Bhutan Holidays

Holidays to Bhutan

Discover the secretive kingdom of Bhutan and explore an unforgettable destination steeped in ancient traditions, spectacular mountain scenery and vibrant festivals. But nothing is more sacred than Taktsang Monastery, the Tiger’s Nest. Built in the 1692 – at 3000m above sea level – it’s a place of pure tranquility. Guru Rinpoche may have flown here on a tigress’ back, but you’ll have to climb the many steps.

This tiny mountain kingdom in Asia is a land of great beauty, and you can’t have a holiday to Bhutan without taking part in one of the many celebrations that explode into life throughout the year, complete with dancing, music, elaborate costumes and rituals. Paro in March and Thimphu in October are perhaps the most well-known and worth planning a trip around. The atmosphere is electric, and you get a true sense of the vibrant culture of Bhutan as you immerse yourself in its famous festivals.

On our Bhutan tours you’ll be surrounded by awesome scenery – steep forested hills and misty mountains rising from fast-flowing rivers – and a fascinating culture. It’s part of the Himalaya, and the traditional way of life survives unchanged by the passage of time. The superb dzongs (fortresses) dotted in the valleys and on hilltops are full of priceless religious artifacts and many are still active monasteries. It may be one of the world’s poorest places, but the people here are some of the happiest. Gross National Happiness is a government policy infused into everyday life. Why not join us on one of our Bhutan tours this year?

In focus: Festivals of Bhutan

There’s at least one festival a month here, meaning that you’re more than likely to witness one on your Bhutan holiday. These are genuine cultural spectacles and provide a fascinating insight into local cultures and customs.

Paro: Held every spring, it’s one of the most colourful and important annual events in Paro Dzongkhag. People travel from neighbouring districts to participate in the festivities. Early in the morning on the last day of the celebration the monks display a huge embroidered artwork, the Guru Throngdel, inside the temple. It’s considered so sacred that simply seeing it can wash your sins away.

Thimphu: This is the largest of Bhutan’s festivals and takes place in the capital. Secure your place early in the day to capture striking photographs of masked dancers swirling around the courtyard of the Tashichho Dzong. The square becomes ablaze with colour as performers adorn the stage to conduct religious ritualistic dances to bless their onlookers and to honour Guru Rinpoche – who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in the eighth century. 

We run special departures to see these Festivals of Bhutan.

Top 5 Places to Visit in Bhutan

Wangdue Phodrang: Sitting up high in the undulating hills at almost 28,000ft, Wagndue Phodrang is a dreamlike destination that must be seen on our Bhutan tours. Its blend of subtropical and icy climates and its unique setting draws discerning travellers each year. It’s blessed with a wealth of treasures that are waiting to be discovered, from Nahee Village and Phobjika Valley to the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong. This spectacular fortress was built on a steep ridge overlooking the valleys and dates back to 1638. Following a fire in 2012, the dzong had to be reconstructed.

Taktsang Monastery: Hugging the cliffside in the Himalayan Mountains, and peering across the Paro Valley, Taktsang Monastery, also known as the Tiger’s Nest, is one of the most phenomenal sacred sites in the world. It has been sympathetically restored back to its former glory after it was partially destroyed by fire in 1998. A steep 2-hour walk up through pine forests takes you along a Buddhist pilgrimage route that’s shrouded in ancient legends. On reaching the monastery, you’ll be awestruck by the views of the valley below. Interconnecting buildings house temples and residential shelters that can be accessed via stone stairways and wooden bridges. There are also eight caves and a temple where you’ll see an ornate frieze of Buddha.

Thimphu: If it’s culture, history and festivals you want to experience on our holidays to Bhutan, then Thimphu is the place to go. This vibrant capital is home to Bhutan’s Royal Family and is filled with interesting attractions, from the historical Memorial Chorten and Buddha Point to Tashichho Dzong. And it’s always worth exploring the local markets to soak up the cultural atmosphere and gain an insight into the traditions of Bhutanese life. In September, Thimphu Festival takes place and is one of the most popular in Bhutan. The streets are filled with monks and lay dancers parading their beautiful costumes and relaying religious stories in the form of music and dance.

Paro Valley: You’ll be hard-pressed to find a valley as beautiful as Paro and our Bhutan holidays take you right to its very heart. Affectionately know as the ‘Last Shangri-La’ on earth, Paro fuses natural wonders, vibrant culture and rich history. As well as playing host to the stunning Taktsang Monastery, It’s also famous for its farm terraces and red rice cultivation. In the spring, the celebrated Paro Tshechu festival flows throughout the streets and the flower-strewn landscapes come alive with colourful performances and music. Festivals are an integral part of Bhutanese culture and our tours let you experience them first hand.

Punakha Dzong: Nuzzled between the Mo and Po Chhu rivers, Punakha Dzong is arguably the most striking of all the dzongs in Bhutan. Its whitewashed walls have witnessed fires, floods and an earthquake but with ongoing restorations, it remains intact today. In the spring it’s hugged by colourful jacaranda trees, adding beautiful splashes of lilac to the scenery. Punakha is the second oldest dzong in Bhutan and until the 1950s, it served as the seat of the government. On our tours you’ll have plenty of time to explore the fortress and learn more about its history.