Each month a special festival in a different location in Bhutan heralds a new season or marks a significant occasion with music, dance and social gaiety. This is part of the magical charm of Bhutan.
Even before you have landed in the remote kingdom of Bhutan you know you are arriving at a very special destination. As you peek out the window of the plane you find yourself surrounded by the majestic mountains of the Himalayas, descending into a valley, that even from the air, has the mystical quality of existing in an era that the rest of the world has long forgotten. Our tour will take you to the remote Eastern part of the country and will include the highlights of Western and Central Bhutan as well.
2012 Departure Dates & Cost
WANGDI & THIMPU FESTIVALS: October 21 - 29, 2012 - $ 2,295 USD per persons
JAMBAY LHAKHANG IN BUMTHANG:October 26 - November 9, 2012 - $ 4,070 USD per person
TRASHIGANG & MONGAR, EASTERN BHUTAN November 17 - December 3, 2012- $ 4,250 USD per person
$ 20 USD visa fee additional
Single Supplement $ 15 USD per night
Let us know if you require airfare from your home city to Bangkok and we will apply for low promotional fares with our air suppliers. We are able to customize departures to Bhutan at any time of the year for 2 or more persons including nature, cultural, trekking and special interest departures.
A deposit of $ 800 is required to secure this trip. The balance is due 60 days prior to departure.
2 Festivals in one trip! Thimpu & Wandue
OCTOBER 21 ARRIVE PARO (L,D)
Fly into Paro Bhutan from Bangkok. On this flight, you can see breathtaking views of the Great Himalayas. Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be welcomed to the Kingdom by your guide and taken on a 15-20 minute drive from the airport to the hotel. Afternoon sightseeing of Paro. Visit Kychu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in the Kingdom built in 659 AD by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. Visit National Museum popularly known to the local Bhutanese as Ta Dzong or Watch Tower. Originally built in 1656 as the Watch Tower (Ta Dzong) of Paro Dzong and the Valley was renovated and converted into National Museum in 1968. 
OCTOBER22 PARO SIGHTSEEING (B,L,D)
After breakfast at the hotel, full day Paro Valley Sightseeing. The people of Paro are known for their hard work which they like to show in their big and traditional country houses. If you marry a girl from Paro, be prepared to put metal roofing over the traditional shingle roof in your wife's house and purchase farming machineries, to show that you are capable and well-to-do husband, so we joke among ourselves.
Paro's sightseeing is full of gems such as the 200 year old Watch Tower which has been renovated and converted into National Museum in 1968. It houses a fine collection of national costumes and fabrics, gallery of thangkas, an impressive stamp gallery with three dimensional and CD stamps issued as early as 1960 that are remarkable and other galleries showcasing armour and silverware with the handsome Royal tea pots. On the top floor there is a four sided temple complex depicting the history of Buddhism and its propagation. Visit Drugyel Dzong, although mostly now in ruins. Built in 1647 by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel to commemorate the victory over Tibetan Invaders, which indicates by the name of the Dzong meaning Victorious Bhutanese Fort. Visit Drugyel High School and Kychu Lhakhang, the oldest monastery in the valley built in 7th. century. Evening drive to Thimphu. Overnight Thimphu at the hotel.
OCTOBER 23 PARO - THIMPHU - WANGDUE, FESTIVAL (B,L,D)
Morning drive to Wangdi Phodrang via Simtokha and Dochula Pass. Afternoon go to see Wangdi Festival. Overnight Wangdi.
OCTOBER 24 WANGDU FESTIVAL (B,L,D)
Morning watch festival and Wangdue Valley sightseeing. After lunch, Drive to Punakha Valley for sightseeing and visit to Punakha Dzong. Punakha was the winter capital for over 300 years until the time of second King. Punakha Dzong which dominates the whole area was built in 1637 by Shagdrung Nawang Namgyel, and established the central monastic body with 600 monks. Today, Punakha is still the home for Je Khempo (Chief Abbot) and the central monastic body. Punakha Dzong is undergoing major re-construction after it was destroyed by fire in 1986. You can see the craftsman at work. It is one of the most impressive Dzongs in the country. Overnight Wangdue.
