Bhutan Explorer & Jambay Lhakhang Festival

BM-16336

5.0Based on

12 days

“

Great trip. Great guides. Great tour. Well thought out trip planning.

Anonymous | Traveled in November

5 - Excellent

Carbon neutral

12 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants

16 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Easy

Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

Starts

Ends

Paro, Bhutan

Select Date

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Highlights

Experience one of Bhutan’s most intimate festivals, the Jambay Lhakhang Tshechu, with sacred masked dances and rare midnight fire rituals

Visit Bhutan’s iconic dzongs – fortress-monasteries that blend spiritual devotion with centuries-old architecture and local power

Walk the wetlands of Gangtey (Phobjikha) Valley, where black-necked cranes arrive in October to roost in this alpine sanctuary

Absorb wondrous views of Jomolhari (7326m), Bhutan's most sacred mountain

Hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest), Bhutan’s most revered pilgrimage site perched high above the Paro Valley

Itinerary

Step into the serene valleys and vibrant traditions of Bhutan on the "Bhutan Explorer & Jambay Lhakhang Festival," a 12-day adventure designed with experienced travelers and seniors in mind. This guided tour begins and ends in Paro, immersing you in the untouched wilderness and spiritual heritage of the Himalayan kingdom.

The journey kicks off in the picturesque Paro Valley, home to the iconic Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery. You’ll traverse dramatic mountain landscapes, from the Dochu La pass to the spiritual heartland of Bumthang, renowned for its ancient monasteries and the birthplace of Bhutanese Buddhism. Timed to coincide with the Jambay Lhakhang Festival, the tour offers a rare opportunity to witness vibrant mask dances and timeless rituals, providing deep cultural insight into Bhutanese life.

The unique selling point of this tour package is its seamless blend of Bhutan’s ‘must-see’ highlights with the atmospheric Jambay Lhakhang Festival, giving culturally curious travelers access to authentic celebrations in an otherwise mystical and remote setting.

day 1Arrive Paro (2200m) and drive to Thimphu (2400m)

Welcome to Bhutan! On arrival you meet your Bhutanese guide and driver who will greet you with a BIG Kuzu Zangpola (Welcome).
We drive to Thimphu (approx 1 hr drive) and check into the hotel overlooking the Thimphu valley. This is the first proper glimpse of Bhutan but you should be aware that this is the most developed urban center in Bhutan, very unique from any capital of the world.
Home to the government, the royal family and the head offices of all international organization Thimphu has changed radically in the last decade. After a quick freshen up we begin the Bhutan Experience by visiting the Buddha Dordenma, the largest sitting statue of Buddha in the World. This statue sits atop a hill protectively overlooking the Thimphu valley below.
In the evening, our guide will conduct a thorough tour briefing outlining the trip ahead.
Overnight: Hotel Riverview or similar

Meals

Lunch and Dinner

day 2Explore Thimphu

day 3Drive to Punakha (1300m) via Dochu La (drive approx 4-5 hrs)

day 4Explore Punakha

day 5Drive to Trongsa (drive approx 4-5 hrs)

day 6Drive to Bumthang (drive approx 2.5 hrs)

day 7Jambay Lhakhang Festival, Bumthang

day 8To Gangtey/ Crane Valley (drive approx 5-6 hrs)

day 9Explore Gangtey Valley

day 10Drive to Paro (drive approx 5 hrs)

day 11Trek to Taktsang Monastery

day 12Trip concludes in Paro

What's Included

Accommodation

Good quality accommodation on a twinshare basis throughout

Meals

All meals during the trip: 11 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 11 dinners

Transport

Private internal transportation

Guide

Expert English speaking local guide

Others

Bhutan Government visa and sustainability feesAirport transfersSightseeing and entrance fees as listed

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

5.0

based on 1 review

Availability

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Good to Know

Travel Insurance

Visa

Other Practical Information

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Highlights

Itinerary