Punakha Festival tour

Overview

Punakha Festival Tour offers an opportunity to witness the unique mask dances and folk dances along with joker’s action in the crowd. The festival portrays various folk stories and symbolic dances. The festival is celebrated at the ground of giant Punakha Dzong.

Legend has it that Guru Rimpoche, a great Buddhist saint of 8th century, and the festival is celebrated in the honor of Guru Rinpoche. The festive includes typical masked dances which are very fascinating and colorful with the events and enchantment being different each day.

Punakha Festival Tour is celebrated all the over the country in every Dzong of Bhutan on the tenth day of a month of the Lunar Calendar. It is one of the biggest festival of Bhutan with great number of participants and audience.

Punakha festival tour is glorified with intense color, horns, drums and mystical mask dancers. The festival is considered as the symbol of peace and prosperity and local believes that all misfortunes and sins will be disappeared. Monks wears sacred masks which showcases fearsome deities and animals or skulls of human being.

After exploration of Punakha festival, you will interact with locals which allows you to immerse deep in local culture and tradition. The festival begins in the month of the Lunar year and concludes with “serda” an incredible procession which re-enacts an episode of the war against the Tibetans in the 17th century.

Itinerary

Day01: Arrival at Paro (2,250m) and drive to Thimpu (2,350m) – 1.5 hour

Your Punakha Festival Tour starts with a flight to Paro International Airport. In clear weather, you can witness the magnificent views of world’s highest peaks. As you step out of airplane, you will be rewarded with cool and clean fresh air.

After all immigration formalities, our representative will receive you outside the airport terminal hall and transfer you to the hotel at Thimpu.
Today we visit Bhutan Postal Museum which displays the Bhutan’s progress and development via communication and postal system in the country. Here you can get personalized Bhutanese postage stamps with your photo on them. You can attach the favorite photo on the stamps and send to your family and friends.

Next we visit Changzamtok Weaving Center to witness the stunning colorful silk and cotton textiles being woven into shawls, scarves and traditional Bhutanese dresses. We also craft Bazaar where craftsmen and artisans from across the country display and sell their handicrafts.

In the evening, stroll around the Thimpu city.

Overnight at hotel in Thimpu

Day02: Drive from Thimpu – Punakha/Wangdue – 71km/ 2.5 hours

After breakfast, we drive to Punakha & Wangdue via Dochula Pass. In clear weather, you can witness the best view of Himalayan Mountain ranges. Here you will visit beautiful 108 chorten built by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk (Queen Mother of Bhutan) for well-being of the King of Bhutan. You will also visit Druk Wangyal Lhakang monastery built by Asi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk (Queen mother of Bhutan) in the name of fourth king of Bhutan. The gallery of Duk Wangyal Lhakhang has the collection of beautiful Murals showcasing some of the important events in the reign of the Kings of Bhutan.

Then you will drive to Punakha which used to the capital of Bhutan before Thimpu. On the way, you will stop for Lunch at Metsina village and visit Devine Madam’s Monastery- Chimi Lhakhang which is famously knowns for her fertility blessing – bare mother can receive the children blessing.

Then you will explore the Punakha Dzong which is majestically located at the juncture of Pho – Chu (male river) and Mo Chu (female river). The Dzong was built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative seat of the region. At the Dzong, you will witness the highest standards of woodwork.
In the evening, you will visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendup Lhakhang Nunnery and enjoy the superb view of Punakha and Wangdue valley.

Overnight at hotel in Punakha

Day03: Punakha Festival

Today we stay our entire day observing the Punakha Festival organized at Punakha Dzong followed by different mask dances and folk dancer along with jokers action in the crowd.

Overnight at hotel in Punakha

Day04: Punakha Festival

After breakfast, we can proceed for visiting Kamsum Yulay Temple or Wangdue excursion. We also visit Rinchingang monastery.

Overnight at hotel in Punakha

Day05: Punakha – Paro

On the fifth day of Punakha Tshecchu Festival, we visit Sangchen Dorji Lhundrup Chholing. The temple is dedicated to the bodhisattva of compassion and next to the temple is a beautiful stupa. After interacting with nun and admiring surroundings, we drive back to Thimpu via Dochula. After lunch, we head towards Paro.

Overnight at hotel in Paro

Day06: A Day Hike to Taktsang Ghoempa (Tiger’s Nest Monastery)

After breakfast, you will drive to the hiking point of the Tiger’s Nest Monastery and hike up to the monastery which roughly takes 1.5 hours. The monastery serves superb view of Paro valley and surrounding landscapes. It is perched majestically at 900m on sheer rock face from the valley floor.

The monastery was first constructed in 1692. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava meditated here for three months in 8th century. It is also believed that Guru Rinpoche flew to this from Kenpajong on the back of Tigress to fight against the Demon which was harming the Kingdom. Subsequently, the place came to be known as the “Tiger’s Nest”. Guru Padmasambhava is believed as the portrayer of Buddhism in Bhutan.

After visiting monastery, you will hike downhill to the road with a lunch at viewpoint Cafeteria. Then you will drive back to the hotel after visiting Kichu Lhakhang on the way. Kichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built in the 7th century by the King Songsten Gampo.

In the evening, enjoy traditional hot stone bath and take a well-deserved rest.

Overnight at hotel in Paro

Day07: Final Departure

Your exciting festival tour in Bhutan comes to an end today. The representative from Dream Bhutan will drive you back to the Paro International Airport on scheduled time for your final departure.

Farewell!!!

Cost Info

Cost Includes

  • Bhutan Government Royalty of USD 65 per person per night
  • FIT surcharges of USD 40 per person per night for double and USD 30 per person per night for Double
  • Twin sharing accommodation at star hotel
  • All the meal during trip
  • An English speaking experienced Bhutanese tour guide
  • All the ground transportation in cozy vehicle as per itinerary
  • All the governmental charges, local taxes and official charges
  • All the monumental and museum entrance fee
  • Mineral drinking water

Cost Excludes

  • Single room supplement (can cost USD 50 per room per night)
  • Visa fee – USD 40 per person (It must be paid in advance with tour cost)
  • International Airfares
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Nature Expenses – International calls, laundry, drinks
  • Tips for guide and driver

Trip Fact

Trip Grade: Easy
Trip Activities: Sightseeing and religious tour
Trip days: 07 days Time to visit: