A highly adventurous exploration all the way across the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan to the eastern borderlands, highlighted by the ancient and little-known festival in one of the hamlets of Lhuntse in eastern part of the country. Undoubtedly, our most comprehensive cultural exploration of the Dragon Kingdom, from the western to the eastern borders traversing all the beautiful mountain valleys across the country.
The three-day festival called Wangshing Rabna will give you an opportunity to explore unique culture practiced unchanged for centuries. Visitors can directly interact with the performers and the public and be part of the festival. The public have their unique way to welcome and farewell the guest. There will be no differentiation whether you are a local, foreigner, or Bhutanese from other parts of the country. Everyone is welcomed in a similar manner and treated as a member of family.
The mask dances performed here is unique from those performed in other parts of the country. This annual Wangshing Rabna is held only in this place by the local people to pay their homage to Guru Rinpoche, who is considered as second Buddha. For the first time in the history, a group of five tourists witnessed this festival last year. The feedback received from the visitors was “It was most astounding experience.”
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1, 4th Sep, 09: Bangkok/Paro.
Flying into the country’s only airport, in the beautiful Paro valley, the clear mountain air, forested ridges, imposing monasteries and welcoming Bhutanese people in their striking national dress, provides a breath-taking first impression. On arrival at Paro airport, after immigration and custom formalities, your guide from Bhutan Excursion for the trip will receive you and transfer you to the hotel in Paro. Overnight - hotel in Paro.
Day 2, 5th Sep, 09: Hike to Tiger’s Nest.
This morning, we will take a short drive to the trailhead to start our hike to Taktsang Monastery. This is one of the Buddhist world’s most venerated pilgrimage sites and is known as the Tiger’s Nest. It is said that the Guru Rinpoche came to Taktsang on the back of a tigress and, whilst meditating in a cave, converted the Paro valley to Buddhism. A number of temples have now been built on the site, and these occupy precarious positions, clinging to a black cliff high above the Paro Valley. The visit involves a two-hour climb on a steep footpath through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. Overnight - hotel in Paro
Day 3, 6th Sep, 09: Paro/Thimphu (02hours).
After breakfast, drive to Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu, passing through idyllic countryside, with villages and paddy fields on either side of the road. Thimphu has a special charm and it is fascinating to sit and watch a gathering of local people in the town square, wearing their traditional dress and going about their business in a typically unhurried Bhutanese way.
Sightseeing in Thimphu includes visit to: Tashichhodzong, the seat of the government; the National Memorial Chorten, within which there are finely executed wall paintings and delicately fashioned statues which provide deep insight into Buddhist philosophy; and the Handicrafts Emporium, which displays a wide range of the traditional handicrafts for which Bhutan is renowned. You may also be able to catch a game of archery in progress at the Changlimethang sports ground, just below the town. Overnight - hotel in Thimphu
Day 4, 7th Sep, 09: Thimphu/Punakha (03hours).
In the morning, visit the following: the National Library, with its extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts; the Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the Painting School) where students undergo a six-year training course in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts; the National Institute of Traditional Medicine (outside only), where Bhutan’s famed traditional herbal medicines are compounded and dispensed.
After lunch, proceed to Punakha across Dochu La pass (3,088m/10,130ft), the highest point on the road is marked by a large Bhutanese Chorten and prayer flags fluttering on the hill. On a clear day, there is a breathtaking view over the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas from this spot. Punakha served as the capital town of Bhutan until 1955, and it is still the winter seat of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot). Visit Punakha Dzong, built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in the 17th century and situated at the junction of Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers. Overnight - hotel in Punakha.
Day 5, 8th Sep, 09: Punakha/Tongsa (06 hours).
Today, we will start quite early so as to ease the long drive with as many stops as possible on the road for views and so on. We drive up to Pele La (3300m) the traditional boundary between eastern and western provinces before the emergence of present monarchy. The road then goes down to Chendeji along the outskirt of the Black Mountain National Park, and then to Tongsa. The landscape around Tongsa is spectacular and its impressive Dzong, stretched along a ridge above a ravine, first comes into view about an hour before the winding road actually leads you into the town.
