CULTURAL BHUTAN WITH JAMBAY LHAKHANG DRUB FESTIVAL
Jambay Lhakhang is located in Bumthang and is situated on the way to the Kurjie Lhakhang. It’s a ten minutes drive to the temple from the Chamkhar town.
Jambay Lhakhang is one of the oldest temples in the kingdom. It was founded by, Songtsen Gampo, a Tibetan King in the 7th century AD. The king was destined to build 108 temples known as Thadhul- Yangdhul (temples on and across the border) in a day to subdue the demoness that was residing in the Himalayas. The temple is one of the two of the 108 built in Bhutan. A second is located in Paro, the Kichu lhakhang also built on the same day.
Legend has it that Guru Rimpoche visited the site several times and deemed it exceptionally sacred. Chakhar Gyab, the king of the Iron Castle of Bumthang renovated the temple in the 8th century AD.
Jambay Lhakhang Festival Itineraries:
Day 1: ARRIVAL PARO & TRANSFER TO THIMPHU
Receiving by our representative at the airport
Transfer to Thimphu / check in at hotel
After lunch visit National Memorial Chorten & Changangkha Monastery
Later visit Handicrafts Emporium, Crafts Bazaar followed by leisure time in town
Evening visit Tashichhodzong, the central secretariat building that houses the throne room & office of the King of Bhutan
Dinner & overnight Hotel
Day 2: WHOLE DAY SIGHTSEEING OF THIMPHU
Followed by early breakfast, visit the Buddha Point, Sangaygang view point, Zilukha Nunnery Takkin (national animal) Preserve centre, National Library, Zorig Chosum (Painting School), Folk Heritage Museum or Textiles Museum, Bhutanese handmade Paper factory, Art Gallery, Philatelic Bureau of Bhutan Post for view of Bhutanese Stamps.
Lunch at a local restaurant
Dinner & overnight Hotel
Day 3: DRIVE TO PUNAKHA
Drive across Dochula Pass (Alt.3050 Mtrs.)
If the weather is clear, you can have spectacular view of the snow capped Himalayan mountain range
Tea/coffee stop at the cafeteria
Drive further to Mitshina to visit Chhimi Lhakhang, a temple of fertility regarded as a pilgrimage site for barren couple
Check in at hotel & lunch
After lunch visit the historic Punakha Dzong and the Khuru town
Later at leisure in town
Dinner & O/N Hotel
Day 4: PUNAKHA SIGHTSEEING
Following breakfast hike to Khamsum Yulley Monastery
The walk is gentle up-hill and the view of the valley is spectacular from the top of the Monastery
After lunch visit Bajo town and the ruins of Wangduephodrang Dzong
Later at leisure on foot around the valley
Lunch at a local restaurant
Dinner & overnight Hotel
Day 5: DRIVE TO BUMTHANG
After early breakfast, transfer to Bumthang
Enroute visit Dzong & Monarchy Museum in Trongsa
Lunch on a way side highway restaurant
Evening check in hotel & a brief visit to town
Optional – attend fire dance of the festival at night
Dinner & overnight Hotel
Day 6. ATTEND JAMBAY LHAKHANG DRUB FESTIVAL
Following early breakfast, visit Kurjee Lhakhang & Kenchosum Monastery
Later visit Jambay Lhakhang and attend the festival
Late afternoon visit Yatha Weaving Center and the Swiss farm
Evening at leisure in town
Dinner & overnight Hotel Yugharling Resort
Day 7: DRIVE BACK TO PARO
After breakfast transfer to Paro
Lunch on the way in a local restaurant
Dinner & overnight at Hotel
Day 8: DAY EXCURSION TO TAKSHANG MONASTERY
Early breakfast and day excursion to view & visit the spectacular Takshang Monastery; Takshang’ literally means Tiger’s Nest. The Monastery is believed to have been built in 1684 on the spot where Guru Rimpoche (founder of Buddhism in Bhutan) flew on the back of a Tigress and meditated to subdue the demons in Paro valley. The trail to the Monastery climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. This incredible Monastery clings vertically to the edge of a granite rock cliff that plunges 900 meters above the valley floor.
Lunch at Takshang Cafeteria.
Later visit Rimpong Dzong. It is the venue for the famous Paro Tsechu festival, held annually in the spring.
Continue to walk down-hill and through the traditional cantilever wooden bridge to Paro town
Visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the holiest and oldest monasteries in Bhutan built in 659AD by a Tibetan King Songtsen Gyampo.
Visit a traditional Bhutanese Farm House
Evening at leisure in Paro town.
Dinner & overnight Hotel
Day 9: DEPARTURE
Following early breakfast, transfer to the airport for departure.