10 Day Nimalung Tshechu | Festival Travel Plan | Druk Asia

10 Day Nimalung Tshechu

Star 4-5 4.8 / 5.0
5 Reviews ( Read Reviews )
Nimalung Tshechu

Nimalung Tshechu
The Mask Dancer During festival

Nimalung Tshechu

Nimalung Tshechu

Nimalung Tshechu

Nimalung Tshechu

Nimalung Tshechu

Nimalung Tshechu

Nimalung Tshechu

Nimalung Tshechu
Bhutanese women dancing traditional song

Nimalung Tshechu

Nimalung Tshechu


Bhutan Tour Itinerary

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

Punakha to Bumthang

Due to the regular road blocks and landslides between Trongsa and Bumthang, Druk Asia will not be conducting tours to Bumthang between Jun - Sep 2018

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.

Chhimi Lhakhang (left) - A 20 minutes walk across terraced fields through the village of Sopsokha from the roadside to the small temple located on a hillock in the centre of the valley below Metshina. Ngawang Chogyel built the temple in 15th century after the ’Divine Madman’ Drukpa Kuenlay built a small chorten there. It is a pilgrim site for barren women.
 

 

Day 3

Bumthang

Due to the regular road blocks and landslides between Trongsa and Bumthang, Druk Asia will not be conducting tours to Bumthang between Jun - Sep 2018

This is one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the heartland of Buddhism in Bhutan. It is an area with a wide variety of fauna and flora. The Guru Rinpoche and his lineage of Tertons (treasure finders) making Bumthang his home have led to more than 40 temples being built in this peaceful valley.

Witness the tsechu today, a rich form of the oral history tradition where the Bhutanese pass on values, mythology and spiritual beliefs through the dance dramas.
 

Day 4

Bumthang

Due to the regular road blocks and landslides between Trongsa and Bumthang, Druk Asia will not be conducting tours to Bumthang between Jun - Sep 2018

The Nimalung Tshechu will culminate with a rare display of a giant silk applique thangkha (painting) depicting Guru Padmasambava or some other important Buddhist deity this morning.

In the morning, we will hike to the Tamshing Goemba, built in 1501 by the Buddhist saint Pema Lingpa. We will also visit Kurjey Lhakhang (left-bottom), one of the most sacred monasteries in Bhutan. Built by the Guru Rinpoche in 1652, it houses a rock with his body imprint. Legend has it that Guru Rimpoche manifested as a Garuda to defeat the demon Shelging Karpo who had taken the form of a white lion.

We will also visit Jambay Lhakhang, built in 659 by Tibetan King Sontsen Gampo to pin down a demoness who was obstructing the spread of Buddhism. Come October, the Jambay Lhakhang Drup is one of the most colourful festivals in Bhutan.

In the afternoon, we will hike up to Thangbi Valley, crossing a suspension bridge to visit the Thangbi Lhakhang built in the 14th century via an unpaved road.
 

 

Day 5

Bumthang to Gangtey

Due to the regular road blocks and landslides between Trongsa and Bumthang, Druk Asia will not be conducting tours to Bumthang between Jun - Sep 2018
 

On route to Gangtey is Trongsa, the ancestral home of the ruling dynasty.

Trongsa, literally "New Town" in the Dzongkha language, is where the current monarchy had its origin in Bhutan. Each King in the line of succession has held the post of Trongsa Penlop or Governor before donning the Raven Crown.

Trongsa Dzong - The foundations of Trongsa Dzong were laid in the 16th century by by Pema Lingpa. The Dzong flourished during the 17th century under Shabdrung Ngwang Namgyal. With its massive structure, its wall looming high above the winding Mangde Chu Valley, the Dzong commands the east-west road.

Taa Dzong - Built as a watchtower the Taa Dzong has since been turned into a Heritage Museum. A book on this prominent Dzong is written by Christian Schicklgruber entitled The Tower of Trongsa, Religion and Power in Bhutan.
 

Day 6

Gangtey

The valley of Phobjikha is well known as the winter home of the Black necked crane (Grus Nigricollis). Bhutan is home to around six hundred black-necked cranes with Phobjikha being one of the popular places that the birds migrate to in the winter months from the Tibetan plateau. The elegant and shy birds can be observed from early November to end of March. This is an old monastery that dates back to 17th century. Today we will do some short hikes around the valley of Phobjikha.
 

Day 7

Gangtey to Thimphu

Heritage Museum - Dedicated to connecting people to the Bhutanese rural past though exhibition of artefacts used in rural households.
Textile Museum - Witnesses the art of traditional weaving.
Paper making Factory - Witnesses the art of papermaking

Takin enclosure - 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 beestung 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 8

Thimphu to Paro

Paro Valley - The beautiful valley 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 Chomolhari (7,300 meters) situated at the northern end of the valley whose glacier water forms the Pachu flowing through the valley. The following are some of the prominent places to visit in Paro.

