BHUTAN FESTIVAL & CULTURAL TOUR
Bhutan Festival Tour is a nine-day leisurely-paced tour that takes on at least one or multiple colourful festivals in this magical Kingdom. Bhutan Festival takes one or multiple of Bhutan’s most colourful and popular festivals. Bhutan’s festivals are joyous expressions of its Buddhist culture.
It offers Bhutanese an opportunity to become immersed in the meaning of their religion, as well as being an occasions for seeing people and being seen. People wear their finest traditional clothes, put on their most beautiful jewellery, bring delicious picnic lunch and join in the festivities.
In addition to these festival, this tour covers highlights of Paro, Thimphu, Phobjikha, Wangdue & Punakha valleys, which are Bhutan’s most historic towns and districts. The pace of this tour allows you to fully absorb and appreciate the rich culture, and natural beauty of this peaceful kingdom without feeling that you are bused around.
In the early spring, we attend Punakha Tsechu and Punakha Dromchoe. Bit later into main spring, we attend attend Talo village festival, along with the famous Paro Tsechu festival, where we also see the unfurling of giant Thangka. In the autumn, you’ll see three festivals of Wangdiphodrang, Gangtey and Thimphu tsechu festival.
As these festival periods are extremely popular and therefore the flights and hotels tend to get booked out soon. So plan and book early if you wish to join this exciting tour with small group travelers like you from around the world.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1 & 2 – In Thimphu:
Thimphu established as the capital of Bhutan in 1961 from Punakha old Capital Dzong. Its population in under hundred thousand. It has a youthful exuberance that constantly challenges the country’s conservatism and proud tradition. The ever-present juxtaposition of old and new is just one of its appealing qualities. Crimson-robed monks, Indian labourers, gho- and kira-clad professionals and camera-wielding tourists all strolling on; and nobody, it seems, is in a hurry. Thimphu is the world’s only capital without traffic lights. During your two nights stay here, we will visit many monuments and attractions of Thimphu, including Tashicho Dzong, the farmers market, Gaint Buddha Statue, Memorial Chorten, Traditional Art School, Indigenous Hospital, Textile museum, Handicraft workshops and more. Thimphu offers the best opportunity to do your own thing in the evening. It’s relaxed, friendly and pretty informal, and is most rewarding if you can be the same.
Day 3 & 4: Punakha—Wangdue Valley:
Three-hour-drive from Thimphu to Wangdue Phodorang – Punakha valley is across spectacular Dochula pass. On a clear day, you will see panoramic views of snow capped peaks of eastern Himalayan range, including Bhutan’s highest peaks. Punakha and Wangdue towns are located close to each other in one valley. Punakha was the former winter capital of Bhutan and was established in this location, in part because Punakha is a warmer at a relatively low altitude of 4,100 feet (1300m). The climate allows for the production of two rice crops each year, along with growth of subtropical fruits such as oranges, mangos, and bananas. During our stay here, we will visit the impressive Punakha Dzong fortress located at the confluence of Pho and Mo Chu Rivers. We’ll take an easy walk in the valley, visit some of its monasteries, villages, take short drives and enjoy this idyllic countryside dotted with farm houses and terraced hillsides.
Day 5: Gangtey – Phobjikha valley:
From Punakha valley, we’ll take a day trip to Gangtey, also called Phobjikha valley. The drive is though ever changing landscapes and vegetation, as we climb from sub-tropical to temperate and then to alpine vegetation. It takes about two and half hours each way, and including local stops and return, it is a full day excursion. We arrive in beautiful Phobjikha Valley, with its alpine setting on the western slope of the Black Mountains National Park. Visit ancient Gangtey Monastery, which sits on a prominent hilltop above the valley. The vegetation in this high-altitude glacial valley includes mixed forests of pine and rhododendron, with thick brushy bamboos on the valley floor. The valley is the winter home for endangered black-necked cranes that migrate in huge numbers from remote Tibetan plateau, to escape its harsh winter (late Oct till March). Bhutanese consider these cranes as harbingers of good luck.
(There are those who wish to have an extra for themselves to wander around and explore own their own. For those, this would be an idle day to skip the excursion and stay in the valley.)
Day 6, 7 & 8: Paro & Takstang:
Emerald green Paro Valley at 7,500ft, is one of Bhutan’s most beautiful and most fertile valley. Numerous shrines, fortresses and farm houses dot the landscape and graceful willow trees grow along the edge of Pachhu river, which passes through paddy fields and farmlands. During our time here, visit the ruins of Drugyal Dzong, a fortress which protected the valley against invaders from north. Visit beautiful 7th century Kichu Lhakhang temple, see many beautiful Buddhist wall paintings and iconography inside Dungtse Lhakhang, built in 1421. Among others you will also visit Bhutan National museum, housed in an ancient watchtower and visit Paro Rinphung Dzong, one of the most beautiful fortress /monastery in Bhutan. We also dedicate a full day for excursion to the iconic Taktsang (Tiger’s nest) monastery, an quintessential Bhutan travel experience. For this hike, you can also hire a riding horse to take you part of the way.
Day 9: Departure
Transfer to the airport according to your departure flight schedule.
Please note that the order of the itinerary is revised for each departures to incorporate local festivals and events. For more information submit Request Detailed itinerary form.
