Black Necked Crane Festival

Day 1: Arrival Paro International Airport

On your arrival to Paro our guide and drive from Charisma Bhutan Tours & Treks will welcome you and check in hotel and have lunch and explore Paro.

  • Paro National Museum, which was once a watch tower and today houses some of the Kingdom’s historical treasures.

  • Paro Dzong (Fortress), which is the headquarters of Paro District

  • Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 monasteries believed to be built in a day by the Tibetan Buddhist King Songsten Goempo in the 7th century.  Then you will stroll through the town calling it a day.  

Overnight at hotel in Paro

Day 2: Paro to Thimphu

After breakfast drive from Paro to Thimphu is just under an hour. There are great many places to see in Bhutan’s capital.

  • Buddha Point, which provides a spectacular 360-degree close quarter view of entire Thimphu City.

  • 12th century Changangkha Temple, Takin Zoo and the viewpoint at Sangaygang.

  • The Folk Heritage Museum and the Textile Museum. After lunch, we will proceed to Tashichho Dzong, a 17th century castle-fortress which today houses the offices of the King, Chief Abbot and government ministries.

  • The School of Arts and Crafts, vegetable market, and then spend the rest of the day watching an archery match and strolling around the town.

Overnight at Hotel in Thimphu.

Day 3: Thimphu to Phobjikha Valley

After breakfast, we will start driving towards Phobjikha Valley which is around 135 km from Thimphu. After reaching there we will spend rest of the hour enjoying the natural places around Phobjikha Valley Natural View.

Overnight at Hotel in Phobjikha.

Day 04: Witness Festival in Phobjikha

  • Today you will witness the highlight of your holiday, the black necked crane festival, which is held at the courtyard of Gangtey Monastery. It is a community-based festival where all the locals come together to celebrate the arrival of this endanger bird.

  • The festival includes cultural programs such as folk songs and dances (some with black-necked crane themes) and mask dances performed by the local people, crane dances and environmental conservation-themed dramas and songs by the school children.  The program usually starts by 9:30 am and lasts till late afternoon.

Day 5: Phobjikha to Punakha

  • After breakfast drive from Phobjikha to Punakha will take around 3 hours. Once you arrive at Punakha you will be visiting Khamsum yuelly Namgyel.

  • Punakha Dzong, which looks like a giant ship rocked on a still mass of water from far. Built on the confluence of two rivers, the Pho (male) and Mo (female) rivers, the Dzong served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and is still home of the Chief Abbot in winter months.

Day 6: Punakha to Paro

  • After having breakfast, start drive towards Paro. On the way we will visit Chimi Lhakhang, a temple where the Phallus is worshipped and associated with Lam Drukpa Kuenley, the “Divine Madman”, and this temple worship as the Temple of Fertility.

  • Dochula Pass where you can view all round of Himalayan ranges and freshness.

Overnight at hotel in Paro.

Day 7: Paro Taktsang hike

After breakfast drive for the trail is along an ancient path marked by river powered prayer wheels. As you reach Taktshang monestary (Tiger Nest) you will be struck by the architectural wonder of this most pious Buddhist shrine in Bhutan.

Visit the Drugyel Dzong, or “Castle of the Victorious Drukpa,” which was also built by the Shabdrung to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over the Tibetans in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Overnight at hotel in Paro

Day 8: Paro Departure

After your breakfast we will drive towards Paro international airport for your onward destination.