Gomphu Kora Tshechu
$2515





Tour Summary
The Kora festival at Gomphu Kora was initiated 400 years. The Gomphu Kora Tshechu is one of the biggest festivals in eastern Bhutan providing a welcome break for locals to trade, socialize, and celebrate before the start of the farming season. Gomphu Kora is a sacred site where, around 850 AD, Guru Rimpochhe subdued an evil spirit, he chased all the way from Lhasa Samye, Tibet.
Arrive at Bhutan. You will be transported to Thimphu. After lunch, you will visit Buddha Point, the National Memorial Chorten and Tashichhodzong.
Accommodation: Hotel Tara Phendeyling
Day 2: Thimphu to Gangtey
We will be leaving Thimphu for Gangtey valley. En route, visit Druk Wangyel Chorten at Dochula and Wangduephodrang Dzong.
Accommodation: Village Homestay
Day 3: Gangtey
Explore Phobjikha valley
Accommodation: Village Homestay
Day 4: Gangtey to Bumthang
Travel to Bumthang. En route to Bumthang is Trongsa, the ancestral home of the ruling dynasty, and the Taa dzong.
Accommodation: Hotel Riverlodge (or similar)
Day 5: Bumthang
Explore Bumthang. In the morning, visit places like Tamshing Goemba, Jambay Lhakhang, and Kurjey Lhakhang.
In the afternoon, we will hike up to Thangbi Valley
Accommodation: Hotel Riverlodge
Day 6: Bumthang to Trashigang
It is a long journey.We will be travelling through is the biggest national park in Bhutan called the Thrumshingla National Park. If time permit, we will visit the ruined Druk Zhongkhar Dzong at Lingmithang.
Accommodation: Lingkhar Resort
Day 7: Gomkora Tsechu
We will drive towards Gomphu Kora to witness the tshechu. It is an hour drive from Trashigang town.
Accommodation: Lingkhar Resort
Day 8: Trashigang to Bumthang
We begin our drive back to Bumthang through the lush environment of the east.
Day 9: Bumthang to Punakha
We will again be travelling for the whole day towards Punakha
Accommodation: Zhingkham Resort
Day 10: Punakha to Paro
We will visit the majestic Punakha Dzong before leaving for Paro. En route, we will stop for a while to visit Chhimi Lhakhang— the temple of fertility.
Accommodation: Bhutan Mandala Resort
Day 11: Taktsang Hike
Begin hiking to Taktsang Monastery early in the morning. It usually takes five hours to complete the round trip. On the way back to your hotel, we will Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan.
Day 12: Departure
Today, your journey ends.
Welcome to Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Touching down at Paro International Airport, you will be greeted by your guide upon exiting the arrival hall. They will transport you to Thimphu.
After light lunch, you will visit Buddha Point at Kuensel Phodrang. The 169 feet bronze statue of Buddha Dordenma, Vajra Throne Buddha symbolising indestructibility was completed in 2012. The view of Thimphu valley from the Buddha point is spectacular and beautiful, especially at night.
Then we will visit the National Memorial Chorten which was built in honor of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. From there, we will head towards the majestic Thimphu Dzong. This dzong is one of the most important monuments in the country. It is in this dzong that His Majesty The King works. It also houses the office of other important offices.
Accommodation: Hotel Tara Phendeyling
Day 2: Thimphu to Gangtey
Today, we will be leaving Thimphu for Gangtey valley. On the way, we will stop at
Dochula Pass where there are 108 chortens built at the command of Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck. It was constructed to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over Indian militants and to liberate the souls of the souls lost.
Passing Wangdue (left), one of the major towns and district capital of Western Bhutan. Located south of Punakha, Wangdue is the last town before central Bhutan. The district is famous for its fine bamboo work and its slate and stone carving.
We will pause to view the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong which is being reconstructed. Built in 1638, Wangdue Dzong is dramatically perched on the spur of a hill and overlooks the confluence of the Tsang Chu and Dang Chu rivers.
Accommodation: Village Homestay
Day 3: Gangtey
The valley of Phobjikha is well known as the winter home of the Black-Necked Crane (Grus Nigricollis). Bhutan is home to around six hundred black necked cranes with Phobjikha being one of the popular places that the birds migrate to in the winter months from the Tibetan plateau. The elegant and shy birds can be observed from early November to end of March. Another significant landmark in Phobjikha is the famous Gangtey Gompa monastery. This is an old monastery that dates back to 17th century. Today we will do some short hikes around the valley of Phobjikha.
