Festivals of Bhutan - Thimphu

Name: Festivals of Bhutan - Thimphu
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.8 (11 reviews)

11 reviews

Activity

Culture

Overview

Travel through western Bhutan, timed to experience the Thimphu Festival at its heart

This special departure follows our classic journey through Bhutan, timed to coincide with the Thimphu Festival, the country’s largest religious gathering. We spend a full day alongside local people as monks and lay dancers perform masked dances honouring Guru Rinpoche, whose teachings shape Bhutanese Buddhism. Beyond the festival, we cross high Himalayan passes to the Phobjikha Valley, walk through glacial landscapes, and visit Punakha’s riverside dzong. The journey builds to the ascent of Taktsang, the Tiger’s Nest, climbing through forest to one of Bhutan’s most revered monasteries, fixed high on a cliff above the Paro Valley.

This itinerary is valid for Thimphu Festival only. For alternative festival departures in Bhutan, please have a look at Paro Festival, Trongsa Festival or the Black Crane Festival

Key Information

Trip Code: AIBB
Ways to Travel: Guided Group
Countries: Bhutan, Nepal
Carbon Footprint: 36kg CO2e per person per day

What's Included

All breakfasts, eight lunches, eight dinners
All accommodation
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout
Arrival and departure transfers
Bhutanese visa

Highlights

Experience the sacred masked dances and prayer meetings of the Thimphu 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

Itinerary

First Destination: Kathmandu
Next Destination: Kathmandu

Meals included:None

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: Kathmandu
Next Destination: 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)

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 the time in the afternoon there will be a visit to visit the museum and Rinpung Dzong. Your tour leader then ensures a big welcome over dinner together.

Accommodation: Rema Resorts (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We have an early start today, driving one hour from Paro to Thimphu to find our spot to enjoy the festival entertainment from.

Thimphu is considered the most popular festival in Bhutan and plays an important part in the Bhutanese lives.

We spend the whole day experiencing this vibrant festival, watching the Bhutanese gather to see 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 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.

Those who wish can walk to the post office in Thimphu to collect a unique souvenir: personalised Bhutan stamps!

Accommodation: Gakyil Hotel (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We take a break from the festivities and enjoy the sights and history of the Thimphu, the relatively new capital of the Kingdom of Bhutan. The ancient city of Punakha was replaced by Thimphu as the capital 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 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 can also 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.

Accommodation: Gakyil Hotel (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We leave Thimphu in the morning and drive east to Gangtey. The route climbs steadily on a good road to the Dochula Pass, where there are 108 chortens (Buddhist shrines).

At 10,000ft (3,050m), we can enjoy glorious views over the eastern Himalaya, weather dependent. We then descend to the valley floor and continue to sub-tropical Wangdue. We stop to visit the Wangdiphodrang Dzong, one of the larger monastery’s we visit on this trip it overlooks the picturesque river and rural agricultural fields surrounding it and has an impressive courtyard.

This afternoon, we have plenty of time to explore the Phobjikha Valley, one of the most beautiful in Bhutan. This wide-open U-shaped glacial valley is home to barking and sambar deer plus wild boars, while Himalayan black bears have also been spotted here. It is also where black-necked cranes come roost during winter. Usually arriving from Tibet towards the end of October, they announce their appearance by circling the monastery three times. Come spring, they again fly three times around the monastery before returning to Tibet.

Today’s drive is approximately 78mi (125km) and takes four to five hours, although variable road conditions may mean we spend longer on the road.

Accommodation: Phuntsho Yangkhil Lodge (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, we set off on foot from our hotel for a walk through the Gangtey Valley (approximately 3mi/5km, two to three hours) – the climb up to the monastery involves around 1,640ft (500m) ascent. This glacial valley comprises farmlands, pastures and blue-pine forests and we may encounter herders caring for their livestock.

After lunch, we visit the 15th-century Khewang Lhakhang, on the east side of the Phobjikha Valley. It features a trio of two-storey statues depicting the past, present and future Buddhas. We can also visit the Black-Necked Crane Visitor Center, where we learn about the conservation efforts to protect these majestic birds. We also have a short visit to a farmhouse and an optional hot-stone bath, which costs approximately 830 ngultrums (US$10).

Accommodation: Phuntsho Yangkhil Lodge (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We drive back westwards to 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.

Accommodation: Sonamgang Hotel (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the morning, we drive for about three hours back to Paro. En route, we visit the Tachogang Lhakhang Bridge, which crosses the Paro Chhu. This 600-year-old bridge, which is popularly known as the Iron Chain Bridge, 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 to the Dzongdrakha Goemba, also known as Mini Taktsang or Mini Tiger’s Nest, a serene site above the village of Bondey on the western side of the Paro Valley.

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 to the country. Legend says a king built it in one night on an ogre’s foot.

Accommodation: Rema Resorts (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we hike (approximately 6.8mi/11km round trip with an elevation of approximately 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 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 time to have a look round Paro before dinner or indulge in a hot-stone bath or massage (paid locally) at the hotel if you want to unwind after the trek.

