Paro Tshechu Festival (trip)
Paro Tshechu Festival
- Paro Airport, Paro, Bhutan
- Active & Adventure
| from $2,000* per person | 8 Days | March |
| Comfort accommodations | Exertion level: 3 | |
| Operator: Ace The Himalaya | 15 people max | |
The unfolding of the silk Thangka - which is so large it covers the face of the building and is considered one of the most sacred blessings in the whole of Bhutan. The 'Thangka' is a religious picture scroll known as a Thongdroel which is exhibited for a few hours, at day break of the final day of the festival, enabling the people to obtain its blessing. This holy scroll 'confers liberation by the mere sight of it' (the meaning of the word 'thongdroel' in Bhutanese). This festival is a time for Bhutanese to celebrate with their families and friends.
The 'Tsechus' are Buddhist religious festivals where masked dances depicting events from the life of Padmasambhava, the eighth century Nyingmapa Buddhist teacher (second to Buddha), and stories of other saints are staged. In Bhutan, Padmasambhava is known as 'Guru Rimpoche'. The dances are performed by trained monks and laymen wearing costumes that depict the creatures that you can expect to meet after death. Besides attending the Paro Festival we do sightseeing in Paro valley, Thimphu and Punakha visting many historical sites.
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Locations visited/nearby
Bhutan, Asia
0 testimonials about this trip.
3 testimonials about the provider, Ace The Himalaya:
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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!
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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
March 23 - 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. Overnight at hotel.
March 24- 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.
March 25- 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.
March 26- Drive Punakha to Gangtey and same day hiking and Village exploration in Gangtey. Overnight at hotel.
March 27- Drive Gangtey to Paro.
Follow same route, drive back to Paro. Overnight at hotel.
March 28- Full day at Paro festival . Overnight at hotel
Enjoy the Mask Dance Festival Event of Paro Tshechu. Overnight at hotel.
March 29- Sightseeing around Paro and Excursion to Taktsang Monastery (Tigers Nest).
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.
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.
March 30 - Transfer to international airport for your final departure.
After breakfast our Airport Representative will drop you to the Paro International Airport for your flight departure from Bhutan.
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