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12-Day Bhutan Cultural Tour with Festivals

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Overview

Explore Bhutan in a unique way on this cultural tour which includes a day at two different spiritual festivals!

Begin by sightseeing in Thimphu, Bhutan's capital, and attend the last day of Drupchen, which takes place at the Thimphu Tashichho Dzong where you can see the sacred masked dance, dedicated to appeasing the protecting deity of Bhutan, Pelden Lhamo.

After exploring Thimphu, you'll then continue on to Punakha via the Dochu La pass at 3050 metres, which boasts stunning views of the surrounding valleys and mountains. From Punakha, you'll continue on to Bumthang via Trongsa.

You'll spend a day in the spiritual heartland of Bhutan, before returning west to Gangtey where you'll attend your second festival - Gangtey Tsechu. You will see locals dressed in their finest clothes who have walked from miles around to attend the festivities.

The journey concludes in Paro, a charming introduction and ending to your time in Bhutan. Here, you'll explore the sights, hike to the mighty Tiger's Nest and visit the famous dzong!
Sightseeing
Culture & Arts
Food & Drink

Itinerary

Day 1

Welcome to Paro & Travel to Thimphu

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Welcome to Paro & Travel to Thimphu

Today, you'll arrive in Paro. Paro is situated in a beautiful valley at 2280 metres and is a fitting introduction to this charming kingdom. Your guide will meet you and take you on a short one-hour drive along the Paro and Thimphu river valleys to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital. You can stop on the way to take in the magnificent Tamchhog Lhakhang. Take a walk around town and soak in the atmosphere of this magical capital with its busy shops and bazaars and photogenic citizens in national dress.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Galingkha3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Free time in Thimphu

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Paro International Airport to Thimphu

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Thimphu

Day 2

Attend Thimphu Dromchoe Festival

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Attend Thimphu Dromchoe Festival

Thimphu Drup or Drupchen (popularly known as Thimphu Dromchoe) takes place at the Thimphu Tashichho Dzong. On the last day of the Drubchen, you can see the sacred masked dance, dedicated to appeasing the protecting deity of Bhutan, Pelden Lhamo. The Drupchen is a precursor to the annual festival and while it has less dancing and feasting and more prayer and blessings, it is of equal significance to the locals who attend. You can visit the festival and then take a stroll around the market.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Galingkha3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Thimphu Dromchoe Festival

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Thimphu

Day 3

Thimphu Sightseeing

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Thimphu Sightseeing

Today, you'll go sightseeing in Thimphu with your local guide. Your guide can plan the day based on what takes your interest. You can visit the revered Memorial Chorten and the huge statue of Buddha Dordenma, which commands a tremendous view of Thimphu valley. You can also visit Changangkha temple, perched on the hilltop overlooking the town. You may like to visit the Takin Reserve showcasing the unique national animal, the Takin. The choice is yours!

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Galingkha3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Thimphu Sightseeing

    Memorial Chorten

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Thimphu

Day 4

Travel from Thimphu to Punakha via Dochu La Pass

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Travel from Thimphu to Punakha via Dochu La Pass

This morning, you'll drive three hours to the old capital, Punakha, via Dochu La pass at 3050 metres, where you will stop for a hot drink and enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the Eastern Himalaya ranges. You will notice the change of climate and vegetation as you approach low-lying Punakha at 1250 metres. In Punakha, you can take a pleasant walk across the terraced fields of Sopsokha village to Chimi Lhakhang built in the 15th century, then you will visit the imposing Punakha Dzong.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Zhingkham Resort4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Dochu La pass

    Free Time in Punakha

    Chimi Lhakhang

    Punakha Dzong

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Thimphu to Punakha

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Thimphu

    Dochula

    Punakha

Day 5

Travel from Punakha to Bumthang via Trongsa

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Travel from Punakha to Bumthang via Trongsa

This morning, you'll drive approximately 4.5 hours to Trongsa, the gateway to central Bhutan at 2180 metres. Set amidst spectacular scenery, Trongsa Dzong, the ancestral home of Bhutan’s royal family, commands the eye from miles away. You can also visit Ta Dzong, the museum in the watchtower dedicated to the Wangchuk dynasty. You'll then continue a further 2.5 hours through some of Bhutan’s most beautiful landscapes to Bumthang, an area of high valleys at 2580 to 3100 metres.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Jakar View Lodge

