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Famous Bhutan Festival Tour

Most amazing festival tours in Bhutan falls on October and November

Most amazing festival tours in Bhutan falls on October and November. Festival is known as “Tshechu” in Dzongkha, meaning which is held on the auspicious date 10th of the 08th month in Bhutanese Buddhist calendar every year which falls in October. Most famous and holy Thimphu Dromche is held on 06th, 07th and 08th of October and the most crowded Thimphu Tshechu is held on 11th, 12th and 13th of October each year. All festivals gives you an opportunity to interact with the locals with their most attractive dresses and you would collect hundreds of beautiful photogenic portrait pictures of old and young Bhutanese. 
I as a Cultural and Trekking Guide of Bhutan, i feel always proud of my compassionate King, country’s reach tradition and friendly people. I love my profession and i bet there is no other interesting job like guiding the tours with the people from all around the world. It gives us so much of touching memories after a week of tour with the tourist in Bhutan. In this course of more than nine years of guiding, there is not a single day which made me feel upset! But what makes me sad is to see the tearful eyes of my guest to say good bye for us, at the end of the tour. 
This time, i received a guest from Poland, Solo women for 14 Days whole Bhutan tour, from western Bhutan to Eastern Bhutan.
Day 01 | 6th October, 2016 | Paro Sightseeing | Overnight at Paro | Altitude 2200 Meters
In the morning we received the guest from Poland, who took the Bhutan Airline B3701 from Bangkok and arrived at 0955 hrs in Paro international airport. We have warmly welcomed her at the Airport and stop for the cup of Tea at cozy corner in Paro town. We started our sightseeing of the day with the National Museum, which houses the most historical Tangkas from 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th Centuries. Quick video documentary of Bhutan was refreshing. Intricate statue sculptures are also displayed here. Most beautiful among all is the quick information about the Bhutan’s reach biodiversity’s flora and fauna with it’s short documentary. Beautiful and famous Paro Dzong was the next highlight of the day. Impressive Paro Dzong, known as Paro Rinpong Dzong is famous because of the film called “Little Buddha” which was shot here by Bernardo Bertolucci. It also has a beautiful view of the tiny down town of Paro surrounded by the lush green paddy fields. From the Dzong window you can also see the historical palace of our third king, where Royal flower exhibition is held here every year from 4th June. Walking ten minutes way down from the Dzong gives you fantastic views through the old wooden cantiliver bridge. We stopped for the lunch at Organic Resturant and played Archery and Drats games to set our mind with the peace and happiness. One can also hire the Bhutanese dress, Gho and Kira and take a pictures around the paddy fields. Late afternoon we went to visit the Kichu Temple, the most oldest temple, from 659 AD which marks the history of Buddhism in Bhutan built by Tibetan king Songtsen Gyanpo. It is also the home for his holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, the spiritual adviser of royal family. Kichu temple is one of the most to visit/see place in Bhutan which has some of the oldest paintings on the wall. late evening we went up to Drukgyel Ruine Dzong which is under construction today to celebrate the birth of our royal prince. It was built in early 17th century to fight against the enemy and evil forces. Overnight stayed at Meta Resort
 
Day 02 | 07th October, 2016 | Paro – Paro Taktsang hike – Thimphu | Overnight at Thimphu | Altitude 2300 Meters
It is always good to start early hike to holy Tigress Nest Monastery. Starting early has lot of advantages that you can bit the strong sun rays, so it is easier for you to walk the 30 degrees switch back steep mountain trail. In the morning the pictures are better, there will be lesser animals, lesser people and you can take more rest maintaining your own slow pace. You will also get more time to meditate in the Tigress nest temple. We were lucky enough to see some of the highly respected Buddhist lamas were chanting the prayers inside the temple along with interesting sound of the trumpets, flutes, drums and couch shell. The Highest point of the Tigress Nest hike is 3100 Meter but the temple stands around 3080 Meters on the sheer granite cliff. From the highest point we also have 780 steps to reach the inner meditation place called Dup Khang in which 465 steps are down to the stream where you can see the beautiful waterfall and 315 steps climbs up to the monastery. We were the first one to start by 0630 hrs. in the morning and kept the record with the solo lady 62 years old from Poland, walking way down while everyone walking uphill. We had our lunch at Charo and Doro Resturant at Paro. Afternoon we started our drive to Thimphu. Visited oldest suspension iron bridge on the way, took picture at the confluence of the river and reached my home to have a quick tea. After a short conversation with my wife and son, we went to check in to our hotel. Overnight at Pedling Hotel Thimphu. 
Day 03 | 08th October, 2016 | Thimphu – Thimphu Festival | Overnight at Thimphu | Altitude 2300 Meters
After our leisurely breakfast, we went to the Tashichoe Dzong, meaning fortress of the glorious teaching. We were lucky enough to witness the most holy Thimphu Dromche in the inner courtyard of the Dzong interacting with the locals, mask dancers, atsaras, monk and tourist. Just witnessing the festivals Bhutanese believes that it helps us to get rid of all the sins. Mask dances, the spiritual dance of the masters can prolong life span of the individual. It also closes the door to get birth in the realm of sorrows. This special gathering of family, neighbour and friends itself is a meaning to the peaceful and happy life ahead and indeed it’s like a prayers and wishes to smile and meet together in the forth coming year. Look at this kids enjoying the dances with the extreme natural smiles on their faces. All Bhutanese, old and young from far away or nearby areas would never miss this special occasional opportunities ever. They dress up in a very special way wearing costly costume and jewelries. We got hundreds of beautiful portraits of Bhutanese. Atsaras, the gesture came close to us and entertained us with his big wooden phallus/Penis and touched us. Phallus in Bhutan is a sign of good luck and whole Bhutanese pays big respect for this clowns carrying phallus.  Afternoon we went to Chery Monastery hike which took us 45 minutes uphill crossing the wooden bridge. Chery monstary is a famous Buddhist retreat center, quite silent and perfect meditation place. It’s also content some the wish fulfilling statue of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. There is another Buddhist monastery called Tango, where you can see hundreds of highly disciplined and learned monk. Sometime there are chances to hear their alluring and soothing chanting with the trumpet, flutes, drums, cymbal, bell and conch shell. But you have to decide wether to hike to Cerry Monastery or Tango Monastery. It’s equally historical and holy with the same grade and steepness also same distance and height. Evening we stroll stop at Vegetable vendor market to see the organic farm produced vegetables and healthy cereals. 
 
