The Dream Destine
Jambay Lhakhang Drup
12 Days – 11 Nights of Bhutan Festival Tour
Jambay lhakhang is located in Bumthang and is situated on the way to the Kurjee Lhakhang. It’s a 10 minutes’ drive to the temple from the Chamkhar town. Jambay Lhakhang is one of the oldest temples in the country and is one of the most celebrated festivals in Bumthang.
It was founded by, Songtsen Gampo, a Tibetan King in the 7th century AD. The king was destined to build 108 temples known as Thadhul- Yangdhul (temples on and across the border) in a day to subdue the demoness that was residing in the Himalayas. The temple is one of the two of the 108 built in Bhutan. A second is located in Paro, the Kichu lhakhang also built on the same day.
Legend has it that Guru Rimpoche visited the site several times and deemed it exceptionally sacred. Chakhar Gyab, the king of the Iron Castle of Bumthang renovated the temple in the 8th century AD.
The first king of Bhutan, Sir Ugyen Wangchuck constructed the Dus Kyi Khorlo (Kala Chakra- Wheel of Time) inside Jambay lhakhang, to commemorate his victory over his rivals Phuntsho Dorji of Punakha and Alu Dorji of Thimphu after the battle of Changlimithang in 1885. Later, Ashi Wangmo, the younger sister of the second king of Bhutan, built the lhakhang.
The main relics include the future Buddha, Jowo Jampa (Maitreya) from whose name the present name of the temple is derived. The lhakhang also houses more than 100 statues of the gods of Kalachakra built by the first king, in 1887.
One of the most spectacular festivals in the country, called Jambay lhakhang Drup is hosted here. The Jambay lhakhang festival lasts for five days .The highlight of the festival is the fire ritual that is held in the evening where crowds gather to witness the ritualistic naked dance.
Day 1: Arrival in Paro
- Our representative will be there at the airport to receive you and transfer you to the hotel.
- Visit the nearby Ta Dzong, and Paro Rinpung Dzong.
- Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Paro. food and accommodation will be arranged as per your reservations.
Day 2: Paro (sightseeing) To Thimphu
- After breakfast, take a hike to the tiger’s nest (Paro Taktshang), the most visited tourist destination in Bhutan.
- After lunch, Drive towards Thimphu.
- Dinner and overnight stay in hotel in Thimphu.
Day 3: Thimphu(sightseeing)
- After breakfast, visit Kuenselphodrang- the world’s largest statue of sitting Buddha.
- Visit TashichoDzong –The administrative seat of Bhutan.
- After lunch, take a hort hike in Tango chari lhakhang.
Optional avtivities you can choose from :
- Dechenphu lhakhang.
- Biking expedition around the trails in Thimphu.
Day 4: Thimphu to Punakha
- After breakfast, begin your journey towards Punakha, on the way to Punakha halt in Dochula for photography , visit Royal Botanical Park in LamPelri.
- Upon crossing lobesa, visit chimmi lhakhang.
- After reaching Punakha valley visit Punakha Dzong.
- Dinner and overnight halt in Hotel in Punakha.
Day 5: Punakha to Bumthang
- After an early breakfast, head towards Bumthang,
- On the way to Bumthang, halt in Pelela pass for photography.
- After the day long drive, check into the hotel for relaxation and rejuvenation.
- Dinner and overnight stay in hotel in Bumthang.
Day 6: Jambay lhakhang festival day 1 –Bumthang
- After breakfast, attend the first day of Jambay Lhakhang festival.
- Dinner and overnight stay in hotel in Bumthang.
Day 7: Bumthang sightseeing
- After breakfast, drive towards Ura and Tang valley , visit the Mebartsho (the burning lake) ,visit the remote yet heavenly villages of Ura and Tang.
- After lunch, visit kurje lhakhang, and Jakar Dzong.
- Dinner and overnight stay in hotel in Bumthang.
Other alternatives to choose from :
- Visit to Bathpalathang – the Dairy Farm and Jalikhar bee keeping farms
- Visit Tamshing lhakhang.
- Bumthang brewery.
Day 8: Bumthang to Phobjikha
- After an early breakfast, begin your journey towards Phobjikha, on the way, visit Chendebji Chorten in Trongsa.
- After the day long journey, arrive in Phobjikha and check into a hotel and retreat for the day.
- Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Phobjikha.
Day 9: Phobjikha sightseeing
- After an early breakfast, explore the valley of the black necked cranes. Get ready to capture the most scenic photographs of this journey.
- Visit Gangtey – another place guaranteed to amaze your mind, spend time with the monks at the Gangtey lhakhang .
- Dinner and overnight stay in Hotel in Phobjikha.
Day 10: Phobjikha to Thimphu
- After breakfast, drive towards Thimphu.
- Dinner and overnight stay in Hotel in Thimphu.
Day 11: Thimphu to Paro
- After breakfast, visit Dechenphu lhakhang and the Takin preserve center in Thimphu.
- After lunch, drive towards Paro.
- Dinner and overnight stay in Hotel in Paro.
Day 12: Paro Departure
- After breakfast, drive to Airport for Departure.