Certificate of Excellence
Paro festival is known as the world’s famous festivals in Bhutan and its date is scheduled in 1 st -5 th of April 2023. In Bhutanese context, Festivals are an expression of Bhutanese culture. One of the biggest in the Bhutanese calendar, this festival is observed in three parts - the pre-festival rituals on the first day, ceremonies on the second day inside the Paro fortress, and the main festival at the festival ground for three days. A special event is the unfurling of a gigantic applique painting based on the belief that seeing an aesthetically proportioned Buddhist image plants a seed of enlightenment in the viewer’s heart. That seed matures into the liberation of one’s mind and frees one from the endless rebirths of suffering. This festival provides an opportunity to meet Bhutanese of all walks of life, dressed in traditional attire. In addition, the tour package Includes visits to four other districts of western Bhutan.
Venue: Paro Fortress
Suitability: First time travelers, for those to study society and culture
Duration: you can choose from five to 10 days.
Best to visit: Any time of the year coinciding with festival dates
Arrive at Paro International Airport from Delhi or Kathmandu. Paro is situated in a beautiful valley and is a fitting introduction to this charming kingdom. Your tour guide will meet you and take you on a drive along the Paro and Thimphu river valleys to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital. You can stop on the way to take in the magnificent Tamchhog Lhakhang, the hereditary place of worship for Bhutan’s iron bridge builder. Take an afternoon walk around town and soak in the atmosphere of this magical capital with its busy shops and bazaars and photogenic citizens in national dress.
Thimphu sightseeing. We will visit the weekly market, the revered Memorial Chorten, the National Library and the
School of Traditional Arts. In the afternoon we will drive up to the Radio Tower (offering splendid views of the city
from a hilltop festooned with prayer flags), visit the Takin Reserve showcasing the unique national animal, the
Takin, and then browse the striking collection of intricate textiles at the National Textile Museum.
Thimphu to Punakha. In the morning drive to the old capital, Punakha, via Dochu La pass at 3050 metres, where we
will stop for a hot drink and enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the Eastern Himalaya ranges. In the afternoon
visit the imposing Punakha Dzong, and Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility) built in the 15th century by the ‘Divine
Madman’ (Lama Drukpa Kuenley).
Today we return to Paro via Wangdi, originally considered Bhutan’s secondary capital and commanding an
important central position. We will stop for lunch or a drink in Wangdi although sadly the Dzong, built by the
Shabdrung in 1638 on an auspicious site where four ravens were seen flying in four different directions. After
lunch continue on your way. You should see plenty of flowering rhododendrons, orchids and magnolia to enhance
the drive.
This morning you will visit Paro Festival. You will see locals dressed in their finest clothes who have walked from
miles around to attend the festivities. They come to watch masked dances, to pray, and to feast. While the
underlying purpose of the festival is spiritual, dances are more often like plays, telling stories where good triumphs
over evil, or depicting significant historical events, especially surrounding the life of Bhutan’s patron saint,
Padmasambhava (also known as Guru Rinpoche). There is inevitably a great deal of socialising as well. The occasion
provides an opportunity for people to relax and forget the daily routine, and to dress in their finest clothes and
jewellery, but it is also an occasion for prayer and blessings. In the afternoon, visit Ta Dzong (‘the watch tower’)
now housing the National Museum. Built on top of the hill above RinpungDzong, it was originally used to defend
RinpungDzong and the Paro valley during times of war. Its unusual circular construction resembles a conch shell
and it now contains a magnificent collection of Bhutanese artefacts – costumes, religious paintings, arms, textiles
and a fascinating collection of Bhutan stamps.
Take a day walk to the ‘Tiger’s Nest’, the sacred Taktshang monastery which clings to the rock face 900 metres
above the valley floor. Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown to the site riding on a tigress. He subsequently
meditated here for three months. It is one of Bhutan’s most holy sites and draws pilgrims not only from Bhutan but
also from neighbouring Buddhist countries. You can have lunch at the Taktshang cafeteria from where you get a
spectacular view of the monastery.
Early in the morning your guide will accompany you to the airport to see you off onto your flight to Delhi or
Kathmandu and wish you Tashi Delek (goodbye and good luck).
About the Tips – Tips are necessary for porter/ guide. Tips is that thing which is makes workers extra happy.
You leave a tip when you drink a cup of good Coffee or Tea in a comfortable restaurant. Here your porter and guide being more than your family member for help in any cases so, must give them some tip to make them happy and encourage them to be better work in the future .
Thank you .
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