Accommodation: Village Homestay
Day 4: Gangtey to Bumthang
En route to Bumthang is Trongsa, the ancestral home of the ruling dynasty.
Trongsa, literally "New Town" in the Dzongkha language, is where the current monarchs have its origin. Each King in the line of succession has held the post of Trongsa Penlop or Governor before donning the Raven Crown.
Trongsa Dzong - The foundations of Trongsa Dzong were laid in the 16th century by by Pema Lingpa. The Dzong flourished during the 17th century under Zhabdrung Ngwang Namgyal. With its massive structure, its wall looming high above the winding Mangde Chu Valley, the Dzong commands the east-west road.
Taa Dzong - Built as a watch tower the Taa Dzong has since been turned into a Heritage Museum. A book on this prominent Dzong is written by Christian Schicklgruber entitled The Tower of Trongsa, Religion and Power in Bhutan.
Accommodation: Hotel Riverlodge (or similar)
Day 5: Bumthang
This is one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the heartland of Buddhism in Bhutan. It is an area with a wide variety of fauna and flora. The Guru Rinpoche and his lineage of Tertons (treasure finders) making Bumthang thier home have led to more than 40 temples being built in this peaceful valley.
In the morning, we will hike to the Tamshing Goemba, built in 1501 by the Buddhist saint Pema Lingpa. We will also visit Kurjey Lhakhang (left-bottom), one of the most sacred monasteries in Bhutan. Built by the Guru Rinpoche in 1652, it houses a rock with his body imprint. Legend has it that Guru Rimpoche manifested as a Garuda to defeat the demon Shelging Karpo who had taken the form of a white lion.
We will also visit Jambay Lhakhang, built in 659 by Tibetan King Sontsen Gampo to pin down a demoness who was obstructing the spread of Buddhism. Come October, the Jambay Lhakhang Drup is one of the most colourful festivals in Bhutan.
Jakar Dzong - pitched on a high ground overlooking the town junction, it was built as monastery in 1549 by the great grandfather of the Zhabdrung. It is now used as the administrative center for Bumthang district
In the afternoon, we will hike up to Thangbi Valley, crossing a suspension bridge to visit the Thangbi Lhakhang built in the 14th century via an unpaved road.
Day 6: Bumthang to Trashigang
It is a long journey.
We will be travelling through is the biggest national park in Bhutan called the Thrumshingla National Park. The 768 sq.km of this national park is located within the boundaries of four districts: Bumthang, Lhuentse, Mongar and Zhemgang and it was established in 1998.
You will enjoy the natural beauty of the undisturbed environment and take photographs of some breathtaking scenery like the Namling Bra(cliff) waterfall which falls down the deepest cliff in Eastern Bhutan. The next town is Mongar where we can rest for awhile over a warm cup of tea.
Accommodation: Lingkhar Resort
Day 7: Gomkora Tsechu
We will drive towards Gomphu Kora to witness the tshechu. It is an hour drive from Trashigang town.
This is a sacred site where, around 850 AD, Guru Rimpochhe subdued an evil spirit, he chased all the way from Lhasa Samye, Tibet. The Kora festival at Gomphu Kora was initiated 400 years. The Gomphu Kora Tshechu is one of the biggest festivals in eastern Bhutan providing a welcome break for locals to trade, socialize, and celebrate before the start of the farming season.
The festival draws people from remote villages, school children, village youths, businessmen, civil servants, and the Dakpa tribe in of Tawang, neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh (India) who endure days of travel on foot amid rugged environs with entire families in town. Some say that Drakpas have done this for more than a millennium, beginning shortly after Guru Padmasambhava sanctified the place in the 8th century AD. Traditionally, the festival was an occasion for the people of eastern Bhutan, to choose their spouse and also to rejuvenate the degrading stock. This is still seen even today.
Accommodation: Lingkhar Resort
Day 8: Trashigang to Bumthang
We begin our drive back to Bumthang through the lush environment of the east.