OCTOBER 25 WANGDU - THIMPU (B,L,D)
Experience the Thimphu Weekend Market where you will encounter Bhutanese from all over the country including expats from International agencies who work and live in Bhutan. As you walk through the huge sheds, see merchants selling staples; Datse (yak and cow cheese), Ema (red and green peppers), Red rice, Brick tea and full range of vegetables and fruits with handicrafts & souvenirs at one corner which delights the eye of a visitor. Evening drive to Paro. Morning, time at leisure. After lunch, walk around Thimphu town for 1 to 2 hours for last minute souvenir shopping.
OCTOBER 26 THIMPHU, FESTIVAL (B,L,D)
Morning to watch Thimphu festival. 
Some of the areas of interest in Thimpu that we will visit in addition to watching the festival are
- Change money from the Bhutan National Bank
- Opportunity to purchase the world's most beautiful postage stamps, collector's items and postcards at face value from general post office which is right next to Bhutan National Bank
- Visit Arts and crafts school where one can see young children at work
- Visit Memorial Chorten built in 1974 to honour memory of Late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, popularly known as the Father of Modern Bhutan -- a multi-storied stupa that will introduce you to the vitality of Tantric Buddhism
- Observe traditional paper making from Daphnia and Edgeworthia shrub to the finished product and purchase some beautiful writing sets from the factory
- Visit Botanical garden where one can see Yak and Takin, the National wild animal of Bhutan
- See downtown Thimphu on foot visiting Handicrafts Emporium and other Arts & Crafts stores. Buy stunning kiras which can be used and bed covers or wall decoration and jewelry.
OCTOBER 27 THIMPHU FESTIVAL/PARO (B,L,D)
Watch festival in the morning and drive to Paro in the afternoon
OCTOBER 28 EXCURSION TO TAKTSANG MONASTERY (B,L,D)
Day hike to Taktsang Monastery view point. Taktsang, meaning "Tiger's nest," is built around a cave in which Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhawa) mediated, clings seemingly impossible to a cliff of rock at 3,000 feet above the valley floor. For the local people it is a place of pilgrimage, but for a tourist, a hike up to the viewpoint opposite the monastery is exhausting, thrilling and mystical. The legend has it that Guru Rimpoche is said to have flown to the site of the monastery on the back of a tigress from Tibet and meditated in the cave there for three months. Although the main building of the temple was destroyed by fire on 19 April 1998, the hike up to the viewpoint is still worth a visit once in a lifetime. The re-construction works have already started and soon it will be restored in its original form. Overnight Paro.
OCTOBER 29 DEPARTURE
Have early morning breakfast. After breakfast drive to Paro Airport for departure to Bangkok by Druk Air flight. Your guide will assist you to complete the departure formalities and bid TASHI DELEK! (B)
Jambay Lhakhang Teschu Festival
OCTOBER 26 BANGKOK/PARO/THIMPU (B,L,D)
You will be transferred to the airport for the early morning flight to Paro, Bhutan. Please arrive at the Druk Airline Counter 2 hours prior to departure. Baggage limit 20 kg per person check-in and 1 carry-on bag.
After completing arrival formalities meet with your guide and transfer to
Thimpu, a leisurely drive of 2-hours with sightseeing stops en-route will reach you to Thimphu, the Capital City of Bhutan. Check in at your hotel for 2 nights.
OCTOBER 27 THIMPU (B,L,D)
Enjoy Full Day sightseeing in and around Thimphu Valley. Some of the activities you will enjoy include:
- Purchase world's most beautiful postage stamps, collector's items and postcards at face value from general post office which is right next to Bhutan National Bank
- Visit Arts and Crafts school where one can see young children at work
- Visit Traditional Medicine Institute where the ancient healing arts are still practiced
- Visit the textile Museum
- Visit Memorial Chorten built in 1974 to honour memory of Late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, popularly known as the Father of Modern Bhutan. A multi-storied stupa that will introduce you to the vitality of Tantric Buddhism.
