7 Day Druk Wangyel Tshechu | Festival Travel Plan | Druk Asia

7 Day Dochula Pass Festival

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Dochula Festival

Dochula Festival
Attend Dochula Pass Festival that is performed by the Royal Bhutan Army

Dochula Festival

Dochula Festival
Celebrate Bhutanese's victory on the Himalaya.

Dochula Festival

Dochula Festival
Dancer in traditional costume

Dochula Festival

Dochula Festival
Dancer in traditional costume


Bhutan Tour Itinerary

Dochula Festival or Tshechu, Druk Wangyel Tshechu, is commissioned by the Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck in 2011. This is a unique festival as the festival is fully performed by the Royal Bhutan Army rather than the monastery. The soldiers have been given three months training in folk and mask dance.  The festival will start at 0900 and ends at 1615.

 

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Day 1

Arrival in Paro, Bhutan

Welcome to Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Touching down at Paro International Airport, you will be greeted by your guide upon exiting the arrival hall. Today, we will take it easy to acclimatize to the altitude. Drive to Thimphu, check in to the hotel and let’s have your first taste of Bhutanese cuisine and some light sightseeing in Thimphu if possible.

Buddha Point at Kuensel Phodrang, will be open to tourists once it is completed in 2012. The 169 feet bronze statue of Buddha Dordenma , Vajra Throne Buddha symbolising indestructibility will be completed soon. The Buddha statue itself is competed awaiting paintings, but visitors can drive up to the Buddha point and view the tallest statue of Lord Buddha. The view of Thimphu valley from the Buddha point is spectacular and beautiful, especially at night.

National Memorial Chorten - Which was built in honor of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk.
Thimphu Dzong - The largest Dzong, is also the seat of the office of the King of Bhutan.
 

Day 2

Tour of Thimphu

Visit Heritage Museum, built to connecting people to the Bhutanese rural past though exhibition of artefacts used in rural households. After which, head to Textile Museum to witnesses the art of traditional weaving then witnesses the art of papermaking at Paper making Factory. On the way to the viewpoint over Thimphu is the home of Bhutan’s national animal, the Takin; a strange looking beast some say looks like a bee stung moose.

Centenary Farmers’ Market - Every Saturday and Sunday most of the Thimphu population congregate on the banks of the river where the weekend market is held. Here villagers from the valley and other nearby places come to sell their agriculture products.
 

Day 3

Thimphu to Punakha

Dochula Pass - the 108 chortens was built by the present Queen Mother of Bhutan Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over indian militants and to liberate the souls of the souls lost. Punakha Dzong - Built in 1637, the dzong continues to be the winter home for the clergy, headed by the Chief Abbott, the Je Khenpo. It is a stunning example of Bhutanese architecture, sitting at the fork of two rivers, portraying the image of a medieval city from a distance. The dzong was destroyed by fire and glacial floods over the years but has been carefully restored and is, today, a fine example of Bhutanese craftsmanship. Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten - Built by the third Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Yangdon wangchuck this Chorten is a splendid example of of the Bhutanese architecture and art and is the only one of its kind in the world. It has been built over eight and a half years and its details have been drawn from religious scripture.

 

Day 4

Punakha to Paro (Dochu La Festival)

Attend Dochula Festival at Dochula Pass

Dochula Pass - The 108 chortens was built by the present Queen Mother of Bhutan Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over Indian militants and to liberate of the souls lost.

Punakha Dzong - Built in 1637, the dzong continues to be the winter home for the clergy, headed by the Chief Abbott, the Je Khenpo. It is a stunning example of Bhutanese architecture, sitting at the fork of two rivers, portraying the image of a medieval city from a distance. The dzong was destroyed by fire and glacial floods over the years but has been carefully restored and is, today, a fine example of Bhutanese craftsmanship.

Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten - Built by the third Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Yangdon wangchuck this Chorten is a splendid example of of the Bhutanese architecture and art and is the only one of its kind in the world. It has been built over eight and a half years and its details have been drawn from religious scripture.

Day 5

Paro

The beautiful valley of Paro is home to many of Bhutan's old monasteries and temples. The country's only airport is in Paro. The valley is also home to Mount Jomolhari (7, 300m) situated at the northern end of the valley whose glacier water forms the Pa Chhu flowing through the valley.

