Trip Details

Destination: Bhutan
Trip Difficulty: Moderate
Trip Style: Tour
Transport: Flight & Private Car
Food: As Per Itinerary
Accommodation: Hotel
Group Size: 15
Max Elevation: 3800m

Highlights

Observe magical Black- Necked Crane Festival at Phobjikha
Experience cultural and religious dances by the local
Have an insight on entire Bhutanese culture and civilization
Observe how Bhutanese worship nature and the environment
Capture magnificent Mt. Jomolhari (7, 314m) the highest mountain in Bhutan from Chele La Pass(3, 988m)
Visit Tiger’s Nest, Taksang Monastery, the glory of Bhutan
Explore Thimpu, Paro, Punakha and magnificent Haa Valley
Visit holy historical monasteries including Bumdra Monastery, Lho Kyerchu, Phajoding Monastery
Visit Buddhist schools, colleges and historical fortresses from ancient time

Black-Necked Crane Festival 9 Days Bhutan Tour is one of the significant celebrations in Bhutan. People observe this festival heralding the beginning of the winter and also considered the cranes to be endangered species of birds who incarnate as deities as the protectors of Phobjikha, a beautiful tourist destination in Bhutan. People in Phobjikha take the arrival of the Black-necked Crane Festival as a moment to celebrate welcoming winter every year.

Actually, the Black-Necked Crane Festival is celebrated in order to make people aware of protecting the endangered Black-Necked Crane. As a whole, this festival presents the significance of the conservation of nature. Cultural shows like dances and songs tell the themes of the conservations of Black-Necked Cranes. Even the people disguise themselves with masks as cranes and perform dances and cultural shows on environmental conservations. We also can observe street dramas by the school's kids appealing to the people to protect nature.

The Black-Necked Crane Festival is observed every year in the beautiful valley of Bhutan, Phobjikha. It is celebrated on 11th November, the beginning of winter, on the birth anniversary of his majesty the King. The observations of this festival began in 1898 for the first time. Since then, it is spreading awareness on the conservation of endangered black-neck cranes and the local culture of the people. Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) and the Phobjikha Environment Management Committee (PEMC) jointly organize the Black-neck crane festival.

Since it is pre-winter in November, the weather is perfect to visit Bhutan and observe the Black-Necked Crane Festival and other major attractions.

Itinerary

Open All Days Close All Days

Day 01:Arrive In Kathmandu

As you Arrive In Kathmandu We Will Come To Pickup You At The Hotel. After Checking The Hotel. We will make one short meeting for brifeing the whole tour.

Dinner
Hotel
Kathmandu
1400m

Day 02:Flight From Kathmandu To Paro (Arrival), Thimpu

Upon arrival in Paro airport, our official tour operation representative will receive us and we drive to Thimpu (65km-2 hrs) capital city of Bhutan, be refreshed and we will have short orientation meeting on tour program. Now, we begin to explore of Thimpu, the capital city of Bhutan. Thimpu is a perfect destination to read Bhutanese culture and civilization. Today, we begin our tour by visiting The National Memorial Chorten was built in 1974 to memorialize Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, the third king of Bhutan (1928-1972). This site is popular for meditation. Similarly Thimphu Tashichho Dzong , a fortress where we can see some government offices now. We also visit and explore National Folk Heritage Museum, Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory and The National Textile Museum which all tell a lot about unique civilization and art of Bhutan. Overnight at hotel in Thimpu.

BF/Lunch/Dinner
Hotel
Paro
2200m

Day 03:Trek To Phajoding

We begin our trek to trek to Phajoding Monastery after breakfast. This is 4-5 hours trek from Thimpu. We trek via lush forest passing through beautiful valleys of Thimpu. If we have time, we trek up to Thuje Dra from where we can have the spectacular mountain view. Mostly, the trekking trail today has deep rhododendron The trek is portion of the Druk Path trek. On backtracking,

we visit the 12th century Changangkha Lhakhang, the oldest in Thimphu. We also explore the Monastery houses Chukchi Zhe, the 11 headed Avalokiteshvara as the main statue. Overnight at Hotel in Thimphu

