The Jakar Tshechu is an annual three-day religious festival held in Bumthang, often referred to as Bhutan’s religious capital. It takes place in the courtyard of Jakar Dzong, Bumthang’s administrative and religious center. During the festival, schools and offices in the district close as monks and locals participate in various mask dances, some of which are performed as plays exploring themes like death and rebirth. Expect to see locals dressed in their finest ghos and kiras, Bhutan’s traditional attire, accompanied by the Atsara—the official festival jester.
Like most tshechus in Bhutan, the Jakar Tshechu is primarily devoted to Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, the revered 8th-century saint.
Overview:
Day 01: Arrival; Paro to Thimphu
Day 02: Sightseeing in Thimphu
Day 03: Punakha
Day 04: Trongsa
Day 05: Jakar Festival, Bumthang
Day 06: Day Excursion to Tang Ugyen Choling Palace and Others, Bumthang
Day 07: Bumthang to Gangtey/Phobjikha
Day 08: Drive to Paro and Sightseeing
Day 09: Tiger’s Nest Hike
Day 10: Departure
Trip Cost for 9 Nights & 10 Days
The minimum daily tour package covers the following services.
$ 3315 (Single Traveler)
$ 3000 (Couple – Per person)
$ 2775 (3 – 6 Travelers -per person)
$ 2595 (7- 9 Travelers- per person)
$ 2415 ( 10 Travelers & above – per person)
Visa:
All tourists (other than Indian nationality) must obtain a Bhutan visa clearance
before traveling to Bhutan. Do not worry, we will assist you in getting the visa process done.
We will assist you in getting the flight tickets done. Since we have only 2 airlines in Bhutan and
have limited flights, early booking of tickets is recommended. We have flights operating from the following cities to/from Bhutan and you will need to connect your flight to any of the below destinations:
● Bangkok in Thailand (Druk Air & Bhutan Airlines)
● Singapore (Druk Air)
● Delhi, Kolkata (Druk Air & Bhutan Airlines) and Guwahati (Druk Air) in India and
● Kathmandu in Nepal (Druk Air & Bhutan Airlines)
Price Includes
Price Excludes
Elevation: 2250m / 7382ft
On your arrival in Bhutan, you will immediately experience the quaint uniqueness of your surroundings: the green mountains, fresh air and peaceful stillness will encompass you about giving you a feeling that you have abandoned the world’s hustle bustle for a place far away captured in a time capsule. This means you will at once feel that you have arrived somewhere unlike anything you have visited before.
After completing check-in formalities at Paro airport, our guide and driver will welcome you in a traditional way. Then drive onto Thimphu, the Capital of Bhutan to rest and refresh at the hotel before going for sightseeing to the following sites:
National Memorial Chorten: You will find Bhutanese from all walks of life congregating at and circumambulating this chorten, especially the aged. Located on Doeboom Lam in the southern-central part of the city near the main roundabout and Indian military hospital, the National Memorial Chorten was built in memory of King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the third King of Bhutan. It was extensively renovated in 2008. Popularly known as “the most visible religious landmark in Bhutan” it was built by the King’s mother, Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Phuntsho Choden Wangchuck. This is a good place to interact with the locals.
Walk around Town Square: Popularly known as the clock tower, this is the most happening hangout for many youths. It is a large space surrounded by buildings at the back and opens at the front with a line of steps where people can sit and watch cultural programs if there’s one being held. It has a tower with a clock on it (that’s where it derives its name from) and several wooden benches are spread along the enclosure so that people can spend their time chatting or simply enjoying the sun, especially in winter. Just a few minutes away is the traffic square, where, instead of traffic lights, a single police officer skillfully directs the traffic.
Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Elevation: 2350m / 7710ft
Today’s sightseeing of major sites of Thimphu will include visits to:
Buddha Point/Kuneselphodrang: We recommend that you go to the Buddha Point early in the morning just when the sun strikes the statue so that you will see the massive Buddha in all its glory. Those visiting it may be in for a little surprise because this Shakyamuni stands 51.5 meters tall making it one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world. The statue is made of bronze and is gilded in gold. 125,000 smaller Buddha statues have been placed within the Buddha Dordenma statue: 100,000 8 inch tall and 25,000 12-inch-tall statues respectively. Each of these thousands of Buddhas have also been cast in bronze and gilded. The throne that the Buddha Dordenma sits upon is a large meditation hall.
