Mongar and Trashigang Festivals - 16 Days

Mongar and Trashigang festivals take place in Mongar Dzong and Trashigang Dzong respectively. Mongar Dzong was built in the 19th century and was restored in 1953 and 1990 after it was demolished by fire. From Mongar, you head off to attend Trashigang festival, which introduces you to the rich culture of Bhutan. In both the festivals, you see the masked dancers whirling, religious purification taking place, and the attendees receiving blessing.

Before attending Mongar and Trashigang festivals, you see the view of the eastern Himalayas. Also, you see the pristine view through the hotel window from Wangdue. Later, you hike to a see a picturesque Lobesa valley and then drive to Gangtey, which is a glacial valley on the slope of the Black Mountain National Park. It is also one of the most important wildlife preserves of Bhutan. The Phobjikha valley is surrounded by the beautiful pine covered hills. On the way, you see red pandas, sleeping in the trees, and at the central of the valley, you see a small ridge rising at a distance. You also see Gantey Gompa, one of the oldest Nyingma Buddhist monasteries of Bhutan.

From the Gangtey monastery, you can see a large green expanse, particularly of the Phobjikha valley. The road to Mongar traverses pine forests, the Choekor valley, and the central Bumthang. The itinerary of Mongar and Trashigang festivals also includes Tiger’s Nest that clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 m into the Paro valley. History states that Guru Padmasambhava, the Tantric mystic who had brought Buddhism to Bhutan, landed here on the back of a flying tigress from Tibet. Many Bhutanese believe that he is the protector saint of Bhutan.