BF/Lunch/Dinner
Hotel
Phajoding
3650m

Day 04:Thimphu to Punakha

Today, we drive to Punakha from Thimpu. Punakha is the former capital city of Bhutan. On the way, we stop at Dochula Pass which offers us magnificent views of Himalayas. Our further drive finally takes us to Punakha. Next our visit to Punakha Djong offers us marvelous insights of Bhutanese art and architecture. This Djong is located among the serene atmosphere. After we explore Punakha Djong we go to visit Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten which is one of the marvelous sites to visit in Bhutan. It represents astonishing art and architecture of Bhutan. We walk via colorful prayer flags around the chorten and explore the whole area. Overnight at hotel at Punakha.

BF/Lunch/Dinner
Hotel
Punakha
1242

Day 05:Punakha to Gangtey, Crane Festival

We take an early breakfast and start our drive too Gangtey (Phobjikha) via Wangdue Phodrang. Phobjikha, one of the most marvellous valleys of Himalayas. Phobjikha is the abode for endangered black necked cranes staying in the valley from early November to late March. We observe the festival with various performances by the locals and the schools kids. It will be exciting to observe this festival. For overnight stay, we got to Punakha. Overnight at hotel in Punakha.

BF/Lunch/Dinner
Hotel
Gangtey
3000m

Day 06:Punakha to Paro

After breakfast drive from Punakha to Paro. Paro is beautiful with the only international airport of Bhutan, cultural and natural astonishments. It will be very delightful to explore Paro. Paro is alos popular as an abode to Mount Jomolhari (7, 300m). We visit Kyerchu temple or also known as Lho Kyerchu, the oldest temple in Bhutan. We will feel very peaceful here. The profound serenity heals us at this temple. Dumtse Lhakhang - Built in 1433 is another temple we visit today. We require buying a special permit to enter this temple. Overnight at hotel in Paro.

BF/Lunch/Dinner
Hotel
Paro
2200m

Day 07:Paro to Haa via Chele La

We drive via Chele La (3, 988m) for Haa which offers us magnificent views of Haa valley and Paro city at the same time. Our further drive takes us to Haa and we go to visit Katsho village, a beautiful traditional village in Bhutan. We also can capture stunning views of Mt. Jomolhari (7, 314m) the highest mountain in Bhutan from Chele La Pass. Haa Valley is less visited tourist spot in Bhutan due to lack of facilities like restaurants, lodges and hotels. What we experience in this valley is unspoiled traditional lifestyles of the Bhutanese. Since there are no hotels in Haa valley, we drive back to Paro for overnight stay. Overnight at hotel in Paro.

BF/Lunch/Dinner
Hotel
Cheele La
3988m

Day 08:Bumdra Trek Day 1

We first drive to Sang Choekhor Buddhist College at 2, 300, from where we begin our trek today. We trek via various species of vegetations and picturesque settlements. This trek leads us to Choe Choe Tse Lhakahng. We spend at least 3 to 4 hours to get Bumdra Monastery, the cave of thousand prayers. We set up camp for overnight stay here. We get Bumdra at lunch time. We visit the monastery and explore civilization and history. We also climb a mountain and the summit offers us spectacular Himalayan range. Overnight at camp at Bumdra.

BF/Lunch/Dinner
Hotel
Bumdra
3800m

Day 09:Bumdra Trek Day 2

We begin our trip today after breakfast. We have descent following the winding trail via lush rhododendron and pine. Our continuous trek for 2-3 hours takes us to Taksang monastery, ( Tiger’s nest. It is said that Guru Rimpoche had sheltered hare for meditation in the 8th century. We can view a beautiful Paro valley from the temple. After exploration of Tiger’s Nest, we descend to Paro and walk in the street in the evening. Overnight at hotel in Paro.

BF/Lunch/Dinner
Hotel
Paro
3800m

Day 10:Depart Fly Back To Kathmandu

After Breakfast You will be drop to the Airport

BF/Lunch/Dinner
Hotel
Paro
2200m

Day 11:Depart From Kathmandu