Festivals of Bhutan - Thimphu

Welcome to Kathmandu, a brief stop enroute to Bhutan. On arrival you'll be met by a local representative for your transfer to our hotel. If you are not travelling on the group flight from London, please make sure you provide your flight details two weeks prior to departure to secure your return airport transfers.



The evening is free to relax.



Accommodation: Royal Singi Hotel (or similar)

Today we fly to Paro. The flight is one of the most spectacular mountain flights in the world and takes us over the eastern Himalayas. If the weather is clear, we should get a fantastic view of much of the eastern half of the Himalaya, including Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu and Kanchenjunga. The Paro Valley is considered to be one of the most beautiful valleys in Bhutan, with blue pine-covered hills and attractive solidly built houses among the paddy fields. If there is the time in the afternoon there will be a visit to visit the museum, Rinpung Dzong or the Kyichu Lakang; one of the oldest temples in Bhutan built by the 7th century Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo.



Accommodation: Rema Resorts (or similar)

We have an early start today, driving one hour from Paro to Thimphu to find our spot to enjoy the festival entertainment from.



Thimphu is considered the most popular festivals in Bhutan and plays an important part in the Bhutanese lives.



We spend the whole day experiencing this vibrant festival, watching the Bhutanese gather to see monks and lay dancers dressed in colourful brocade and silk costumes, wearing painted masks re-enacting the stories of the religious and lay history of Bhutan through music and dance. For several days there are masked dances and prayer meetings, and a general carnival atmosphere prevails as many villagers arrive to meet old friends. The Bhutanese all dress in their finest national dress for the festival and one of the highlights is the riot of colours of the magnificent silks on display.



Thimphu accommodation: Pedling Hotel / Ghakyil Hotel (or similar)

Today we will take a break from festivities and marvel in the sights and history of the relatively “new” Kingdom of Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu. The ancient city of Punakha was replaced with Thimphu as the country’s capital in 1961 by the 3rd King, Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The main sights include Kuensel Phodrang, known locally as Buddha Point, where there is a huge statue of Buddha overlooking the whole of the valley. Simtokha Dzong, the oldest dzong in Bhutan, built in 1629 now serves as the Institute of Language and cultural studies. It houses numerous statues and paintings of various religious figures and deities. You will also be able to view Takin Reserve from above on your journey into Thimphu and visit a paper factory and weaving centre to see authentic local weaving techniques, plus the local market is interesting to explore.



Accommodation: Pedling Hotel / Ghakyil Hotel (or similar)

We leave Thimphu in the morning and drive east to Punakha (approximately a three hour drive). The route climbs its way steadily on a good road to the Dochula Pass, where there are 108 chortens. At 3050m (10,000ft) the views over the eastern Himalaya are magnificent although this is most definitely weather dependent! We then descend to the valley floor and continue to sub-tropical Punakha.



En-route we visit the Chimmi Lhakhang, built in 1499 to honour one of the more folkloric saints of Bhutan, Drukpa Kuenley. Nicknamed the Divine Madman or Mad Saint, he was a maverick lama, who subdued a demon who controlled the Dochu La. He built a chorten where the monastery stands, and he was reputed to have unorthodox ways of teaching Buddhism by suggesting outrageous behaviour and he was a great womaniser! He advocated the use of the phallus as a symbol to be painted on walls and houses, which were intended to drive away the evil eye. Most of the houses in this area are decorated with highly ornate phallic paintings. We walk through the village to the monastery with a chance to see the traditional Bhutanese style of farmhouses.



We continue on to Punakha, which, at an altitude of 1200m is warmer than Paro or Thimphu. Punakha was once the capital of Bhutan and it is still the winter residence of the monastic body. We visit the dzong, one of the most beautiful in Bhutan and the second one to be built in 1637. This remarkable fortress is situated between the Mo and Po Chhu Rivers and it has survived many fires, an earthquake and several floods. Over the years it has been repaired and added to and has several interesting features to protect it against invasion.