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Trongsa Dzong

    Ta Dzong Museum Trongsa

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Punakha to Trongsa

    Private Driver from Trongsa to Bumthang

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Punakha

    Trongsa

    Jakar

Day 6

Bumthang Sightseeing

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Bumthang Sightseeing

Today, you'll spend the day sightseeing in Bumthang, the spiritual heartland of Bhutan, with its many legendary monasteries, temples and palaces. Bumthang is the collective name for an area of four valleys - Chokhor, Tang, Ura and Chumey. Your guide will take you on a fascinating walking and/or driving tour of a variety of sacred sites. You can also visit Bhutan’s largest Dzong (Jakar) overlooking the Chokhor valley and the famous Swiss cheese factory and dairy farm.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Jakar View Lodge

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Bumthang Sightseeing

    Jakar Dzong

    Bumthang Swiss Cheese And Wine Shop

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Jakar

    Bumthang

Day 7

Bumthang to Gangtey & Sightseeing

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Bumthang to Gangtey & Sightseeing

Today, you'll drive approximately 5-6 hours to Gangtey at 2900 metres. You'll enjoy the views of the immense and remote Phobjikha valley and the black mountain ranges. In the afternoon, you can visit Gangtey Gompa (one of Bhutan’s oldest monasteries and recently extensively renovated) and explore the valley where the villagers continue to live a traditional Bhutanese rural lifestyle. This is the site where black-necked cranes visit in their hundreds in November each year.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Dewachen Hotel & Spa3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Gangtey Monastery

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Bumthang to Gangtey Monastery

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Jakar

    Wangdue Phodrang

Day 8

A Day at Gangtey Tsechu Festival

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A Day at Gangtey Tsechu Festival

Today you can spend the whole day at Gangtey Tsechu with local villagers. The festival takes place in the courtyard of the monastery, which has recently been extensively renovated. You will see locals dressed in their finest clothes who have walked from miles around to attend the festivities. They come to watch masked dances, to pray, and to feast. The occasion provides an opportunity for people to relax and forget the daily routine, and to dress in their finest clothes and jewellery.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Dewachen Hotel & Spa3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Gangtey Tsechu Festival

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Wangdue Phodrang

Day 9

Bumthang to Paro via Wangdue Phodrang

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Bumthang to Paro via Wangdue Phodrang

Today you'll return to Paro, a drive of approximately 5-6 hours, via Wangdi. Wangdi (also known as Wangdue Phodrang) was originally considered Bhutan’s secondary capital and it commands an important central position. Sadly, Wangdi Dzong was gutted by fire in June 2012, destroying in a few hours not only a magnificent building that had stood proudly for hundreds of years. Renovation work is underway but meanwhile, there is little now to see in Wangdi and after a brief stop continue on your way.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Olathang3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Wangdi sightseeing

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Bumthang to Paro

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Wangdue Phodrang

    Paro

Day 10

Paro Sightseeing

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Paro Sightseeing

Today, you'll spend the day exploring Paro. You can visit the impressive Paro Rinpung Dzong, one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture. You can also visit the National Museum housed in the Ta Dzong (watchtower). You can see a magnificent collection of Bhutanese artefacts – costumes, religious paintings, arms, textiles and a fascinating collection of Bhutan stamps. Near to the museum, you may also be able to see a demonstration of traditional woodturning skills by local artisans.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Olathang3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Paro Sightseeing

    Paro Ta Dzong National Museum

    Rinpung Dzong

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Paro

Day 11

Hike to Tiger's Nest

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Hike to Tiger's Nest

Today, you'll take a day walk to the ‘Tiger's Nest’, the sacred Taktshang monastery which clings to the rock face 900 metres above the valley floor. Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown to the site riding on a tigress. Tiger's Nest is one of Bhutan’s most holy sites and draws pilgrims from Bhutan and neighbouring Buddhist countries. You can have lunch at the Taktshang cafeteria with a spectacular view of the monastery. After, if there is time your guide will suggest something for you to see.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Olathang3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Hike to Tiger's Nest monastery

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Paro

Day 12

Departure Day

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Departure Day

Early in the morning, your guide will accompany you to the airport to see you off onto your flight and wish you Tashi Delek (goodbye and good luck).

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Paro to Paro International Airport

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Paro

Included in Price

  • 11 nights accommodation
  • 18 activities
  • 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 11 dinners
  • Airport transfer
  • Entrance fees
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

Not Included in Price

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits

Notes

Please note that the rate quoted includes a mandatory government tax of 200 USD per person per day. This is a flat tax that is payable by all tourists travelling to Bhutan.
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