- Observe traditional paper making from Daphnia and Edgeworthia shrub to the finished product and purchase some beautiful writing sets from the factory
- Visit Botanical garden (Zoo) where one can see Yak and Takin, the National wild animal of Bhutan
- Drive up to viewpoint and take a hike beyond to see the clear picture of Thimphu Valley
- Downtown Thimphu on foot visiting Handicrafts Emporium and other Arts & Crafts stores. Buy stunning kiras which can be used and bed covers or wall decoration, jewelleries and many more.
OCTOBER 28 THIMPU - WANDUEPHODRANG (B,L,D)
Drive to Wangduephodrang (3 hour drive) across Dochula Pass (10,500ft). Prayer flags send prayers on the wind. Enjoy spectacular views of the Eastern Himalayan Mountains. Stop at Lobesa for lunch. Early afternoon visit the Punakha Dong, "Palace of Great Happiness." The impressive Punakha Dzong is the former winter Capital and at present day hosts the administrative seat of the district. Also the winter residence of the central monastic body and its Chief Abbot. The Dzong lies between two rivers, the Pochu and Mochu, male and female rivers - the location is strategic. It was built in 1637 AD It was here on 17th December 1907, Bhutan's first king was crowned. We will visit the Fertility Temple Chimed Lhakhang and in the evening tour the Wangdu Dzong courtyard. Overnight at Dragons Nest Resort or similar for 1 night.
OCTOBER 29 TO BUMTHANG (B,L,D)
Some time in this special valley to watch the birds and enjoy peaceful village serenity and then depart for Bumthang in Central Bhutan. At times we will walk for an hour at a time along the road to better enjoy the scenery, alpine blossoms and birds. Overnight at Gongkhar Lodge or similar for 4-nights.
OCTOBER 30 BUMTHANG(B,L,D)
Full day sightseeing in and around Bumthang. Visit Jakar Dzong, Jambay Khakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, and Flaming Lake, (Membar Tsho). Shopping is a delight in Bumthang. Textile weaving prevails in this area and we visit weavers utilizing the back and toe strap looms. We will visit the Swiss Farm along with a beer and cheese factory for local flavor.
OCTOBER 31 JAMBAY LHAKHANG TSECHU (B,L,D)
Day to enjoy the dances and festivities of this wonderful local festival.
NOVEMBER 1 JAMBAY LHAKHANG TSECHU (B,L,D)
Spend full day in and around Bumthang Valley enjoying a local festival at Jambay Lhakhang (Monastery). 
NOVEMBER 2 BUMTHANG/TRONGSA (B,L,D)
After breakfast, start our journey back to Trongsa and western Bhutan. Trongsa is the ancestral home of the royal family. We will visit Tongsa Dzong (fort), one of the largest in the country. It was first built is 1648 by Chogyel Minjur Tempa, the Third Desi, and later enlarged many times. Because of being situated on a highly commanding position on the only connecting route between the eastern and western sectors (the trail actually runs through the Dzong), the Tongsa Penlop was able to control the whole of eastern region very effectively for many centuries. It is presently the administrative seat of the district and home of the monastic school. Built at split-levels on a narrow spur, the Dzong spans a huge area. Views from here are extensive creating a truly strategic location of this Dzong. Overnight Trongsa.