Visit and experience the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture at Trongsa Dzong. It was Shabdrung’s great - grandfather who founded the first temple at Tongsa in 1543. In 1647 the Shabdrung had begun his great work of expansion and unification, realizing all the advantages that could be gained from Tongsa’s position; he constructed the first Dzong at the place where his ancestors had erected the temple. The Dzong was called Choekor Rabtentse. In 1652, Minjur Tenpa, the Penlop of Tongsa, had the Dzong enlarged.
The Dzong is built in such a way that in the old days, no matter what direction a traveler comes from, he was obliged to pass through the courtyard of the Dzong. This helped to make the Penlop of this Dzong as powerful as it had a complete control over the east - west traffic. The watch tower above the Dzong further strengthened its defense. The father of the first king known as the black regent and the first king served as the Governor of Tongsa before the emergence of the Bhutanese Monarchy, since then it has become a tradition for the young crown prince to serve as the Governor of this place before he is crowned. Overnight - hotel in Trongsa.
Day 6, 9th Sep, 09: Tongsa/Jakar (03 hours).
This morning, we will take a drive for about an hour towards south to see the winter palace of the second king, Jigme Wangchuk. It’s an interesting drive, passing Takse Goemba and a large expanse of rice terraces in the lower Mangde Chhu valley. It’s a good side trip from Tongsa and it gives an intimate insight into life in the early days of Bhutan’s monarchy. After having lunch in Tongsa, we will then proceed to Bumthang crossing the Yotong La Pass and then into the first valley of Bumthang known as Chumey where we will make a brief stop to observe the weavers weaving the famous Bumthang fabric known as Yathra. Overnight - hotel in Jakar.
Day 7, 10th Sep, 09: Jakar.
Bumthang is a general name given to combination of four valleys- Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura with altitude varying from 2,600m to 4,000m. It is home to many prominent Buddhist temples and monasteries. Start the morning with visit to Jambey Lhakhang, the temple built by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo, in the 7th century. Next visit the Kurjey Lhakhang complex. It consists of three temples. The one on the right was built in 1652 on the rock face where Guru meditated in the 8th century. The body imprint of the great master can be distinctly seen in the rock cave enshrined in the temple. Your guide will explain the fascinating stories connected to this place. Second temple was built in 1900 by the first king when he was still the governor of Trongsa. The third temple was built in 1990 by Ashi Kesang, the Queen Mother. A wall of 108 chortens surrounds the entire complex.
After lunch drive up the hill to visit the Jakar Dzong. Founded by the great-grandfather of the first Shabdrung, the Dzong was initially a small hermitage in 1549. It was expanded the Shabdrung 1646 to help consolidate his expanding power into the eastern region. Scouting for a place for the Dzong a small white bird was seen perched on a hill, which was taken as an auspicious sign, and hence the name Jakar, meaning white bird. As others the Dzong is now the seat of district administration and monastic body of Bumthang valley.
The last stop for the day will be Tamshing Lhakhang, located in a village across the river from Kurjey Lhakhang. It is the seat of Bumthang’s famous son saint Pema Lingpa. He built it himself in 1501. A skilled tantric master and an artist he sculpted the main statues and painted the frescoes, which can be seen even today, mostly in original state. There is also a chain mail made by Pema Lingpa that devotees carry and circumambulate the inner sanctum. The throne from which he performed the consecration ceremony is preserved in a small temple outside the main hall. The physical structure surrounding the main inner temple was restored at the end of the 19th century. Pema Lingpa’s expansive skills in building, painting, sculpture and metal work can still be seen in mostly original state.
Tantric Buddhists believe in the tradition of treasure finders or terton. Treasures are various forms of relics hidden by Guru Rimpoche to be discovered by the future generation, to aid religion in times of degenerate age or changing times. Pema Lingpa is the first of five main tertons. He is also revered as the incarnation of Guru Rimpoche himself. Overnight - hotel in Jakar.
Day 8, 11th Sep, 09: Jakar/Mongar (08hours).
The drive from Bumthang to Mongar will surely enchant you as it offers one of the most spectacular views of the country. Evergreen junipers and colorful rhododendrons cover the hillsides, as fresh new scenery unfolds with every twist and turn of the winding road. Sound of the rushing streams and cascading waterfalls greets you as you look down at the valley looming in the distance below the precipitous rock face. You will be so captivated by its beauty that the eight hours journey will hardly be noticed. Overnight - hotel in Mongar.
