14 Nights - 15 Days Special Festival Tour

The highlight of this trip is to see the Jambay Lhakhang festival, a unique Buddhist passage of rites, the only one of its kind anywhere.  Other treats include treks, visits to farmhouses, temples which are forbidden to most visitors, museums and a day of rafting in Punakha.

DAY –01 Arrive – Thimphu Capital

You will be on board Druk Air , Bhutan ’s only National Airlines, and land at Paro Airport (the only Airport of the kingdom).  The journey offers you the most magnificent and breathtaking views of the Eastern Himalayas , including the towering Mt Everest.  

While en route, complete immigration and custom form formalities for later declaration. Put your address in Bhutan as c/o Himalayan Kingdom Tours. Keep your custom forms safe, as you need to produce the same on departure. Put the forms in the passport along with $20 visa fee and two passport sized photos.

On arrival, the group will be accorded a very warm reception by a representative of Himalayan Kingdom Tours and driven to the capital, Thimphu .  Night halt at hotel in Thimphu .

DAY –02 Thimphu - Trongsa

After an early breakfast, begin the journey to central Bhutan which takes about 7-8 hours passing through alpine and coniferous forests across three districts. While the drive can be arduous, there are, however, splendid views of mountain ranges, village hamlets and two high passes. Pack lunch will be served at Chendebji, an ancient Newari stupa like those found in Nepal . Halt at hotel in Trongsa.

DAY –03 Trongsa – Bumthang

After breakfast, visit Trongsa Dzong, one of the most impressive in Bhutan . Built in the 17th century by Chogyal Minjur Temap, this is a masterpiece in architecture and includes countless courtyards and corridors in addition to the 23 temples.

After early lunch, depart for Jakar over Yongtong La pass (Alt.3425m) that separates Trongsa valley from Bumthang. The Jambay festival corresponds to a full moon and is an exhilarating experience. Drive to the festival after dinner and witness the fire dance which goes late into the night. Night halt at hotel.

DAY –04 Jambay Lhakhang Festival

Return for the next day’s festival after an early breakfast. Watch mask dances and mingle with locals in their finest dresses. Also visit stalls set up all around the festival ground. Night at Hotel

DAY –05 Bumthang - Nanglhakhang

(Distance 19 kms and about 6 hours.)

Trek up  Chamkhar river, teeming with trouts, to the land of the swans.  After lunch you reach the “ Swan Land ”, Nanglhakhang. In the evening, enjoy local entertainment. Overnight at camp.

DAY –06 Nanglhakhang - Ugencholing

Climb gradually to Phephela pass at 11000ft., which is the highest point on this trek. This trail takes you through beautiful forested areas with lots of leisure stops. Overnight at camp.

DAY –07 Ugencholing - Jakar

(Distance approx. 10 kms and about 2-3 hours.)

 This trail leads you to the Tang Chu, another river with plenty of trout. On the way to Jakar you will pass the burning lake, “Mebar Tso,” where transportation will be waiting. Drive back to Jakar. Halt at hotel.

DAY –08 Jarkar valley sightseeing

After breakfast, explore the boundless Jakar valley. Unlike other valleys in Bhutan which are narrow, Jakar is spacious and open, ranging in altitude from 8’500 ft to over 13’000 ft. It is a haven for trekkers and hikers.

Morning sightseeing includes Tamshing Lhakhang, established by the great Bhutanese saint Pema Ling Pa in 1501; Kenchosum Lhakhang, built during Thresong Dengtseng’s time and  considered the oldest Lhakhang in Bhutan; and Membartsho, where Terton Pema Ling pa discovered treasures (ter) hidden by Guru Padmasambhava.

After lunch, visit Jampay Lhakhang, built in 659 by the Tibetan King, Songsten Gampo and Kurjey Lhakhang, bearing the body imprint of Guru Rimpoche. It was here that Guru Padmasambhava subdued Shelging Karpo and recovered Sindhu Raja’s life force and converted both rival kings to Buddhism. The offering of TSHO, BUTTER LAMP and PRAYERS can be arranged in this monastery. Night at Hotel

DAY –09 Bumthang-Punkha

After an early breakfast drive to Punakha, about 197km and 6.5hrs drive.  Picnic lunch at Chendebji. Night at hotel.

DAY –10 Rafting in Punakha

Rafting in upper and lower Pochu in Punakha.

DAY –11 Punakha Sightseeing - Thimphu

In the morning visit Punka Dzong, once the capital of the nation. Presently the dzong is the winter residence of the head abbot and the monastic school. Walk to Chimi lhakhang- the temple of Drukpa Kuenley or the Divine Madman, renowned for blessing barren women with fertility.  Drive back to the capital.

Day –12 Thimphu Sightseeing

After breakfast, sightseeing of Thimphu valley which includes a visit to the Memorial Chorten, built in memory of the late king; National Library, a treasure trove of priceless Buddhist manuscripts; the Traditional Institute of Medicine, where centuries old healing arts such as acupuncture and herbal remedies are still practiced; the Painting School, where young monks learn the art of Buddhist thangkha painting; the workshops for mask making and fine metal craft, weaving, ceramics and paper and; the Textile and Folk Heritage Museum, a fascinating testimony of Bhutanese material culture and living traditions.

Night at Hotel.

DAY-13 Thimphu – Paro sightseeing

After breakfast, drive to Paro. Sightseeing to Drukgyel Dzong, the fort of the victorious Drukpas. Although gutted by a fire, this fort is renowned as the stand from which several Tibetan invasions were repulsed.  To the north can be seen in all its majesty, the dome of sacred Mt. Chomolhari or the abode of the "mountain of goddess.”

En route, see one of the oldest landmarks in Bhutan . The 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang was one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gembo. It is revered as one of the most holy shrines in Bhutan and embodies the arrival of Buddhism here.

After lunch, visit to Ta Dzong, originally the Watch Tower for the Rinpung Dzong. It was later converted into the National Museum of the Kingdom and boasts a wide range of antique thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons & armour, household objects and natural and historic artifacts.

Walk down the trail to Rinpung Dzong or the 'fortress of the heap of jewels' which is the seat of the district administration and the residence of the monastic school. The dzong is famous for its wall murals depicting Buddhist parables, symbols and the lives of prominent saints.  Walk down to the cantilever bridge below the dzong where your car awaits.

Overnight at Hotel.

DAY –14 Taktshang Excursion

After an early breakfast,  drive to the foot of the Taktshang cliff before walking uphill for 2 hours to reach this monastery, giddily perched on a sheer 800m rock face.  Taktshang means ‘Tiger’s Nest’ as legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava flew to this spot on the back of a tigress in the eight century. He meditated here making this temple a sacred pilgrimage destination for Buddhists. Lunch at the Taktshang Cafeteria. The trip to and fro takes four hours for which riding ponies can be arranged.

Overnight Olathang Hotel.

DAY –15 Departure

Representative of Himalayan Kingdom Tours will bid you farewell for the onward flight home. TASHI DELEK