Black Necked Crane Festival
Black Necked Crane Festival is an one day annual event held at Gangtey Monastery. It is the official day of welcoming the Endangered Black Necked Cranes to their Winter home in Phobjikha Valley. Black Necked Cranes spends their three winter months in Bhutan before flying back to Tibet, China and other parts of the colder regions.
The very first Black Necked Crane Festival was introduced by the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) with support from both Gangtey and Phobjikha villagers.
Unlike other unique Bhutanese festivals, the black necked crane festival is totally dedicated to the Black Necked Cranes themselves for safe and healthy stay in Bhutan and also while flying back.
The local folks performs traditional Bhutanese Dances followed by Crane songs and local students dresses up like Black Necked Cranes and performs cranes dance to the public. We strongly recommend you to be part of this unique Black Neck Crane Festival.
You can catch Drukair, Royal Bhutan Airlines, National Flag Carrier flight from Bangkok, Kathmandu, New Delhi, Kolkata, Dhaka & Singapore.
Detailed Day Wise Itinerary (8 Days 7 Nights)
Day 01: Arrive Paro by Druk Air & transfer to Thimphu (55km, approx. 1.1/2 hour drive)
Arrive at Paro International airport and drive to Thimphu, the capital town of Bhutan. On arrival to Thimphu, check into the hotel and later in the day visit Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang). The largest seated Buddha statue(169ft) in the country located at a short drive from Thimphu city. Then, visit King’s Memorial Chorten and towards evening go for a walk in Coronation Park & stroll through the government-run Handicrafts Emporium and local crafts bazaar.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Thimphu (Altitude 2,320m)
Day 02: Local sightseeing in Thimphu
After breakfast drive to visit National Library and Institute for Zorig Chusum (Commonly known as Arts & Crafts School or Painting School) then drive to Takin Preserve – Takin is national animal of Bhutan, Later in the afternoon visit Trashichhoedzong, “fortress of the glorious religion”. This is the center of government and religion. The Folk Heritage Museum (Phelchey Toenkhyim), simply Bhutan museums and to National Textile Museum.. Evening time at leisure…
Overnight stay at the hotel in Thimphu (Altitude 2,320)
Day 03: Thimphu to Phubjikha/Gangtey valley (Altitude 3000m/130km, approx 4 hrs drive)
After an early breakfast, embark on a fascinating drive vai Dochula Pass to Gangtey to attain Black Necked Crane Festival the most important plan for the tour. The valley of Gangtey is one of the most beautiful spots in Bhutan. The surprise of finding such a wide, flat valley without any trees after the hard climb through dense forests is augmented by an impression of vast space, an extremely rare experience in Bhutan where most of the valley’s are tightly enclosed.
Visit the Gangtey Gompa : Perched on a small hill that rises from the valley floor on the western side of the Black Mountain.Then explore the fascainting Phobjikha Valley. This place is the winter home for black necked cranes that migrate from the arid plains in the north to pass their winter in milder and lower climate.
Also visit Black Neck Crane Information Centre. It is situated on the edge of the forest and wetland along the main road of Phobjikha valley. The center is well equipped and also offers display information that outline the natural and cultural history of the area.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Gangtey. (Altitude 3000m)
Day 04: Attain Black Necked Crane Festival – Whole Day
Whole day at the unique and interesting Black Necked Crane Festival, where there will be traditional dance and songs performed by locals and school children’s will be dressed like the Black Necked Cranes and performs Crane Dance. Its a whole day event but you can head back to hotel for lunch and back for the Festival or can drive to Gangtey Monastery and do the popular Shasila Nature Trail Hike from Monastery to the Festival venue. Must take your binoculars and rain gear because weather in Phobjikha remains super unpredictable.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Gangtey. (Altitude 3000m)
Day 05: Gangtey – Punakha (Altitude 1300m/78km approx 2hrs Drive)
After breakfast proceed to Punakha, make sure to stop for photography and shorts walks to keep your legs and arms active.
On arrival in Punakha drive to visit Punakha Dzong or (Palace of Great Happiness), built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal at the junction of the Phochu and Mochu rivers. Later in the day go for excursion to Chimi Lhakhang (the temple of fertility).
Overnight stay at the hotel in Punakha (Altitude 1,300m)
Day 06: Punakha to Paro (125km, approx 4 ½ hrs drive)
After an early breakfast drive back to Paro across Dochu la pass via Thimphu. On your way visit Tachog lhakang & Suspension Bridge which was built around 1420 by Thangtong Gyalpo who was great architect and saint of Bhutan. Then drive further to paro on arrival check into the hotel & proceed to visit Ta Dzong, then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong (“fortress of the heap of jewels”).
Overnight stay will be at hotel in Paro. (Altitude 2,280m)
Day 07: Hike to Tiger Nest (approx 6 hours hike)
After breakfast, hike to Taktshang Monastery (Tiger’s nest) approx 6 hours round trip hike. It is one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor.
On arrival back to paro after hike visit Drukgyel Dzong, along the way, visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo. Evening time at leisure to cherish your last night stay in Bhutan…..
Overnight stay will be at hotel in Paro. (Altitude 2,280m)
Day 08: Departure
After early breakfast at the hotel, drive to the airport for flight to your onward destination. Our representative will help you with all the exit formalities and then bid you farewell. Have a safe Flight!!
- All Transportation including pickups and Drops – Non A/C
- All Accommodation
- Meals – CPAI (Only Breakfast)
- All Sightseeing as per Itinerary
- All Immigration Formalities
- Daily 1 Bottle Mineral water
- 1 Tourist Sim-Card for a group
- All Internal Taxes
- Train/Airfares
- Lunch & Dinner
- Travel insurance
- 4 & 5 star accommodations and meals (On Request)
- Other personal expenses like overseas calls, drinks, laundry, etc
- Guide Charges
- Museums & Monuments fee
- Any cost arising due to natural calamities like, landslides, road blockage, Flight cancel, flight delay, political disturbances (strikes), etc (to be borne by the client).
- Any increase in taxes or fuel price, leading to increase in cost on surface transportation & land arrangements, which may come into effect prior to departure.
- Anything which is not include in the itinerary.
- Cancellation prior to 30 days: The cancellation of the trip booking prior to 30 days will result in Cancellation of 50% of the total amount of the land package.
- Cancellation prior to 20 days: The cancellation of the trip booking within the given time period will result in cancellation of 75% of the total amount of the land package.
- Cancellation after 20 days: The cancellation of the trip booking after 20 days will result in cancellation of 100% of the total amount of the land package.
- Flight Tickets cancellation: The cancellation of flight tickets will be accordinging to the respected airlines.
- The costing is valid according to the provided Itinerary only, changes in the tour itinerary will affect the total tour cost.
- No-show will be charged in full.
- At the time of confirmation – 30% (To secure the tour with us)
- 20 days prior to departure – 35% Tour Cost
- 5 days prior to departure – 35% Tour Cost