Festivals of Bhutan

Transport

Vi tar deg til reisemålene

Kombiner fly, tog, buss og ferger i et søk. Med REISEbazaar har du tilgang til alle type flypriser i kombinasjon med andre transportmåter.

Bestill din reise her

Transfer

Søk & reserver transfers over hele verden.

Unn deg litt komfort ved ankomst og reserver smidig og trygg transport til ditt bestemmelsessted med våre mange samarbeidspartnere over hele verden

Bestill din transfer her

Cruise & seiling

Oppdag verden fra dekk

Her finner du alt fra legendariske elvecruise til episke ekspedisjoner og seilopplevelser i hele verden.

Vis søkeresultat

Leiebil

Leter du etter det perfekte kjøretøyet ?

Få friheten og muligheten til å utforske din drømmereise i ditt eget tempo. Her finner du gunstige priser om du er på forretningsreise eller planlegger feriereise. Velg mellom leiebil eller bobiler.

Vis søkeresultat

Fly & Drive

Nyt friheten på den åpne landevei.

Med vårt nye reservasjonsverktøy har det aldri vært lettere å sette sammen den perfekte kjøreturen → bygg din reiserute nå

Vis søkeresultat

Tema & Gruppereiser

177 land og territorier venter på å bli utforsket

Oppdag populære og obskure reisemål, bisarre festivaler, dyreopplevelser og aktive reiser for den eventyrlystne. Du har drømmene vi har reisene.

Vis søkeresultat

Utflukter

Ikke gå glipp av våre mange høydepunkter.

Oppdag ukjente sider med våre allsidige og utflukter. Få med deg det beste av ditt reisemål med våre spennende utflukter.

Vis søkeresultat

Hotel & Overnatting

Finn ditt favoritt hotell eller leilighet over hele verden.

Her finner du leiligheter, hoteller, Bed & Breakfast steder. Søk med mer enn 15 ulike internasjonale leverandører i et enkelt søk eller sett sammen flere steder samtidig.

Vis søkeresultat

Skreddersy din reise

Sett sammen din egen drømmereise

Med vår unike søkefunksjon kan du lett sette sammen din egen reise. Vi har samlet noen av verdens ledende reiselivsaktører inn i en og samme søkemotor.

Start reisen her

Eventbilletter

Ikke gå glipp av store begivenheter neste gang

Planlegg reisen og få med deg konserter, sportsarrangement og inngangsbilletter. Ikke gå glipp av ditt favoritt band på konsert eller lange køer til inngang på severdigheter. Bestill billetter på forhånd.

Annen informasjon

Enhver reise krever nøye planlegging som f.eks forsikringer, visum og annen nyttig informasjon. Her finner du en oversikt over våre andre tjenester og hovedsamarbeidspartnere.

Oversikt

Experience the unique festivals and culture of Bhutan

Hidden away in a corner of the Himalaya, the secretive kingdom of Bhutan is an unforgettable destination with ancient traditions, spectacular mountain scenery and vibrant festivals. At these hundreds of people gather to see the monks, dressed in brightly coloured robes, perform ritual dances. For several days there are masked dances and prayer meetings, and a general carnival atmosphere prevails. The spring departures visit Paro Festival, whilst the autumn departures take in Thimphu, Dechenphu or Genekha Festivals. The December departure visits the lesser-known Trongsa festival, which is smaller and offers a more intimate experience. Please note: This itinerary is valid for departures starting in Kathmandu on 26th March 2023 (Paro Festival) and 17th September 2023 (Thimphu Festival). Please refer to alternative trip notes for departures starting in Kathmandu on 3rd April 2023 (Paro Festival) and 22nd September 2023 (Thimphu Festival).

Highlights

Experience Bhutan's colourful, vibrant masked dance festivals
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

Key Information

10 nights in hotels, all en suite
Group normally 4 to 16 plus tour leader and local staff. Min. age 16 yrs
Full day Festival experience (Paro/ Thimphu/Decehenpu/Genekha )
Hiking in Gangtey
Travel by private minibus
Travel where very few foreigners visit and tourism is still in its infancy
Snapshot of Kathmandu

Included

All breakfasts, 8 lunches, 8 dinners
All accommodation
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout
Free arrival and departure transfers for everyone
Bhutanese visa

Ikke inkludert

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request)
Kathmandu visas or vaccinations