Day 9: Bumthang to Punakha
We will again be travelling for the whole day towards Punakha
Accommodation: Zhingkham Resort
Day 10: Punakha to Paro
We will visit the majestic Punakha Dzong.
Punakha Dzong - Built in 1637, the dzong continues to be the winter home for the clergy, headed by the Chief Abbott, the Je Khenpo. It is a stunning example of Bhutanese architecture, sitting at the fork of two rivers, portraying the image of a medieval city from a distance. The dzong was destroyed by fire and glacial floods over the years but has been carefully restored and is, today, a fine example of Bhutanese craftsmanship.
In the afternoon, we would start our drive to Paro. Before we start we will pay a visit to Chhimi Lhakhang—a 20-minute walk across terraced fields through the village of Sopsokha from the roadside to the small temple located on a hillock in the centre of the valley below Metshina. Ngawang Chogyel built the temple in 15th century after the ’Divine Madman’ Drukpa Kuenlay built a small chorten there. It is a pilgrim site for barren women.
Accommodation: Bhutan Mandala Resort
Day 11: Taktsang Hike
Taktsang Monastery - A one hour hike to the cafeteria is also a vantage view whereby you can enjoy the stunning view of the monastery. Prayer flags adorn the cliffs and this is also where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in the 8th century.
Kyichu Lhakhang - After a sumptuous local lunch, we will retrace our steps to visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan.
Accommodation: Bhutan Mandala Resort
Day 12: Depart Paro
Today we will bid fond farewell to this beautiful Himalayan country and take an early flight back to Singapore. We hope by now you would have made some friends and also kept many photos and beautiful memories of Bhutan! And we look forward to seeing you again in this beautiful land of endless Enchantments!
GROUP SIZE: Any group Size |
TOUR MONTHS: 1st - 3rd April |
INCLUDED
- Bhutan Royalties, tourists fees, Visa fees and taxes.
- Accommodations in listed or similar hotels (pleasant hotels 3-4 star type) during the tour and in tents during the trek.
- All meals, including evening tea/coffee etc through-out the trip.
- All land transfers, sightseeing with entrance fees.
- Experienced Culture Tour Guide.
- Bottled water in the vehicle and other camp serivce.
NOT INCLUDED
- Flights in and out of Bhutan.
- Travel insurance, Drink, Visa fees, Laundry
Related Tour
-
Paro Tshechu
Paro tshechu is held for five days...
$1165 -
Talo Tshechu
Talo tshechu, like other tshechus, is a...
$1165 -
Chhukha Tshechu
The Chhukha Ngedrup tse Dzong observes a...
$1400 -
Dechenphug Tshechu
Every year, hundreds of people throng at...
$940 -
Cultural and Heritage Festivals Trongsa
Like any other tscechus, Trongsa tshechu is...
$2640 -
Jambay Lhakhang Drup
Jambay Lhakhang Drup is one of the...
$2065 -
Punakha Tshechu
This festival is one of the most...
$1165 -
Kurjey Tsechu
The people of Jakar and Kurjey villages...
$1840 -
Thimphu Tsechu
Tsechu in Tibetan and Bhutanese languages means...
$1400 -
Prakhar Tshechu
Like any other annually festival, Prakhar Tshechu...
$2515 -
Black Necked Crane Festival
Celebrated annually in the idyllic Phobjikha valley...
$2290 -
Druk Wangyel Tshechu
Druk Wangyel Tshechu is a one day...
$840 -
Chumey Nimalung Tour
The Nimalung Tshechu is held on the...
$1440 -
Monggar Tshechu
Mongar is one of the largest districts—geographically—in...
$2290 -
Pelden Lhamoi Domchoe Tour
Pelden Lhamo is the dominant female protective...
$1755 -
Tamzhing Tsechu
Tamshing Phala Choepa festival is held in...
$1440 -
Ura Yakchoe
Ura Lhakhang is situated in the middle...
$2290 -
Royal Highlander Festival Laya
The Royal Highlander Festival held annually at...
$2300 -
Chorten Kora Tshechu
Chorten kora is one of the oldest...
$2515 -
Jomolhari Mountain Festival
The communities of Soe Yaksa and Soe...
$2515 -
Trashigang Tshechu
Trashigang Tshechu is an annual festival which...
$2290 -
Domkhar Tshechu
Domkhar Tsechu or festival is an annual...
$2065