Wangdue Dzong, Wangdue Bhutan
Wangduephodrang Dzong: This was another Dzong built by Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyel in 1638 at a spot that controlled the routes to Trongsa towards East, Punakha and Thimphu towards West, Gasa to the North and Dagana and Tserang to the South. Legend says that when Zhabdrung arrived in the area he spotted a boy building sand castle on the banks of the river. This was taken as good omen and when the dzong was built it was named after the boy – Wangduephodrang or Wangdi’s Palace. Complex and different in shape, the dzong comprised of three separate but linked structures. It was unfortunately completely destroyed by fire in 2012 and is now under reconstruction.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Lobesa Community Center, Lobesa - Metsina, Lobesa - Metsina, Bhutan
On the way to your camping venue tonight take a short hike to Chime Lhakhang. This Lhakhang dates back to 1499 which was built by Lama Drukpa Kinley who is till this day known as a Divine Madman. Located beautifully on a hilltop, it is about 30 to 40 minute walk passing through a charming village set in lush terraced fields. Lama Drukpa Kinley is believed to have subdued a demoness residing in Dochu La with his ‘magic thunderbolt of wisdom’ and a wooden effigy of this is preserved within. There are also statues of him along with those of Lama Zhabdrung, Sakyamuni and Avalokiteswara. Devotees receive blessings from his wooden phallus and iron Bow and arrow that lie here and childless women are said to have their wish fulfilled after visiting this Lhakhang.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Royal Botanical Park, Lampelri, Punakha-Wangdue Highway, Punakha 13001 Bhutan
The Park was inaugurated on 22nd October 2008. Due to its close proximity to the city the park attracts lots of visitors which include bird watchers, travelers and picnickers, etc. The park covers an area of 47 sq kms.

Your accommodation tonight is set at Lampelri Botanical Park nearby a small but beautiful natural lake. We camp in tents with thick mattresses, all bedding and towels. Toilet and shower tents with hot water available. There is a central area with space to relax around a camp fire and the cook team will create traditional Bhutanese meals to be served in the dining tent.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Tents

Day 10: LAMPELRI-HAA-PARO (141 km/5-6 hr drive)

Stop At: Haa Valley, Ha Bhutan
• Drive to Paro via Haa valley. The district of Haa was opened to tourists recently and is one of the least visited districts though it is close to Paro International Airport.
• On the way visit the Dobji Dzong, once well known as a central jail.

Duration: 5 hours

Stop At: Lhakhang Karpo, Bondey-Haa Hwy, Ha Bhutan
These two temples/monasteries are probably the most important site in Haa valley. Lhakhang Karpo (white Temple) is the official residence of Haa monastic body (Rabdey). Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple) on the slopes nearby is a smaller chapel with a small pond (supposedly a lake) inside the shrine. Both the temples are said to have been built by Pigion emanation of Tibetan King Songsten Gampo in 7th century in a single day.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Chele La Pass, Paro Bhutan
Continue drive to paro via Chelela pass (3988m). At the pass enjoy the spectacular view of the Paro and Haa valleys on either side of the pass. En route enjoy the beauty of nature with different vegetation as you climb down the mountain.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Tashi Namgay Resort/Tenzinling Resort/Janka Resort/similar 3*

Day 11: PARO-TAKTSHANG HIKE

Stop At: Paro Taktsang, Taktsang Trail BT, Paro Bhutan
• Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery: The hike to Taktshang Monastery perched on a cliff at 2950m/9700ft takes anywhere from 4 to 6 hours as per your hiking ability. It is an uphill hike to the Monastery. There is a cafeteria (Taktsang Jakhang) on the half way.

Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava (the great Buddhist master) with his magical powers came to Taktshang in the eighth century, flying from the east of the country on the back of a tigress (a form that one of his consorts is believed to have taken). He is said to have meditated for about three months in a cave on the cliff and subdued the evil spirits. The primary Lhakhang was built around Guru Rimpoche’s meditation cave in the 1692 by the fourth Desi Tenzin Rabgay. This incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below.

Duration: 6 hours

Stop At: Drukgyel Dzong, Bhutan
Drive up the valley to view the ruins of the Drugyel Dzong, which once defended this valley from several invading Tibetan armies during the 17th century. It is now under re construction to its former glory.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Tashi Namgay Resort/Tenzinling Resort/Janka Resort/similar 3*

Day 12: Paro Sightseeing

Stop At: National Museum, Tag-Dzong Rinpung Dzong, Paro 12001 Bhutan
Ta Dzong : Built in 1656 as a watchtower for Rinpung Dzong is now used as the National Museum which is a repository of not only precious works of art but also costumes, armour and other hand crafted objects of daily life that provide a good snapshot of the rich cultural traditions of the country. It opens 7 days a week except on National Holidays.
Duration: 1 minute

Stop At: Rinpung Dzong, Paro Bhutan
Rinpung Dzong: Built in 1646 by Lama Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyal and strategically located to thwart Tibetan incursions into the rest of the country, this Dzong became one of Bhutan’s strongest and most important fortresses.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Jangtsa Dumtseg Lhakhang, Paro, Bhutan
Dumgtseg Lhakhang was constructed by the great bridge-builder Thangtong Gyelpo in 1433. It is said to have been built on the head of demoness, who was causing illness to the inhabitants. The building was restored in 1841 and is a unique repository of Kagyu lineage arts.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Kyichu Lhakhang, Lamgong Gewog, Paro 12001 Bhutan
Kyichu Lhakhang: It was built in 659 by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. The temple fell into disrepair but was superbly restored in 1839 by the 25th Je Khempo (Chief Abbot). He also contributed the outstanding statue of Avalokiteshwara, with eleven heads and thousand arms, which is located in the sanctuary.

Evening at leisure or visit the Paro town with a street of typical Bhutanese traditional buildings for souvenir shopping.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Tashi Namgay Resort/Tenzinling Resort/Janka Resort/similar 3*

Day 13: Paro Airport drop

Stop At: Paro International Airport, Airport Road Paro, Paro 12001, Bhutan
End of your travel. Our team will drop you to the airport and bid farewell.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.