The festival celebrates the rhododendron flowers. The festival features the rhododendron garden walk and exhibition, local culture and cu i sines , arts and crafts, traditional games, cultural program, guided walks and activities. The festival showcases different species that are in full bloom in their natural habitats. Of the 46 rhododendron species recorded in the country, 29 species are found in Lamperi Botanical Park.
DAY 01: ARRIVAL IN PARO – DRIVE TO THIMPHU
On arrival at the Paro airport , you will be greeted and welcomed by our local tour
executive and lead you for a sh ort refreshment. Drive to Thimphu, the only capital of
Bhutan. It is the capital from where the wheel of the dual spiritual and the secular
system of Bhutan is turned. It is the place where the King resides; it is also the centre
for the religious community. Moreover, it is the biggest Dzongkhag and the biggest
city in the country.
DAY SIGHTSEEING IN THIMPHU
SEMTOKHA DZONG: It was built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1629. It was also
the first Dzong built by Zhabdrung in Bhutan. The Dzong is picturesquely situated on
the ridge overlooking the Thimphu -Phuntsholing Highway and in front of the main
road that goes to Punakha. MEMORIAL CHORTEN: It was built by the Royal
government of Bhutan, in accordance with the wishes of Her Majesty the Queen
Phuntsho Choden in memory of the Third King of Bhutan in the year 1973. Today this
site is more a worship place for the people. CHERI GOMPA: Chagri is a secret place of
Yeshe Gonpo “ the Great P rotective Deity.” This secret site was first visited by Ugyen
Rinpoche in the eight century, following him Phajo Drugom Zhipo in between and
later by Zhabdrung who established it as his first religious seat and lived there for a
long time. This monastery is highly revered by the former rulers and doctrine holders.
TRASHICHO DZONG: In the evening after the office hour visit the giant fortress of
Thimphu Trashicho Dzong, which is the centre of Bhutan’s dual system of
governmence.
DAY 02: THIMPHU – LAMPERI ( RHODODENDRON FESTIVAL)
Today in the morning drive to Lamperi Botanical Garden to witness the rhododendron
festival exhibition, which is 35 km from the Thimphu town.
At late evening drive to Paro for your night halt
DAY 03: HIKE TO THE FAMOUS TIGER’S NEST
Drive up to Satsam Chorten (10 km from Paro town) and from there walk up to
Taktsang Monastery. The name Taktsang means “Tiger’s Nest ". The Monastery clings
to a vertical g ranite cliff drop of nearly 4000 ft. and overlooks the Paro valley and the
river. It is said that in the second half of the 8t h century, Guru Padma Sambhava
known as the second Buddha in Bhutan meditated on this spot where the Monastery is
situated having alighted there on the back of a flying tigress. Picnic lunch at the
Taktsang cafeteria. The round hike takes about 04-05 hr.
After Tiger’s Nest v isit:
KYECHU LHAKHANG: Paro Kyechu Lhakhang is said to be one of the 108 temple built by
the Dharma King Songtsen Gampo within a single day in the year 643. Ugyen Guru also
came to this sight in the eight century and hid many treasures o f the Dharma, precious
things and sacred substances.
PARO RINPUNG DZONG: It was built by the Zhabdrung in the year 1644 and established it
as the administrative and monastic centre of the western region. It is worth visiting.
JANGSA DUMTSE LHAKHANG: This temple in the form of stupa, was built by Drubthob
Thongtong Gyalpo in the fifteenth century on the nose of a hill that looks like a frog in
order to counteract Earth-owing spirit and the powerful naga spirit. It is said that the
hill, by which the temple is built, is a black vicious snake moving down words.
In the evening stroll around the downtown of Paro for your last day shopping.
DAY 04: DEPART
A sensational take off for your next destination
TOUR NAME: RHODODEN DRON FESTIVAL TOUR WITH THIMPHU JOURNEY
TOUR CODE: AABT01
TOUR DURATION: 4 Days / 3 Nights
TOUR PRICE: 0
TOUR CODE: AABT01
PROGRAM: 4DAYS 3NIGHTS
