Bhutan: Bumthang Festivals Tour (September-November)

Elevation: 2350m / 7710ft

Today’s sightseeing of major sites of Thimphu will include visits to:

Buddha Point/Kuneselphodrang: We recommend that you go to the Buddha Point early in the morning just when the sun strikes the statue so that you will see the massive Buddha in all its glory. Those visiting it may be in for a little surprise because this Shakyamuni stands 51.5 meters tall making it one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world. The statue is made of bronze and is gilded in gold. 125,000 smaller Buddha statues have been placed within the Buddha Dordenma statue: 100,000 8 inch tall and 25,000 12-inch-tall statues respectively. Each of these thousands of Buddhas have also been cast in bronze and gilded. The throne that the Buddha Dordenma sits upon is a large meditation hall.

Takin Preserve: Legend has it that a Tibetan saint by the name Drukpa Kunley, popularly called The Divine Madman created the Takin through his supernatural Tantric powers. Since then, this animal has been a common sight in the hills of Bhutan. Due to this reason, the Takin was adopted as the National Animal of Bhutan and Bhutanese government looks after them by keeping them in the Takin Preserve, located at Motithang (upper Thimphu).

Zilukha Nunnery: Get a glimpse of the tender yet strong, feminine side of Buddhism in Bhutan as you visit Zilukha nunnery, which is a 2 Km drive from the Tashichhodzong. The nunnery in Drubthob Goemba, is the biggest nunnery in the country where young and old nuns alike can be seen residing. 

Tashichhodzong: The grandness of the structure will impress you whether you view it during the day or at nighttime. Tashichhodzong meaning “The Fortress of the Glorious Religion” is the fortress of the capital city of Bhutan. Located on the western bank of the Wang Chu, the main structure of the whitewashed building is two-storied with three-storied towers at each of the four corners topped by triple-tiered golden roofs. There is also a large central tower or utse. It’s important for the fact that it houses the King’s office and the Central Monk Body.

Archery Range: In Thimphu there are many archery ranges all over the valley. The most popular range is the Changlimithang Archery Ground. This is one of the few ranges in Bhutan where the game can be played at night.

Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Driving Duration: 77 km/ 2 hours

Elevation: 1310m / 4300 ft

Today’s journey will involve an excursion from Thimphu to Punakha valley. The drive will take us via the Dochula Pass. The Pass is located en- route to Punakha/Wangdue from Thimphu. The pass offers a panoramic view of the Himalayan Mountain range. The view is especially scenic on clear, winter days with snow-capped mountains forming a majestic backdrop to the tranquility of the 108 chortens known as the Druk Wangyel Chortens. 

Then we can take a short hike to the Chimi Lhakhang: It stands on a round hillock and was built after the site was blessed by the “Divine Madman” Drukpa Kunley. 

Other sights while in Punakha will include Punakha Dzong: Arguably, the most majestic and beautiful Dzong in the country, it stands on the confluence of two rivers, the Pho chhu and the Mo chhu. In the spring, the Dzong is a resplendent sight with the jacaranda trees around it blooming in all their glory. 

Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.

Driving Duration: 129 km/ 4 hours 

Elevation: 2800m / 9185ft

The landscape around Trongsa is spectacular, and for miles on end the Trongsa Dzong seems to tease you so that you wonder if you will ever reach it. Backing on to the mountain and built on several levels, the Dzong fits narrowly on a spur that sticks out into the gorge of the Mangde River and overlooks the routes south and west.

The drive continues across Pele la Pass (3,300m), the traditional boundary between east and west. Stop for a hot lunch at Chendebji Chorten built in the 18th century by a Lama named Shida, it is Nepalese in style with eyes painted at four cardinal points.

Chendebji Chorten: Approximate 4 hrs drive from Wangdue Phodrang is Chendebji Chorten, patterned on Swayambhunath temple in Kathmandu. It was built in the 18th century by Lama Shida, from Tibet, to cover the remains of an evil spirit that was subdued at this spot.

We will also stop to visit the Trongsa Dzong, the largest in Bhutan and built in 1647 that houses the local administration and the Monastic body. 

Ta Dzong: This was the watch Tower of the Trongsa Dzong. Later it was converted into a Royal Museum on 10th of December 2008.  The museum has on display about 224 items used over the years by the Wangchuck dynasty.  You will see the Raven Crown worn by the first King in 1907 and many other objects of interest.

Overnight at the hotel Trongsa.

Elevation: 2800m / 9185ft

After breakfast, you will proceed to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation. This region is not only known for its lush valleys and hilly forests but also for being home to some of Bhutan’s oldest Buddhist temples and monasteries. Tales of Guru Padmasambhava and the tertons (“religious treasure-discoverers”) still linger in this sacred area.

