Haa Spring Festival Journey — 7 Days

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 giving you a feeling that you have abandoned the world’s hustle bustle for a place far away captured in a time capsule.

After completing check-in formalities at Paro airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your guide and driver in a traditional way.

Visit the following places in Paro:
National Museum/ Ta Dzong: Visit the Museum which was the former watchtower for the Rinpung Dzong (Dzong meaning ‘Fort’). It was converted into the National Museum in 1968. The museum stands on a promontory overlooking the Paro valley.

Paro/ Rinpung Dzong: Built in 1645 A.D is now the seat of the district administration as well as the home for the monastic school. The central tower (Utse) of the Dzong, with its superb woodwork, is one of the most beautiful in the nation.

In the evening, we will take a walk along the streets of Paro for leisure.

Overnight in Paro

Distance: Approx. 5 -6 hrs roundtrip
Elevation: 3120 m/ 10236 ft

After having breakfast at the hotel, drive onto Paro Taktsang’s base and then hike up to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery.

Paro Taktsang/Tiger Nest Monastery: It is also known as Paro Taktsang, an extraordinary site to explore during your stay in Bhutan. Its architecture and location are unique and phenomenal since it is a small group of structures carefully situated on a cliff. The hike up to Tiger’s Nest Monastery will take about four and five hours and an extra one hour to tour the monastery.

Optional: Traditional farmhouse visit (Tentative and subjective to change depending upon the host family.) Experience Hot Stone Bath (Additional Charges per person).

(Kindly note that if you have a medical condition that causes a lack of sensation in the body, such as MS, neuropathy, diabetes, or high blood pressure, we advise you to refrain from
participating in the Hot Stone Bath.)

In the evening, explore Paro Town.

Overnight at the hotel in Paro

Distance: 65 km /2.5 hrs
Elevation: 2670m/ 8758 ft

After having breakfast at the hotel, drive onto Haa Valley and Attend the Haa Spring Festival: The Haa Spring festival is a lively and uplifting celebration of traditional living-culture, nomadic lifestyles, unique Bhutanese cuisine, traditional sports, and religious performances. It provides unparalleled insight into the lives and traditions of Bhutan’s nomadic herders. It showcases a lively traditional living culture, nomadic lifestyles, demonstrations of local cuisines, brewing of local ara, traditional sports, religious performances, dances, songs, artifacts, and natural alpine flowers. Tourists can also experience the night at one of the many village home stays and enjoy the hospitality of the local people of Haa Valley.

In the evening, explore Haa Valley.

Overnight in Haa.

Distance: 104 km /3 hrs
Elevation: 2350m / 7710ft

Then drive onto Thimphu, the Capital of Bhutan and visit the following sites: Buddha point: Buddha Statue was built in 2006 and has a lovely view of Thimphu city. Astrologers & locals believe this spot is one of the main meeting points of the sacred energy vibe of the country, hence the massive statue of Buddha facing the rising sun.

13 Traditional Art Forms (Zorig Chusum): The government of Bhutan established the National Institute for Zorig Chusum in Thimphu to promote traditional art forms. The thirteen Bhutan art forms are Traditional Painting, Sculpturing, Wood Carving, Calligraphy, Papermaking, Bronze Casting, Embroidery, Weaving, Carpentry, Masonry, cane weaving, Gold/Silver Smithy, and Blacksmith. You can visit to learn more about Bhutanese traditional art and skill. (Closed on weekends and Government holidays)

Authentic Bhutanese Crafts street: A series of traditional bamboo huts presenting various types of handicraft products which will give you a glimpse into the traditional Bhutanese Arts and crafts.(Closed on Saturday & Sunday, and on government holidays.)

Centenary Farmers’ Market: Take a walk through this market and shop/interact with the local farmers. Thimphu’s new weekend market is by far the largest domestic market for farmers in Bhutan. Farmers come from all over the country to sell their farm products in the market. With its wide assortment of fresh, organic produce, the Farmer’s Market has become a favorite spot for tourists and a recreational place for people from all walks of life.

Tashichho Dzong: Tashichho Dzong has been the seat of the government since 1952 and presently houses the throne room and offices of the king, the secretariat and the ministries of home affairs and finance. Other government departments are housed in buildings nearby.

Explore at Thimphu Town: Evening, you can have free time on your own to walk along the street to see the people and the local stores. Thimphu has a special charm, and it is fascinating to sit and watch a gathering of local people in the town square, wearing the traditional dress and going about their business in a typically unhurried Bhutanese way.

Overnight in Thimphu

Distance: 77 km/ 2hrs
Elevation: 1310m / 4300ft

Today’s journey will involve an excursion from Thimphu to the valley of Punakha. The drive will take us via the Dochula Pass. The Pass is located enroute 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 snowcapped mountains forming a majestic backdrop to the tranquility of the 108 chortens known as the Druk Wangyal Chortens.

We continue our drive up to the village of Lobesa, where if time permits, we can take a short hike to the Chimi Lhakhang: Usually, childless couples visit the Chimmi Lhakhang as it is also known as the “Temple of Fertility”.

Other sights while in Punakha will include Punakha Dzong: Arguably, the most majestic and
beautiful Dzong in the country, it stands at 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. Then, take a walk and visit Punakha suspension bridge: a unique bridge for photography enthusiasts because it is the longest suspension bridge.

Overnight in Punakha

Distance: 142 km/3.5hrs
Elevation: 2250 m / 7546 ft

We retrace our steps back to Paro valley, but before we continue the journey, we will make a short stop at Thimphu and visit the following places:
Takin Preserve: Encounter the unique Takin, Bhutan’s national animal and later enjoy Sangaygang viewpoint where you will enjoy the magnificent view of Thimphu city.

The Jungshi paper factory (Traditional Handmade paper factory): The factory is located approximately 1 km from Thimphu City, opposite the Centenary farmer’s market. It is a Traditional paper factory that produces traditional paper, which is known as the Deh-sho. To manufacture handmade paper, it uses the bark of the Daphne tree and the Dekap tree. Tourists can observe the complete ancient process of papermaking at the factory. (Closed on Sundays)

Then, we will move toward Paro, and on the way, we will stop to visit Tamchog monastery: This monastery was built by Thang Tong Gyalpo, popularly known as “The Iron Bridge builder”. He built 108 bridges across Tibet and Bhutan, out of which 8 were built in Bhutan. His only surviving bridge is in Duksum in eastern Bhutan.

A walk around Paro Town: One of the most picturesque regions in Bhutan, Paro valley extends from the confluence of the Paro Chhu and the Wang Chhu rivers at Chuzom up to Mt. Jomolhari at the Tibetan border to the North. It is one of the widest valleys in the kingdom and is covered in fertile rice fields and has a beautiful, sparkling clear river meandering down the valley. The natural beauty of the valley is further accentuated by the traditional-style houses that dot the valley and surrounding hills.

Overnight in Paro

After breakfast, we will drive on to the airport in Paro. Seven days’ tour will end this morning after boarding your flight to your onward destination as you bid farewell to the beautiful Kingdom of Bhutan.

Please note that some of the sights/itinerary may change due to season, weather, national holidays and special events. We maintain the rights 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/rebooking charges

Tour ends.