7 Days Changangkha Lhakhang Festival Tour

Upon your arrival in Paro by Druk Air, Bhutan’s national carrier, you will be picked up by your tour guide at the airport then escorted to Paro town for lunch.

After that, you will be transferred to Thimphu, following the Pachu River. It is a short drive of about 1.5 hours, and you can stop on the way to see the Tamchhog Lhakhang, a hereditary place of worship for the Bhutan’s iron bridge builders.

Upon arrival in the capital city of Bhutan, you will pay a visit to Tashichho Dzong (Thimphu Dzong), the most beautiful Bhutan dzong as well as the headquarters of Bhutan government. You will also explore the National Library and Folk Heritage Museum, a 300-year-old traditional house converted into a museum.

Stay overnight in Thimphu

Paro International Airport

Today, it will be a full-day sightseeing tour in Thimphu. You will first visit the National Memorial Chorten, constructed in memorial of the third King of Bhutan, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, in 1974. The King was generally regarded as the father of modern Bhutan and widely esteemed by the Bhutanese. Then head to National Textile Museum, which keeps the traditional art of waving preserved and exhibits a good collection of ancient colored textile in various forms. keeps the traditional art of waving preserved and exhibits a good collection of ancient colored textile in various forms.

After lunch, you will visit the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, to see the productive process of Bhutan’s traditional medicine, herbs mostly, and watch the medical practitioner training. Next, go to Traditional Paper Making Factory, which originated from the old tradition in the 8th century, Bhutan papermaking has been well preserved and listed as the valuable national heritage of Bhutanese culture.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Thimphu National Memorial Chorten

In the morning, you will attend the Changangkha Lhakhang Festival. The festival takes place in Changangkha Lhakhang, the oldest temple in Thimphu. Starting with an appraisal to the local deity “Domsap”, the festival is celebrated in masked dances and cultural dances performed by Changangkha lamas. You can join in the gathering with locals for this unique celebration.

In the afternoon, we will leave Thimphu for Punakha. The drive will take about 2 hours, following the steep road through lush forests. On the way, you can stop for a rest at scenic Dochu La Pass (3,100m). The pass is a perfect vintage point where you can have an unobstructed vista of the mighty Himalayas. Here also sits the 108 chortens, built by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck (The Queen mother of Bhutan) for the safety and wellbeing of His Majesty (The king of Bhutan).

Stay overnight in Punakha.

Changangkha Lhakhang Festival

Today, we will tour around the ancient capital city of Bhutan, Punakha. You will first visit the celebrated Punakha Dzong, the second largest Dzong in Bhutan, built in 1657 at the confluence of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu Rivers. It is also the winter headquarters of the Je Khenpo and hundreds of monks who move together to this warm location from Thimphu.

Later in the afternoon, you will also visit the Chhimi Lhakhang, also known as Devine Madman’s Monastery. Located near Lobesa, it stands on a round hillock and was built in 1499 by the 14th Drukpa hierarch, Ngawang Choegyel.

Stay overnight in Punakha.  

Witnessing the superb Punakha Dzong

After a tasty breakfast in the morning, we will drive back to Paro from Punakha. On the way, you will see the great view of the amazing Himalayan ranges. You can also stop at Dochula Pass to take impressive photos

While in Paro, you will visit Ta Dzong Museum, the national museum located on the hill behind the Paro Dzong. It houses many fine arts, religious relics, handicrafts, as well as textiles, jewelry etc., offering a great orientation into Bhutan’s historical, cultural, and religious past. After that, you will go to explore the famous Paro Rinpung Dzong. It is a large Dzong, Buddhist monastery and fortress built in 17th Century to protect Paro valley. Rinpung Dzong houses the district Monastic Body and government administrative offices of Paro Dzongkhag.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Paro Rinpung Dzong

Today, we will enjoy the exciting trek to the Taktshang Goemba, also known as Tiger's Nest. Standing incredibly on the side of a sheer cliff 900m above the Paro Valley, Taktshang Goemba (3210m) is the landmark of Bhutan and the holiest temple of the country. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava (also known as Guru Rinpoche) had flied here on the back of a tigress and meditated in the caves on the cliffside for three months. The temple has therefore become the holy site worshipped by all Bhutanese devotees, and known as one of the world’s top ten temples. 

After the trek, we will head back to Paro.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Tiger’s Nest Monastery

Your tour guide will transfer you to Paro International Airport for your next destination. Tour service end.