Punakha Festival of 7 Nights and 8 Days tour to Bhutan will take you with festival sightseeing, hiking and visiting Dzongs too. The Punakha Festival is one of the most popular festival in the country. It is held right after the popular Punakha Drubchen. The unfurling of the Thongdrol (a large tapestry) of Guru Rinpoche is the attraction of the festival there. It is believed that a mere sight of the Thongdrol liberates an onlooker and cleanses him of his sins. Punakha carries numerous historical events with Bhutan’s first capital or old capital of Bhutan. And also, it is the winter residence for the monk body which makes Punakha more especial and also Punakha Festival.

Day 1: Arrive Paro – Thimphu

 Our Guide from Charisma Bhutan Tour and Treks will receive you at the Airport and drive to Thimphu.

• View Tamchog Monastery on the way a private monastery built by Thangthong Gyalpo.
• Changangkha Lhakhang, It is a fortress like temple and monastic school perched on a ridge above Thimphu, south of Motithang.
• Takin Preserve centre, the Takin is the national animal of Bhutan, and looks like a cross between a cow and a goat.
• Tashichho Dzong, also known as “fortress of the glorious religion”, it was initially built in 1641 and later rebuilt in its present form by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk in 1965.

Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.

Day 2: Thimphu Sightseeing

After breakfast explore Thimphu city:

• Painting School, 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.
• National Memorial Chorten, built in 1974 in the memory of Bhutan’s third King, His Late Majesty King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk.
• Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang), visitors can get a good overview of the Thimphu valley from the Buddha point.
• Centaury market – located below the main town, near the Wangchhu River, Thimphu weekend market is by far the largest domestic market for the farmers in Bhutan.

Overnight at Thimphu in Hotel.

Day 3: Thimphu – Punakha vai Dochula Pass

After breakfast drive to Punakha via Dochula Pass

• Dochula Pass, if the weather is clear higher Himalayans ranges can be seen, also known for the Druk Wangyal Chortens- the construction of these108 chortens.
• Royal Botanical Park at Lam Pelri famous for 46 different species of rhododendrons.
• Chhimi Lhakhang known as the temple of fertility – dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley also known as “Divine Madman”.
• Punakha Dzong, built in 1637, by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative centre of the region.

Overnight at Punakha in Hotel.

Day 4: Witness Punakha festival day and afternoon drive to Phojikha valley(Gangteg)

• After breakfast drive near Punakha Dzong for festival witness

• After arriving Gangtey, we will go around for a short hike and towards evening pay visit to Gangtey monastery. We will also visit to nearby villages and mingle with local people.

Overnight at Phojikha in Hotel.

Day 5: Gangtey(Phojikha valley)– Paro

• After breakfast explore Gangtey valley is a beautiful and most scenic glacial valley of Bhutan. This valley serves as roosting spot for Black necked crane, one of the rarest and endangered species of bird which migrates during winter months (November, December, January, February) from Tibetan plateaus and northern region of India.

• After lunch, drive to Paro.

Overnight at Paro in Hotel.

Day 6: Paro  

After breakfast,

• Ta Dzong (built in1656 and renovated in 1968) – an ancient watch tower and later converted to National Museum.
• Paro Rimpung Dzong (literally meaning “Heap of Jewels”, built in 1646
• Ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong built in 1647, by the Great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

• Kichu Lhakhang built in 659 A.D built by the Tibetan king Srongsen Gampo.

Overnight at Paro in Hotel.

Day 7: Paro Sightseeing 

After breakfast,

• Hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) – this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below.
• On the way visit Kichu temple, one of the 108 temples built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo.
• Visit to a Farm house.

Overnight at Paro in Hotel.

Day 8: Paro Departure

 After breakfast, your guide and driver will drive you to the airport for your onward flight.

• Accommodation in 3 Star Hotels.
• Transportation in comfortable vehicles with experienced driver – (SUV cars of Toyota and Hyundai up to 4 persons, for more than 5 persons Toyota Mini bus and in Toyota coaster bus more than 9 persons).
• All meals – (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner). Experience Licensed English-speaking tour guide. Royalty Taxes (Sustainable Development fee) of US $65 per person per night spent in Bhutan.
• All Entrance fees to all tourist sites (Dzongs, Museums and Monuments).
• Refreshment (Tea and snacks during the day Tour).
• Mineral water bottle during the day Tour.
• One-time Bhutan Visa Fee of US $40.
• Surcharges for solo and 2 traveler $40 and $30 per night per person respectively but more than 3 travelers’ surcharges is not applicable.
• Pick and Drop till Airport included

• Flight Airfare (both international and domestic)
• Travel insurance
• Beverages, Laundry and Tips.
• Any cost incurred due to flight cancellation, delayed flight or road blockage
• Spa
• Hard and Soft drinks.

The total tour cost includes minimum daily tariff, surcharges and visa fees:

Single Traveler: USD $ 2170
2 travelers: USD $ 2000 per person 
3 and Above: USD $ 1880 per person