Accommodation: Sonamgang Hotel (or similar)

Today we leave the main road and drive up to the Lawala Pass and into the beautiful Gangtey Valley (approximately two – three hours). If it is possible, enroute we can visit the newly reconstructed Wangdiphirdrang Dzong built in 1638 on a ridge, overlooking the convergence of Dangchhu and Punatsangchhu Rivers.



After lunch, there is plenty of time to explore one of the most beautiful valleys in Bhutan. Often called the Phobjikha Valley, this U-shaped glacial valley is wide with hardly any trees and gives the impression of a vast space. There is some of the best marshland in Bhutan and the valley is rich in flora and fauna. Look out for barking deer, sambar deer and wild boar. Himalayan Black bears have been spotted in the valley an there is a wealth of birdlife. It is also where the graceful Black-necked cranes come from Tibet during the winter season to roost. The cranes usually arrive towards the end of October and upon arrival, they fly around the monastery three times! They spend the winter in the valley and in spring they again fly three times around the monastery and fly back to Tibet for the summer. We can also visit the black crane information centre and the Gangteng Monastery.



Accommodation: Dewachen Hotel (or similar)

This morning we will set off on foot from our hotel and go on a walk through the Gangtey Valley (approximately 5km/two - three hours) - the climb up to the monastery involves around 500m ascent. This glacial valley is made up of farmlands, pastures and blue-pine forests. We will encounter herders caring for their herds, which graze on the dwarf bamboo of the area. After lunch, we drive for approximately two to three hours to Wangdue Phodrang, Punakha.



Accommodation: Sonamgang Hotel (or similar)

This morning we drive back to Paro (approximately three hours). We will stop at Thimphu enroute to visit places of interest we may not have had time to see on day four. Visit the oldest Dzong, Simtokha Dzong, built in 1629 and now served as the Institute for Culture Studies. It houses numerous significant statues and paintings of various religious figures and deities. The National Institute of for Zorig Chosum (Painting school) is also worth a trip which shows paintings, embroidery, sculptures and wood carvings.



This afternoon, continue onto Paro.



Accommodation: Rema Resorts (or similar)

Today we hike (approximately 9km in total for the round trip) to Takstang Monastery, also known as the 'Tiger’s Nest'. This spectacular building is perched on the ledge of a cliff high above the Paro Valley. Partly destroyed by fire in 1998, it has now been completely restored to its former magnificence. From the car park to the cafeteria viewpoint is about 2 hours uphill walk through the forest. From here we have incredible views of the monastic buildings which cling impossibly to the cliff wall. For the energetic there is the chance to walk even higher to the actual monastery. This will take another 2 hours and involves walking up and down stone steps. We highly recommend a trekking pole or you can buy a wooden stick at the car park. There are horses available up to the cafeteria for those who do not want to do the hike but please note that this is an unregulated activity and helmets are not available. We spend about an hour at the monastery looking around the temples (photography is not allowed inside) before descending to the cafeteria for lunch.



After lunch we return to the car park and drive back to our hotel. There should be some time to have a look round Paro before dinner



Accommodation: Rema Resorts (or similar)

We transfer to the airport to check in for our flight back to Kathmandu. The rest of the day is free for individual sightseeing or shopping. You may want to visit the famous Durbar Square in the heart of the old city, the monkey temple at Swayambhunath, the largest Buddhist stupa on earth at Boudhanath or the Hindu temple at Pashupathinath. Another option is to take a taxi to Bhaktapur, the mediaeval city 17km east of the capital. Bhaktapur has its own Durbar Square with many temples and statues and a maze of narrow streets, which are generally quieter than the capital.



he Exodus representative in Kathmandu will be able to give you more information on what there is to see.



Accommodation: Royal Singi Hotel (or similar)

Your journey ends Kathmandu after breakfast.



For those on group flights, these depart in the morning and will arrive in the UK the same day. If you are not on a group flight, please ensure you have provided your flight details two weeks before your trips departure to secure your airport transfer.