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Bhutan
Festival Tours |
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Thimpu Tshechu Tour 2005 |
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06 Nights/07 Days
Tshechu Date: 13-15 Sep
Trip Date: 12 –18 Sep
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The Thimpu Tshechu festival is about honoring Guru Padmasambhava, a great Indian saint who contributed enormously to the diffusion of Tantric Buddhism in the Himalayan regions of Tibet , Nepal and Bhutan around 800 AD. The Tshechu highlights the biography of Guru by 12 episodes of the model of the Buddha Shakyamuni's life, each episode commemorated around the year on the 10th day of the month. The dates and the duration of the festivals vary from one district to another but they always take place on or around the 10th day of the month according to the Bhutanese calendar. The monks and also the laymen perform the maks dances. It's a religious festival and by attending it, you are believed to gain merits. It is also an annual social gathering where the people, dressed in their finest, come together to rejoice.
In 2005, the Thimpu Tshechu falls from Sep 13 to 15. |
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Sep 12 Day 01 Kathmandu-Paro-Thimpu. |
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Flight to Paro . The flight is spectacular, offering breath-taking view of Mount Everest , Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks including the sacred Chomolhari and Mount Jichu Drake in Bhutan . Upon arrival at the Paro airport, our Bhutanese representative will meet you. After lunch, you will drive to Thimpu (65km, 2 hrs) along the Paro Chu (Chu means water or river) down stream to the confluence with the Wang Chu, then turn upstream and travel along the Wang Chu to Thimphu. Check in at the hotel. |
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Sep 13 Day 02 Thimphu Tshechu |
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After an early breakfast attend the first day of the Tshechu, which is held in the courtyard of Tashichho Dzong. This is the main Secretariat Building , where the government ministries, the office of His Majesty the King, the Throne Room, the offices and living quarters of the monk body and its Chief Abbot are housed. Return to hotel for the l unch and again attend the festival |
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Sep 14 Day 03 Thimpu Tshechu |
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In the morning attend the festival and after lunch, v isit the Memorial Chorten (a huge stupa) built in memory of the third King of Bhutan. Visit the National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved Visit the Wood Craft and Painting School where traditional arts and crafts are still kept alive. |
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Sep 15 Day 04 Thimpu Tshechu |
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In the morning, attend the Tshecu and in the afternoon, visit the handicrafts Emporium where Bhutanese textiles and other arts and crafts are displayed and can be purchased. You will also visit Simtokha Dzong. This is one of the oldest fortresses in Bhutan . It was built in 1629 A.D. It houses the largest monastic schools in the country.
In the afternoon, visit the Tibetan settlement in Hontsho (about 25 minutes drive from Thimphu ) or the Indigenous Medicine Hospital in Thimphu . |
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Sep 16 Day 05 Thimphu - Punakha/Wangdiphodrang |
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A full day excursion to Punakha, the former Capital of Bhutan (77 Km) from Thimphu . Wangdi is 16 Km from Punakha. Visit the Dzongs in both Punakha and Wangdi. |
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Sep 17 Day 06 To Paro |
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Drive back to Paro and visit t he National Museum (Ta-Dzong)-which was once a Watch Tower of the Paro Rinchen Pong Dzong. Visit the Rinchen Pong Dzong. This massive fortress is located on a hilltop above the Pachu ( Paro River ) in the Paro Valley . After lunch at the hotel visit the Drugyel Dzong ruins, 16 Km away from the Paro, a historical site where the Bhutanese finally defeated the invading Tibetans and drove them back. |
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Sep 18 Day 07 Paro – Kathmandu . |
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Transfer to airport and take flight to Kathmandu . |
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Note: If you are not willing to attend the Tshechu every day, we can make an alternative arrangement of sightseeing. |
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14
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