Nimalung Festival

Nimalung Festival in Bumthang
Festival Date: 19-21st June 2010.

Note:
Arrival date for this Festival: 14, 15 & 16 June 2010
Departure date for this Festival: 23, 24 & 25 June 2010.
Bumthang is often called the cultural and religious centre of Bhutan. Bumthang Nimalung Tsechu is the good opportunity to glimpse the unique Tsechu being held in the rural village of Bhutan (Nimalung village). People from all over the villages come here to witness the festival dressing in their finest clothes. It is held once in every year. The festival is being celebrated to bring happiness, better harvest and prosperity of the villages and country as a whole. More to this, it has in depth meaning of Buddhism.
Day 01: Arrive to Paro International Air port.
On the arrival to Paro International Airport, you will welcome and receive by the Representative of Authentic Bhutan Tours. Today we will do the following sightseeing:
• Paro Dzong
• Paro National Museum (if it is not on Monday. It is closed on Monday)
• The short hike, which starts from above National Museum and ends at Umaparo. From this hike we can see the Paro Valley, the International Airport in Bhutan and other adjacent villages so beautifully.
• Stroll around the Paro town.
• Dinner and overnight stay at Paro, Hotel, Ugyenphendeyling Resort & Meditation Center or similar standard.

Day 02: Paro – Thimphu
Today we will drive to Thimphu but in the morning we will hike to Taktshang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest).
• Taktshang Monastery is the most important pilgrimage site in the Buddhism world and it is the one of the main highlight of Bhutan Tour.
• Lunch at Taktshang Cafteria or at Paro.
• Drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan.
• Stroll around the Thimphu town.
• Dinner and overnight stay at Thimphu Hotel, Peaceful Resort or similar standard.

Day 03: Thimphu halt.
Today we will do Thimphu Sightseeing:
• Mothithang mini zoo, to see the National animal of Bhutan (Takin)
• Nunnery – where the Bhutanese girls and women pursue the religious studies and goals in their life for the benefit of all the living beings.
• Folk Heritage museum – you will visit to the 19th century Bhutanese house.
• National Memorial Chhorten - which was built in 1974 in memory of our third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk-the father of modern Bhutan.
• Lunch at Thimphu Resturant.
• We will do Wangditshe hike. The hike will take about 1hour 20 minutes and we can see the Thimphu valley so beautifully.
• Walk around the Thimphu town and visit the Handicraft emporium to buy an authentic souvenir.
Dinner and overnight stay at Thimphu hotel, Peaceful Resort or similar standard

Day 04: Thimphu – Phobjikha.
Today we will be drive to Phobjikha over Dochula pass (3150m) above sea level. The pass is adorned with 108 small stupas. On the clear days, we can see the Eastern Himalayan Mountains, including the highest mountain of Bhutan so impressively. Today we will do following sightseeing:
• Lunch will be served at Nobding or we will have pack lunch.
• At Gangtey, we will visit Gangtey Goenpa, the most important temple in Nyingmapa sect.
• Hike-the Gangtey Natural Trail through the pine forest. The hike will take about 1hour 3ominutes. From this hike we can see the Phobjikha Valley so beautifully.
• Dinner and overnight stay at Phobjikha Hotel, Dewachen or similar Standard.

Day 05: Phobjikha – Bumthang.
After our breakfast, we will drive to Bumthang, which is the heart of religion in Bhutan through Tronngsa. We will do following sightseeing on the way:
• Stop at Chendibji Chorten for picture.
• Visit the impressive Trongsa dzong
• Visit the ‘Tower of Trongsa’.
• Lunch will be served at the ‘Tower of Trongsa’s’, Café’.
• Stop at Yathra Factory at Chhumey.
• Dinner and over night stay at Bumthang, Hotel Mepham Guest House or similar standard.

Day 06: Bumthang Halt.
Today we will do sightseeing in Bumthang.
• Jambay Lhakhang, the oldest temple in Bhutan.
• Kurjey Lhakhang, the temple where Guru Rinpoche kept his body print there in 8th Century.
• Tamshing Lhakhang, which is one of the important temple in Ngyingma sect.
• Lunch will be served at hotel.
• Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake),
• Honey Production Center and
• Stroll around the Chamkhar town for a while.
• Visit Farm House for Dinner, Dhotsho (Hotstone bath) and overnight stay.

Day 07: Bumthang Halt.
• Today we will drive to Nimalung and enjoy with the Nimalung Festival.
• Lunch will be picnic pack lunch
• Evening after the festival drive to Bumthang.
• Dinner and overnight stay at Bumthang Hotel or Farm House.

Day 08: Bumthang – Punakha.
Today we will drive to Punakha. We will visit the following places on the way:
• Trongsa Dzong, the most impressive dzong in Bhutan.
• Lunch will be served at Chendebji Restaurant.
• Continue our journey to Punakha.
• Dinner and overnight stay at Punakha Hotel, Damchen Resort or Similar Standard.

Day 09. Punakha – Paro.
Today we will drive to Paro and we will do the following sightseeing.
• Punakha Dzong, the most beautiful dzong in Bhutan.
• Hike to Chhimi Lhakhang, the temple of fertility. We have to walk about 30minutes from the road end.
• Lunch will be served at Dochula cafeteria.
• Continue our journey to Paro.
• Evening stroll around.
• Dinner and overnight stay Paro Hotel, Ugyenphendeyling Resort & Meditation Center or similar standard.

Day 10. Paro – Paro International Airport.
After our breakfast drive to Paro International Airport for your onward flight. We wish a very safe and pleasant journey back to your country. We hope to see you again in Bhutan in the future.