Bhutan Festival Tour

Arrive at Paro International Airport and drive to Thimphu. Visit the Tamchhog Lhakhang and take a late afternoon walk around town. Overnight at Gakyil Hotel or similar. (D)

Visit the Buddha Dordenma, Changangkha Temple, weekend market, Memorial Chorten, National Textile Museum, and Takin Reserve. Overnight at Gakyil Hotel or similar. (BLD)

Drive to Punakha via Dochu La pass. Visit Chimi Lhakhang and Punakha Dzong. Overnight at Hotel Lobesa or similar. (BLD)

Visit Chorten Ningpo and hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten. Overnight at Hotel Lobesa or similar. (BLD)

Drive to Trongsa and visit Trongsa Dzong and Ta Dzong. Continue to Bumthang. Overnight at Ugyenling Hotel or similar. (BLD)

Explore Bumthang's sacred sites including Jamba Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, Tamshing Lhakhang, and Jakar Dzong. Overnight at Ugyenling Hotel or similar. (BLD)

Drive to Tang valley, the most remote of Bumthang's valleys, where the people raise sheep and yaks, stopping on the way at Membar Tsho (“Burning Lake”), which is one of Bhutan’s most important pilgrimage sites. The on to Drangchel, Pema Lingpa’s birthplace. You will also see picturesque villages and temples and can walk up to visit Ugyenchholing Palace, which is now a museum and gives an interesting insight into the life of an aristocratic family in the last century. Return to Bumthang for the night. Overnight at Ugyenling Hotel or similar. (BLD)

An early start today around 8am. Drive approximately 5-6 hours to reach Gangtey situated at 2900 metres. Stop on the way to the village of Zungney where you can watch the women weaving traditional “yathras” by hand- woollen strips used in the making of blankets, bedcovers and winter jackets. On the approach to Gangtey there are wonderful views of the immense and remote Phobjikha valley and the black mountain ranges. On arrival in Gangtey, visit Gangtey Gompa, one of Bhutan’s oldest monasteries which has recently been restored, and explore the valley where the villagers live a traditional Bhutanese rural lifestyle. Enjoy a lovely nature walk starting from near the monastery taking you first downhill and then a nice flat walk through the forest to the valley floor. This is the area where Black-Necked Cranes visit in their hundreds in November each year after spending the summer in Tibet. Overnight Dewachen Hotel or similar (BLD)

Today (which is also the birthday of the Fourth King) you will visit the annual Black Necked Crane Festival in Gangtey. The festival takes place in the courtyard of the monastery and provides the opportunity to share a local cultural experience; it is held to promote conservation among the local people. There will be some official rituals, such as flag raising and welcome ceremonies, followed by folk culture displays, including dances performed by schoolchildren. There will be stalls offering local food. You will also visit the Black Necked Crane Information Centre, to learn more about these amazing migrating birds, with the opportunity to spot some of them through the high-quality lenses for use at the centre. Overnight Dewachen Hotel or similar (BLD)

This morning we depart the Phobjikha Valley and travel to Wangdi (also known as Wangdue Phodrang), originally considered Bhutan’s secondary capital. 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, but also the painstaking work that had been in progress for many months to repair recent earthquake damage using traditional construction methods. 10 years of renovation work is finally complete and it should be open to visit. After visiting the Dxong and after a brief stop for lunch you will return to Paro, a drive of approximately 5 hours. You will have some free time to visit the local handicraft shops to look for souvenirs. Overnight at Olathang Hotel or similar. (BLD)

This morning visit the National Museum housed in the Ta Dzong (watch tower) which was built on top of the hill above Rinpung Dzong to defend Rinpung Dzong and the Paro valley during times of war, in an unusual circular construction resembling a conch shell. The Ta Dzong was badly damaged by an earthquake in September 2011 but has now been renovated and you can see a magnificent collection of Bhutanese artefacts – costumes, religious paintings, arms, textiles and a fascinating collection of Bhutan stamps. From the National Museum, take a leisurely 1-hour hike along the forested hillside to Zuri Dzong and then down to the Uma resort. The walk passes Gonsaka Lhakhang and then Zuri Dzong providing wonderful views down over the valley and Dzong. Zuri Dzong dates from 1352 and is home to the valley’s local protector gods. Continue your walk down the Uma Reort junction where you turn right towards Paro Dzong and here again you should have a good view of Paro Dzong and town. Your driver will be waiting at the Paro bridge to pick you up. After lunch you can also visit the impressive Paro Rinpung Dzong, one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture. Later, visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, a temple of historical significance and one of the most sacred shrines in Bhutan. Afterwards, if there is time, you may like to visit Dumtse Lhakhang, a temple built by Thangtong Gyalpo, the iron bridge builder. Overnight at Olathang Hotel or similar. (BLD)

This morning embark on the amazing hike to the ‘Tiger's Nest’, the sacred Taktshang monastery which clings impossibly to the rock face 900 metres above the valley floor. It is the birthplace of Buddhism in Bhutan and Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown to the site riding on a tigress and He subsequently meditated here for three months. It is one of Bhutan’s most holy sites and draws pilgrims not only from Bhutan but also from neighbouring Buddhist countries. You can have lunch at the Taktshang cafeteria from where there is a spectacular view of the monastery. Overnight at Olathang Hotel or similar. (BLD) The ascent to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery is very steep and you should be sure that your level of fitness will allow you to make the hike. It is possible to rent a stick at the start of the hike. Expect the entire hike with stops including at the cafeteria to last 6 hours. Speak to our team for personal experience account of the hike.

Early in the morning your guide will accompany you to the airport and wish you Tashi Delek (Goodbye and Good Luck). (B)