6D5N Paro Festival 2020

Paro Tshechu (festival) is the most popular religious dance festival in Bhutan. It has been held annually since the 17th century when Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (the founder of the state of Bhutan) and Ponpo Rigzin Nyingpo initiated Paro Tshechu festival together with the consecration of Paro Dzong (fortress) in 1644.
Paro Tsechu is held for 5 days beginning on the 10th Day of 2nd Bhutanese lunar month every year. The Paro festival offers a best opportunity to witness the Bhutanese’s rich culture and history. The Tshechu is a religious festival and by attending it, it is believed one gains merits.It is also a yearly social gathering where the people come together to rejoice dressed in all their finery.

On the last day of Paro Tsechu there will be a display of a gigantic thangkha (embroidered painting), the Guru Throngdrol.Thongdrols are especially impressive examples of Buddhist art and never fail to amaze viewers. They are considered so sacred that simply seeing a Thongdrol is said to cleanse the viewer off sin. 

Event Date: 03April2020-08April2020

Event Duration: 6Days5Nights
Staff Contact No.: +6592700908 (WhatsApp)

Event Cost: (flights included)
Group of 2Pax: SGD3430/Pax
Solo Participants: SGD3680/Pax (*Single room supplement)
INDIAN PASSPORT HOLDERS: 
Group of 2Pax: SGD2600/Pax
Solo Participants: SGD2800/Pax (*Single room supplement)

Payment Terms:

• First Term: Deposit $1500 for booking confirmation (Flight tickets will be reserved)
• Second Term: Final payment before 31Dec2019

Event Form: (Do fillup once you make the payment, ask for the password)
 https://forms.gle/kBByS7dPJzFXXh4S8

TRIP DETAILS:

03April2020 Day 1: Arrive Paro & Paro-Thimphu (Distance: 54 km, estimated driving time: 1 hr)

Fly into Paro by DrukAir / Bhutan Airline After completing your immigration formalities, you will be received by our representative who will be your tour guide throughout your tour.

Then drive to Thimphu,On arrival at Thimphu check into your hotel and after refreshment visit the following:

• Kuensel Phodrang and visit tallest  buddha statue and enjoy the full view of Thimphu Valley below.
• National Memorial Chorten, chorten literally means ‘ seat of faith’ and Buddhists often call such monuments the ‘Mind of Buddha’. Meet the elderly local in circumambulation at the National Memorial Chorten.
• Tashichhoe Dzong, a fortress of the glorious religion. It was built in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel and was reconstructed into present structure by the late King, His majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the year 1962-1969. It houses the secretariat building, the throne room and the office of the king, and the central monk body.
• Craft Bazaar -A one stop place to witness Bhutanese culture and buy Bhutan made art and craft product. The Bazaar in its 80 stalls covers all aspects of the traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. At this Bazaar craftsmen and artisans from across the country display and sell their handicrafts. And also visit other handicraft stores.

Over night at Thimphu

04April2020 Day 02 : Thimphu sightseeing

After breakfast visit following place :

Institute for Zorig Chusum
Commonly known as Arts & Crafts School or Painting School, the Institute offers a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. On a visit, one can see students learning the various skills taught at the school.

The Folk Heritage Museum (Phelchey Toenkhyim)
It is dedicated to connect people to the Bhutanese rural past through exhibits, demonstrations, educational programmes and documentation of rural life. The principal exhibit in the museum is a restored three storey traditional rammed mud and timber house, which dates back to the mid 19th century. The design and form of house is that of an average household in the Wang area during that era. The age of structure demonstrates the durability and performance of the building materials. From ground to top floor, household objects, typical domestic tools and equipments that would have been used by a family during that period are put on display. The museum is also developing some of the native trees and plants that were used for various domestic purposes in the rural households.

Changangkha Lhakhang
It is a fortress like temple and monastic school perched on a ridge above Thimphu, south of Motithang. The temple was established in 12th century on a site chosen by Lama Phajo Drugom Shigpo, who came from Tibet. The central statue here is Chenrezig in a manifestation with 11 heads. From temple courtyard, there is fascinating view of Thimphu valley.

Weekend Market
Every Saturday and Sunday most of Thimphu’s scant population and many valley dwellers congregate on the banks of the river where weekend market is held. It is an interesting place to visit and provides opportunity to mingle with the local people.

