12-Day Bhutan Cultural Tour with Festivals

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Thimphu Drup or Drupchen (popularly known as Thimphu Dromchoe) takes place at the Thimphu Tashichho Dzong. On the last day of the Drubchen, you can see the sacred masked dance, dedicated to appeasing the protecting deity of Bhutan, Pelden Lhamo. The Drupchen is a precursor to the annual festival and while it has less dancing and feasting and more prayer and blessings, it is of equal significance to the locals who attend. You can visit the festival and then take a stroll around the market.

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Today, you'll go sightseeing in Thimphu with your local guide. Your guide can plan the day based on what takes your interest. You can visit the revered Memorial Chorten and the huge statue of Buddha Dordenma, which commands a tremendous view of Thimphu valley. You can also visit Changangkha temple, perched on the hilltop overlooking the town. You may like to visit the Takin Reserve showcasing the unique national animal, the Takin. The choice is yours!

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This morning, you'll drive three hours to the old capital, Punakha, via Dochu La pass at 3050 metres, where you will stop for a hot drink and enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the Eastern Himalaya ranges. You will notice the change of climate and vegetation as you approach low-lying Punakha at 1250 metres. In Punakha, you can take a pleasant walk across the terraced fields of Sopsokha village to Chimi Lhakhang built in the 15th century, then you will visit the imposing Punakha Dzong.

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This morning, you'll drive approximately 4.5 hours to Trongsa, the gateway to central Bhutan at 2180 metres. Set amidst spectacular scenery, Trongsa Dzong, the ancestral home of Bhutan’s royal family, commands the eye from miles away. You can also visit Ta Dzong, the museum in the watchtower dedicated to the Wangchuk dynasty. You'll then continue a further 2.5 hours through some of Bhutan’s most beautiful landscapes to Bumthang, an area of high valleys at 2580 to 3100 metres.

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Today, you'll spend the day sightseeing in Bumthang, the spiritual heartland of Bhutan, with its many legendary monasteries, temples and palaces. Bumthang is the collective name for an area of four valleys - Chokhor, Tang, Ura and Chumey. Your guide will take you on a fascinating walking and/or driving tour of a variety of sacred sites. You can also visit Bhutan’s largest Dzong (Jakar) overlooking the Chokhor valley and the famous Swiss cheese factory and dairy farm.

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Today, you'll drive approximately 5-6 hours to Gangtey at 2900 metres. You'll enjoy the views of the immense and remote Phobjikha valley and the black mountain ranges. In the afternoon, you can visit Gangtey Gompa (one of Bhutan’s oldest monasteries and recently extensively renovated) and explore the valley where the villagers continue to live a traditional Bhutanese rural lifestyle. This is the site where black-necked cranes visit in their hundreds in November each year.

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Today you can spend the whole day at Gangtey Tsechu with local villagers. The festival takes place in the courtyard of the monastery, which has recently been extensively renovated. You will see locals dressed in their finest clothes who have walked from miles around to attend the festivities. They come to watch masked dances, to pray, and to feast. The occasion provides an opportunity for people to relax and forget the daily routine, and to dress in their finest clothes and jewellery.

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Today you'll return to Paro, a drive of approximately 5-6 hours, via Wangdi. Wangdi (also known as Wangdue Phodrang) was originally considered Bhutan’s secondary capital and it commands an important central position. 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. Renovation work is underway but meanwhile, there is little now to see in Wangdi and after a brief stop continue on your way.

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Today, you'll spend the day exploring Paro. You can visit the impressive Paro Rinpung Dzong, one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture. You can also visit the National Museum housed in the Ta Dzong (watchtower). You can see a magnificent collection of Bhutanese artefacts – costumes, religious paintings, arms, textiles and a fascinating collection of Bhutan stamps. Near to the museum, you may also be able to see a demonstration of traditional woodturning skills by local artisans.

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Today, you'll take a day walk to the ‘Tiger's Nest’, the sacred Taktshang monastery which clings to the rock face 900 metres above the valley floor. Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown to the site riding on a tigress. Tiger's Nest is one of Bhutan’s most holy sites and draws pilgrims from Bhutan and neighbouring Buddhist countries. You can have lunch at the Taktshang cafeteria with a spectacular view of the monastery. After, if there is time your guide will suggest something for you to see.