The black-necked crane festival is held every year in Phobjikha on 11 November. The festival was initiated by the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) in 1998 as apart of community based-sustainable tourism, where appreciation and corresponding payment by visitors and tourist is will serve as an incentive for strong Environmental and cultural heritage of the valley. The objectives of the festival are to:
Fosters awareness and understanding among the local communities and visitors on the importance of the endangered Black-necked cranes.
Institute economic incentives (Payment) for the festival to strengthen the linkage between conservation and economic welfare.
Provide avenue for the local community to renew their commitment to conservation of the cranes and to showcase their cultural heritage and skills.
We not only see the festival but we can also see the endangered Black-neck Cranes happily leaving in this valley.
Programmes:
Programmes for the 11 November includes Cultural Programs such as folk and mask dance performed by the local people, crane dance and environmental drama and songs by the students. If we have extra time, we can also visit the Black-necked crane information center, Gangtey trail hiking and etc.
Day01: November 06. Arrive to Paro International Airport – Transfer to Thimphu
Arrive at Paro and receive by the representative of Authentic Bhutan Tours at the Paro International airport, only airport in the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan. From here directly we will visit National museum of Bhutan, if it is not closed. Lunch in Paro. After lunch we will visit Paro dzong (fortress) and then stroll around Paro town. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel Paro.
Day02: November 07. Paro – Thimphu
Very early in the morning we will drive to Chelela pass with your pack breakfast. The pass is the highest pass, where the car can go in Bhutan. On the way we may see the following birds:
Besides see these birds we can also see the Mountain Jhomolhari & Jichu Drakye beautifully on clear days from the pass. There are lots of prayer flags here at the pass. We will have our breakfast here, near the pass. After enjoying the sight of birds, prayer flags and mountains on clear days, then we will drive back to Paro, to our hotel. We will take rest in the hotel for about 1hour and then we will hike to Taktshang, Tiger’s Nest till the viewpoint.
We will have lunch here at the viewpoint, Taktshang cafeteria. Walk back to the car point and then we will drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. The drive will take about 1hour 30minutes from the road point. Evening stroll around the Thimphu town and explore handicraft shops for Authentic Bhutanese Souvenirs and gifts for your friends and loved ones. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel, Thimphu.
Day03: November 08. Thimphu Halt
We will hike to Cheri Monastery and during the hike we may spot the following birds:
Lunch will be served as pack lunch near the riverside. Drive back to Thimphu and doing some sightseeing in Thimphu, like visit to Memorial Chhorten, Buddha Poitn, Weaving center, Bhutanese paper factory and post office to buy the Famous Bhutanese Stamps. We have bird stamps also-which are very beautiful and can be good souvenirs for your bird lover friends and for your own collections too. Dinner and overnight stay in hotel, Thimphu.
Day04: November 09. Thimphu – Punakha
Drive to Punakha over dochula pass (3150m). stop for a while at the pass for a breath taking of eastern Himalayan Mountain Ranges on a clear days and also to see the 108 small chhortens (stupas). The following birds species can be found on our way to Punakha.
Lunch will be at Lobesa. Hike to Chhimi Lhakhang, which is located at a hilltop. This temple is also known as ‘the temple of fertility’. The hike will take about 25minutes from the road end through the farm fields. Then we will drive to Punakha and visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong. Dinner and overnight stay at Punakha, Hotel.
Day05: November 10. (Punakha – Phobjikha)
After the breakfast, we will drive to Kabesa and hike to Khamsumyule Namgyel chhorten, then drive to Phobjikha. On reaching Wangdue we will visit Wangdue dzong. Lunch at Wangdue. After lunch continue our journey to Phobjikha.Evening stroll around the Phobjikha valley. Dinner and over night stay at Phobjikha.
Day06: November 11. (Phobjikha Halt)
Witness and enjoy the Black-necked Crane festival whole day. Dinner and over night stay at Phobjikha.
Day07: November 13. (Phobjikha – Paro)
Witness and enjoy the Black-necked Crane festival whole day. Dinner and over night stay at Phobjikha.
Day08: Paro – Paro International Airport
Dive to Paro International Airport for departure. Your guide and drive will see off here at the Airport. We wish you a safe and comfortable journey back to your home. We hope to see you some day again in Bhutan.