Festivals of Bhutan – Trongsa

Begin your adventure in Kathmandu, a brief stop on our way to Bhutan. You’re free to arrive at any time as there are no activities planned today. Want to explore Kathmandu further? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Today we fly to Paro. Our route takes us over the eastern Himalaya and, if the weather is clear, we should get a fantastic view of magnificent peaks including Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu and Kanchenjunga. The Paro Valley is considered one of the most beautiful in Bhutan, with blue pine-covered hills and attractive solidly built houses among the paddy fields. Say hello to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. If there is time in the afternoon, we can visit the museum and Rinpung Dzong before heading to Thimphu (approximately one hour drive). Your tour leader then ensures a big welcome over dinner together.

This morning, we explore the relatively new capital of the Kingdom of Bhutan. The ancient city of Punakha was replaced as the capital by Thimphu in 1961 by the third king, Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The main sights include Kuensel Phodrang, known locally as Buddha Point, where there is a huge statue of Buddha overlooking the whole valley. Simtokha Dzong, the oldest dzong (fortified monastery) in Bhutan, built in 1629, now serves as the Institute of Language and Cultural Studies. It houses numerous statues and paintings of various religious figures and deities. This afternoon, we drive to the subtropical Punakha, which may take about three hours. En route, we visit the Chimi Lhakhang, built in 1499 to honour Drukpa Kuenley. Nicknamed the Divine Madman or Mad Saint, he was a maverick spiritual leader, who subdued a demon controlling the Dochu La. He built a chorten where the monastery stands and was reputed to have unorthodox ways of teaching Buddhism – he advocated for phallic symbols to be painted on walls and houses, which were intended to drive away the evil eye. Most of the houses in this area are decorated with highly ornate phallic paintings. We walk through the village to the monastery with a chance to see traditional Bhutanese-style farmhouses. We then continue to Punakha, which, at 3,940ft (1,200m), is warmer than Paro or Thimphu. Punakha was once the capital of Bhutan and is still the winter residence of the monastic body. We visit the dzong, one of the most beautiful in Bhutan. This remarkable fortress between the Mo and Po Chhu rivers has survived many fires, an earthquake and several floods.

After breakfast, we walk over the suspension bridge to Punakha Dzong, one of the most beautiful dzongs in Bhutan, which is located between two rivers, Phochu and Mochu. Returning to our hotel, we check out and then continue our journey to Trongsa (approximately a six-hour drive). The drive takes us through Wangdiphrodrang Dzong, which is perched on a hill, offering breathtaking views of terraced fields, lush valleys and traditional Bhutanese villages. While we climb gradually over the Pelela Pass (10,990ft/3,350m), we stop at Chendebji Chorten, a stupa 26mi (42km) from Trongsa. Upon arrival in Trongsa, we visit a viewpoint with the most impressive and largest dzong in Bhutan, strategically located on ridge.

The Trongsa Tshechu is one of Bhutan’s most significant and vibrant festivals. Held annually at the majestic Trongsa Dzong, it pays tribute to the Buddhist master Guru Rinpoche. A series of sacred mask dances, it also serves as a social gathering, bringing people together from various walks of life to celebrate and enjoy the festive spirit. The Taa Dzong Museum, also known as the Tower of Trongsa, is a fascinating museum with a rich history. Originally built in 1652 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa, the first Governor of Trongsa, it served as a watchtower to guard the Trongsa Dzong from internal rebellion. The structure has four observation points resembling a tiger, lion, garuda and dragon.

Our three to four-hour drive to the Phobjikha Valley is a scenic journey through the heart of Bhutan, offering breathtaking views of lush landscapes and traditional Bhutanese villages. Also known as Gangtey, it is a U-shaped glacial valley at an elevation of about 9,800ft (3,000M), home to endangered black-necked cranes, which migrate from the Tibetan Plateau in the winter. We visit the Gangtey Monastery and the crane centre, witnessing black-necked cranes in the fields.

This morning, we set off on foot from our hotel for a hike (approximately 3mi/5km, two to three hours) through the valley – the climb up to the monastery involves around 1,640ft (500m) ascent. Later, we drive (four hours) to Thimphu, passing through green fields and traditional Bhutanese villages into Wangdi phrodrang and back via the Dochula Pass (10,005ft/3,050m)

In the morning, we drive for about three hours back to Paro. En route, we visit the 600-year-old Tachogang Lhakhang Bridge, which crosses the Paro Chhu. It is popularly known as the Iron Chain Bridge, and was built by Thangtong Gyalpo in the late 1300s, who is said to have built 108 bridges in Tibet and Bhutan. Made of wood and iron, this is the first bridge to have ever been built in Bhutan. We continue our drive and come to the Dzongdrakha Goemba, also known as Mini Taktsang, a serene site above the village of Bondey on the western side of the Paro Valley. Often overlooked by tourists because of its rather old facade, this divine place comprises four shrines, while stories related to spirits, saints and magic are narrated here. Before arriving at our hotel, we stop at Kyichu Lhakhang. Built in the seventh century, it is said to be the oldest temple in Bhutan and therefore holds great spiritual significance. Legend says a king built it in one night on an ogre’s foot.

Today, we hike (approximately 7mi/11km round trip with an elevation of approximately 3,000ft/915m) to Taktsang Monastery, also known as the Tiger’s Nest. This spectacular building is perched on the ledge of a cliff high above the Paro Valley. Partly destroyed by fire in 1998, it has now been completely restored to its former magnificence. From the car park to the cafeteria viewpoint is about two hours’ uphill walk through the forest. From here, we have incredible views of the monastic buildings that cling to the cliff. For the energetic, there is the chance to walk even higher to the actual monastery. This takes another two hours and involves walking up and down stone steps. We highly recommend a trekking pole or you can buy a wooden stick at the car park. There are horses available up to the cafeteria for those who do not wish to hike but please note this is an unregulated activity and helmets are not available. We spend about an hour at the monastery looking around the temples (photography is not allowed inside) before descending to the cafeteria for lunch. After lunch, we return to the car park and drive back to our hotel. There should be some time to have a look round Paro before dinner.

Your journey ends in Kathmandu after breakfast. If you’d like to spend more time in the Nepalese capital, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.