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 departures visit Paro Festival, whilst the
autumn departures take in 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 Oct 2019
Returning: 10th Nov 2019
£3,199pp
Availability: Good
Departing: 5th Apr 2020
Returning: 15th Apr 2020
£3,249pp
Availability: Good
Departing: 19th Sep 2020
Returning: 29th Sep 2020
£3,249pp
Availability: Good
Departing: 25th Sep 2020
Returning: 5th Oct 2020
£3,249pp
Availability: Good
Departing: 19th Oct 2020
Returning: 29th Oct 2020
£3,199pp
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, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu and Kanchenjunga.
If there is time in the afternoon there will be a visit to visit the museum
or the 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 through
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 Thimphu/Trongsa Festival departures, a different
itinerary will apply; please refer to 'Is this trip for you?' section for
more details.
*Rema Resort or similar*
Today we have an hour’s drive to 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. Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan
and there are many things to see including the memorial chorten, Buddha
Point, Tashichho Dzong, plus the market is interesting to explore. If we do
not see everything today we have more time in Thimpu on our return.
*Hotel Pedling or similar*
We leave Thimphu in the morning and drive east to Punakha. The route climbs
its way steadily on a good road to the Dochula Pass. At 3050m (10,000ft) the
views over the eastern Himalaya are magnificent although this is most
definitely weather dependent! We then 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 is the winter capital of Bhutan
and the dzong was the second one in the country to be built. 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.
*Meri Puensum Resort or similar*
This morning we take a gentle hike (approx. 1.5km/120m ascent, less than an
hour each way) 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 set off on foot from our hotel and go on a hike through
the Gangtey Valley (approx. 5kms/2-3 hours) - the climb up to the monastery
involves around 500m ascent. 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.
*Puna Cottages 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 afternoon we will drive to Paro (approx. 1 hour).
*Rema Resort or similar*
Today we hike (approx. 9km) to the 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. From the car park to the
viewpoint is about 2 hours uphill walk through the forest. From here we have
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. This will take another 2 hours. There are horses available
for those who do not want to do the hike but please note that this is an
unregulated activity and helmets are not available.
*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, the monkey
temple at Swayambhunath, the largest Buddhist stupa on earth at Boudhanath or
the Hindu temple at Pashupathinath. Another option is to take a taxi to
Bhaktapur, the mediaeval city 17km 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
2015 earthquake some of these places have still not been fully rebuilt. The
Exodus representative in Kathmandu 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.
Similar Trips
TRIP CODE
ETBC GROUP TOUR from £3199 for 12 days
HIGHLIGHTS
- Hike along a classic trade route
- Witness Bhutan's colourful festivals
- Visit the Tiger's Nest Monastery, perched on the ledge of a cliff high above the Paro Valley
- Stop at the Phajoding Monastery for lunch
- See the sights in Bhutan's capital, Thimphu
- Explore the temples and markets of Kathmandu
TRIP CODE
IHJKB GROUP TOUR from £1895 for 7 days
HIGHLIGHTS
- The happiest land on earth, Bhutan is a hidden paradise with no traffic lights, laws governing minimum forest coverage and some amazing feats of archery.
- Only a small number of visitors are allowed into Bhutan each year. Its pretty special.
- The climb to Tigers nest while tough, is a richly rewarding and sobering experience
TRIP CODE
TMDS GROUP TOUR from £3385 for 18 days
HIGHLIGHTS
- Visit the sacred Khechepori Lake, considered by locals as resembling the holy footprints of the goddess Tara
- Visit the impressive Rinpung Dzong, one of the finest examples of Bhutan architecture
- Enjoy a day walk to the 'Tiger’s Nest', the sacred Taktshang monastery which clings to the rock face 900 metres above the valley floor
Related Blog Posts
Reviews
This is a trip of a lifetime to the most beautiful place on the earth. Such
beauty from the people, the environment, the culture and from the expert care
of the team who show you their fantastic country.
Bhutan is a beautiful country, the air is very fresh and the in the main is
very clean - an antidote to Kathmandu!
This is a trip that takes in the cultural highlights of Bhutan as well as
letting you see and walk in the beautiful countryside.
The people are friendly and welcoming - browsing the shops and markets is
easy -if you have been to India you will know what I mean ! There is no hard
sell!
There is a fair ammount of travel but this is quite relaxing and there are
plenty of stops.
Food is always buffet style and becomes very monotonous - you could try
asking for an a la carte menu and pay extra, otherwise it is noodles, rice,
veg and, if you are not vegetarian some rather poor quality meat dishes - and
you get this twice a day! My food highlight was a large bowl of scrambled
eggs at the Tigers Nest! Take snacks!
Bhutan is a beautiful, peaceful country that is very much worth experiencing.
The people, including and, in fact, especially our guide were lovely,
helpful, genuine and gentle. The Tiger’s Nest is well worth the arduous
trek up to and the Dzongs, nunneries and monestaries were all a privilege to
see. In some ways the experience felt like going back in time.
Bhutan is probably the most beautiful country I have visited. It has such a
rick landscape and culture, which is mostly unspoiled by tourism.
Wonderful buildings, incredible Bhuddist traditions, lovely scenery, friendly
people - a really peaceful, largely unspoilt and unique country - and a
photographer's paradise. The only down side is the dangerous road from
Wangdue to Gantey.
Beautiful country
Calm happy people
A unique adventure exploring a Buddhist country who embrace their monarchy
and the importance of happiness. Great monasteries, beautiful scenery,
festivals, and some hikes all make this a great trip. Hotels higher quality
than I expected, adequate food with pretty good beer, and a great guide who
spoke excellent English. Well organized tour.
A long awaited trip became a reality and the reality is now a memory. But not
just a normal travel memory, moreso something out of the ordinary, as I had
probably anticipated. Unusual architecture. People with a different outlook
on life. Different pursuits. Simpler pleasures. Happy people. Clean air.
Wholesome food - spicy if desired. A lifestyle in flux as the county and the
people join the 21st. Century. A tinge of regret that what makes Bhutan
unique will not last. I'm glad to have experienced this unusual place before
it disappears into the "Global Village".
A great trip to a country opening up to Tourism.
Ancient fortresses, monasteries, mountainous scenery and colourful festivals.
Friendly, open people, happy to help.
Share this trip
Back to top ^
Go to our sister site: 