Specially Tailored Itenerary for Jambay Lhakhang Festival

14 Nights - 15 Days Adventure Tour

The highlight of this trip is to see the mountainous country of Bhutan with Jambay Festival, farmhouses, temples which are forbidden to most visitors, the museums and trekking into the valleys of Bumthang and a day rafting in Punkha. Festivals are both religious and social events. Its religious –during the festivals Buddhist teachings are shown to the common people in form of dances. The dances depict the life after death, how to live a good life in order to have a better life after death. Its social- all the farmers in the particular region leave their work and come to witness the festival. They come in their best traditional dress often passed down through generations. They bring packed lunch and have an out door lunch with their families.

DAY –01 Arrive – Thimphu Capital

You will be on board the Druk Air, Bhutan’s only National Airlines, and land at Paro Airport (the only Airport of the kingdom). On the air-journey to Paro, you can lavish the magnificent and breathtaking view of the towering Mount Everest and other famous Himalayan snow-capped peaks. While on flight fill up your immigration and custom forms for declaration. Put your address in Bhutan as c/o Bhutan Orchid Adventures . Keep your custom forms safe, as you need to produce the same on departure. Put the forms in the passport along with $20 each visa fees and two passport sized photos.

And on your arrival at the aforementioned airport, (after customs and visa formalities), group will be accorded a very warm reception by a Representative of Bhutan Orchid Adventures received with the white silk scarf called “Khadhar”, and drive to Thimphu along a winding road for about 2 hrs to spend a night there in Hotel Riverview

DAY –02 Thimphu - Trongsa

After an early breakfast drive to Trongsa via Wangdue which takes about 6 hrs. the road between Thimphu and Trongsa is one of the most beautiful in Bhutan, crossing watercourses, forest and typical villages before proceeding over PELE LA pass (Alt.3400m) and descending into the spectacular Trongsa valley. Picnic lunch at Chendebji. In Trongsa Tibetans own most of the hotels in Trongsa who had settled in Bhutan as refugees. The hotels are not luxurious but they are very clean and comfortable and the food is excellent. Night in Shrerubling Lodge.

DAY –03 Trongsa – Bumthang

(Fig1:Arundina graminfolia seen in : Wangdue, Tsirang, Zhemgang, Sarpang, Trongsa, Mongar, Trashigang, Samdrup Jongkhar , Altitude : 300 - 2000 m, Season : Jan-Nov)

After breakfast visit Trongsa Dzong, which is one of the most impressive Dzong’s in Bhutan. Built in 17th century by Chogyal Minjur Temap, this is a masterpiece in architecture and includes countless courtyards and corridors in additions to the 23 temples inside the Dzong. After early lunch depart for Jakar over Yongtong La pass (Alt.3425m) that separates Trongsa valley from Bumthang. Tonight is full moon night and Jambay festival begins. We have dinner at our hotel and drive to the festival ground. The most interesting is the fire dance, which takes place late into the night. To kill time visit the handicraft and jewellery stalls set up around the campus. Night at Mipham Hotel.

DAY –04 Jambay Lhakhang Festival

Jambay Lhakhang festival after an early breakfast feasts your eyes upon Lambay Lhakhang festival show. Festivals here are known as Tsechus, meaning 10th day of month, on which saint Padmasambhava was born. Thus tshechus are celebrated in his commemoration. Its time to wear finest jewelry and get spiritual blessing. This is a public forum to participate and enjoy, a place for men and women to joke and flirt. Night at Mipham Hotel

DAY –05 Bumthang - Nanglhakhang

Distance 19 kms and about 6 hours. The trek route takes you around the Chamkhar river which is best known for its abundance in trout’s. After lunch you reach the “Swan Land”, Nanglhakhang. In the evening entertainment can be arranged. Overnight camp.

DAY –06 Nanglhakhang - Ugencholing

Climb gradually to Phephela pass at 11000ft., which is the highest point on this trek. This trail takes you through beautiful forested areas with lots of leisure and stops. Overnight camp.

DAY –07 Ugencholing - Jakar

Distance approx. 10 kms and about 2-3 hours. This trail leads you to the Tang Chu another river with plenty of trout’s. On the way to Jakar you will visit the burning lake “Mebar Tso”. Here you will meet your transport for your journey to Jakar. Night at Mipham Hotel

DAY –08 Jarkar valley sightseeing

After breakfast explore the valley which is different from other valleys in Bhutan. It is a spacious and open ranging in altitude from 8’500 ft to over 13’000 ft. It is a haven for trekkers and hikers. Morning sightseeing includes the Tamshing Lhakhang established by great Bhutanese saint Pema Ling Pa in 1501 and you can see the original wall painting of that date. Kenchosum Lhakhang built during Thresong Dengtseng time and is considered as oldest Lhakhang and visit Membartsho where Terton Pema Ling pa has discovered lot of treasure (ter) hidden by Padmasambhava. After lunch visit Jampa Lhakhang built in 659 on the same day as Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro by the Tibetean King Songsten Gampo. Guru Rimpoche visited this Lhakhang when Sindhu Raja invited him to Bumthang. Visit most important and sacred Monastery Kurjey Lhakhang name derived after body print of Guru Rimpoche that is preserved in a cave. This is the place where the saint Padmasambhava subdued Shelging Karpo and recovered Sindhu Raja’s life force and for good measure converted both rival kings to Buddhism and restoring the country to peace. The offering of TSHO, BUTTER LAMP and PRAYERS can be arranged in this monastery. Night at Mipham Hotel

DAY –09 Bumthang-Punkha

After an early breakfast drive to Punakha, which about 197km and 6.5hrs drive picnic lunch at Chendebji. Night at Zangdopelri or Dragon Nest Resort.

