Festivals of Bhutan – Trongsa

Best price guaranteed

No booking fees

E-ticket/Mobile-voucher

Image 1 of 19

Image 2 of 19

Image 3 of 19

Image 4 of 19

Cultural, religious and historic sites Festivals and events Natural landmarks sightseeing Guided and Escorted

Carbon neutral

11 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

16 peopleMaximum group size

16 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Moderate

Involves sustained activity requiring a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.

Starts

Kathmandu, Nepal

Ends

Kathmandu, Nepal

Highlights

Experience the sacred masked dances of the Trongsa Festival

Visit the Paro Dzong and the incredible Tiger's Nest monastery at Taktsang

Drive across the Dochu La and visit Punakha Dzong

Walk in the quiet Gangtey Valley

Visit the impressive Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress in Thimphu

Festivals of Bhutan – Trongsa

Get Trip Brochure & Exclusive Discount

Download a detailed PDF brochure and unlock an exclusive discount for this tour

What's Included

Accommodation

All accommodation

Meals

All breakfasts, eight lunches, eight dinners

Transport

All transport and listed activitiesArrival and departure transfers

Guide

Tour leader throughout

Others

Bhutanese visa

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

This tour has not received any customer reviews yet. However, you can expect a PremierThis travel specialist is consistently delivering tours which receive customer ratings above 4.8 on average. tour and service level as the travel specialist who runs it has received 11722 reviews for other tours with an average 4.8rating.

Tour Availability

Select your preferred departure date and secure your spot

Loading availability...

Monthly Price Comparison

Good to Know

Cancellation

Payment

Travel Insurance

Visa

Do you need help from our trip consultants?

If you have any question about this tour or need help with planning a trip, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

Our travel experts are ready to help.

Jane Andersen

Sine

Rasmus Juul Olsen

Why Book with Bookmundi

Earn USD 315+ in travel credits.

Best price guaranteed.

No credit card or booking fees.

100% financial protection.Bookmundi is a member of the Danish Travel Fund which guarantees for any payment made via us. Our guarantee covers all travelers, irrespective of nationality.

Carbon neutral tours.Algorithms and machine learning enables Bookmundi to calculate the carbon footprint for each tour. We then subsequently offset carbon emissions for all tour bookings on Bookmundi via investments in carbon reduction projects to help combat climate change.

25,000+ trip reviews, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5.

What are customers saying about Bookmundi

4.66/5

Excellent based on 805 customer reviews from

Karen

Excellent booking process. Easy to do online - simple and straightforward plus the 1 query I did have was quicckly solved due to customer service being on hand to help

1 day ago

Similar Tours You Might Like

Discover our top tours similar to Festivals of Bhutan – Trongsa that you might like.

Annapurna Poon Hill Trek - 10 days trip - alternative tour available

Annapurna Poon Hill Trek - 10 days

10 days

Highlights of Nepal & India - 16 days trip - alternative tour available

Highlights of Nepal & India - 16 days

16 days

Nepal to Golden Triangle & Goa - 19 days trip - alternative tour available

Nepal to Golden Triangle & Goa - 19 days

19 days

Nepal, Taj & Tigers - 18 days trip - alternative tour available

Nepal, Taj & Tigers - 18 days

18 days

Everest Treks in Comfort trip - alternative tour available

Everest Treks in Comfort

11 days

Nepal Family Essentials trip - alternative tour available

Nepal Family Essentials

11 days

Premium Hiking and Trekking in Nepal's Annapurna region trip - alternative tour available

Premium Hiking and Trekking in Nepal's Annapurna region

8 days

Keep Exploring Nepal

Traveler Types

Nepal Tours for Young Adults Nepal Experienced Travelers Trips Nepal Tours for Senior Citizens Nepal Family Tour Packages

Tour Types

Nepal Tours for Senior Citizens Nepal Experienced Travelers Trips Nepal Tours for Young Adults Nepal Family Tour Packages Nepal Budget Tours Nepal Luxury Tours

