Ura Yakchoe Tshechu Festival

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.

On this day, you will take a long drive from Punakha to Bumthang. The road leads through lush green oak and rhododendron forest. On the way, you will be enthralled by the incredible views of the rural Bhutan settings with sparse settlements in the hills. A short instance before you reach Bumthang, you will come across the Yathra factory. It is also one of the top attractions of Bumthang. There, you will see women working on their wooden looms to weave wool. The Yathra factory here in Zugney of Chummey valley prepares bags, scarf and other items from the wool. 

After spending some time interacting with the workers, you can continue your drive to Bumthang. 

Overnight at Bumthang.

This is the most exciting day of your entire trip, as you will be heading to the Ura Yakchoe Festival celebration. After having breakfast, you will head to the Ura Valley. On the way, you will cross the Ura La pass at an elevation of 3,590m. The views are surreal from this pass. After a short while, you will reach the ancient village of Ura at Ura valley. The village is paved with cobblestone streets and age-old houses. You can see the women wearing their traditional white headscarves and shawls made of sheepskin. The inhabitants of the village are mostly sheep and yak herders. 

As you visit the village, you will be familiarized with the local people who are ready to enjoy the annual festival of Ura Yakchoe. The Ura festival has an interesting legend. As per the myth, a lama who entered the valley asked for a glass of water from an old lady in the village. When the lady got out with the glass of water, the lama had disappeared, leaving behind a bag with the statue of a relic, which to this day has been passed down to her descendants. The relic is represented through statues, folk songs, and dance in the Ura Yakchoe. It is celebrated each year around April month for five days in the Ura Lhakhang temple.  

On this day, you will be leaving Bumthang on a flight to Paro. Since the distance is long, it is not feasible to take a drive. Hence, you will be flying with the views of amazing hills and snowcapped mountains from your window seat. You will be transferred to your hotel in Paro. In the afternoon after having lunch, you can go on a short sightseeing tour. 

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.