9 Days Jambay Lhakhang Drup Festival Tour

Highlights: Arrive in Bhutan and visit National Memorial Chorten, Tashichho Dzong, and Buddha Dordenma Statue.

Welcome to Bhutan, the land of the “Thunder Dragon”!

Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, you will meet your local travel guide and driver at the airport’s Arriving Hall.

Then, you will be transferred to Thimphu (2,350m), the capital city of Bhutan. Covering a total distance of around 54 kilometers, it will take you about 1 hour to get to Thimphu from Paro (2,250m).

After arriving in Thimphu, your guide will help you check in at the hotel.

Later, you will head to visit the King's Memorial Chorten (National Memorial Chorten), a stupa built in memory of the third king in 1974. The display inside shows good statues of tantric Buddhist and its philosophy.

Then, you will explore Tashichho Dzong, the eminent fortress where the national government and central monastic body are located. In addition, here sits the summer residence of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot of Bhutan.

After that, you will visit Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park, where you can see the 169-foot bronze statue of Buddha Dordenma, one of the largest Buddha statues in the world, as well as the Vajra Throne Buddha.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Tashichho Dzong

Highlights: Cross Dochula Pass and visit Chimi Lhakhang and Punakha Dzong.

In the morning, you will take a drive from Thimphu to Punakha(1,242m). The distance from Thimphu to Punakha is 71 kilometers, and it takes around 3 hours to complete. On the way, you will have an excellent opportunity to appreciate the panoramic view of the Himalayan Ranges in Bhutan and take photos of the impressive collection of 108 chortens at Dochula Pass (3,140m).

Next, you will continue your journey to Punakha. En route, you will visit Chimi Lhakhang, also known as Chime Monastery. Standing on a small hillock close to the village of Lobesa, it is a beautiful Buddhist monastery that was built in the 14th Drukpa hierarchy, Ngawang Choegyel.

After that, you will head to visit the Punakha Dzong. Standing by the riverside of Pho Chu and Mo Chu, Punakha Dzong is one of the most impressive buildings and one of the top favorite attractions in Bhutan. Moreover, the rectangular-shaped fortress is also an honorable treasury that preserves numerous Buddhist relics and historical legacies.

Stay overnight in Punakha.

Dochu La Pass

Highlights: Drive to Bumthang and visit the Chendebji Chortern en route.

After breakfast, you will start the journey to Bumthang (2,700m), the spiritual heart in central Bhutan. It takes approximately 7 hours to travel the 197 kilometers from Punakha to Bumthang. You will enjoy the stunning scenery of lush forests of oaks and pine trees along the way.

En route, you will visit Chendebji Chorten, a large Nepalese-style chorten that sits quietly by the side of the road. Modeled after the Swayambhunath in Kathmandu, this chorten was built in the 19th century by Lama Zhida to conceal the remains of an evil spirit that was said to have been slain at this very spot.

After arriving in Bumthang, your guide will help you check in at the hotel.

Stay overnight in Bumthang.

Chendebji Chorten

Highlights: Explore Jakar Dzong and experience the unique evening celebrations of Jambay Lhakhang Drup.

Today, you will explore the cultural highlights of Bumthang Valley, beginning with Tamshing Lhakhang and Kurjey Lhakhang, two important Buddhist temples closely connected with Bhutan’s religious history. You will then visit Jambay Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest temples, before continuing to Jakar Dzong, an impressive fortress overlooking the valley.

In the evening, you will return to Jambay Lhakhang to experience the Jambay Lhakhang Drup Festival. You will join local people to watch sacred Cham dances and traditional rituals, including the famous Tercham (Naked Dance), a unique religious performance traditionally held at night.

It will be a special opportunity for you to experience the spiritual traditions and lively local festival culture of Bumthang.

Stay overnight in Bumthang.

Jambay Lhakhang festival

Highlights: Continue the Jambay Lhakhang Drup celebrations or explore the remote Tang Valley and its cultural highlights.

Today, you can choose to spend more time at the Jambay Lhakhang Drup Festival, enjoying sacred dances, traditional rituals, and the lively atmosphere alongside local Bhutanese.

Alternatively, you can take an excursion to Tang Valley, one of the most remote and peaceful valleys in Bumthang. You will enjoy a pleasant walk to Ugyen Chholing Palace, where its museum offers an interesting look into the traditional life of a Bhutanese noble family.

You will also visit Tang Rimochen Lhakhang, where Guru Rinpoche is believed to have meditated, and Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake), a sacred site associated with the famous treasure discoverer Pema Lingpa.

Stay overnight in Bumthang.

Ugyen Chholing Palace

Highlight: Drive back to Gangtey through Phobjikha Valley and visit Gangtey Monastery.

After breakfast, you will drive to Phobjikha Valley (3,000m). On the way to Phobjikha, you will get amazed by the beauty and serenity of the rich flora and fauna. And you may see some Yaks grazing in high altitude bamboo shrub along the road when you arrive at Lawala Pass (3,300m).

After crossing the pass, you will head to visit Gangtey Monastery, generally known as Gangtey Goempa. It is a very important monastery of Nyingmapa school.

Then, you will pay a visit to the Black-Necked Crane Information Center. The center is situated on the edge of the forest and wetland along the main road of Phobjikha Valley. It has an observation room equipped with high power telescope and spotting scopes for catching the best view of the cranes. If you travel to Phobjikha in November to January, you can have a chance to view many black-necked cranes here.

Stay overnight in Gangtey.

Gangtey Monastery

Highlight: Drive back to Paro and visit Simtokha Dzong and Paro Rinpung Dzong.

Getting up early this morning, you will say farewell to the charming Gangtey Valley and take a 5-hour drive back to Paro.

En route, you will visit the Simtokha Dzong. Built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, Simtokha Dzong is often said to be the first dzong in Bhutan.

Upon your arrival in Paro, you will visit Paro Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong), a fortress once built to defend the valley from invasions. Nowadays, it serves as an administration center and school for monks.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Paro Rinpung Dzong

Highlights: Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery to enjoy spectacular views from it and visit Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro.

After breakfast, you will start your hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery (also known as Taktsang Monastery). Perched on the side of a cliff 900 meters above the Paro Valley, Taktsang Monastery is one of the most famous monasteries in Bhutan. The principal monastery of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. Taktsang was damaged severely by fire in 1998 but has now been fully restored to its former glory. The hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery is about 3 km one way and takes around 5 to 6 hours for the round trip.

After exploring the monastery, you will begin your return tour to Paro.

In the afternoon, you will visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest and most beautiful temples built by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo in the 7th century.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Trek to Taktshang Monastery

After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to Paro International Airport for your next destination.

The tour service end.