Takin Preserve: Legend has it that a Tibetan saint by the name Drukpa Kunley, popularly called The Divine Madman created the Takin through his supernatural Tantric powers. Since then, this animal has been a common sight in the hills of Bhutan. Due to this reason, the Takin was adopted as the National Animal of Bhutan and Bhutanese government looks after them by keeping them in the Takin Preserve, located at Motithang (upper Thimphu).
Zilukha Nunnery: Get a glimpse of the tender yet strong, feminine side of Buddhism in Bhutan as you visit Zilukha nunnery, which is a 2 Km drive from the Tashichhodzong. The nunnery in Drubthob Goemba, is the biggest nunnery in the country where young and old nuns alike can be seen residing.
Tashichhodzong: The grandness of the structure will impress you whether you view it during the day or at nighttime. Tashichhodzong meaning “The Fortress of the Glorious Religion” is the fortress of the capital city of Bhutan. Located on the western bank of the Wang Chu, the main structure of the whitewashed building is two-storied with three-storied towers at each of the four corners topped by triple-tiered golden roofs. There is also a large central tower or utse. It’s important for the fact that it houses the King’s office and the Central Monk Body.
Archery Range: In Thimphu there are many archery ranges all over the valley. The most popular range is the Changlimithang Archery Ground. This is one of the few ranges in Bhutan where the game can be played at night.
Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Driving Duration: 77 km/ 2 hours
Elevation: 1310m / 4300 ft
Today’s journey will involve an excursion from Thimphu to Punakha valley. The drive will take us via the Dochula Pass. The Pass is located en- route to Punakha/Wangdue from Thimphu. The pass offers a panoramic view of the Himalayan Mountain range. The view is especially scenic on clear, winter days with snow-capped mountains forming a majestic backdrop to the tranquility of the 108 chortens known as the Druk Wangyel Chortens.
Then we can take a short hike to the Chimi Lhakhang: It stands on a round hillock and was built after the site was blessed by the “Divine Madman” Drukpa Kunley.
Other sights while in Punakha will include Punakha Dzong: Arguably, the most majestic and beautiful Dzong in the country, it stands on the confluence of two rivers, the Pho chhu and the Mo chhu. In the spring, the Dzong is a resplendent sight with the jacaranda trees around it blooming in all their glory.
Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.
Driving Duration: 129 km/ 4 hours
Elevation: 2800m / 9185ft
The landscape around Trongsa is spectacular, and for miles on end the Trongsa Dzong seems to tease you so that you wonder if you will ever reach it. Backing on to the mountain and built on several levels, the Dzong fits narrowly on a spur that sticks out into the gorge of the Mangde River and overlooks the routes south and west.
The drive continues across Pele la Pass (3,300m), the traditional boundary between east and west. Stop for a hot lunch at Chendebji Chorten built in the 18th century by a Lama named Shida, it is Nepalese in style with eyes painted at four cardinal points.
Chendebji Chorten: Approximate 4 hrs drive from Wangdue Phodrang is Chendebji Chorten, patterned on Swayambhunath temple in Kathmandu. It was built in the 18th century by Lama Shida, from Tibet, to cover the remains of an evil spirit that was subdued at this spot.
We will also stop to visit the Trongsa Dzong, the largest in Bhutan and built in 1647 that houses the local administration and the Monastic body.
Ta Dzong: This was the watch Tower of the Trongsa Dzong. Later it was converted into a Royal Museum on 10th of December 2008. The museum has on display about 224 items used over the years by the Wangchuck dynasty. You will see the Raven Crown worn by the first King in 1907 and many other objects of interest.
Overnight at the hotel Trongsa.
Elevation: 2800m / 9185ft
After breakfast, you will proceed to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation, which is not only the lush valleys and hilly forests but also the home to some of its oldest Buddhist temples and monasteries. Tales of Guru Padmasambhava and the tertons (“religious treasure-discoverers”) still linger in this sacred region.
Along the way you will stop at a yathra (textile weaving) factory at Chumey, where the yathra are designed with patterns unique to Bumthang, and you can even watch some of the weavers at their looms.
We will drive on to Jakar Dzong to witness the festival. We will spend a day exploring and attending the Tshechu that is annually held in the Dzong as a grand celebration to honor the Great Guru Rinpoche. During the festival season, all the businesses and offices remain officially closed so that all the people can attend the festival.