DAY –10 Rafting in Punakha

Rafting in upper and lower Pochu, in Punakha.

DAY –11 Punakha Sightseeing -Thimphu

Morning visit Punka Dzong, that lies between two rivers known as Pochu and Mochu, Symbolizing the masculine and feminine their currents are of different coluors and they unite at this spot and we will walk to Chimi lhakhang- temple of the Divine Madman who is popularly known as Drukpa Kuenley. He inherited the Divine madman tittle since he revolted against the orthodox Buddhism in his time. He taught the people that religion is an inner feeling and it’s not necessary that one should be an ordained monk. He is believed as a symbol of fertility and most childless couples go to his temple for blessing. The translation of the life of Drukpa Kuenley is done by Keith Dowan –Drukpa Kuenley-The Divine Madman. We drive the 70km highway to the capital. It takes around two and half hours since the road is windy on the mountainous terrain. Nevertheless the sights along the road are quite delightful. We drive through farms with traditional farmhouses, temples and forests. Night at Hotel Riverview

Day –12 Thimphu Sightseeing

Today we will visit to the memorial temple, which depicts the Buddhist teachings in form of paintings and statues. Originally the Third King who is known as the “Father of Modern Bhutan” initiated this temple. He knew that lots of negative elements would come with modernity so as a protection against such elements this temple was planned. His son the present King and the Queen Mother completed the temple after the demise of the Third King. So it is commonly known as the memorial temple. the Folk heritage museum which contains the medieval life style of the Bhutanese. Then to the national library which contains the collections of literature and scriptures. There is a book that is 1400 years old written in liquid gold on Bhutanese hand made paper. We then proceed to the textile museum to see old collections of textile. The temple of the nuns, Changgangkha temple of the 12 th century and then take a drive to the viewpoint of Thimphu. On the way we take a look at the national animal-Takin research center. If you have time take a visit to the Tashicho Dzong which is the center of both spiritual and temporal powers. Then independent tour of the town visiting handicraft stores on foot will be relishing. Night at Hotel Riverview.

DAY-13 Thimphu – Paro sightseeing

After breakfast drive to Paro for sightseeing, here sightseeing include visit to ruined Drukgyel Dzong, a victory fortress of the 17th century. Although in ruins, this Dzong is of great historical importance. It was here that the Bhutanese finally defeated the invading Tibetans and drove them back. On the way back you will visit a typical Bhutanese farmhouse to experience the daily Bhutanese life and visit Kyichu Lhakhang built in 659 by Songtsen Gampo the first Buddhist king of Tibet and is considered as one of the oldest and most sacred spot for pilgrimage.

After lunch visit of the Dzong and the museum. Tadzong – the museum contains orientation on Bhutanese history, religion and culture. Lots of ancient artifacts are seen. The important declaration signed in 1907 during the crowning of the 1 st King is also seen here. Lots of pre-history items used by Bhutanese are also kept here. There are massive collections of Thankas or religious paintings, some textiles. On the top gallery you can see stamp collections along with the sects of Buddhist teachings practiced in Bhutan. Then visit the Dzong of the 17 th century to see the inside of the Dzong. Dzongs are fortresses, which hold dual purposes such as center for the religion as well as that of regional center for the governor. You can take a walk down to the cantilever bridge below the dzong where your car awaits. Overnight Olathang Hotel.

DAY –14 Taktshang Excursion

You will have an early breakfast and drive to Santsham Chorten 10 km upstream from Paro town. Driving further for sometime you will reach the foot of the Taktshang cliff from where you will have to climb uphill for about 2 hours to appear yourself before Taktshang monastery perched giddily on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of 800m alongside a waterfall cascading as if from the blue.

Taktshang means ‘Tiger’s Nest’. Guru Padmasambhava, known as the Second Buddha, alighted from the flying tigress and meditated at the shrine in the second half of the 8 th century. As a result, it is the dream destination for Buddhist pilgrims from the world over. You will have in the Taktshang Cafeteria on your return from the monastery. The lunch here is always tasty because most are already hungry by the walk. Theround trip takes about 4 hrs. If desired, pony ridings can be arranged. Overnight Olathang Hotel.

DAY –15 Departure

Representative of Bhutan Orchid Adventures will bid you farewell and onward flight home. TASHI DELEK

Book This Tour :: Enquire :: Previous Tour :: Next Tour