Black Necked Crane Tshechu

Your tour to the most popular Black Necked Crane Festival begins with a flight to the valley town of Paro. The sceneries of the surrounding hills, as you land in the Paro International airport, are thrilling. The Jichu Drake and Jumolhari mountains come into sight at a far distance. Upon your arrival, you will be greeted by our Bhutanese guide and driven to a restaurant for lunch.

After lunch, you will head to the city of Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. 

Overnight at Thimphu.

In the morning, we visit the Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972), the nunnery temple, and the mini zoo to see Takin, the national animal of Bhutan. Today, we also visit other landmarks of Thimphu including the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, the Bhutanese traditional painting school, the lk Heritage Museum, the majestic Tashichho Dzong and the traditional paper factory. However, some of the landmarks are closed on the weekends (Saturdays and Sundays). Therefore, if we are in Thimphu during the weekend, we will explore the Weekend Market instead.

Overnight in Thimphu.

After breakfast at hotel, Drive to Punakha across Dochula pass (3O8Om). In Bhutan, the passes are marked by a large Bhutanese Chorten and prayer flag. Dochula pass offers the most spectacular view over the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas on a clear day.

After checking into hotel, proceed to visit Punakha Dzong, a massive structure built at the junction of two rivers. It was the capital of Bhutan until 1955, and still serves as the winter residence of the monk body.

Later in the day excursion to Chimi Lhakhang (from hotel it is about 15 minutes’ drive till motorable road and then walk starts through paddy fields and villages. This is total about 1½ hour walk, including both way). The Chimi Lhakhang, situated on a hillock in the centre of the valley, also known as the temple of fertility. It is widely believed that couples who do not have children and wanting one, if they pray at this temple, they are usually blessed with a child very soon. The trail leads across rice fields to the tiny settlement of Pana, meaning ‘field’. A walk through the village near the temple will give you rare glimpses into the daily life and lifestyle of the villagers

Evening can be spent exploring Punakha village located right on the bank of river.

Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.

After breakfast, we visit Wangdipodrang and its nearby village including Mushroom town. We then drive through dense Oak and Rhododendron forest to Gangtey, also known as Phobjikha, a beautiful village surrounded by amazing snow-capped mountains. For Gangtey, we enjoy views of the Black mountain ranges as well as the beautiful Phobjikha valley, the winter habitat of the black-necked cranes. During November, we see Black-Necked Cranes migrating from Tibetan plateaus to escape arid winter conditions. We explore Phobjikha village before the sun is down.

Overnight at the hotel in Phobjikha/Gangtey.

Today is one of the most exciting days of your entire tour, as you will witness the celebratory events at the Black Necked Crane Festival. Early in the morning, after having some breakfast, you will head to the Gangtey Goemba. This monastery is the only Nyingmapa monastery in central Bhutan. Its construction dates back to the 17th century during the prophecies made by the saint Pema Lingpa. 

Black Necked Cranes have long been believed to be the incarnation of two deities who protect the Phobjikha valley. The rare Black Necked Cranes are the winter visitors in the valley. They fly from the Tibetan Plateau towards the valley to escape the harsh winter conditions in Tibet. The Black Necked Crane season in Bhutan begins in mid-October and lasts till February. The Gangtey Monastery is mostly known for being the premises where the Black Necked cranes are seen circling the monastery three times as they fly to the valley three times as they return to the Tibetan Plateau. Most pilgrims believe that the cranes are practicing the Kora/circumambulation. 

We begin our drive to Paro after breakfast. The drive will be over the Dochu La pass. We stop in Thimphu for lunch after which we continue with our drive. After reaching our hotel in Paro, we can freshen up, take a rest and spend the rest of the evening in leisure.

Overnight in Paro.

Early in the morning, after having breakfast, you will hike to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. The hike takes a 900m steep ascend and about four to five hours to reach the monastery. On the way to the monastery, you will be enchanted by the pine forest and the calming sound of the player flag fluttering with the swift wind. You’ll even walk past temples and a sacred pool.

The mesmerizing monastery, seemingly sitting on the edge of a cliff, is perhaps the most famous in Bhutan. It is also known as Paro Taktsang or Taktsang Palphug Monastery. The evening is free to spend as you wish.

Overnight at Hotel

On this day, you will be driven to Paro as it houses the only international airport in Bhutan; the Paro International Airport. After the amazing Druk Path Trek with Amen Bhutan Travel , we will bid you farewell. As you board the plane to your homeland.