Festivals of Bhutan
From £2849 for 11 days
Trip Overview
Hidden away in a corner of the Himalaya, the secretive kingdom of Bhutan is an unforgettable destination with ancient traditions, spectacular mountain scenery and vibrant festivals. At these hundreds of people gather to see the monks, dressed in brightly coloured robes, perform ritual dances. For several days there are masked dances and prayer meetings, and a general carnival atmosphere prevails. The spring departure visits the Paro festival, whilst the autumn departure takes in the Thimpu festival. The December departure visits the lesser-known Trongsa festival, which is smaller and offers a more intimate experience.
Essential Info
Starts: Kathmandu
Ends: Kathmandu
Ages: Min 18
Ends: Kathmandu
Ages: Min 18
Theme: Discovery, Culture & Festivals
Trip Code: EAIB
Activity Level:
Trip Code: EAIB
Activity Level:
What's Included
Meals
Breakfast is included throughout the trip plus 8 lunches and 8 dinners whilst in Bhutan
Transport
Accommodation
10 nights in hotels, all en suite
Trip Highlights
• Experience Bhutan's colourful, vibrant festivals
• Visit the Paro Dzong and the incredible 'Tiger's Nest' monastery
• Walk in the quiet Gangtey Valley
• Visit the impressive Tashichho Dzong in Thimpu
• Travel in a country where few foreigners visit
Dates & Availability
Start date
End date
Price
Availability
Departing: 31st Dec 2019
Returning: 10th Jan 2020
£2,949pp
Availability: Good
Itinerary & Notes
Start in Kathmandu and transfer to our hotel. The evening is free to relax.
*Royal Singi Hotel or similar*
Today we fly to Paro. The flight is one of the most spectacular mountain
flights in the world and takes us over the eastern Himalayas. If the weather
is clear, we should get a fantastic view of much of the eastern half of the
Himalaya, including Everest, Kanchenjunga and Chomolhari (Jhomolhari).
If there is time in the afternoon there will be a visit to visit Kyichu
Lakang; one of the oldest temples in Bhutan.
*Rema Resort or similar*
We spend the whole day experiencing the vibrant Paro Festival. Hundreds
gather to see the monks dressed in colourful brocade, silk costumes and
wearing painted masks re-enacting the story of the gompa's divinity though
music and dance. For several days there are masked dances and prayer
meetings, and a general carnival atmosphere prevails as many villagers arrive
to meet old friends.
Please note for the 2018 Thimphu/Trongsa festival departures a different
itinerary will apply; please refer to 'Is this trip for you?' section for
more details.
*Rema Resort / Dewachen Resort or similar*
Today we have an hour’s drive to the capital, Thimphu, stopping at the
Zilukha Nunnery and Kyichu Lakang en route. The Kyichu Lakhang was one of a
series of temples built by the 7th century Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. After
being lost for a few centuries the temple was rediscovered in the 17th
century and additions followed in the late 19th century and in the 1960s,
following the same style as the original temple. The Paro Valley is
considered to be one of the most beautiful valleys in Bhutan, with blue
pine-covered hills and attractive solidly built houses among the paddy
fields.
*Hotel Bhutan or similar*
We leave Thimphu in the morning and drive east to Punakha. The route climbs
steeply in places to the Dochula Pass. At 3050m (10,000ft) the views over the
eastern Himalaya are magnificent although this is most definitely weather
dependent! We descend to the valley floor and continue to sub-tropical
Punakha. At an altitude of 1350m the difference in temperature and flora is
apparent. Punakha was the old capital of Bhutan and the dzong was the second
one to be built in Bhutan. This remarkable fortress is situated between two
rivers and it has survived many fires, an earthquake and a glacial flood.
Over the years it has been repaired and added to and has several interesting
features to protect it against invasion. Overnight in Punakha or Wangdi
Phodrang. Today's drive is 130kms and takes about 3 hours 30 minutes.
*Hotel Zangdo Pelri or similar*
This morning we hike up to the Chime Lakhang (monastery), a 15th century
monastery built to honour one of the more folkloric saints of Bhutanese
tradition, Lama Drukpa Kuenley. The lama was known for his foul-mouth,
alcohol-smelling breath and insatiable lust towards women, yet he is revered
as a great saint by most Bhutanese. Women who cannot conceive believe that if
they get blessed by the wooden phallus they will get pregnant.
From here we continue across the Lawala Pass towards the Gangtey Valley,
visiting the ruins of Wangdue Dzong, en route. Arriving at the Gangtey
Valley, we will visit Gangtey monastery, the largest private monastery in
Bhutan. Today's drive is approximately 84km and will take 2.5 to 3 hours,
although variable road conditions may mean we spend longer on the road.
*Hotel Dewachen or similar*
This morning we will go on a hike through the Gangtey Valley. This glacial
valley is made up of farmlands, pastures and blue-pine forests. We will
encounter herders caring for their herds, which graze on the dwarf bamboo of
the area. Gangtey is famous for sightings of the rare Black necked cranes,
which fly from Tibet in late October and spend the winter here before
returning to Tibet in spring. It may be possible to see this beautiful bird
on the December departure (Trongsa Festival).
In the afternoon we drive for about 2 hours back to Wangdue Phodrang.
*Hotel Vara or similar*
In the morning we drive for a couple of hours back to Thimpu, the capital of
Bhutan, where we will have a chance to visit the Tashichho Dzong, one of
Bhutan’s most stately and impressive buildings. It has been the seat of the
government of Bhutan since 1952 and houses the throne room and offices of the
king. We will also visit the impressive golden-spired Memorial Chorten, built
in 1974 by the Royal Grandmother in memory of the Third King, H M Jigme Dorji
Wangchuk. In the evening there will be time to explore the market.
*Hotel Bhutan or similar*
This morning we drive back to Paro (1 hours drive). We will then have a hike
(approx. 9km) to Taktsang Monastery, also known as 'Tiger’s Nest'
Monastery. This spectacular building is perched on the ledge of a cliff high
above the Paro Valley. Partly destroyed by fire in 1998, it has now been
completely restored to its former magnificence. We drive a short distance
from the hotel and then we hike to a viewpoint for the incredible views of
the monastic buildings which cling impossibly to the cliff wall. For the
energetic there is the chance to walk even higher to the actual monastery.
*Rema Resort or similar*
We transfer to the airport to check in for our flight back to Kathmandu. The
rest of the day is free for individual sightseeing or shopping. You may want
to visit the famous Durbar Square in the heart of the old city. Here is the
old royal palace, with its intricate woodcarving and four fine towers. Or you
may wish to visit the monkey temple at Swayambhunath or take an optional trip
to Bhaktapur, the mediaeval city a few miles east of the capital. Bhaktapur
has its own Durbar Square with many temples and statues and a maze of narrow
streets, which are generally quieter than the capital. Please be aware that
due to the recent earthquake some of these places may be closed; your guide
will be able to give you more information on what there is to see.
*Royal Singi Hotel or similar*
End Kathmandu after breakfast. For those on group flights, these depart in
the morning and will arrive in the UK the same day.
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