7-Day Bhutan Festival Tour with Punakha Valley and Tiger's Nest

7 Days Duration

Experiences

About This Tour

Embark on an enriching 7-day journey through the Kingdom of Bhutan, centered on the vibrant Thimphu Festival with colorful masked dances and spiritual celebrati...

Duration: 7 Days · Tour type: Shared · Activity level: Easy · Accommodation: Included · Standard · Transport: Included · Wheelchair access: Yes · Cities: Thimphu, Paro, Punakha, Jomolhari · Languages: English

About Jomolhari

Bhutan

Jomolhari

Explore the list of top ranked local tour guides in Jomolhari. Get tour activities offered by tour companies and independent travel guides in Jomolhari.

Explore Jomolhari Bhutan All destinations

What's Included

Transportation
English-speaking guide
All meals
All entrance fees
Certified 3-star hotel based on twin sharing
Unlimited water

Not Included

Personal laundry and shopping
Insurance
Airfare

Itinerary

1

Day 01

Arrival in Paro and Drive to Thimphu

Experience one of the most spectacular mountain flights in the world, with constantly changing views of the highest peaks on earth. Meet your guide and driver at Paro airport after customs formalities. Meet your guide and driver at Paro airport after customs formalities. Drive to Thimphu, the capital city, following the Pachu River (approximately 1 hour). Drive to Thimphu, the capital city, following the Pachu River (approximately 1 hour). Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.
2

Day 02

Thimphu Festival at Tashichhodzong

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Tashichhodzong to attend the Thimphu Festival. Drive to Tashichhodzong to attend the Thimphu Festival. Witness locals dressed in their finest clothes as they attend festivities filled with masked dances, prayers, and feasts. Witness locals dressed in their finest clothes as they attend festivities filled with masked dances, prayers, and feasts. Learn about the spiritual and historical stories behind the dances, many of which depict events surrounding Bhutan's patron saint, Guru Rinpoche. Learn about the spiritual and historical stories behind the dances, many of which depict events surrounding Bhutan's patron saint, Guru Rinpoche. Explore Tashichhodzong, the "fortress of the glorious religion," originally built in 1641 and reconstructed in the 1960s without plans or nails. Explore Tashichhodzong, the "fortress of the glorious religion," originally built in 1641 and reconstructed in the 1960s without plans or nails. Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.
3

Day 03

Thimphu Sightseeing and Festival Celebrations

Begin the morning with sightseeing, including a visit to the 12th Century Changangkha Temple. Visit the National Memorial Chorten, built to depict the Buddhist faith through paintings and statues. Visit the National Memorial Chorten, built to depict the Buddhist faith through paintings and statues. Return to Tashichhodzong in the afternoon to further experience the vibrant events of the Thimphu Festival. Return to Tashichhodzong in the afternoon to further experience the vibrant events of the Thimphu Festival. Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.
4

Day 04

Drive to Punakha via Dochu-La Pass

Drive over Dochu-La Pass at 3,100 meters, offering stunning views of the Himalayan peaks on clear days. Descend into the warm Punakha Valley (approximately 3 hours of driving). Descend into the warm Punakha Valley (approximately 3 hours of driving). Visit Punakha Dzong, the "Palace of Great Happiness," located at the confluence of the Mo Chu and Pho Chu Rivers. Visit Punakha Dzong, the "Palace of Great Happiness," located at the confluence of the Mo Chu and Pho Chu Rivers. Explore the breathtaking architecture and the historic site where Bhutan's first king was crowned in 1907. Explore the breathtaking architecture and the historic site where Bhutan's first king was crowned in 1907. After lunch, walk to Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of the Divine Madman, known as a symbol of fertility and spiritual blessing. After lunch, walk to Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of the Divine Madman, known as a symbol of fertility and spiritual blessing. Overnight at your hotel in Punakha.
5

Day 05

Khamsum Chorten Hike and Return to Paro

Begin with a visit to Yabesa village and hike through rice fields to Khamsum Yueley Namgyal Chorten, built by Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuk. Return to Thimphu to visit the National Library and the Folk Heritage Museum. Return to Thimphu to visit the National Library and the Folk Heritage Museum. Explore local handicraft and souvenir stores, and if it is the weekend, visit the Thimphu Market to experience Bhutanese produce and handmade goods. Explore local handicraft and souvenir stores, and if it is the weekend, visit the Thimphu Market to experience Bhutanese produce and handmade goods. Proceed to Paro and check into the hotel. Proceed to Paro and check into the hotel. Overnight at your hotel in Paro.
6

Day 06

Tiger's Nest Hike and Paro Heritage Sites

After breakfast, hike to Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger's Nest, perched on a cliff 900 meters above the valley floor. For those unable to hike, horses are available up to the viewing point. For those unable to hike, horses are available up to the viewing point. Visit the monastery, an important pilgrimage site where Guru Rinpoche is said to have meditated. Visit the monastery, an important pilgrimage site where Guru Rinpoche is said to have meditated. Stop at the nearby teahouse for refreshments. Stop at the nearby teahouse for refreshments. In the afternoon, drive to the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong and, on clear days, admire Mount Jomolhari in the background. In the afternoon, drive to the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong and, on clear days, admire Mount Jomolhari in the background. Visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, built in the 7th century. Visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, built in the 7th century. Overnight at your hotel in Paro.
7

Day 07

Departure from Paro

After breakfast, transfer to Paro airport for your onward journey.