Top activities in Nepal

Nepal Trekking and Hiking Nepal Mountains Nepal Adventure Nepal Cultural, religious and historic sites Nepal Climbing

Other Nepal Recommendations

Nepal 11-Day tours Asia 11-Day tours Nepal 7-Day tours Nepal 10-Day tours Nepal 14-Day tours Nepal 21-Day tours Nepal Tour Operators

Nepal tour packages departing in

Nepal Spring tours Nepal Fall tours Nepal Winter tours Nepal Summer tours Nepal December 2025 tours Nepal January 2026 tours Nepal February 2026 tours Nepal March 2026 tours Nepal April 2026 tours Nepal May 2026 tours Nepal June 2026 tours Nepal July 2026 tours Nepal August 2026 tours Nepal September 2026 tours Nepal October 2026 tours Nepal November 2026 tours

Itinerary

Step into the mystical world of Bhutan on the Festivals of Bhutan – Trongsa tour, designed with seniors in mind. Over 11 days, journey from Kathmandu to the secretive kingdom of Bhutan, famed for its ancient customs, breathtaking mountain scenery, and vibrant religious festivals. Experience the magic of the Trongsa Festival—the oldest in Bhutan—where monks in vibrant robes perform sacred masked dances, and the air buzzes with a carnival spirit. Visit Paro, Thimphu, and other stunning Himalayan locales, immersing yourself in the region’s spiritual and cultural heritage. The unique selling point: this trip offers exclusive access to Bhutan’s most revered festival, blending cultural immersion with the comfort and reassurance ideal for senior travelers.

day 1 - Adventure starts in Kathmandu

Begin your adventure in Kathmandu, a brief stop on our way to Bhutan. You’re free to arrive at any time as there are no activities planned today.

Want to explore Kathmandu further? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Accommodation:Royal Singi Hotel (or similar)

day 2 - Fly to Paro

Today we fly to Paro. Our route takes us over the eastern Himalaya and, if the weather is clear, we should get a fantastic view of magnificent peaks including Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu and Kanchenjunga. The Paro Valley is considered one of the most beautiful in Bhutan, with blue pine-covered hills and attractive solidly built houses among the paddy fields.

Say hello to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. If there is time in the afternoon, we can visit the museum and Rinpung Dzong before heading to Thimphu (approximately one hour drive). Your tour leader then ensures a big welcome over dinner together.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:Gakyil Hotel (or similar)

day 3 - Thimphu

This morning, we explore the relatively new capital of the Kingdom of Bhutan. The ancient city of Punakha was replaced as the capital by Thimphu in 1961 by the third 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 valley. Simtokha Dzong, the oldest dzong (fortified monastery) 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.

This afternoon, we drive to the subtropical Punakha, which may take about three hours. En route, we visit the Chimi Lhakhang, built in 1499 to honour Drukpa Kuenley. Nicknamed the Divine Madman or Mad Saint, he was a maverick spiritual leader, who subdued a demon controlling the Dochu La. He built a chorten where the monastery stands and was reputed to have unorthodox ways of teaching Buddhism – he advocated for phallic symbols 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 traditional Bhutanese-style farmhouses.

We then continue to Punakha, which, at 3,940ft (1,200m), is warmer than Paro or Thimphu. Punakha was once the capital of Bhutan and is still the winter residence of the monastic body. We visit the dzong, one of the most beautiful in Bhutan. This remarkable fortress between the Mo and Po Chhu rivers has survived many fires, an earthquake and several floods.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:Sonamgang Hotel (or similar)

day 4 - Punakha to Trongsa

After breakfast, we walk over the suspension bridge to Punakha Dzong, one of the most beautiful dzongs in Bhutan, which is located between two rivers, Phochu and Mochu.

Returning to our hotel, we check out and then continue our journey to Trongsa (approximately a six-hour drive). The drive takes us through Wangdiphrodrang Dzong, which is perched on a hill, offering breathtaking views of terraced fields, lush valleys and traditional Bhutanese villages. While we climb gradually over the Pelela Pass (10,990ft/3,350m), we stop at Chendebji Chorten, a stupa 26mi (42km) from Trongsa.

