Punakha Tsechu (trip)
Punakha Tsechu
- Paro, bhutan
- Active & Adventure
| from $2,500* per person | 10 Days | February |
| Comfort accommodations | Exertion level: 3 | |
| Operator: Ace The Himalaya | 12 people max | |
The contrast between the climate and vegetation in Punakha at 1,800 metres and Thimphu and Paro valleys at 2,400metres will be clearly felt as you spend a few days in Paro at the beginning of your trip and a few days in the capital city, Thimphu, at the end of the tour. In Paro you will visit the dzong, the museum, temples and farmhouses. The excursion to Taktsang Monastry is well worth the effort it is classed as Paro’s most famous and most deeply revered religious site. In Thimphu, you will spend a full day of sightseeing.
Loading map, please wait...
Locations visited/nearby
Bhutan, Asia
0 testimonials about this trip.
3 testimonials about the provider, Ace The Himalaya:
-
Reviewer: Claire Love
located in
Dubai
We were a group of 4 girls wanting a challenge and that's exactly what we got...one that was tailored to our needs! Our Ace team led by Aakash KC did a sterling job getting us all the way to Everest base camp - having filled us with numerous mo-mos! The team were amazing managing to put up with our varied moods, humour and joining in the brithday celebrations! We were privaleged to have two guides with Dhruber always running ahead to secure our night's accomodation. An amazing trip, that made treking to EBC and Kalapattar a huge accomplishment! Thank you for making our experience an awesome one!
-
Reviewer: Colleen Shanahan and Michael Fischer
located in
Philadelphia
USA
We spent two and a half weeks hiking from Jiri to Everest Base Camp with guide Gyanu and porter Manoj and had a terrific experience. Gyanu was professional, experienced, and good company on the trail. He did a great job of being flexible (we changed our itinerary several times and he was very accommodating) and of making sure we were having the experience we wanted (from picking good lodges en route to scouting out fresh chicken when we were growing weary of dal bhaat to using his previous experience as a cook to make some terrific momos). His years of experience also meant he could answer any question - from Nepali politics to mountain naming to the local liquor to which lodge has good pizza. Manoj was equally good company, with a humorous charm and was eager to practice his developing English and guiding skills - we have no doubt he is on his way to becoming a great young guide. When we head to the Himalayas again, we would happy to go with Gyanu and Manoj.
As to the Jiri to Everest itinerary, we enjoyed having the experience of the week from Jiri to Lukla to get our trail legs and see some much quieter, less trekker-focused villages. We particularly liked Junbesi and Khari Khola. We might make one change: taking two days instead of one to walk from Jiri to Bhandar. We also enjoyed the Lukla to Everest base camp portion with it's spectacular views. Unfortunately, due to weather we did not go through Cho La pass to Gokyo so we will have to return to visit that area.
All in all, a great experience. -
Reviewer: Darlene Frazee
located in
1604 Honey Court,
USA
Just wanted to let you know what a wonderful time I had on the Everest Base Camp Trek. Not only was it an amazing hike through a beautiful country with wonderful people with which we could have never made it without our guides and porters. Bharat was our lead guide and I have to say the best guide I have ever had. He not only took care of us he made sure the porters were taken care of and he knew the people and cared for the environment. Dhurba was the other guide, he would go ahead of us to make sure we got a good place for the night and come back to walk with us, he was like Superman! Ace the Himalayas is a first class trekking company that cares about their clients, environment and the people of the region. I highly recommend them and will always use them when I visit here.
Itinerary
February 10 - Arrival at Paro Airport.You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel to settle in. After the formalities we take a short drive to Paro town to stroll through Bazaar. We visit the Ta Dzong which houses the National Museum and visit Paro’s Rimpung Dzong , on the way down we cross the 16th century cantilever bridge. Also visiting the Drugyel Dzong victory fortress, built in 1647 which is 18 kilometers from the Paro town. Explore the magnificent ramparts of the erstwhile fortress which defended the country against several incursions. On a clear day one can also view the sacred Mount Jomolhari, from the northern battlements. We take a visit to a farm house and observe the traditional Bhutanese way of life & living. Overnight at hotel.
February 11 - Scenic drive from Paro to Thimphu.
Early
morning we take a scenic drive to Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu, approx 90
mins drive from Paro. Sightseeing in and around Thimphu valley we visit
the National Library, which holds a collection of ancient Buddhist texts
and manuscripts, as well as the institute for Zorig Chusum commonly
known as Painting School, textile and Folk Heritage Museum which
provides an insight into Bhutanese material culture and everyday way of
life. Also visiting the National Memorial Chorten, Trashichho dzong an
impressive monastery, Bhutanese Handicrafts displaying a wide range of
beautifully hand-woven textiles and craft products. In the evening we
explore the vibrant Thimphu Bazaar. Overnight at hotel.
February 12 - Drive from Thimphu to Punakha.
Driving
about 3 hours, leaving Thimphu the road climbs steeply through a forest
of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochula
pass (3,050 m). This pass offers panoramic views of the Himalayan
mountain ranges on a clear day. You will see Rhododendrons, Magnolias,
Junipers and pine forests with chirping sounds of the many rare species
of birds found in Bhutan. We then drive onto Lobesa where you take a
short hike to Chimi Lhakhang Temple. This temple is on a hill top and it
is dedicated to the great Yogi known as Drukpa Kuenley or popularly
known as “Divine madman” of the 14th century. It is believed that this
temple blesses women who seek fertility. Overnight at hotel.
February 13 to February 15 - Festival activities in Punakha.
Enjoy the festival of Punakha Domchoe. Overnight at hotel.
February 16- Hiking and Village exploration in Gangtey and afternoon drive to Paro.
Follow same route, drive back to Paro. Overnight at hotel.
February 17- Sightseeing around Paro.
We
visit the Ta Dzong which houses the National Museum and visit Paro’s
Rimpung Dzong , on the way down we cross the 16th century cantilever
bridge. Also visiting the Drugyel Dzong victory fortress, built in 1647
which is 18 kilometers from the Paro town. Explore the magnificent
ramparts of the erstwhile fortress which defended the country against
several incursions. On a clear day one can also view the sacred Mount
Jomolhari, from the northern battlements. We take a visit to a farm
house and observe the traditional Bhutanese way of life & living.
Overnight at hotel.
February 18- Excursion to Taktsang Monastery (Tigers Nest).
Excursion
to Taktsang Monastery (Tigers Nest).The trail to the monastery climbs
through beautiful Pine and rhododendron forests. We stop at the tea
house for rest and refreshments ,the tea house offers magnificent up
close view of the tigers nest and continue the hike for short while
until you see, clearly and seemingly within reach, the imposing Taktsang
monastery. Built in 1600s, this incredible monastery clings to the edge
of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below.
History states that Guru Padmasambhava, the Tantric mystic who brought
Buddhism to Bhutan, landed here on the back of a flying tiger and
meditated here for three months. It is regarded to be one of the most
venerated cultural heritage sites in Bhutan. People from all over the
Himalayan Diaspora frequent this place on the pilgrimage trail to
Bhutan. Overnight at hotel.
After breakfast our Airport Representative will drop you to the Paro International Airport for your flight departure from Bhutan.
More information from Ace The Himalaya:
- View trip on provider's website
www.acethehimalaya.com/destinations/bhutan/bhutan-festival-to… - Company profile, experience, and history
- View all of their trips
- Email this trip page to a friend
-
Comments from Facebook