Paro Dzong - Also known as Rinpung Dzong, this 15th century massive fortress/monastery, is also the administrative center of the dzonkhag.

Ta Dzong - Built as a watch tower the Ta Dzong, it was converted into the National Museum in 1968. The museum boasts antique Thangka, textiles, weapons and armour, household objects and rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts.
 

 

Day 9

Paro

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.

Beyond Satsam Chorten, we hike up to the Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s nest). The 1.5 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. After a sumptuous local lunch, we will retrace our steps to visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan.
 

Day 10

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!


TripAdvisor's Traveler's Choice 2023

✓ What's Included

✓ Suitable Months
  • Festival Date: 14th -16th June 2024
  • For Travel during Nimalung Tshechuv
  • USD 2,209 for 1 person traveler
  • USD 2,119 per person for 2 person travelers
  • USD 1,849 per person for group of 3 and above

See our payment options
✖ What's Excluded

✓ Our Guarantee

Guaranteed Visa approval. We have yet to disappoint a single one of our travellers in terms of Visa issuance.

Authentic, Safe, And Comfortable Accommodations. Your choice of hotels will be confirmed for your inspection before your arrival. We only book you on hotels which we love and would love again.

Expert English-Speaking Guides. Our expert local guides ensure a safe journey all throughout your adventure. We will be happy to change your guide, driver or vehicle on the first two days of arrival in Thimphu if you are not satisfied with our selection. Drop us a note, and our hospitality team will be on the spot to assist you.

We're always ready to assist you. Our world-class member services team is available by phone or email. There's no automated system or call center; you'll communicate with a real person.

Community Partners

Your trip to Bhutan will contribute to one of the following causes Simply complete your trip feedback and Druk Asia will pledge a donation to your chosen charity

Get awesome customization of this tour from our experts

Join more than 17,996+ travelers who leverage on our expertise to build the perfect trip to Bhutan
Our team has more than 15 years of experience serving clients from all over the world.

 

We will never spam you or share your contact information with third parties.
*worth $250

Here is what you can expect from us

  • Let us guarantee your visa or all your money returned
  • Choose your hotel or homestay
  • Customize your activity within a day
  • Add a visit to festival
  • Add more hiking options or reduce hiking
  • Add experiential activities e.g. archery, farm visit and cooking session


Recent Customer Reviews

Star 4-5 4.8 / 5.0 ( Read Reviews )


 
KD
Krystyna Derwinska
Australia, Oct 2016
Star 5

Big thank you for organizing such a wonderful holiday.

We enjoyed our stay in Bhutan very much. Accommodation was great. Rinchenling Lodge friendly family atmosphere cannot be praised enough.

It will not be an exaggeration to say that we fell in love with Bhutan, its architecture, landscape and beautiful, friendly, gentle people.

Our guide (Phub Tshering) great storytelling skills brought us closer to the culture and history of Bhutan. Colourful festival in Bumthang was a great event to take part in.
Cars were very comfortable and drivers so skilled that even two days drive along the road under construction can be described as a sort of unusual but safe adventure.

The only slight disappointment was not to be able to visit the National Library. It was featured in our itinerary on the

+Read Full Review


LL
Lindsay Lim
Singapore, Jun 2015
Star 5

Dear Sonam

Kuzuzangpo La !

Thank you so much for helping to arrange this last minute trip of mine to Bhutan. It was a blessed and magical trip for me in Bhutan.

I was also blessed to meet with Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck and HRH Princess Sonam Dechan Wangchuck on our descend from Tango Monastery on my second day. It was privileged to have met them and spoke to them.

In addition, I had three beautiful encounters with the rainbows during my trip, on the first day at Thimphu, third day at Punakha and sixth day at Bumthang. The last encounter with rainbows was really overwhelming for me. I saw not one rainbow but two rainbows with the second one forming right in front of my eyes outside Rinchen Ling Lodge at Bumthang. Both rainbows grew bigger and the sight was ama

+Read Full Review


LP
Lily & Lay Peng
Singapore, Jun 2015
Star 5

Dear Sangay,

Our trip to Bhutan was way above our expectations. The amenities were modern and clean and the trip went like clockwork. We were mesmerized by the beautiful sights of valleys, meandering river, padi fields, potatoes farms, lush forests and well-maintained Dzongs and Chortens. Our knowledgeable guide, Ugyen, was able to share rich and fascinating stories of the religion, history and culture. He was very attentive to our needs and he ensured that the meals/accommodation are comfortable for us. Our driver, Pasang, was very skilful and conscientious. He kept the vehicle clean and made sure that our journey is comfortable and safe. To sum up, this is a memorable trip that we will not forget and we hope to visit Bhutan again one day.

Thank You.

Regards,
Ng Lay and Lily Tan

+Read Full Review


Read More Testimonial »
Whats App