Punakha Tshechu is one of the most popular Tshechu in the country. It is held right after the popular Punakha Drubchen. The unfurling of the Thongdrol (a large tapestry) of Guru Rinpoche is the attraction of the festival. It is believed that a mere sight of the Thongdrol liberates an onlooker and cleanses him of his sins.
Venue: Punakha Dzong Punakha
Punakha Tshechu Day 01. Paro to Thimphu – Altitude 2280 m) (Distance 1 hour drive: Your Guide from Ola Tours and Trek will receive you at the Airport and drive to Thimphu.
Visit Tamchog Monastery on the way.
After lunch,
Changangkha Monastery
Takin Preserve centre
Tashichho Dzong.
Optional activities you can choose:
Hike to Phajoding/ Tango/Cheri Monastery.
Village walk to Kabisa
Mountain biking around Thimphu valley.
Punakha Tshechu Day 02. Thimphu Sightseeing: (Altitude 2320 m).
After breakfast, visit to:
National Library
Painting School- Commonly known as Arts & Crafts School or Painting School, the Institute offers a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan.
National Memorial Chorten – built in 1974 in the memory of Bhutan’s third King, His Late Majesty King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk.
Nunnery- Zilukha nunnery in Drupthob Goemba, Thimphu is biggest nunnery in Bhutan.
After lunch, visit to:
Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang) – visitors can get a good overview of the Thimphu valley from the Buddha point.
Weekend market – Located below the main town, near the Wangchhu River, Thimphu weekend market is by far the largest domestic market for the farmers in Bhutan. .
Optional Activities you can choose:
Hike to Cheri Monastery / Tango Monastery / Phajoding Monastery.
Village walk at Kabisa.
Mountain biking around Thimphu
Punakha Tshechu Day 03. Thimphu – Punakha: (Altitude 1310 m) (76 Km, 2 hrs drive).
After breakfast, drive to Punakha via Dochula Pass (3116 m)
Dochula – You can see the higher Himalayas, if the weather permits
Royal Botanical Park at Lam Pelri.
Chhimi Lhakhang – dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley also known as “Divine Madman”.
After lunch,
Punakha Dzong – Built in 1637, by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.
Optional activities you can choose:
Drive to Talo Goenpa
Khamsum Yulley Namgay Lhakhang
River rafting in Mo Chhu/ Pho Chhu
Punakha Tshechu Day 04. Punakha:
Attend the festival whole day.
Punakha Tshechu Day 05. Punakha – Paro (Altitude 2280 m) (130 km, 3 hrs).
After breakfast, return to Punakha Dzong to see more festivities.
After lunch, drive to Paro.
Punakha Tshechu Day 06.Paro: (Altitude 2400):
After breakfast,
Ta Dzong (built in1656 and renovated in 1968).
Paro Rimpung Dzong (literally meaning “Heap of Jewels”, built in 1646
After lunch, visit to
Ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong
Kichu Lhakhang built in 659 A.D.
Punakha Tshechu Day 07. Paro Sightseeing: (Altitude 2400 m).
After breakfast,
Hike to Taktsang Monastery.
Visit to a Farm house.
Optional activities you can choose:
Hike to Dzongdrakha Monastery.
Hike to Nunnery.
Village walk.
Mountain biking around Paro valley.
Drive to Chalelaa to view the range of Higher Himalayas including Jumolhari bordering Tibet.
Punakha Tshechu Day 08. Paro Departure: (Altitude 2400 m)
