punakha dromche festival

8/13/2019 Punakha Dromche Festival

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PUNAKHA DROMCHE

DELHI + THIMPHU + TRONGSA + BUMTHANG + GANGTEY + PUNAKHA + PARO + DELHI

Punakha Dromche generally include dances and this festival is dedicated to YesheGompo (Mahakala) or Palden Lhamo, the two main protective deities of Drukpas. PunakhaDromche take place in the first month of the lunar year and ends with Serda,a magnificent

procession which re-enacts an episode of the war against the Tibetan in the 17th

century.

The religious dances performed during festival are called Chamand there are a large numberof them. Dancers wear spectacular costumes made of yellow silk or rich brocade, oftendecorated with ornaments of carved bone. For certain dances, they wear masks which mayrepresent animals, fearsome deities, skulls or just simple human beings. These dances can begrouped in three categories; (I) Instructive or Didactic Dances, (II) Dances that purify andprotect a place from demonic spirits, (III) Dances that proclaim the victory of Buddhism.


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On arrival at Paro airport drive to Thimphu. On arrival in Thimphu transfer to Hotel andcheckin, Overnight at the hotel

Day 03: THIMPHU

Today's full day of sightseeing in Thimphu valley includes, visit to;

National Library, which holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts, somedating back several hundred years, as well as modern academic books mainly on Himalayanculture and religion;

Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as Painting School) where students undertake asix-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan.

Textile and Folk Heritage Museum: These museums, both of which opened in 2001, providefascinating insights into Bhutanese material culture and way of life.


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National Memorial Chorten: The building of this landmark was envisaged by the third king, HisMajesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, as a monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in1974 after his untimely death, it is both a memorial to the Late King (the Father of modern

Bhutan) and a monument to world peace. The paintings and statues inside the monumentprovide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy.

Trashichhodzong: This impressive fortress/monastery houses Secretariat building, the throneroom of His Majesty, the King and various government offices. It is also the summer residence

of Chief Abbot and central monk body.

Handicrafts Emporium: This government-run enterprise displays a wide range of beautifullyhand-woven textiles and craft products. It also carries a small collection of books on Bhutan,Buddhism and Himalayan culture.

Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu


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Day 04: THIMPHU TRONGSA

After early breakfast, drive up to Dochu-la pass (3,088m/ 10,130 ft) stopping briefly here to take

in the view and admire the chorten, mani wall, and prayer flags which decorate the highestpoint on the road. If skies are clear, the following peaks can be seen from this pass (left to right):Masagang (7,158m), Tsendagang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m ), Jejegangphugang (7,158 m ),Kangphugang (7,170 m ), Zongphugang (7, 060 m ), a table mountain that dominates the

isolated region of Lunana - finally Gangkar puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m.

Then continue onwards, reaching Wangduephodrang town in time for lunch. From Dochu-lapass, it is a long, winding descent into the Wangduephodrang valley, which is about 1,700mbelow the pass. Take lunch at Wangduephodrang town, and then continue on to Trongsa acrossPele-la pass (3,300m/10,830 ft), the traditional boundary between east and west. The pass ismarked by a large white chorten prayer flags. There is an abrupt change in vegetation at thispoint, with mountain forest replaced by high altitude dwarf bamboo.

Stop en route at Chendbji Chorten, patterned on Kathmandus Swayambhunath Stupa, witheyes panted at four cardinal points. It was built in the 18th century by Lama Shida from Tibet, tocover the remains of an evil spirit that was subdued at this spot.

Arrive at Trongsa late afternoon and check into the lodge for the night.


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Day 05: TRONGSA BUMTHANG

After breakfast, visit Trongsa Dzong. Built in 1648 it was the seat of power over central and

eastern Bhutan. Both the first and second Kings of Bhutan ruled the country from this ancientseat. All four Kings were invested as Trongsa Penlop ( governer)prior to ascending the throne,and the present Crown Prince now holds the post. The Dzong is a massive structure with manylevels, sloping down the contours of the ridge on which it is built.

Then drive to Bumthang, 68 km from Trongsa, a journey of about 3 hours, over the Yutong-la

pass (3,400m/ 11,155 ft). The road winds steeply up to the pass, 28 km from Trongsa, then runsdown through coniferous forest into a wide, open cultivated valley known as the Chumeyvalley.