Upon arrival in Trongsa, we visit a viewpoint with the most impressive and largest dzong in Bhutan, strategically located on ridge.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Others:Tendrel Resorts (or similar)

day 5 - Trongsa Festival

The Trongsa Tshechu is one of Bhutan’s most significant and vibrant festivals.

Held annually at the majestic Trongsa Dzong, it pays tribute to the Buddhist master Guru Rinpoche. A series of sacred mask dances, it also serves as a social gathering, bringing people together from various walks of life to celebrate and enjoy the festive spirit.

The Taa Dzong Museum, also known as the Tower of Trongsa, is a fascinating museum with a rich history. Originally built in 1652 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa, the first Governor of Trongsa, it served as a watchtower to guard the Trongsa Dzong from internal rebellion. The structure has four observation points resembling a tiger, lion, garuda and dragon

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Others:Tendrel Resorts (or similar)

day 6 - Drive to Gangtey Valley

Our three to four-hour drive to the Phobjikha Valley is a scenic journey through the heart of Bhutan, offering breathtaking views of lush landscapes and traditional Bhutanese villages.

Also known as Gangtey, it is a U-shaped glacial valley at an elevation of about 9,800ft (3,000M), home to endangered black-necked cranes, which migrate from the Tibetan Plateau in the winter.

We visit the Gangtey Monastery and the crane centre, witnessing black-necked cranes in the fields.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:Phuntso Yangkhil Lodge (or similar)

day 7 - Drive to Thimphu

This morning, we set off on foot from our hotel for a hike (approximately 3mi/5km, two to three hours) through the valley – the climb up to the monastery involves around 1,640ft (500m) ascent.

Later, we drive (four hours) to Thimphu, passing through green fields and traditional Bhutanese villages into Wangdi phrodrang and back via the Dochula Pass (10,005ft/3,050m)

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:Gakyil Hotel (or similar)

day 8 - Drive to Paro, visiting Tachogang Lhakhang Bridge, Dzongdrakha Goemba and Kyichu Lhakhang monastery

In the morning, we drive for about three hours back to Paro. En route, we visit the 600-year-old Tachogang Lhakhang Bridge, which crosses the Paro Chhu. It is popularly known as the Iron Chain Bridge, and was built by Thangtong Gyalpo in the late 1300s, who is said to have built 108 bridges in Tibet and Bhutan. Made of wood and iron, this is the first bridge to have ever been built in Bhutan.

We continue our drive and come to the Dzongdrakha Goemba, also known as Mini Taktsang, a serene site above the village of Bondey on the western side of the Paro Valley. Often overlooked by tourists because of its rather old facade, this divine place comprises four shrines, while stories related to spirits, saints and magic are narrated here.

Before arriving at our hotel, we stop at Kyichu Lhakhang. Built in the seventh century, it is said to be the oldest temple in Bhutan and therefore holds great spiritual significance. Legend says a king built it in one night on an ogre’s foot.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Others:Rema Resorts (or similar)

day 9 - Daywalk to Taktsang, Tiger’s Nest Monastery

Today, we hike (approximately 7mi/11km round trip with an elevation of approximately 3,000ft/915m) to Taktsang 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 two hours’ uphill walk through the forest. From here, we have incredible views of the monastic buildings that cling to the cliff. For the energetic, there is the chance to walk even higher to the actual monastery. This takes another two 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 wish to hike but please note 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

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Others:Rema Resorts (or similar)

day 10 - Fly to Kathmandu

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 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 medieval city 10.5mi (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.

The Exodus representative in Kathmandu can give you more information on what there is to see.

Meals:Breakfast

Accommodation:Royal Singi Hotel (or similar)

day 11 - Adventure ends in Kathmandu

Your journey ends in Kathmandu after breakfast. If you’d like to spend more time in the Nepalese capital, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

Meals:Breakfast