The festival of Punakha is celebrated every year before the nomadic people of Laya depart back home. The Punakha Tshechu (or ‘festival’) takes place each February or March inside the incredible Punakha Dzong, the ancient capital of Bhutan. As well as being a really fun and exciting day out for the Bhutanese, the tshechu also provides devout Buddhists with an opportunity for pilgrimage and prayer.

Overview

Itinerary

Inclusion / Exclusion

FAQs

Overview

Punakha Festival Tour is an annual festival introduced by zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel to commemorate the victories over the Tibetans. During the festival, the “pazaps” or local militia men dress in battle gear and showcase a battle scene of this distant past recalling the days. When in the absence of a standing army, men from eight Tshogchen or great village blocks of Thimphu came forward and manage to expel the Tibetans forces out of Bhutan ushering in a new-found internal peace and stability.

Festival Date: 19th to 21st February 2024

Punakha Festival Tour Outline

Day 01: Arrival at Paro International Airport and drive to Thimphu.
Day 02: Drive from Thimphu to Punakha to witness Punakha Drupchen.
Day 03: Punakha to Paro City Tour
Day 04: Paro Tiger Nest Hike
Day 05: Paro to onward Journey

Punakha Festival Trip Fact

Duration of the festival: 4 Nights and 5 Days
Festival Trip Guide: Licensed Tour Guide
Meals: All Inclusive
Transport: Private
Route: 1Night Thimphu, 1 Night Punakha, and 2 Nights at Paro.

Highlights

Enjoy the Religious Dance of Guru in different forms.
Get the Photoshoot at the Festival.
Cultural Emmersion
Enjoy Scenic beauty of Punakha Valley
Limited Tourist Crowd

Day 1 :

Arrival at Paro Airport

Upon your arrival at Paro Airport, our team from Tour Bhutan will warmly receive you with a white scarf, a customary gesture to welcome guests with khaddar. Our knowledgeable guide will provide you with a program briefing while assisting you with your luggage. From there, we will embark on a drive to Thimphu, where the tour officially commences. The first stop will be at the Memorial Chorten, followed by visits to the Folk Heritage Museum and the Takin preservation center. You will spend the night at a comfortable hotel.

Day 2 :

Thimphu to Punakha the old capital city

Enjoy the beautiful mountain road and drive towards the temperate Punakha valley. Secondly, we start early to see the festival. Additionally, the festival usually begins with a mask dance performed by the monk body, attracting locals who gather to witness the dance, driven by their belief in acquiring merits. Moreover, an interesting fact about the Punakha festival is the attendance of tribal people from Laya and Lunana. Notably, they faithfully participate in this annual festival before migrating back to the mountains with their Yaks.

Day 3 :

Punakha to Paro the cultural hub of Western Bhutan

Today we visit the longest suspension bridge in the morning and then drive to Paro in the afternoon. Specifically, the morning time is the best for visiting the bridge as it connects villages with Punakha dzong, the administrative center for Punakha. Afterward, we embark on a scenic drive to Paro, which takes approximately 3.5 hours. Furthermore, in Paro, we have the opportunity to visit Drugyel Dzong, which has recently completed its construction after being destroyed by fire in 1957.

Day 4 :

Paro Tiger Nest Temple Hike

Hiking the iconic Tiger Nest temple is a must-do during your tour of Bhutan. Moreover, no good thing comes easy, and reaching the temple is a herculean task as it involves a 3-hour uphill trek covering 12 km. The temple clings on a solid rock 900m above Paro valley. After visiting the temple, if time permits, you can also visit Paro dzong and the cantilever bridge of Paro Chu. Spend the night at the hotel for a well-deserved rest.

Day 5 :

Drive to the Airport and see off

Your short Bhutan tour to attend Punakha Festival ends here. We drop you at the airport and see you off.