NOVEMBER 3 VALLEY BLACK-NECKED CRANES (B,L,D)
We drive to Gangtey in Phobjikha, a glacial valley on the western slopes of Black Mountain national park. The valley is a designated conservation area and borders the Black Mountain National Park. Because of the large flock of black-necked cranes that winter here (from late October to late March), it is one of the most important wildlife preserves in the country Phobjikha Valley is circled by beautiful pine covered mountains. Along the way, look for nocturnal red pandas that sleep in the trees during the day. At the valley's center, rising dramatically from a small ridge, stands Gantey Gompa, one of the oldest Nyingma Buddhist monasteries in Bhutan. If possible we will include a visit to the Gangtey monastery overlooks the large green expanse of Phobjikha Valley. The extensive complex consists of the gomba itself, the monks' quarters, meditation centers, and schools. Evening: Visit the Black-necked cranes roost in the swampy marshland from the Observatory overlooking the fields. Overnight in simple lodging, Gakaling Guest House or similar.
NOVEMBER 4 TO PUNAKHA (B,L,D)
Travel to Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan. Overnight Punakha.
NOVEMBER 5 PUNAKHA/THIMPHU (B,L,D)
Morning, sightseeing in and around Punakha Valley including visit to the most magnificent Punakha Dzong. Afternoon, return to Thimphu for Overnight.
NOVEMBER 6 THIMPU/PARO (B,L,D)
After an early breakfast we leave Thimphu going west towards Paro. Check in at your hotel for 2 nights. Lunch. After lunch, visit Paro Town and National Museum.
NOVEMBER 7 PARO (B,L,D)
Paro town for lunch. Check in at your hotel for 1 night. Afternoon sightseeing. The people of Paro are known for their hard work, which is displayed in their large traditional country houses. If you marry a girl from Paro, be prepared to put metal roofing over the traditional shingle roof in your wife's house and purchase farming machineries, to show that you are a capable and well-to-do husband. (So we joke among ourselves.) Paro's sightseeing is full of gems such as the 200-year-old Watch Tower that was renovated and converted into National Museum in 1968. It houses a fine collection of national costumes and fabrics, gallery of thangkas, an impressive stamp gallery with three dimensional and CD stamps issued as early as 1960 that are remarkable, and other galleries showcasing armour and silverware with the handsome Royal tea pots. On the top floor there is a four-sided temple complex depicting the history of Buddhism and its propagation. Visit Drugyel Dzong, although mostly now in ruins. Built in 1647 by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel to commemorate the victory over Tibetan Invaders, which indicates by the name of the Dzong meaning Victorious Bhutanese Fort.
NOVEMBER 8 TIGERS NEST (B,L,D)
Day to enjoy the Tigers Nest Monastery. The monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 800 meters. It is said that in the second half of the 8th century, Guru Padma Sambhava, the saint who converted Bhutan to Buddhism, enlighted here upon the back of a tigress. We enjoy a picnic lunch at the viewpoint; round trip is 3-4 hours.
NOVEMBER 9 PARO/BANGKOK (B)
Breakfast. Some leisure time. Departure for airport. Tashi Delek!
The itinerary may be changed due to weather, personal matters, local events and situations beyond our control. Please be flexible and enjoy the unexpected.
Mongar & Trashigang - Festivals of the Far East
NOVEMBER 17 ARRIVE PARO/THIMPHU (L,D)
Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be welcomed to the Kingdom by your guide. Lunch served in Paro. After lunch drive to Thimphu 2 - 3 hours. The drive from Paro to Thimphu is spectacularly scenic. Magnificent monasteries and stupas in the valleys and mountaintops. Overnight Thimphu. Orientation talk and introduction video show on Bhutan with tea and snacks.
NOVEMBER 18 THIMPHU (B,L,D)
Full day of sightseeing. Some of the highlights of Thimphu include:
- Change money at the Bhutan National Bank.
- Purchase world's most beautiful postage stamps.
- Visit the Arts and crafts school and the Traditional Medicine Institute.
- Visit Memorial Chorten to honor memory of Late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, popularly known as the Father of Modern Bhutan. A multi-storied stupa that will introduce you to the vitality of Tantric Buddhism.
