Tamshing Phala Choepa is a festival, which is held at Tamshing monastery in Bumthang, and which is headed by Ringpoche, the 11th incarnation of Pema Lingpa. Tamshing monastery belongs to the Nyingma sect Buddhism. Characterized by mask dance, cultural festivities, ’the dance of the stag and the hunter’ and ‘the dance of three kinds of gings,’ Tamshing Phala Choepa as the festival significantly impacts you. And the dance also brings good luck and happiness to all the attendees, as well as, removes their misfortunes.
Our airport representative will welcome you at Paro Airport and he/she will take you to hotel by a tourist vehicle. In a clear day, you can see the magnificent view of the world’s highest peaks as well as lush Paro valley from the window of an airplane. As you come out of the airplane, you can feel cool, clean fresh air. From the airport, you will be driven to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan.
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After breakfast, you will visit House of Incense as well as House of Paper. In these houses, you will see people making incense and paper with their hand. Here, you can also purchase the highest quality of incense and paper products. You will then visit the Memorial Chorten, built in the memory of the third King of Bhutan, who ruled Bhutan from 1952 to 1972. After having lunch, you will visit the “Textile Museum.” Bhutan’s textiles are unique for their diversity and sophistication; the Textile Museum exhibits this dynamic craft. Embroidered and appliqué splendid fabric for sacred and ceremonial use is displayed in the museum, as well as it displays several exquisite “thangkas” and altar covers. Upstairs gallery exhibits the diversity of Bhutan’s textile arts and skills, featuring masterpiece such as the Royal Family of Bhutan. A visit to Bhutan’s National Library will make you familiar with ancient manuscripts and scrolls.
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You will drive to the glacial valley of Phobjikha. Along the slope is a great monastery of Gangtey. This monastery was established in the 17th century. The valley is quiet and remote valley and is the winter home of the black necked cranes. Explore Gangtey village and Phobjikha valley. A unique black necked crane festival is held on the valley floor every November.
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After breakfast, drive to Tongsa across Pele-La pass (3,300 m). The pass is marked by a white chorten and many prayer flags. There is an abrupt change in vegetation with mountain forest and high altitude dwarf bamboo.
Stop at Chendebji Chorten. You can see the chorten with eyes at the four cardinal points. The chorten was built in the 18th century by Lama Shida, who came from Tibet, to cover the remains of evil spirit that was subdued at this spot. Finally reaching Trongsa, you can view the stunning Trongsa Dzong from a distance. Bumthang is 68 km away from Trongsa, and it is a journey about 3 hours over the Yutong-la pass (3,400 m). The road winds steeply up to the pass, and then runs down through coniferous forest into a wide, open cultivated valley known as the Chumey valley. Stopping in Chumey village, you can see many shops selling yathra, a woolen textile. Bumthang is famous for yathra, a distinctive strip of woven woolen fabric available in numerous colors and with patterns mostly made by using ancient dyeing techniques .The Road follows the valley down, and it climbs through blue pine forests to Kiki La (2860 m). You then descend down to the Choekor Valley or central of Bumthang.
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Bumthang Tamshingphala Choepa culture festivalsBumthang valley comprises four valleys – Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura with altitudes varying from 2,600 m to 4,000 m. These valleys are home to many prominent Buddhist temples and monasteries, which are also the traditional home to the great Buddhist teacher Pema Lingpa. Tamshing was founded in 1501 by Terton (Treasure Revealer) Pema Lingpa, the incarnation of Guru Rinpoche. The monastery has very ancient religious paintings like 1000 Buddhas and 21 Taras (female form of Buddhisattvas) in Bhutan. Visit a farmer’s house for refreshments and observe the traditional way of living. Enjoy the mask dance and cultural festivities of the famed Tamshingphala Choepa Festival held within the courtyard of this ancient temple amidst a rural atmosphere.
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Today also, you will attend Tamshingphala Choepa. In the afternoon, you will go for sightseeing to Jakar Dzong built in 1667, and it is a seat of district administration and regional monastic body of Bumthang. Jambay Lhakhang, founded in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsen Gampo, is one of the oldest monasteries in the country. Kurje Lhakhang, where a patron saint of Buddhism subdued a local demon, also has his body imprint.
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In the morning, you drive to see the burning lake (me-bar tsho) and explore the village of Ura, while in the afternoon, you will enjoy the festival activities of Tamshingphala Choepa.
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Trongsa (2,300 m) – literally meaning “new town” – is the central hub of Bhutan, and it from Trongsa that attempts were launched to unify a country. The first and the second king of Bhutan had ruled the country from Trongsa. The crown prince of Bhutan holds the position of the Trongsa penlop (governor) before ascending the throne of Bhutan. Visit the Trongsa Dzong, which was built in 1648, and which is the biggest of all the fortresses in the country. It is also the most impressive and aesthetic dzong with a magnificent work of tradition and architecture in Bhutan.
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Retrace the route back to Punakha as well as hike to Chimi Lhakhang Temple. This temple is on a hill top and dedicated to the great Yogi known as Drukpa Kuenley or “Divine madman” of the 14th century. It is believed that this temple blesses women who seek fertility.
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Drive north to visit the majestic Punakha Dzong, which was built in 1637, and which strategically occupies the land between the two rivers such as the Phochu and the Mochu. At present, the Dzong serves as the district administration and judiciary office as well as it is the winter home for Bhutan’s spiritual leader Je Khenpo and the monks of Thimphu and Punakha.
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The trail to Tiger’s Nest traverses beautiful forest of pine and rhododendron. You stop at the cafeteria, which offers the up-close view of the Tiger’s Nest. Then you start hiking for a short time till you see Taktsang monastery. Built in 1600 s, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 m into the valley. History states that Guru Padmasambhava, the Tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, landed here on the back of a flying tiger and meditated here for three months. Drugyel Dzong(victory fortress), built in 1647 is 18 km away from Paro. Explore the magnificent ramparts of the last fortress, which defended the country against several incursions. On a clear day, you can see from the northern battlement, Jomalhari, the sacred Mountain of Bhutan.
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After breakfast, your Airport Representative will drop you at Paro International Airport for departure.
