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Paro · Thimphu · Bhutan
9 Day / 8 Night Bhutan Spring Festival
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From $11,480.60 per person
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The Experience
What your day looks like
Bhutan also is known as the Dragon Kingdom is a rich mosaic of different cultures, traditions, lifestyles, ethnic groups, languages and belief systems. It is astounding that a country with a population of just over half a million speaks as many as nineteen different dialects and a few major languages. Diverse as it may seem, yet the Bhutanese socio-culture fabric is well interlaced and harmonized mainly due to the common thread of simple Buddhist values that the people share. Our cultural tours are the easiest way to get a taste of Bhutan. Each town has a Dzong dating back from the 1600s, and many old temples and monasteries. The Paro Spring Festival makes way for various cultural dances and displays. The main highlight of this festival is the unfolding of the gigantic Thangka (embroidered painting) at dawn just before sunrise which is absolutely breathtaking. Colorful Bhutanese attire and their spicy and zesty food are some of the other highpoints.
Highlights
Why travelers choose this experience
- Attend the vibrant and colorful Paro Spring Festival
- Hike to Taktsang Monastery also known as the Tiger’s Nest
- Witness panoramic Himalayan views from Dochula Pass and hang prayer flags here
- Indulge in a game of archery, the national sport of Bhutan
Your Itinerary
Your day, step by step
Day 1
Paro
Arrival in Paro. Upon arrival at the Paro International Airport, one of our representatives will receive you and escort you to the hotel.
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Paro
Leisure. Rest of the will be at leisure.
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Paro
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 2
Paro
Traditional Outdoors at Rinpung Dzong. Attend Paro Festival. After breakfast, we will head to Paro Dzong to attend the festival today. Bhutan’s festivals are extremely lively and vibrant. With traditional mask dances, dramas and delicacies, they attract thousands of tourists every year. Tshechus, held on the tenth day of a month of the lunar calendar, are among the most celebrated festivals, particularly the Paro Tshechu (Spring Festival) and Thimphu Tshechu (Fall Festival). Entire communities come together in colorful Bhutanese attire to receive blessings, socialize, make merry and rejoice in the festive mood. Paro Dzong, also known as Ringpung Dzong means ‘Fortress on a heap of jewels’. This impressive dzong is the finest example of Bhutanese architecture and is one of the most popular and well known dzongs in Bhutan.
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Paro
Local Flavor. The National Museum of Bhutan is a unique circular building also known as Ta-dzong which is an ancient watchtower above the Paro Dzong.
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Paro
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 3
Paro
Sightseeing at Simtokha Dzong. Drive to Thimphu. Distance: 53kms/ 32 miles. Drive Time: 1 hour approx. After breakfast at the hotel continue your drive to Thimphu. En route to Thimphu, visit Simtokha Dzong, which is believed to be the first dzong, built in Bhutan.
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Paro
Local Flavor. Once in Thimphu, check in at the hotel. After freshening up visit the School of Traditional Arts and Crafts & the Memorial Chorten. Visit the School of Traditional Arts and Crafts. The traditional crafts represent hundreds of years of knowledge and ability that has been passed down through generations. Visit the National Institute of Traditional Medicine: Established in 1988, the National Institute of Traditional Medicine strives to merge the allopathic and traditional systems of healing.
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Paro
Sightseeing at Memorial Chorten, Thimphu. Also visit the Memorial Chorten, also known as the Thimphu Chorten is a large Tibetan-style Buddhist Monastery with golden spires and bells. It is a popular landmark and one of the most visible religious structures in Thimphu.
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Paro
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 4
Thimphu
Sightseeing at Motithang Takin Preserve. Today we will visit the following places in Thimphu Visit the Motithang Takin Preserve Center and the Kuensel Phodrang or the Buddha Point - the world’s largest sitting Buddha statue, the statue is 167 feet high.
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Paro
Local Flavor at National Library of Bhutan. The National Library of Bhutan is a four-storied eight-cornered traditional building, which looks like the central tower temple of a Bhutanese Dzong. The Folk Heritage Museum is set inside a 19th century three-storied traditional building and was established in 2001. The museum houses different tools, materials, objects, equipments and artifacts from rural Bhutanese households and gives a good insight of the traditional Bhutanese lifestyle.
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Paro
Sightseeing at Tashichho Dzong. Visit Tashichho Dzong. This dzong is an impressive building also known as ‘the fortress of the Dharma Raja’. It has traditionally been the seat of the Druk Desi, the head of the Bhutan’s civil government.