 

Kyichu Lhakhang - Also known as Kyerchu temple or Lho Kyerchu, it is the oldest temple in Bhutan. Just like Jambhay Lhakhang in Bumthang, it is one of the 108 temples built by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo to subdue and pin down an ogress that was obstructing the spread of Buddhism. According to legend, all 108 temples were built in a single night.

 

Go back in time and history and visit the seventh century Kyichu temple. As the name suggests, the temple is a reservoir of peace, and you will feel at peace here. Next to the temple is a house that was turned into a museum dedicated to the late Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. One can come across photographs and other artifacts belonging to Rinpoche.

 

Dumtse Lhakhang - Built in 1433 by the iron bridge builder Thangton Gyalpo, the temple was built to subdue a demoness and so was chained firmly to the ground. It's three floors represents hell, earth and heaven. To enter Dumtse Lhakhang, you will require a special permit.   

Day 6

Paro

Drukgyal Dzong - A morning drive, north of Paro valley brings us to the ruins of Drukgyal Dzong. Built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father and unifier of medieval Bhutan, the Dzong was destroyed by an accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate.Explore the ramparts and relive the memories of a glorious past.

Taktsang Monastery - A one hour hike to the cafeteria is also a vantage view whereby you can enjoy the stunning view of the monastery. Prayer flags adorn the cliffs and this is also where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in the 8th century.

Kyichu Lhakhang - After a sumptuous local lunch, we will retrace our steps to visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan.

Day 7

Depart Paro

Today we will bid fond farewell to this beautiful Himalayan country and take an early flight back to Singapore. We hope by now you would have made some friends and also kept many photos and beautiful memories of Bhutan! And we look forward to seeing you again in this beautiful land of endless Enchantments! Tashi Delek!


We invite you to explore more with our Bhutanese Festival Tours. These tours are tailored to provide an in-depth experience of Bhutan's unique festivals and traditions, deepening your understanding and appreciation of this culturally vibrant country.

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✓ Suitable Months
  • 13th December
    For Travel during the months of December:
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  • USD 1,430 per person for 2 person travelers
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Recent Customer Reviews

Star 4-5 4.9 / 5.0 ( Read Reviews )


98.2 % of Our Travellers Recommend This Travel Plan


 
AS
Alvin Teow B S
Singapore, Mar 2018
Star 5

Excellent one stop services for the Bhutan's trip and I never regretted choosing to go with Druk Asia. The 7D6N trip have given me and my wife an understanding of the rich Buddhist culture and lifestyle of Bhutan.

From the pick up at Paro International Airport on the first day to the sending off on the last day by the Guide and Driver were seamlessly perfect. The hotels are great but the free WIFI have rooms for improvement for the 3 stars hotel/resort that we had stayed in.

Every meal is fantastic especially the vegetable dishes.

The climb to Tiger's nest was most memorable especially when rookies like us were struggling to climb up the path and you see elderly locals walked past us effortlessly.

Definitely will go to Bhutan again with Druk Asia!

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SS
Sandra Sandu
Singapore, Dec 2017
Star 5

I had a fantastic time in Bhutan and enjoyed every minute.

My dedicated guide Ms Tashi Dema and my driver Dorji Dago were excellent in every way and very professional.
I would like to thank them from the bottom of my heart. The new Hyundai Santa Fe car 2200 cc was excellent with good road holding. Im glad i went alone and did not join the tour because it gave me more flexibility.
Will certainly return to Bhutan in April.

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CK
Cheryl Koh
Singapore, Dec 2017
Star 5

We had a wonderful and magical time in Bhutan. You have an amazing country and we left in awe.
About the trip - we feel privileged to have been amongst the few travellers to have visited Bhutan.
The itinerary was fine, as per what was described in your travel notes. So we were well prepared. We were lucky to have encountered National Day and saw some of the festivities. We also enjoyed the traditional festival (sorry forgot the name for that). I think besides the amazing scenery, the other most interesting aspect of the tour is understanding the culture of Bhutan.
For this, the guide plays a very important role. He/She is almost the only touchpoint we have to understanding the culture better. We felt Kunzang was good with children and willing to be patient with them. Perhaps she could

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