Reiserute

Vis alt

Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu
Start in Kathmandu and transfer to our hotel. The evening is free to relax. Royal Singi Hotel or similar
Day 2: Fly to Paro
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. Rema Resorts / Dewachen Hotel, or similar
Day 3: Drive to Thimphu
Today we have an hour’s drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. The capital of Bhutan was Punakha until 1961 when the 3rd King changed it to Thimphu. The rest of the day is spent exploring Thimphu, where there is plenty to see and do. 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. Hotel Pedling / Galingkha / Gakhil, or similar
Day 4: Drive to Punakha; visit Chimmi Lhakhang and Punakha Dzong
We leave Thimphu in the morning and drive east to Punakha. 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 Thimpu. 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. Overnight in Punakha or Wangdi Phodrang. Today's drive is 72km and takes about 3 hours. Meri Phunsum Resorts / Punatsangchu Cottages / Zangtopelri Hotel / Sonamgang Hotel, or similar
Day 5: Drive to Gangtey (Phobjikha); afternoon hike
Today we leave the main road and drive up to the Lawala Pass and into the beautiful Gangtey Valley. 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. Today's drive is approximately 84km and will take 2.5 to 3 hours, although variable road conditions may mean we spend longer on the road. Dewachen Hotel / Home Resort / Padmasambhava Guesthouse / Ue Loki Guesthouse, or similar
Day 6: Morning hike in Gangtey; drive to Wangdue Phodrang (or Punakha)
This morning we will set off on foot from our hotel and go on a walk through the Gangtey Valley (approx. 5km/2-3 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 about 2.5/3 hours back to Wangdue Phodrang. Meri Phunsum Resorts / Punatsangchu Cottages / Zangtopelri Hotel / Sonamgang Hotel, or similar
Day 7: Drive to Thimphu; sightseeing
In the morning we drive for about 2.5-3 hours back to Thimphu. We have time in the afternoon to visit some optional places of interest we may not have seen on day 3, for example a traditional painting school and the Post Office where you can get your own stamps made. Hotel Pedling / Galingkha / Gakhil, or similar
Day 8: Full day at Paro, Thimphu, Decehenpu or Genekha Festival (depending on departure date)
The 26th March 2023 departure will drive to Paro (1hrs drive) early in the morning and spend all day at the Paro Festival. The 17th September 2023 departures will spend all day at Thimphu Festival and will drive to Paro in the early evening. We spend the whole day experiencing one of the many vibrant festivals in Bhutan. During the festivals the Bhutanese gather to see the 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. Paro and Thimpu are the most popular festivals in Bhutan whereas the one at Decehenphu is much smaller. Rema Resorts / Dewachen Hotel, or similar
Day 9: Day walk to Taktsang, Tiger's Nest Monastery
Today we hike (approx. 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 Rema Resorts / Dewachen Hotel, 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 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. Please be aware that due to the 2015 earthquake some of these places have still not been fully rebuilt. The Exodus representative in Kathmandu will be able to give you more information on what there is to see. Royal Singi Hotel or similar
Day 11: End Kathmandu
End Kathmandu after breakfast. For those on group flights, these depart in the morning and will arrive in the UK the same day.

Viktig Informasjon

The trip destination

10 nights in hotels, all en suite
Group normally 4 to 16 plus tour leader and local staff. Min. age 16 yrs
Full day Festival experience (Paro/ Thimphu/Decehenpu/Genekha )
Hiking in Gangtey
Travel by private minibus
Travel where very few foreigners visit and tourism is still in its infancy
Snapshot of Kathmandu

Food

Breakfast is included throughout the trip plus 8 lunches and 8 dinners whilst in Bhutan. The meals in Bhutan are usually buffet style and include Bhutanese and Western food. Bhutanese food can sometimes be considered a little bland - this is generally because chillies are frequently used in traditional dishes, and these are often omitted to adapt to foreigners' tastes. We will find an assortment of meat, vegetable, rice and potato dishes and many examples of the infamous 'Ema Datshi' (chillies and cheese). If you are finding the food either too bland and want to try more local food, or too spicy please talk to your leader and they will do what they can to accommodate your requests. Breakfasts are an assortment of cereals, eggs, toast, fruit and often some Bhutanese dishes. Lunches will be taken in a restaurant and dinners are either taken in the hotel or at a local restaurant. Please allow approximately £25-30 ($30-40) per day for other main meals in Kathmandu.