Over night at Thimphu

05April2020 Day 3: Thimphu -Paro Festival Day  (Distance: 135 km, estimated driving time: 1 hr)

After breakfast travel to paro. On arrival at paro check into your hotel and Latter we will drive to Paro Fortress to witness the festival .

Today you experience the color, excitement and spectacle of the Paro Tshechu Festival. It is the most divine and deeply symbolic of all the Buddhist festivals celebrated in Bhutan. Dressed in traditional finery, devotees flock to the Paro Dzong to proclaim their faith and receive blessings. Monks and lay people, dressed in elaborate silk brocade costumes perform festive dances of good triumphing over evil to the haunting sounds of trumpets, cymbals and flutes. The dances and costumes have survived unchanged for thousands of years, each dance is an exact re-enactment of visions seen by Bhutan’s great Buddhist saints and any changes would be seen as sacrilege. Many dances will be performed today including: Lords of the Cremation Grounds. Terrifying Deities, Heroes, Novel Man and Ladies Lencham , Stag and Hounds. The dances are interspersed with folk songs and clowning aided by copious amounts of butter tea and a locally produced potent alcoholic barley spirit.

Over night at Paro

06April2020 Day 4 : Festival day

After breakfast we will visit the festival again .

• In the evening stroll through the Paro town and visit local handicraft stores.

Over night at Paro

07April2020 Day 5:  A Day Hike to Taktsang Ghoempa (Tiger’s Nest Monastery)

After breakfast, hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’. The walk up to the viewpoint will take about 1 – 1 ½ hrs depending on your fitness and from View Point you will enjoy a spectacular view of the monastery clinging to the side of the cliff. Stop for refreshment at the View Point Cafeteria. Then walk further up to the monastery which will take about 1 hour. It is said that in the 8th century Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan to this place and meditated in a cave here for 3 months. The principal Lhakhang (monastery) of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. Taktsang was damaged severely by fire in 1998 but has now been fully restored to its former glory.After visiting the monastery, walk downhill back to the road on the way stop for lunch at the view point cafeteria and then walk further downhill to the road point. Then drive back to hotel. On the way visit Kyichu temple,one of the 108 temples built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. The story goes that a giant demon lay across the whole area of Tibet and the Himalayas and was preventing the spread of Buddhism. To overcome her, King Songtsen Gampo decided to build 108 temples, which would be placed on all the points of her body. Of these 108 temples, 12 were built in accordance with precise plans. Thus, it happened that in about the year AD 638 the temple of Jokhang in Lhasa was built over the very heart of the demon.

Over night at Paro

08April2020 Day 6: Paro Departure

TIME TO SAY GOODBYE:
In the morning after breakfast your tour guide will escort you to the Paro airport for your flight to your onward destinations.
BEST WISHES – TASHI DELEK

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:

• International Airfares (Singapore-Paro- Singapore) *Subjective to availability
• Accommodation under twin sharing basis
• All 3 meals for the day
• Experienced English speaking Tour Guide licensed by Tourism Council of Bhutan.
• Private transport within Bhutan (Toyota coach / Tucson / Santafe / Eco Sport) as per itinerary.
• Museum & Monuments entrance fee.
• Bottled water during the tour.
• Government Royalty of USD 65 per person per night
• Tourism development fund of USD 10 per person
• Visa Fee of USD 40 per person
• Government surcharge USD 40 per person / night for single traveler and USD 30 per person / night for 2 pax.

 TOUR PRICE EXCLUDES:

• Air ticket Surcharges (*Approx $150/Pax) will be advised during booking
• Travel Insurance
• Gratuities, bar bills, telephone bills, personal expenses, and laundry
• Single room supplement of SGD50 will be charged per room per night for single travellers
• Any food/drinks other than specified in the itinerary

Flight Details:

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• YOU have read all the above paragraphs and YOU know, understand, and appreciate these and other risks that are inherent in The Activity. YOU hereby assert that your participation is voluntary and that YOU knowingly assume all such risks.YOU acknowledge the agreement freely and voluntarily, and intend by completing this form and unconditional release of all liability to SGTREK PTE. LTD.

For any queries related to the event do contact below person:
Phone: +65 92700908 (WhatsApp)
Email : contact@sgtrek.com

This trip is organised by : 
SGTREK PTE. LTD.
Reg. No. 201816267K
STB License No. 03160

Address : 28A, Kandahar Street
Singapore 198889
Email: contact@sgtrek.com
WhatsApp: +6592700908
Website: https://sgtrek.com