Ura Yakcho Festival Tour

Detail Itinerary

Day 1Paro-Thimphu The flight into Bhutan takes you to the great Himalayas, offering the most beautiful scenery of the world's highest glacial peaks. On arrival at Paro Airport, you will be received by representative of Pink Mountain Treks and Expedition. After lunch, you will drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. In the evening relax at the hotel or stroll through Thimphu town. Overnight hotel in Thimphu.

Day 2Paro-Thimphu After breakfast, visit the Paro Dzong. It was built in 17th century and now houses government offices and religious institutions. Then you will visit Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the country built by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo in 8th century. From there you will be taken to Drugyal Dzong (Bhutan Victory Fort), which was built in 1646 to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over Tibetan invaders during the 1600s. On a clear day you can see Mount Jumolhari, Bhutan’s second-highest mountain at 23,996 feet. After lunch, you will drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. Check into your hotel on arrival. In the evening, you can stroll through Thimphu city and absorb the lifestyle of the people. Overnight hotel in Thimphu.

Day 3Thimphu After breakfast you will visit the King's Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972), the radio tower (for a great view of Thimphu Valley and the Thimphu Dzong), and the zoo, which contains the national animal of Bhutan: the takin. From there you will visit the nunnery temple, the School of Arts and Crafts (also known as the painting school). After lunch, you will visit the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, a traditional Bhutanese paper factory and Kuenselphodrang overlooking Thimphu valley where giant Buddha statue is under construction. 169 feet statue is reputed to be the largest bronze Buddha statue in the world. Overnight hotel in Thimphu.

Day 4Thimphu-Wangdue After breakfast, enjoy the scenic drive to Wangdue with a stop for tea at the Dochu La pass (10,170 feet), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the eight northern Himalayan ranges. From the pass we drive downhill through forests of rhododendron, fir and hemlock. You will arrive in Wangdue after traveling through rice field and along the bank of river. On the way, you will visit Chimi Lhakhang, which is a fertility temple dedicated to the Divine Madman (Lama Drukpa Kuenley). People across the country come to this special temple to get a fertility blessing. If you wish, receive a blessing from the Lama’s wooden phallus! Overnight hotel in Wangdue.

Day 5Wangdue-Bumthang After breakfast you will drive to Bumthang, the cultural heartland of the country. The route is along a spectacular winding road, crossing 10,827-feet-high Pele La pass. At certain times of the year it is possible to see yaks here. You will stop for lunch in Trongsa and afterwards visit the Trongsa Dzong, the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture. Continuing on to Bumthang, you will pass through lush valleys and hilly forests. Along the way stop at a yathra (textile weaving) factory, where the yathras are designed with patterns unique to Bumthang, and you can watch some of the weavers at their looms. Upon arrival you check into your hotel and enjoy dinner and overnight hotel in Bumthang.

Day 6Ura Yakcho Festival Today you will drive to Ura crossing Ura la pass (3590m). Just before reaching this pass you can get a view of Mount Gangkar Puensum (7541m) to the northeast. Ura is a unique village with clustered of houses giving a medieval look because of the cobblestone streets, and the typical sheepskin shawl that women wear. Enjoy full day of festival dances and celebrations with the people of Ura and nearby villages. Later in the evening, you will drive back to Bumthang. Overnight hotel in Bumthang.

Day 7Bumthang Today's sightseeing in Bumthang includes Jakar Dzong, the administrative center of the valley; Jambay Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan, dating from the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan; and Kurjey Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places, because Guru Rinpoche, a great 8th century spiritual master left his body imprint on the cave when he was meditating. From here you will hike through unpaved road to Thangbi valley crossing suspension bridge to visit the Thangbi Lhakhang built in 14th century. After lunch, you will also have a chance to tour Tamshing Lhakhang, a treasure house of interesting religious Buddhist paintings. Overnight hotel in Bumthang.

Day 8Bumthang-Punakha You begin our day at the Bumthang market, and then drive to Punakha. Along the way you will visit the typical Bhutanese town of Wangdue with its dramatic Dzong perched on a ridge at the bend of a river. The nearby villages are known for their slate and stone carvings. Overnight hotel in Punakha.

Day 9Punakha-Paro In the morning you will visit the Punakha Dzong, which is stunningly situated in between the male and female rivers like an anchored ship. Then drive to Paro via Dochu La Pass. On reaching at Dochula, visit the new Druk Wangyal Monastery, which is the only of its kind in the country, with elaborate paintings depicting the lineage of the present monarchy and their visionary works. You will stop in Thimphu for lunch. After lunch, continue drive to Paro. In the evening you can visit a Bhutanese farmhouse to explore the lifestyle of a Bhutanese farmer. If you wish, enjoy an “ara” a local wine produced by a brewery of wheat or rice. Overnight hotel in Paro.

Day 10Hike to Tiger's Nest MonasteryAfter breakfast hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery, Bhutan's most famous monastery, which stands at 3100m gives you acclimatization for the next day’s trek. The 8th century Spiritual Master, Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown on the back of a tigress to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands. It is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. Lunch is served in the Cafeteria Restaurant, located about halfway up on the mountain. After having explored the Monastery hike back to Paro valley. Overnight hotel in Paro.

Day 11Depart Paro After breakfast, drive to the airport for departure. Pink Mountain Treks and Expedition's representative will bid you farewell.