The Dochula Druk Wangyel Festival start from year 2011 and the festival will take place every year on December 13 at the Druk Wangyel Lhakhang’s Festival ground. The festival is related to important national landmarks while the date commemorates the commencement of the military expedition of 2003. The Festival’s impressive modern Bhutanese monuments and both monuments were built as a tribute to the wise leadership of the Wangchuck dynasty in general, and the temple was built under the personal supervision of Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wanghuck, a year after she built the 108 Druk Wangyel Chortens. Druk Wangyel Lhakhang was consecrated in June 2008,the wise leadership of His Majesty the Fourth King in particular, the works on the powerful mural paintings, the temple took almost four years to build. The Dochula pass is one of the most spectacular passes in Bhutan and is about 45 minutes’ drive (22km) from the capital city, Thimphu. The pass (3080) marks the watershed between the districts of Thimphu on the western side and Punakha on the eastern side. It presents a panoramic view of these districts and some others beyond them.

Package Itinerary

Arrival Paro International Airport: During the journey to Paro, one will experience from the left hand side of the plane, breath taking view of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Jhomolhari 7314m and Mount Jichu Drake 6989m in Bhutan. On the arrival at Paro International Airport, The representative of Fly To Bhutan, your tour guide will receive you and escort you to the hotel. After a brief rest at the hotel and tea/coffee, drive to Thimphu will take roughly one Hours. Thimphu is the capital city of Bhutan since from 1974. Punakha used to the capital city of Bhutan before that. For the first one hour you will follow the Pa-Chu (Paro River) and reach Chuzom where the Thimphu River meets the Paro River and forms Wang-Chu (Chu means Water, River or Stream). Chuzom is a four direction motor road junction where one road leads to Thimphu, one to Phuentsholing the border town to India, one to Haa valley and one where you drove from Paro. It will take another half hour from here to Capital city, Thimphu. Check in the Hotel and after short rest visit National Memorial Stupa, built in 1874 by Royal Queen Mother and dedicated to the father of Modern Bhutan, the Late His Majesty the Third King of Bhutan. The Memorial Stupa, built in 1974 by Royal Queen Mother and dedicated to the Father of Modern Bhutan, The Third King of Bhutan. This Tibetan & Bhutanese Architecture mixed Stupa has got three different sects of Buddhism such as Gongdu on the Top floor, Drukpa Kagyud on Middle with Second Buddha figure facing the Sun Rise and on the Ground Floor it is the Phurba. Overnight at Hotels in Thimphu

Thimphu- Sightseeing: Visit the National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved. Visit the Painting School where traditional art is still preserved. Artists are taught to paint Thankas here (sacred Buddhist scroll). Visit the Handicrafts Emporium where one can buy Bhutanese textiles and other arts and crafts. Lunch at the Hotel [Afternoon] Visit Simtokha Dzong. This is the oldest fortress in Bhutan, built in 1629 A.D.by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It also houses the largest monastic schools in the country. Visit Tashichho Dzong - the main secretariat building. It is from here that the King and other prominent civil servants run the country. The Head Abbot and the central monastic body also reside here during the summer. Visit Pangri Zampa Monastery, situated just beyond Dechencholing Palace (5 km. from Thimphu). This temple was the first residence of Shabdrung Ngawang Narngyal when he arrived in Bhutan in 1616 A.D. It was built during the first quarter of the 16th century by Ngawang Chogyel, the great ancestor of the Shahdrung. Overnight at Hotels in Thimphu.

Dochula Festival: After our breakfast, we will drive to Dochula, Druk Wangyel Festibval ground to witness Druk Wangyel Festival. Druk Wangyel Festival takes place every year December 13, at Druk Wangyel Festival ground located at Dochula pass (3150m), which is about 45mins drive from Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. Dochula pass is adroned with many kind of prayer flags, 108 small stupas and offers a stunning panoramic view of Eastern Himalayan Mountain ranges including highest Mountain in Bhutan, Gangkar Puensum. This festival was established in 2011 in commemoration of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and the Armed Forces' victory over Indian insurgent forces residing in southern Bhutan in 2003. Dochula Druk Wangyal Tsehchu is an unique festival where you will not see and experience in any other festivals in Bhutan and true exemplifies Bhutanese cultural traditions Lunch we can take hot picnic lunch or can be served at Dochula Cafeteria. Overnight at Hotels in Thimphu.

Thimphu- Punakha: After an early breakfast, drive to Punakha. The route takes you pass Simtokha Dzong but you turn left at the crossroads and as you ascend there is a good overview of the dzong. On the way, halt at Dochula Pass (3080) for a hot cup of tea coffee and on a clear day, the most spectacular view of the Eastern Himalayas and continue drive to Punakha, and short hike, Chimi Lhakhang, it take around 20-30mins walks from the road head, through cultivated fields and up a gentle slope. This Temple was built by lam Drukpa Kuenley (The Divine Madman) in 1499 and visit Punakha Dzong, The Dzong straddles the confluence of two rivers and resembles a giant battleship. Its full name is “Punathang Dechen Phodrang” or Palace of Great Happiness” It was built in 1637 AD. Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten which was built by the third Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck. Overnight at Hotels in Punakha/ wangdue.

Punakha- Paro: After breakfast visit the National Museum (Ta-Dzong). This was actually the Watch Tower of Paro Rinpung Dzong. It was converted to the National Museum in 1968. Visit the Paro Rinpung Dzong. This massive fortress is located on a hill top above the Pachu (Paro River) of Paro Valley. You have to walk about 15 minutes by crossing an ancient wooden bridge built in typical Bhutanese architect. The Dzong houses the District Administration Office and the District Monk Body. It was built in 1645 A.D. Lunch at Hotel. After Lunch Visit Kyichu Lhakhang (Lhakhang means Monastery). Kyichu Lhakhang was built in 659 A.D. by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet. It is considered one of the holiest places in Bhutan as it marks the advent of Buddhism in the country. It is one of the 108 such temples built by him for spreading Buddhism in this region. Drive to the Paro village town and explore the town. Altitude of Paro is 2260m.Overnight at Hotels in Paro.

Paro – Hike to Tiger’s Nest: Drive for 15kms and reach the base of Famous Tiger’s Nest “TAKTSANG” Monastery and hike up which would take Two Hours up and approximately One Hour down. Stop at Taktsang Tea House “Cafeteria” for refreshment of Tea & Coffee. Taktsang is at 2900mts. Hike for another half an hour and you reach the Great and Magnificent Taktsang where you will be greets by the monks who live there and Special Bhutanese Butter Tea will be served with Snacks. Visit the most important monastery were the Guru Rimpoche was flying on a Flamming Tigress from Singye Dzong in Eastern Bhutan to here and meditated for Three Months and flourishment of Buddhism in Paro started from 8th Century. Walk down hill and drive to Drukgyal Dzong 1646 and on the way enjoys the view of the Taktsang Monastery, also known as “Tiger’s Nest temple”. Near the Drukgyal Dzong, if the sky is clear we can see the Mt. Jhomolhari on the background. Overnight at Hotels in Paro

Departure: Early morning drive to Paro international airport after breakfast.