Day 9, 12th Sep, 09: Mongar/Lhuntse (03hours).
Today, we will take a drive to Menji Village in Lhuntse for the festival at Wangshing Lhakhang. Lhuntse is one of the most isolated districts in Bhutan, and its landscape is spectacular, with stark cliffs towering above river gorges and dense coniferous forests. The region is famous for its weavers, and their distinctive textiles are generally considered to be the best in the country. Overnight - camp
Day 10, 13th Sep, 09: Day at Wangshing Rabna (Festival).
This festival is celebrated annually in the fall in honor of Guru Padmasambhava, popularly known as Guru Rinpoche to commemorate his deeds. The dancers take on the aspects of wrathful and compassionate deities. The dances known as Cham, bring blessings upon onlookers, to instruct them in the teachings of the Buddhist Dharma, to protect them from misfortune, and to exorcise evil influences. Deities are invoked during the dances; through their power and benediction, misfortunes may be annihilated, luck increased and wishes realized. It is also a social gathering where the people rejoice together, dressed in their finest clothing and jewelry. Overnight - Camp.
Day 11, 14th Sep, 09: Day at Wangshing Rabna (Festival).
This morning, we will walk around and explore the villages in Minje for its distinctive textiles and spend other half of the day at the festival. Overnight - Camp.
Day 12, 15th Sep, 09: Wangshing/Mongar (03hours).
Today, before heading back towards Mongar, we will take a drive up north to see Lhuntse Dzong which is one of the most picturesque in Bhutan sitting high on a rocky outcrop overlooking the valley, and then further up the valley to the Kurtoe region of Lhuentse - the ancestral home of the monarchy. Overnight - hotel in Mongar.
Day 13, 16th Sep, 09: Mongar/Tashigang (03hours).
We will make a visit to Mongar Dzong in the morning and then proceed to Trashigang. The road crosses one low pass known as Kori La (2400m), before the long windy descent to a river valley to make a final climb to Trashigang. In the afternoon, we will visit the Dzong and the rest of the day at leisure to stroll around the downtown. Overnight - hotel in Tashigang.
Day 14, 17th Sep, 09: Tashigang/ Samdrup Jongkhar (08 hours).
The Trashigang - Samdrup Jongkhar road was completed in 1965, and the journey down to the Indian border takes about 08 hours. Along the way, we pass by Sherubtse College in Kanglung, which was founded in 1978 and is a degree-granting institution affiliated to the University of Delhi. We also visit the nearby Zangtho Pelri temple representing Guru Rinpoche’s paradise, built in 1978 by the late Minister of Home Affairs. We then drive on to Khaling, home of the National Institute for the Disabled and the Weaving Centre. We will visit National Handloom Development project, operated by the National Women’s Association. The hand woven products from this place are mostly sold in Thimphu.
From here, it is a further 80 km. to Deothang, which is remembered in history as the site of a famous 19th century battle fought during the Duar Wars, in which the forces of Jigme Namgyal, the father of the first king defeated the British. The road then descends fairly rapidly to the plains through dense tropical forest with an abundance of teak, bamboo and ferns. Overnight - hotel in Samdrup Jongkhar.
Day 15, 18th Sep, 09: Samdrup Jongkhar - Gauwahati (02 hours).
After breakfast, your Indian guide will take you to Gauwahati, the capital town of the Indian north-eastern state of Assam, for flight to Delhi/Kolkata or onward program in that region.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Prices:
- Land cost: USD$ 2800.00 (USD$ 200.00 per day)
- Airfare Bangkok/Paro: USD$ 400.00
- Visa Fee: USD$ 20.00
- Tourism Development Fund: USD$ 10.00
- Net package cost per person: USD$ 3230.00
Price Includes:
- Expert leadership
- All accommodations
- All meals
- All transportation during the tour
- All activities as noted in the itinerary
- Bottled water while on drive and hiking
Notes: All rates based on three or more traveling together on twin room sharing basis.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Bhutan
Local Culture
Festival Tours
Cultural Journey
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