Weather

We will experience a range of temperatures during the trip depending on the altitude. On spring and autumn departures, during the day temperatures will be approx 10ºC-20ºC. At night temperatures will drop in autumn to about 3ºC-4ºC. Although these departures do not fall inside the normal monsoon season there is always a chance of rain in Bhutan and you should be prepared for this.

For the December departure the night-time temperatures can be significantly colder (sometimes below zero) and it is important to be prepared for this; please bring suitable clothing.

Is this trip for you?

The trip is rated as Grade 2: Leisurely/Moderate.

Please ensure that you are viewing the correct itinerary for your departure date as itineraries vary due to the festival schedules.

This is a packed itinerary but Bhutan is a generally relaxed place so the tour does not feel hectic. Road conditions are generally quite good but some sections can be bumpy, and as with all mountain roads the occasional delay can occur due to landslides or adverse weather conditions. The roads are also quite twisty on the mountain sections; if you suffer from travel sickness you should bring your normal remedy. Please be aware that due to road-widening works across many of the main roads in the country there could potentially be the occasional delay. If we are notified of any delays the leader will ensure an early start and arrange a short walk whilst the vehicle is stuck in traffic.

This trip visits Tiger's Nest Monastery in Paro which is set at an altitude of 3120m. The trek to reach the Monastery is relatively steep but we will take it very easy, and have lots of stops to relax and enjoy the stunning surroundings. If you would prefer not to trek the whole way there is a cafe you can wait in which has spectacular views of the Monastery.

There is plenty of time to enjoy the different features of each centre whilst travelling through the magnificent countryside. There is time to study the monasteries, browse in the bazaars or just relax with a cup of local tea in incredible surroundings. This trip is varied, although not demanding, and should appeal to those who like to see something a little different.

Smoking

Please note that smoking is only permitted in certain designated areas and strictly prohibited in public places. Anyone found to be smoking in public or violating smoking restrictions will be fined approx. Nu 500/US$7 for the first offence. Tourists are allowed to import up to 200 cigarettes with 100% tax to be paid on arrival, it is also possible to purchase cigarettes in most shops across Bhutan.

Travelling in Bhutan

Travelling in Bhutan is still in its infancy. All foreigners must travel through an official travel agent and be accompanied by a Bhutanese guide. Exodus uses well trained Bhutanese guides, but please be aware that the guides are sometimes restricted in what they are allowed to do and where they are allowed to take you. There is plenty of time to enjoy the different features of each centre whilst travelling through the magnificent countryside. There is time to study the monasteries, browse in the bazaars, or relax with a cup of tea in incredible surroundings.

Each itinerary visits the same places but the due to the festivals each itinerary is a little different. Please note that sometimes the sightseeing is not exactly as written in the trip notes due to opening times, days of the week, national holidays.

Festival departures

The departure(s) starting in Kathmandu on:

26th March & *3rd April 2023 / 14th & *21st March 2024 visits Paro Festival.

17th & *22nd September 2023 / 6th & *13th September 2024 visit Thimphu Festival.

*Itinerary varies on these departures with the festival at the start of the trip.

TILGJENGELIGE DATOER	PRIS (1 VOKSEN)	PRIS (1 BARN)	STATUS REISE
søn, 17 sep 2023 / ons, 27 sep 2023	NOK 67 195	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
fre, 22 sep 2023 / man, 02 okt 2023	NOK 67 195	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
tor, 14 mar 2024 / søn, 24 mar 2024	NOK 71 995	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
tor, 21 mar 2024 / søn, 31 mar 2024	NOK 71 995	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
fre, 06 sep 2024 / man, 16 sep 2024	NOK 71 995	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
fre, 13 sep 2024 / man, 23 sep 2024	NOK 71 995	På forespørsel	På forespørsel

TILGJENGELIGE DATOER	PRIS (1 VOKSEN)	PRIS (1 BARN)	STATUS REISE
søn, 17 sep 2023 / ons, 27 sep 2023	NOK 67 195	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
fre, 22 sep 2023 / man, 02 okt 2023	NOK 67 195	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
tor, 14 mar 2024 / søn, 24 mar 2024	NOK 71 995	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
tor, 21 mar 2024 / søn, 31 mar 2024	NOK 71 995	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
fre, 06 sep 2024 / man, 16 sep 2024	NOK 71 995	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
fre, 13 sep 2024 / man, 23 sep 2024	NOK 71 995	På forespørsel	På forespørsel

Festivals of Bhutan

Oversikt

Reiserute

Bilder

Viktig Informasjon

Priser / Datoer