Day 04 | 09th October, 2016 | Thimphu – Punakha | Overnight at Punakha| Altitude 1500 Meters
In the morning we checked out from the hotel and went to visit the Biggest Buddha statue which is made out of bronze and gold glided. It’s material are all imported from Hongkong and assambled here. It stands on the hilltop overlooking Thimphu valley from Kuenselphodrang park. It is believed to be one of the tallest Buddha statue of the world which is 169 ft tall. We also took a pictures of the 5th King’s Palace from the view point. We started heading towards Punakha valley, via Dochula Pass. Dochula pass also has one of the most breathtaking views of the 108 stupas and beautiful panoramic views of the Himalayas around. After having a tea break and pictures break we started our drive to Punakha Valley and had our lunch on the way to Temple of fertility. Afternoon we went for a short hike in the temple of fertility. Here in this village you could see lot of paintings of penis/phallus on the wall of the Bhutanese houses. Trails to the temple is so interesting with the paddy fields around. Overnight at Hotel Pema Karpo, located next to the river.  
Day 05 | 10th October, 2016 | Punakha – Gangtey/Phobjikha | Overnight at Gangtey Phobjikha | Altitude 2900 meters. 
In the morning we went to visit the most impressive Dzong of Bhutan known as Punakha Dzong, built in early 17th century located amazingly in between the two rivers, Pho chu  the male river and Mo chu, the female river. One of the most intricate wooden carving is what you can see inside this fortress. Among the Dzongs in Bhutan, the most important and must to see Dzong in Bhutan is Punakha Dzong. You also have to cross through the wooden cantilever bridge from the female river while going inside the dzong. Behind the dzong if you walk for about 15 minutes, you can also see the longest suspension bridge of Bhutan in the male river. After that we also enjoyed in Wangdue Annual festival called Wangdue Tshechu. Crowd of Bhutanese and lot of tourist were enjoying the mask dances here. We started our drive to Gangtey and stop on the way for our lunch in Nubding Kuenphen Guest, with their delicious cuisine. Reaching Phobjikha, the favorite winter home for black necked cranes, we wanted to refresh our self with checking in to our farm house stay. We had a wonderful experience with the farm house stay with the Bhutanese family.
 
Day 06 | 11th October, 2016 | Gangtey Sightseeing – Trongsa | Overnight at Trongsa | Altitude 2150 meters. 
After our breakfast, we visited Gangtey Goenpa, the 15th century’s buddhist monastery located at the gangtey hilltop overlooking the Phobjikha valley. We have then started our Gangtey nature hike for 2 hours. This trail is the most interesting hike in Phobjikha valley, trails through the blue pines and some farm houses around. There are chances to see the students going to their schools in the morning. This trail easy trail mostly flat and refreshing nature hike. Immediately after our hike we started driving towards Trongsa. Overnight Yangkill Resort

Day 07 | 12th October, 2016 | Trongsa Sightseeing – Bumthang | Overnight at Bumthang | Altitude 2400 meters
In the morning we have visited most historical Trongsa Dzong and Trongsa Museum. After lunch we started our drive to Bumthang. We drive to Tharpaling monastery and Domkar Palace, the historical palace of our 2nd King of Bhutan. Overnight we stayed at Kaila Guest House close to Chamkhar town. 