Along the way, you will stop at a yathra (textile weaving) factory in Chumey, where yathras are designed with patterns unique to Bumthang, and you can even watch some of the weavers at their looms.

We will then drive to the location of your selected festival. For example, if you chose the Jambay Lhakhang Drup festival, we will head to Jambay Lhakhang. We will spend the day exploring and attending the festival (tshechu), an annual celebration to honor the Great Guru Rinpoche. During the festival season, all businesses and offices in the region remain officially closed so that people can attend the event. You can expect to interact with locals as they join in the festivities.

Enjoy the vibrant mask dances, folksongs, and dances performed by monks and local people. The highlight of the festival is the Mey Cham, a fire ceremony believed to help tame bad luck and evil spirits.

Overnight at the hotel in Bumthang.

Driving Duration:  46 km/ 1.5 hours

Elevation: 2800- 4500m/ 9186-14763ft

After having breakfast at the hotel, drive to Tang Valley: Tang Valley is one of the remote valleys in Bumthang Dzongkhags. 

Visit the following places:

Tang Ugyen Choling Palace and Museum: The museum is located one hour drive from Jakar in the manor of Ogyen Choling. Spend some quality time exploring and discovering the religious significance of the palace and museum while also capturing insights into the way of life of Bhutanese noble families. 

Horse Riding in Tang (Optional) : Operating for over a decade, this horse riding experience is run by a local industry guide. The ride takes you through sub-alpine valleys resembling the mountains of the American West. We highly recommend this activity if you’re seeking adventure and want to experience Bhutan in a rare way.

Pema Choling Nunnery Monastery: A large nunnery built on a plateau at the entrance of Tang valley. The nunnery is made of several buildings consisting of hostels, classrooms, and temples. During the 15th century, Pema Lingpa prophesied that in the future the nunnery of the Tang valley will serve as a great center of learning for women monks.

Tag Rimochen Temple: During the 14th century, Terton Pema Lingpa built the temple as a sacred place where Guru Rinpoche meditated.

Membartsho Lake: To reach the Membartsho lake, also known as “The Burning Lake” or Tang Chhu will take five-minute walk from the road. The lake consists of many myths and religious beliefs about Pema Lingpa, treasure-revealer.  

Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.

Driving Duration: 130 km/4 hours 

Elevation: 2900m / 9510ft

Route back to Pelela Pass (alt. 3,300 m) via Gangtey. Phobjikha/Gangtey is one of the few glacial valleys in Bhutan and chosen home of black necked cranes, which migrate from the central Asiatic Plateau to escape its harsh winters. 

Explore Phobjikha and visit Gangtey Monastery, the only Nyingmapa Monastery in Bhutan. The Gangtey monastery overlooks the large green expanse of Phobjikha Valley. The extensive complex consists of the monastery, the monks’ quarters, meditation centers, and schools. 

Explore around by visiting the following sites: 

Gangtey Nature Trail: The most beautiful and perpetual nature trails in Bhutan. The trail hike starts from the mani (like Chhorten) stone wall to the north of the Ganagtey Gompa and ends in Khewa Lhakhang. The hike takes about 1 hr 30 minutes through the pine forest and small bamboo plants. So, the pristine environment provides the best hiking places for the Nature lovers.

Black Necked Crane Information Center: Situated on the edge of the forest and wetland along the main road of Phobjikha valley, the black-necked crane Information Centre has an observation room equipped with a high-power telescope and spotting scopes for catching the best view of the cranes.

Overnight at the hotel in Phobjikha.

Driving Duration: 171 km/4.5 hours 

Elevation: 2250m / 7382ft

We will retrace our steps back towards Paro Valley. On the way to Paro Valley, stop at the Paro Airport Bird’s Eye Viewpoint and witness the flights landing and taking off. 

Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) situated at a commanding height overlooking Paro valley. Built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646, this Dzong now houses Paro’s monk body and the offices of the civil administration and is symbolic as the religious and secular center of all affairs of the valley.

Ta Dzong (National Museum): Located on a hill behind the Paro Dzong, it has a collection of fine arts, paintings and bronzes including textiles, jewelry, and handicrafts as well as galleries of stuffed animals and butterflies from Bhutan. The stamps’ hall is very popular and displays, among others, 3-D stamps, record stamps, silken stamps, embossed stamps, and the famous triangular stamp depicting the yeti. The top floor of the Museum is a chapel containing a “tree” depicting the main figures of the four religious schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

In the evening, we will take a walk along the streets of Paro for leisure.

Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Elevation: 3120m / 10236ft

In the morning, take an excursion to Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche, founding father of the Bhutanese form of Mahayana Buddhism, arrived here on the back of a tigress, and meditated at this monastery. The main structure was severely damaged by fire in 1998, but after many years of painstaking restoration work, the complex has now been fully restored to its former glory. 

Overnight at the hotel in Paro.