- Observe traditional paper making from Daphnia and Edgeworthia
- Visit Botanical garden (Zoo) where one can see Yak and Takin, the National wild animal of Bhutan.
- Drive up to viewpoint and take a hike beyond to see the clear picture of Thimphu Valley.
- Downtown Thimphu on foot visiting Handicrafts Emporium and other Arts & Crafts stores. Buy stunning kiras which can be used and bed covers or wall decoration, jewelry's and many more.
NOVEMBER 19 THIMPU - TRONGSA (B,L,D)
Visit the weekly market. Depart Thimpu and a drive across Dochula Pass (10,500 feet) to the valley of Tongsa is the ancestral home of Bhutan's Royal Family. Both the First and Second King ruled the Kingdom from this ancient seat. All the Kings of Bhutan has to become Tongsa Penlop (Honorary post of Governor) prior to being crowned as the Druk Gyalpo (King of Bhutan). Tongsa Dzong (fort), one of the largest in the country was first built is 1648 and later enlarged many times. Because of being situated on a highly commanding position on the only connecting route between the eastern and western sectors (where trail actually runs through the Dzong), the Tongsa Penlop was able to control the whole of eastern region very effectively for many centuries. Visit the ancient watch tower (Ta Dzong), which is situated just above the town. Continue to Trongsa. Overnight Sherubling Lodge or at the hotel overlooking Tongsa Dzong and the watch tower.
NOVEMBER 20 TRONGSA - MONGAR (B,L,D)
Drive to the Ura Valley 2 - 3 hours where the road begins to climb towards the highest pass in Bhutan (Thumsing La at 3,800 metres, 12,465 feet). The road is almost nothing but curves as the road plunges down a long series of bends through coniferous forest and then into tropical bamboo, lianas and banana trees. The temperature rises. Mongar is built on the side of a mountain. Visit Mongar Dzong built in the 19th century. Accommodation in Mongar is at a basic guest house.
NOVEMBER 21 MONGAR - TRASHIGANG (B,L,D)
The trip to Trashigang (96 kilometers) takes 3 hours. Stop at Dametsi Monastery, the biggest and most important in Eastern Bhutan. Trashigang is the second largest urban centre in Bhutan. The mountains surrounding Trashigang are dotted with little villages. Many different cultural and ethnic groups meet in this pleasant town.
NOVEMBER 23, 24 TRASHIGANG FESTIVAL (B,L,D)
Bhutan's festivals are joyous expressions of its Buddhist culture. Francoise Pommaret describes their Chaucerian atmosphere when she writes that "the festivals offer Bhutanese an opportunity to become immersed in the meaning of their religion [but] they are also occasions for seeing people and being seen. People bring their finest clothes, their most beautiful jewels; they take out picnics rich with meat and alcohol. Men and women joke and flirt. An atmosphere of convivial, slightly ribald good humor prevails." You will be joining hundreds of villagers as they enjoy a rollicking carnival and watch mystical masked dances. Two important religious festivals will be visited.
NOVEMBER 25 TASHI YANGTSE - MONGAR (B,L,D)
Travel through a gorge filled with lush vegetation and observe the monkeys and birds. In former times Tashi Yangtse was important as it lay on the caravan routes leading from Western to Central Bhutan. Observe rice terraces and small chortens continue to Mongar.
NOVEMBER 26 MONGAR/BUMTHANG (JAKAR) (B,L,D)
The drive to Bumthang takes 3 hrs. Tales of the great Guru Padmasambhava dominates this holy valley. View the Jakar Dzong "The Castle of White Bird." A stop will be made on the way in the Chumey Valley where one can see girls weaving Yatha the traditional woollen material used for different purpose on a traditional handloom. The finished products are all displayed in a shop and outside in open for sale. Lunch at the hotel. Overnight Jakar Village Lodge.