Enjoy the vibrant mask dances, folksongs and dances performed by the monks and local people. The festival is held to pray for a good year, good harvest, and good health.
Overnight at the hotel in Bumthang.
Driving Duration: 46 km/ 1.5 hours
Elevation: 2800- 4500m/ 9186-14763ft
After having breakfast at the hotel, drive to Tang Valley: Tang Valley is one of the remote valleys in Bumthang Dzongkhags.
Visit the following places:
Tang Ugyen Choling Palace and Museum: The museum is located one hour drive from Jakar in the manor of Ogyen Choling. Spend some quality time exploring and discovering the religious significance of the palace and museum while also capturing insights into the way of life of Bhutanese noble families.
Pema Choling Nunnery Monastery: A large nunnery built on a plateau at the entrance of Tang valley. The nunnery is made of several buildings consisting of hostels, classrooms, and temples. During the 15th century, Pema Lingpa prophesied that in the future the nunnery of the Tang valley will serve as a great center of learning for women monks.
Tag Rimochen Temple: During the 14th century, Terton Pema Lingpa built the temple as a sacred place where Guru Rinpoche meditated.
Membartsho Lake: To reach the Membartsho lake, also known as “The Burning Lake” or Tang Chhu will take five-minute walk from the road. The lake consists of many myths and religious beliefs about Pema Lingpa, treasure-revealer.
Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.
Driving Duration: 130 km/4 hours
Elevation: 2900m / 9510ft
Route back to Pelela Pass (alt. 3,300 m) via Gangtey. Phobjikha/Gangtey is one of the few glacial valleys in Bhutan and chosen home of black necked cranes, which migrate from the central Asiatic Plateau to escape its harsh winters.
Explore Phobjikha and visit Gangtey Monastery, the only Nyingmapa Monastery in Bhutan. The Gangtey monastery overlooks the large green expanse of Phobjikha Valley. The extensive complex consists of the monastery, the monks’ quarters, meditation centers, and schools.
Explore around by visiting the following sites:
Gangtey Nature Trail: The most beautiful and perpetual nature trails in Bhutan. The trail hike starts from the mani (like Chhorten) stone wall to the north of the Ganagtey Gompa and ends in Khewa Lhakhang. The hike takes about 1 hr 30 minutes through the pine forest and small bamboo plants. So, the pristine environment provides the best hiking places for the Nature lovers.
Black Necked Crane Information Center: Situated on the edge of the forest and wetland along the main road of Phobjikha valley, the black-necked crane Information Centre has an observation room equipped with a high-power telescope and spotting scopes for catching the best view of the cranes.
Overnight at the hotel in Phobjikha.
Driving Duration: 171 km/4.5 hours
Elevation: 2250m / 7382ft
We will retrace our steps back towards Paro Valley. On the way to Paro Valley, stop at the Paro Airport Bird’s Eye Viewpoint and witness the flights landing and taking off.
Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) situated at a commanding height overlooking Paro valley. Built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646, this Dzong now houses Paro’s monk body and the offices of the civil administration and is symbolic as the religious and secular center of all affairs of the valley.
Ta Dzong (National Museum): Located on a hill behind the Paro Dzong, it has a collection of fine arts, paintings and bronzes including textiles, jewelry, and handicrafts as well as galleries of stuffed animals and butterflies from Bhutan. The stamps’ hall is very popular and displays, among others, 3-D stamps, record stamps, silken stamps, embossed stamps, and the famous triangular stamp depicting the yeti. The top floor of the Museum is a chapel containing a “tree” depicting the main figures of the four religious schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
In the evening, we will take a walk along the streets of Paro for leisure.
Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Elevation: 3120m / 10236ft
In the morning, take an excursion to Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche, founding father of the Bhutanese form of Mahayana Buddhism, arrived here on the back of a tigress, and meditated at this monastery. The main structure was severely damaged by fire in 1998, but after many years of painstaking restoration work, the complex has now been fully restored to its former glory.
Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
After an early breakfast in the hotel, we will then drive to the airport for the flight to your onward destination.
**Please note that some of the sights/itineraries may change due to season, weather, national holidays, and special events. We maintain the right to alter the itinerary since tours are made in advance and unforeseen circumstances that mandate change may arise. Itinerary changes are made to improve your overall travel experience in Bhutan. Also please note that since hotels are pre-booked and paid for, any changes in itinerary later will cost cancellation/re-booking charges **
