Experience the Grand spectacle of the Black Necked Crane Festival in Phobjikha Valley

The venue for the 12^th Black-necked Crane festival will be held in the court yards of Gangtey Monastery, a 16th century temple nestled on a hill that protrudes into the Phobjikha Valley from the north. This will be a grand spectacle of dance and song for local people and visitors.

Tourist can observe the arrival of the black necked cranes, with the aid of binoculars one can see the cranes circling at great speed around the vast fields of Phobjikha valley.

The Bhutanese believe that the circling of cranes provides a special blessing. Crops of winter wheat are not planted until after the fields have been blessed by the arriving cranes.

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Nine Day Itinerary – Black Necked Crane Festival

Day – 1 – Arrive in Paro International Airport

On arrival you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon drive to Drugyal Dzong (ruined fortress – 16kms from Paro town). Although in ruins, this Dzong is of great historical importance. It was here that the Bhutanese defeated invading Tibetans. From here, the peak of Mount Jumolhari (mountain of goddess) can be seen on a clear day. In the evening you can explore Paro Town. Overnight in Paro. (Optional: You may also want to consider visiting a local farmhouse if time permits. Bhutanese farmhouses are very colourful; they are traditionally built out of mud walls and wooden frames without the use of nails. They typically have three levels – the ground floor for domestic animal shelter, the second floor is used as family living quarters, and the third floor is generally used to store food and hay for the animals. This is a great way to intimately experience the lifestyle of a typical Bhutanese farmer.)

Day – 2 – Paro/Chele La Pass/Thimphu

Drive up to Chelela pass above Paro, located at 3,400 meters or 11,000 ft- the highest pass accessible by vehicle. A country road winds through small villages and lush valleys, up hills of dense pine forests, firs, spruce, hemlock and alpine grasses. From the top Paro valley stretches out below. On a clear day view beautiful Himalayan peaks that punctuate Bhutan’s border with Tibet: Bhutan’s legendary Jomolhari, the Mountain Goddess at 7,314 meters and Jichu Drake at 6,914 meters.  In the afternoon journey to Thimphu on an hour long drive. Enjoy lunch and then you will proceed further to visit the National Memorial Chorten built in the memory of Late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, father of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo (King). In the evening you can explore Thimphu Town. Overnight in Thimphu.

Day – 3 – Thimphu/Sightseeing

Head out on a full-day guided tour of Thimphu, beginning with the Tashichho Dzong. This Dzong was built in 1216 and completely renovated between 1962 and 1969 without using nails or written plans. You’ll also visit the National Library, established to preserve many ancient Dzongkha and Tibetan texts; the Folk Heritage Museum, which has been turned into a replica of a traditional farm house as it would have looked about a hundred years ago; the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, where traditional herbal medicines are prepared and distributed; and the National Textile Museum where you can learn about the national art of weaving. You can also witness a folk dance from the Royal Academy of Performing Arts in the evening with advance notice.

Day – 4 – Punakha

After breakfast, drive to Punakha Valley. Blessed with temperate climate and fed by the Pho-chu (male) and Mo-chu (female) Rivers, Punakha is the most fertile valley in the country. Until 1955, Punakha served as the country’s capital and today it is the winter seat of the Chief Abbot and the central monk body. The Punakha Dzong was built at the confluence of the Pho-chu and Mo-chu Rivers in 1638 by Shabdrung, and renovated with detailed arts and crafts from 1994-2003. Punakha is also home to many different Himalayan birds, including the heron, kingfisher, lapwing, ibis bill, shell duck, and cormorant, all of which migrate in the winter.  In the evening explore Punakha valley. Overnight stay in Punakha.

Day – 5 – Punakha/Phobjikha Valley

Today you’ll visit Punakha Dzong which served as the seat of the government for many years. Afterwards, drive a few hours to the Phobjikha Valley, a designated conservation area and one of the most important wildlife preserves in Bhutan. It is also home to the endangered Black-necked Cranes (Grus nigricollis). These exotic creatures are an important part of life for the local people of the Phobjikha Valley and you will find that the cranes are reflected in the local culture, traditions and beliefs. Other wildlife you might see include barking deer, wild boars, Himalayan black bears, and even leopards if you are lucky. Next, you’ll stop at Gangtey Village and visit the Gangtey Gompa, a monastery that dates back to the 17th century and overlooks the Phobjikha Valley. Its complex includes monks’ quarters, meditation centers, a school, and a small hotel. The Phobjikha Valley provides some wonderful short hiking and exploration opportunities. It is also the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the scenery. Halt for the night.

Day – 6 – Phobjikha Valley

Spend the day witnessing the Black-necked Crane Festival, held by the Royal Society for Protection of Nature. You will enjoy masked dances performed by children, women, and monks – all celebrating the safe return of the Black-necked Cranes. This is also a good time to purchase handicrafts at the stalls, or perhaps try your hand at a Bhutanese game. You’ll also visit the Crane Observation and Education Center today to learn about the feeding and roosting habits of the Black-necked Crane. While the Monastery Festival is not as venerated as the famous Tsechus held at other dzongs in Bhutan, you may find that the informal atmosphere, smaller crowds, and more varied program makes this event more enjoyable. The festival’s setup allows for better access to the ceremony, more opportunities for photography, and plenty of time to take in the comfort of your surroundings.

Day – 7 -Phobjikha Valley/Wangdi/Thimphu

After a leisurely breakfast, make the estimated two hour drive to Wangdi and view the impressive Wangdiphodrang Dzong from the outside. Check the river for waterfowl and the skies for migrating raptors and cranes. It is another estimated two hour drive to Thimphu, a charming town that sits in the heart of the Himalayas. Thimphu’s development is strictly monitored and buildings cannot exceed a certain height nor can they be designed in anything but the traditional Bhutanese style.

Day – 8 – Thimphu/Paro

Spend your morning at the not-to-be-missed Weekend Market and get an up close look at local life in Bhutan. The Bhutanese gather in Thimphu to sell their vegetables, traditional masks, textiles, incense, and jewellery, and there is often an archery competition taking place nearby. This is probably the best place in Bhutan to buy traditional crafts. In the afternoon, return to Paro for your overnight.

Day – 9 – Paro/Onward

Depart for Paro airport for your onward flight. Thank you for your visit, we wish you a wonderful flight and safe journey back home.