Many festivals held at different places at different
times of the year. The best known of the festivals
are "TSHECHUS" which are celebrated in honor
of Guru Padmasambhava commemorating his great deeds.
Popularly known as "Guru Rimpoche". This
Indian saint contributed enormously to the diffusion
of Tantric Buddhism in the Himalayan region of Tibet,
Nepal, Bhutan around 800 AD. Guru Padmasambhava is
founder of the Nyingmapa, the old school of Lamaism,
which still has numerous followers. The biography
of Guru is highlighted by 12 episodes on the model
of Buddha Shakyamuni's life. "Tshechu" which has become the name of
very popular festival commemorate each episode around
the year on the 10th day of the month. The dates and
the duration of festival vary from one place to another
but they all take place on or around 10th day of the
month according to Bhutanese calendar. Tshechus are
celebrated for several days, between three and five
according to location, and are the occasion for dances
that are clearly defined in religious content. Both
monks as well as laymen take part in these dances
which are performed in a similar manner at each of
the Tshechus. Certain Tshechus end with the worship
of a huge appliquéd Thangkha representing Guru
Rimpoche and his eight manifestations. It is called
'THONGDROEL' and is believed that simply by viewing
it people can be delivered from the cycle of reincarnations.
The Bhutanese people attach great importance to festivals,
which allow them to become immersed in their religion
and gain merit, and it is because of this importance
that the festivals are so well preserved. These events
are also a time for the local people to socialize,
to laugh, to joke with their neighbors and acquaintances,
to dress in their finest clothes and jewelry, to eat
well and generally to have good time. Below given
is a list of festivals, their location and tentative
dates for year 2003 and 2004. Please feel free to
save your copy.
Trip
Details:
Duration:08 Days
Group
Size: Minimum 3 Pax but individuals
also accepted
Access:
Fly to Paro from Kathmandu,Delhi,Dhaka,Bangkok
Season:
all the year
Bumthang
Festival Dates: Nov 06-08 2006, Oct 26-28 2007.
Outline Itinerary
Day 01 : Arrive in
On arrival in Paro you will be met by our office representative
greets you as Bhutanese Tradition, drive to Thimphu
O/N Hotel.
Day 02 . Drive Thimpu-Punkha, O/N Hotel.
After breakfast, visit the weekend market and then
drive to Punakha across Dochula Pass at alt.10, 218
ft. from where one can have breathtaking views of
all major snow capped peaks on a clear day. Punakha
is the old capital of Bhutan and at present is the
winter seat of the Je Khenpo - the Chief Abbot of
Bhutan. Visit the Punakha Dzong from outside. Downstream
from Punakha is the windy valley of Wangduephodrang
famous for its Cactus plants and characterized by
its striking Dzong. Overnight at Hotel Zangdopelri,
Punakha.
Day 03 : Drive, ZANGDOPELRI to BUMTHANG
Today is a very long drive to Bumthang crossing two
passes namely PeleLa and YotongLa. Enroute pass the
magnificent stupa of Chendebji similar to the one
at Boudhnath in Nepal. Further from Chendebji you
will arrive to Trongsa valley where you will see the
largest Dzong in Bhutan. Trongsa is the ancestral
home of the Kings. Overnight at Guest House in Bumthang.
Day 04 : Full day FESTIVAL TOURS OBSERVATION
sightseeing in and around the beautiful valley of
Bumthang. Bumthang is made up of four valleys namely
- Chumey, Choekor, Tang and Ura. Explore Bumthang,
watch the Parkher Tsechu Festival, and participate
with Bhutanese for festival celebration/N Guest House.
Day 05 : After Breakfast day trip Ura, return
to Bumthang view the closing ceremony of Festival.
Day 06 : Bumthang -Thimpu
After early breakfast drive to Thimphu for sightseeing.
Sightseeing includes visit to the Painting School
- where free hand arts namely carving and painting
are taught. Visit Simtokha Dzong - one of the oldest
Dzong in the Kingdom is the centre for Buddhist education.
Visit the Handicrafts Emporium where you can buy souvenirs
of all kinds. Visit the National Memorial Chorten
- a stupa dedicated to the memory of The Late King.
O/NT at Hotel.
Day 07 : THIMPU-PARO
After breakfast drive to Paro. Visit the National
Museum and the Paro Dzong from outside. View Ugyen
Pelri Palace from the museum. In the afternoon drive
up north to see the Drukgyel Dzong now in ruins. On
the way up, view Taktsang from Satsam Chorten area.
Overnight Hotel Druk, Paro.
Day 08 : Transfer to Airport for Final Departure
Tour
Cost & Inquiry :
askinfo@enet.com.np
or
info@nepaltravels.com
Individual Price features: High S eason
US$190.00 PP Each Day, Low Season US$180.00 PP Each
Day
COST INCLUDES :
The above package tariff includes excellent services
within Bhutan
- All Land transports (Toyota luxury coach, ac/non
ac cars)
- Ponies, Riding horses and yaks( on request) for
Trekking
- Twin Sharing Accommodation in the best available
mode(Hotels or Tourist Cottage) with Full board
meals (catered to Personal orders and tastes)
- English Speaking guide
- Temple and Monasteries Entrance fees and Permit,
- During Trek accommodation in tents with therm
rest mattresses with freshly cooked full board Meals,
required porters, Cook, Kitchen Boy, Sherpa Staff
, Dinning Tent, First Aid Kid
- Hot drinks; Like Tea, Coffee, Hot Chocolate,
Kitchen Tent, Toilet Tent, Chair and Table, Cutlery
Set, twin sharing basis,
COST EXCLUDES :
- Flight Ticket: Delhi/Bangkok/Kathmandu-Paro via
Versa flight ticket costs,
- visa fees (US$ 20),
- airport departure tax (US$ 10),
- Bar drinks, personal expenses, laundry and Tipping