NOVEMBER 27 BUMTHANG/TRONGSA (B,L,D)
Different from all the other valleys in Bhutan, Bumthang is very spacious and open ranging in altitude from 2,600m to 4,000m. Bumthang is a heaven for hikers and trekkers, not to mention the numerous beautiful and important Buddhist monasteries and pilgrimage sites, making it the Cultural and Historic center of Bhutan. One could spend months exploring this fascinating valley. Almost every little valley or hill has a background of interesting myths and legends about Kings, Buddhist masters and Serpents. Bumthang is combined of four main valleys, Chumey, Tang, Ura and Choskhor (Jakar). Commonly known as Jakar valley where you can see a little bit of modern touch with Swiss Influences. Morning visits to the important cultural and historic sites in the special valley. Afternoon drive to Trongsa.
NOVEMBER 28 EXCURSION TO GANGTEY & PHOBJIKHA VALLEY (B,L,D)
After breakfast drive to Gangtey and Phobjikha valley. Phobjikha valley has been declared as the first eco-tourism destination of Bhutan by the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN). The valley falls under the Black Mountain Natural Park. Phobjikha valley is the winter home to rare and endangered black necked cranes (grus nigricllis), which migrate, in large flocks to Bhutan from Tibet & Sikang, Yunnan and Tonkin in eastern China. For centuries the cranes have captured the human imagination with their intelligence, poise, sociality, beauty and freedom, which have given rise to several myths, legends, folktales and songs. In 1998 there were about 250 cranes and the numbers are increasing. Although the cranes fly back to their summer homes in mid - late February, there may be a couple of birds that have not yet flown to their summer homes in Tibet and China. There are lots of other wild animals in the surrounding valleys like wild boar, barking deer, Himalayan black bear, red fox, leopard and many species of birds. Also included are visits to the Nature Education center, the carpet factory and the Sacred Gangtey Monastery, which dominates the valley. Continue to Punakha. Overnight Zangdho Pelri Hotel.
NOVEMBER 29 PUNAKHA/THIMPU (B,L,D)
Punakha was the winter capital for over 300 years until the time of second King. Punakha Dzong, which dominates the whole area, was built in 1637 by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel, and established the central monastic body with 600 monks. Today, Punakha is still the home for Je Khempo (Chief Abbot) and the central monastic body. Punakha Dzong is undergoing major re-construction after it was destroyed by fire in 1986. You can see the craftsman at work. Afternoon drive to Thimpu. 
NOVEMBER 30 THIMPHU/PARO (B,L,D)
Enjoy the weekend market in Thimpu and drive to Paro. The people of Paro are known for their hard work, which they like to show in their traditional country houses. Paro's sightseeing is full of gems such as the 200-year-old Watch Tower, which has been renovated and converted into National Museum in 1968. It houses a fine collection of national costumes and fabrics, gallery of thangkas, an impressive stamp gallery with three-dimensional stamps issued as early as 1960. Visit Drugyel Dzong, although mostly now in ruins. Visit Drugyel High School and Kychu Lhakhang, the oldest monastery in the valley built in 7th. Century. Take a look at the shops in Paro town. Overnight at Kychu Resort.
DECEMBER 1 EXCURSION TO TAKTSANG MONASTERY (B,L,D)
Day hike to Taktsang Monastery view point. Taktsang, meaning "Tiger's nest," is built around a cave in which Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhawa) mediated, clings seemingly impossible to a cliff of rock at 3,000 feet above the valley floor. For the local people it is a place of pilgrimage, but for a tourist, a hike up to the viewpoint opposite the monastery is exhausting, thrilling and mystical. The legend has it that Guru Rimpoche is said to have flown to the site of the monastery on the back of a tigress from Tibet and meditated in the cave there for three months. Although the main building of the temple was destroyed by fire on 19 April 1998, the hike up to the viewpoint is still worth a visit once in a lifetime. The re-construction works have already started and soon it will be restored in its original form. Overnight Paro.
DECEMBER 2 PARO DEPARTURE (B)
Morning transfer for the departure flight.