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Paro
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 5
Paro
Sightseeing at Dochula Pass. Drive to Punakha. Distance: 76kms/ 47 miles. Drive Time: 3 hours approx. Today we will visit the Dochula Pass, Chimi Lakhang and Punakha Dzong. On the way to Punakha from Thimphu, the Dochula Pass offers a 360-degree of beautiful panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain range, especially on clear winter days.
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Punakha
Sightseeing at Chimi Lhakhang. Once in Punakha visit Chimi Lhakhang flanked with hundreds of prayer flags seated on a round hillock near Punakha. The monastery, built in 1499 is dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kinley, also known as ‘the Divine Madman’ or the ‘Mad Saint”.
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Punakha
Sightseeing at Punakha Dzong. Also visit the majestic Punakha Dzong, also known as ‘the palace of great happiness or bliss’ which is the second largest dzong in Bhutan. Transfer to the hotel after the sightseeing.
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Paro
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 6
Paro
Hiking at Khamsum Yuley Namgay Chorten. After breakfast this morning, go for an hour long hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten which is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture and artistic traditions. Built out on a beautiful ridge above the Punakha valley, this 4-storey temple has been dedicated for the wellbeing of the kingdom, its people and all sentient beings. The Chorten was built to remove the negative forces and promote peace, stability and harmony in the ever changing world. An hour hike to the Chorten, through a moderately inclined trail surrounded by pine trees, this site offers beautiful view of the Punakha Valley. Once on the top, the place offers commanding views of the Mo Chhu and up towards the mountainous peaks of Gasa and beyond. Take a packed lunch in the hills amidst great scenery.
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Paro
Leisure. Return to the hotel where rest of the day will be free for leisure. Use the spa facilities provided by the hotel (Extra cost applicable).
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Paro
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 7
Paro
Drive back to Paro. Distance: 143kms/ 88 miles. Drive Time: 4.5 - 5 hours approx. After breakfast this morning, begin your drive back to Paro.
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Paro
Leisure. Evening is at leisure to stroll around the city of Paro. Archery is the national sport of Bhutan. In the evening, indulge in an archery session at the hotel. This is particularly a fun activity with family.
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Paro
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 8
Paro
Hiking at Paro Taktsang. Taktsang Monastery Hike. Hike Duration: 4.5 hours approx. (round trip) Today we will hike to Taktsang Monastery. Perched on the side of a vertical cliff at 3000 m altitude north of Paro, the beautiful Taktsang Monastery also known as the ‘Tiger’s Nest’ is the most famous and an unofficial symbol of Bhutan. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche (Guru Padmasambhava) flew to this location from Khenpajong, Tibet on the back of a tigress and subdued a demon. He then meditated in a cave here for three months and emerged in eight incarnated forms (manifestations) and blessed the place. Guru Padmasambhava is known for introducing Buddhism to Bhutan. Today, Paro Taktsang is the best known of the thirteen caves in which Guru Padmasambhava meditated. Taktsang Monastery is a pilgrimage site for both tourists and locals. The journey up to the monastery is filled with spiritual bliss. Keeping this spirituality aside, the journey up to Taktsang Monastery is also a hiker’s delight. An hour hike up to a small wooden teahouse called Cafeteria provides a close view of the monastery. A further and a rather challenging hike will lead you to the glorious Taktsang Monastery. Or If you have difficulty walking, a pony ride can be arranged which will take you till the second view point only. The pony ride is a one-way trip (this is recommended if you are not in great physical shape or have issues with altitude) and you have to make your way down the mountain by foot.
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Paro
Sightseeing at Kyichu Lhakhang. Later visit Kyichu Lhakhang: Located close to the Paro Airport, the Kyichu Lhakhang is an important Himalayan Buddhist Temple. Built in the 7th century, this is one of Bhutan’s oldest religious sites in Bhutan.
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Paro
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 9
Paro
After breakfast today, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward journey.
Planning Details
Before you go
Included
Arrival and departure transfers with assistance from our representative All transfers and tours as per the above program Entrance fees at the monuments during sightseeing as per the program Bhutan Visa Fees Bhutan Tourism Development fees Extra Activities highlighted in the above program
Not Included
International airfare and airport taxes. (Will be quoted separately) Photography charges in monasteries and monuments Expenses of personal nature such as bar bills, laundry bills extra mileage, personal gratuities as tips to guide, porters, drivers, etc. Personal insurance policy – suggested comprehensive travel insurance covering tour and flight cancellations, loss of valuables, thefts, illness, accidents and hospitalization; and most of all Emergency Helicopter Evacuation Any expenses occur due to flight cancellation, road blockades, landslides or any other mishaps Any other meals, services, and expenses not mentioned in the above cost
Meeting & Pickup
Paro International Airport.
Planning Notes
Hotel pickup offered: No Confirmation: Manual By Business
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