On arrival in Bumthang, check in at your lodge.

Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang


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Day 06: BUMTHANG

Bumthang is the general name given to combination of four valleys Chumey, Choekhor, Tangand Ura with altitude varying from 2,600m to 4,000m. It is home to many of prominent

Buddhist temples and monasteries.

Visit to Kurje Lhakhang, where the saint Padmasambhava subdued a local demon and left hisbody imprint on a rock., the Jambey Lhakhang (7th century temple), Tamshing Lhakhang(housing some of the oldest wall paintings in Bhutan) and Jakar Dzong (administrative center ofthe region). Stroll in the village, visit the little handicrafts shop at the entrance to the town, andperhaps take refreshments at a local restaurant.

Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.

Day 07: BUMTHANG GANGTEY

After breakfast drive to Gangtey / Phobjikha. In the mountains east of Wangduephodrang liesthe beautiful Phobjikha valley, on the slopes of which is ituated the great monastery of Gangtey,established in the 17th century. The village of Phobjikha lies a few km, down from themonastery, on the valley floor. This quite, remote valley is the winter home of black neckedcranes, which migrate from the arid plains of Tibet in the north, to pass the winter months in amilder climate. Explore Gangtey village and Phobjikha valley.

Overnight at the lodge in Gangtey.


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Day 08: GANGTEY PUNAKHA

After breakfast drive to Punakha.

Afternoon visit Punakha Dzong, a massive structure built at the junction of two rivers. Punakhawas Bhutanscapital until 1955, and Punakha Dzong still serves as the winter residence of thecentral monk body. Bhutans first King, Ugyen Wangchuck, was crowned here in 1907. Thefortress has withstood several damages from fire, earthquake and flood over the centuries. Thelatest flood, in October, 1994, caused great damages to the fortress but miraculously spared itsmost holy statue. Also visit Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, the newly built stupa.

Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.

Day 09: PUNAKHA

After breakfast it is the day to witness the Punakha festival. After lunch drive to Gangtey

Valley, Phobjikha. Visit the Gangtey Gompa built in the 17th century. A few kilometers past theGompa is the village of Phobjikha. This is the home of the endangered species Black NeckedCranes that migrate from the Tibetan plateaus in the north. Their arrival numbers have beensteadily increasing over the years as the Phobjikha grounds have proved ideal and safe forthem.



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Day 10: PUNAKHA

After breakfast witness the Punakha festival


Day 11: PUNAKHA PARO

After breakfast, drive to Paro en route visit Simtokha Dzong. This dzong, built in 1627 is theoldest in Bhutan. It now houses the Institute for Language and Culture Studies.

Afternoon visit to Ta Dzong, which in the past served as watchtower for Paro Dzong (Rinpung

Dzong) and now houses the National Museum. Then walk down the trail to visit RinpungDzong, built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal , the first spiritual and temporal ruler ofBhutan, the Dzong houses the monastic body of Paro, the office of the Dzongda (districtadministrative head) and Thrimpon (judge) of Paro district. The approach to the Dzong isthrough a traditional covered bridge called Nemi Zam. A walk through the bridge, over a stoneinlaid path, offers a good view of the architectural wonder of the Dzong as well as life around it.It is also the venue of Paro Tshechu, held once a year in the sprng.

Overnight at the hotel in Paro


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Day 12: PARO

After breakfast, drive up the valley to Drukgyel Dzong, built in 1647 by the Shabdrung to

commemorate the Bhutanese victory over the Tibetans in war of 1644.

Then take an excursion to Taktsang Monastery view point. It is one of the most famous of

Bhutansmonasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. It is saidthat Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery andhence it is called Tigers Nest. This site has been recognised as a most sacred place and visited

by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 and now visited by all Bhutanese at least once intheir lifetime.

While returning to hotel visit en route, Kyichu Lhakhang, built in the 7th century by the Tibetanking, Songtsen Gampo.

Overnight at the hotel in Paro.


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Day 13: PARO DELHI

After early breakfast transfer to the airport to board the flight to Delhi. (Dates as per the PresentSchedule and is Strictly subject to change)

On arrival in Delhi, transfer to the hotel and check in.

Overnight at the hotel

Day 14: DELHI DEPARTURE

On time transfer to the International Airport to board the flight for onwards journey

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punakha dromche festival

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