Bhutan Festivals Tour

Our representative will come to the airport for transfer to the Hotel. After some refreshment in the hotel, Our Tour leader will make pre departure meeting in the Hotel or at our office. The meeting will cover trip-related information & collecting your Documents (passport copy, 2 passport size photos, Travel insurance).

The morning after breakfast as time set for the sightseeing tour, our city guide will lead you for a few hours on our fascinating heritage and cultural tour around places of interest, a tour of holy Pashupatinath temple, Bouddhanath (Little Tibet), Swaymbhunath (Monkey Temple) & monasteries, old historical Palaces, courtyard; and then back to the hotel after the wonderful tour, afternoon free for individual activities and preparation for Bhutan trip.

Depart from the hotel in Kathmandu for a scenic flight to Paro in Bhutan, during the flight, breathtaking views of Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga, and other Himalayan mountains with sacred Jhumolhari & Jichu Drake peaks of Bhutan. On reaching Paro Bhutan’s only airport, after the immigration process and formalities, our native Bhutanese guide will receive you and then a short drive to respective hotels in Paro, afternoon free for a short walk around this interesting town.

On the first night on Bhutan soil flying in Druk Air, after breakfast drive to Drugyel Dzong (fort), the first fort built in 1927-29 by Shabdung Ngawang Namgyal, who unified the Kingdom, at present a ruined fortress that once defended Paro valley from Tibetan invasion. This fortress, now a burnt shell, was a strategic point of Bhutan’s defense against Tibetan invasion, from here stunning views of Jhumolhari 7,326 meters peak, on the way back visit of National Museum, after lunch a half-day excursion to famous Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s Nest /Den) perched on a high rock cliff with excellent views of Paro valley below.

Today a short drive of a few hours to Bhutan’s capital in Thimphu, as the ride leaves Paro town leading through interesting villages and countryside, drive climbs over a few hills on the winding road to reach one of the world’s last Buddhist Kingdom capital at Thimphu, a quaint and moderate size city with less traffic, on reaching the capital check into a hotel, Afternoon tour of interesting places, the memorial stupa, indigenous hospital, where traditional medicine is still practiced and the painting school, rest of the afternoon free at leisure to walk around and to observe the Bhutanese daily life. Visit Zilukha Nunnery, Painting School, and Memorial Chorten, built in the memory of Late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, afternoon visit Handicraft Emporium, and display of all kinds of handicraft products of Bhutan with time for a stroll downtown.

The morning after breakfast our Bhutanese guide will take you to areas of Tsechus festival which is celebrated weeklong to honor the teachings of Padmasambhava, the Lama, monks dressed in a colorful dresses which are imparted to the deity through mask dances, other attractions of this festival is to observe Bhutanese people from all walks of life and to interact with the ever smiling and cheerful people. The Tsechu festival is religiously attending it, it is believed one gains merits. It is also a yearly social gathering where the people gather to rejoice, dressed in finery. The Thimphu Tsechu was started by the 4^th Temporal Ruler, Tenzing Rabgye around 1638-1696 AD and in 1670 AD on the 8^th month of the Bhutanese calendar to commemorate the birth of Guru Rinpoche. After a lovely and enjoyable time, in the afternoon stroll around the market and streets on the eve of the festival atmosphere.

After a nice time in the Bhutanese capital Thimphu, morning is an interesting drive towards central Bhutan, where you can observe the true Bhutanese country and traditional village life, as the journey continues leading over a scenic Duchulu pass at 3,050 meters and then to another high pass at Pele-la 3,150 meters high and then downhill to a lovely looking farm village of Tongsa, here overnight in tourist standard lodge or similar.

From this nice place, morning drive to inner central Bhutan at Bumthang, one of the most charming areas with green valley and picturesque villages, the drive is for about 4 hours with few stops in between for memorable pictures of this fascinating place, on reaching at Bumthang transfer to local lodge or cottage like Inn. After lunch visit 17th-century^th century Jakar Dzong, which at present turned into the administration center of Bumthang Valley, here with time for a short walk to marvel at the beautiful scenery.

At Jakkar morning free at leisure to explore the surrounding area and to observe the village typical country life, after having lunch with great time here and then taking a drive back to Tongsa following few villages and rivers to reach at Tongsa for overnight stop in a tourist standard lodge or similar.

From Tongsa after a wonderful memorable and fascinating time around central Bhutan, a morning drive leads to Thimphu, but with a difference this time with a visit to Punakha town, which was the old capital of Bhutan before it was shifted to Thimphu during the last century, after a refreshing stop drive continues to Thimphu for the last overnight in Bhutan, afternoon free for shopping souvenirs.

Last day in Bhutan, early morning drive towards Paro airport upon reaching the terminal goodbye to guides, drivers, and the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, after going through the visa and passport process a scenic flight back to Kathmandu or to another destination. Upon reaching Kathmandu Tribhuvan international airport, transfer to respective hotels back into the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu city.

Today, my last day in Nepal with great memories and experience of Bhutan Festival & Cultural Tour and of amazing Nepal, transfer to Tribhuvan International airport for final departure towards homeward bound or to next port of call.