Day 08 | 13th October, 2016 | Bumthang Sightseeing  | Overnight at Bumthang | Altitude 2400 meters

Bumthang, the central Bhutan is considered to be the most beautiful place. Here we have lot of holy places and smaller hikes around the valleys. Bumthang Jakar Dzong, the castle of the white bird was the first one that we have visited in the morning. Bumthang Jambay Lhakhang, is another oldest temple which has 3 natural stone steps which represent past, present and future. Step which represent the past has already sunk down. Steps which represent present generation has also sank and still sinking and steps which represent future can be seen fully. We believe that this unbelievable natural stone steps will help us to remind about our short present generation and get prepare for the next generation. Jambay Lhakhang has lot of historical painting on the wall. There are three Buddha statue as a main relic of the Jambay Lhakhang. We also have a short hike from Jambay Lhakhang to Kurje Lhakhang. Bumthang Kurje Lhakhang is another historical place in Bumthang. It is said that in 8th century, precious master, Guru Padmasambhava has meditated here and left his body print in the big rock behind. We also continued our hike from Kurje Lhakhang to Tamshing Goenpa 15th century temple. Tamshing is believed to be the house of the treasure discovers called Terton Pema Lingpa who have discovered Mebartsho, meaning Burning Lake. In Bumthang, if one is interested with the hike, you can do the sightseeing all around the valley on foot. Walking on foot also brings you a lot of photo opportunities of the Bhutanese farmers, Animals, birds, wild flowers, trees, traditional houses with the unique paintings etc. Bumthang is also known for it’s landscape similar like Switzerland. Bumthang is a cold place, which is located around 2500 meter above the sea level. The drive from Trongsa to Bumthang in winter will gives you lot of surprise with breathtaking views of beautiful decorated trees with frost and snows loosely hanging on the branches. Most of the weather in winters remains clear and blue with the amazing views of the snow peak mountains, while in spring, the drive in this road will take you around hundreds of flowers of nature’s garden specially variety of rhododendron. 

Day 09 | 14th October, 2016 | Bumthang – Mongar  | Overnight at Mongar| Altitude 1900 meters
We sarted our drive after our beakfast, the drive was almost 09 hours including the pictures stop and breaks. Highlight of today’s drive was the landscape and changes of the vegetation. We drive pass by the famous Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Park & Thriumsing La National park with its beautiful picture stop. We also saw some of the beautiful and interesting endangered species of blood pheasant. Good lens camera can easily capture than feeding around. Lot of interesting waterfall around specially in Namling Brak. We also had our hot pack lunch here with the views. Slowly the drive way further down to a place called Truedangbi and Limethang can make you feel so homely with it’s pleasant winds and landscape. After crossing Kurichu, the river in Mongar, it took us only around 45 minutes to climb up to Mongar, with it’s pleasant weather. We checked in one of the best hotel in Mongar called Wangchuk Hotel. Mongar district is considered to be one of the biggest place in eastern Bhutan, so we also have a big referral hospital like in Thimphu. People in mongar are more sincere and innocent hardworking. They are mostly soft spoken native bhutanese, known as sharchokpas. Evening we stroll around the town and interacted with the bhutanese kids at childrens park. 

Day 10 | 15th October, 2016 | Lhuntse Day Excrusion  | Overnight at Mongar | Altitude 1600 meters
In the Morning after our breakfast, we started our day excrusion to Lhuntse, which took us to a most historical place, as a home and birth place of our king of Bhutan. We saw the live and fine weaving done by the local women of this region in Khoma. Weaving is a old age tradition of the people in this regions. Lot of famous and intricate patrons came from this region. Lhuentse Dzong stands at a hill side over looking the valley and river way down. This Dzong is so historical and photogenic. After having our hot pack lunch, we started our day back to Mongar again. 

Day 11 | 16th October, 2016 | Mongar –  Tashigang  | Overnight at Tashigang | Altitude 1990 meters
We started our drive to Tashigang after our breakfast. It was really enjoyable drive to Tashigang from Monagr. We stopped at tea house after yadhi village. We reached for Lunch in the most beautiful hotel known as Druk Dejung on the mountain slope. Afternoon we visited Ranjung monastry and made a small walk around the tiny Tashigang town.

Day 12 | 17th October, 2016 | Tashigang – Tashiyangtse – Tashigang  | Overnight at Tashigang
After our early breakfast, we started our day to Tashiyangtse. Most historical temple like Gomo Kora comes on the way to Trashiyangtse. We also tried to climb up the big rock believing the history that, if people climbs up successfully than we can be really spiritual with lot of merit which will leads us to heavenly palace. We went up to visit Chorten Kora, the very old nepelese style of stupa in Trashiyangtse. After visiting the painting school in Trashiyangtse, we retrace back the journey to Tashigang again.

 

Day 13 | 18th October, 2016 | Tashigang – Samdrupjongkhar  | Overnight at Samdrupjongkhar | Altitude 220 Meters
After our early breakfast, we started our most amazing drive to Samdrupjongkhar. It comes across lot of different villages on the way. Landscape view is breathtaking here specially after we cross yonphula Pass. We made a refreshing tea stop and warmrong town and small walk. We stop for our hot pack lunch with some of the locals around the road. We also stop to splash the water on our car before we reach Samdrupjongkhar. 

Day 14 | 19th October, 2016 | Samdrupjongkhar – Guwahati airport
In the morning after the breakfast, we bit farewell to our guest and handover to our Indian counterpart safely after 14 days of tours in Bhutan. It was a happy and memorial tour in Bhutan.