Accommodation: Rema Resorts (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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.

Accommodation: Royal Singi Hotel (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

Your journey ends Kathmandu after breakfast. If you don’t want the adventure to end, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

Skip the hassle: We’ll handle your trip from start to finish, with competitive flight prices, deposit-only payments, and full ATOL protection available.

Call us on 0203 733 5948

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View Details

Accommodation

Hotels and guesthouses

We aim to secure locally owned accommodation that is well located, offers good value for money, and plenty of comfort. To help you find your ideal adventure, each trip is given a Comfort Level rating, which indicates the overall standard of accommodation. For more on our ratings, see our Comfort Level guidelines.

We spend 10 nights in hotels, all with bathrooms and heaters. All food is included at the hotels and local restaurants and is usually a buffet – it is simple and a mixture of Bhutanese, continental and Chinese.

Tailor your trip: Extend your adventure by securing extra hotel nights before or after the main itinerary. Speak to your sales representative to book.

Private rooms: Like most tour operators, we room solo passengers together. If you’d prefer to have a private room, it’s normally possible to do this for a supplement. Speak to your sales representative to book.

Extend Your Trip

Exclusive Add-ons

Chitwan or Kathmandu Valley Add-on Tours

Extend your adventure by joining one of our add on tours:

Chitwan: This five-day wildlife adventure is a perfect chance to unwind in Nepal’s lowlands after your trek. From Kathmandu, travel to your jungle lodge near Chitwan National Park, where an expert naturalist will help you spot one-horned rhinos, birds, deer and more. See the full itinerary here.

Kathmandu Valley: Nestled in the Himalayan foothills, the Kathmandu Valley is a perfect prelude to your adventure. This short trek starts and ends in Kathmandu, with gentle trails through villages and rhododendron forests, and sweeping mountain views. See the full itinerary here.

Essential Information

The trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.

Itinerary: This itinerary visits the Thimphu Festival. Alternative festival departures are available visiting Paro, Trongsa and the Black Crane Festival. Please ensure you are viewing the correct itinerary for your departure date as itineraries vary due to the festival schedules.

Flexibility: Festival dates are based on the lunar calendar, so your guides may need to swap itinerary days around during the trip to fit in with the festival dates.

Journeys: Road conditions are generally quite good but some sections can be bumpy and, as with many 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 be the occasional delay. If we are notified of any delays, the leader will ensure an early start and arrange a short walk while the vehicle is stuck in traffic.

Walking: This trip visits the Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Paro, which is at an altitude of 10,235ft (3,120m). The trek to reach the monastery is relatively steep but we 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 café where you can wait, which has spectacular views of the monastery.

Please be aware that some of the monasteries we visit in Bhutan require a good level of mobility due to steps, stairs, and occasional ladders. These monasteries are often situated on cliffs and hillsides, offering breathtaking views but also requiring careful navigation. If you experience vertigo or have concerns about heights, please let us know in advance so we can provide appropriate guidance and support during these visits. Our team is committed to ensuring everyone can enjoy these remarkable sites safely and comfortably.

Smoking: Smoking is only permitted in certain designated areas and strictly prohibited in public places. Anyone found smoking in public or violating smoking restrictions will be fined approximately 500 ngultrums (US$7) for the first offence. Tourists are allowed to import up to 200 cigarettes with 100 percent 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. We use well-trained Bhutanese guides, but please be aware the guides are sometimes restricted in what they are allowed to do and where they can take you. There is plenty of time to enjoy the different features of each centre while travelling through the magnificent countryside. There is time to study the monasteries, browse the bazaars, or relax with a tea in incredible surroundings.

Key information

Start hotel: Royal Singi Hotel, Lal Durbar, Kamaladi, Kathmandu
Phone: +977 144 24190
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing on Day 2 of the trip once we are in Bhutan.
Airport: Kathmandu Airport (KTM)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately 30 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for all customers.

If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.

Catching your return flight

Exodus provides free departure transfers for all customers to Kathmandu Airport (KTM) from the end hotel.

Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfers will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.

Bhutan

You will need a visa for Bhutan, which we will organise for you. The cost of the visa (US$40) is included in the price of the trip.

We need it to organise your Bhutan visa in advance to do this, you will need to send us a clear colour copy (scanned) of your passport at point of booking. You also need to provide a good, coloured passport photo, with white background (and ensure you are not wearing any glasses).

Please make sure we have the passport copy and separate passport photo no later than eight weeks before departure. It should be scanned, making sure the image is very clear and in colour. If you need to get a new passport for the journey, please apply for this immediately, and send us the scan as soon as you receive your new passport. It is vital the information you give us is 100 percent correct, and that the passport copy you send us is the one on which you will be travelling to Bhutan.

Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required.

Nepal

You can obtain your visa in advance or on arrival. The Immigration Department of Nepal has suspended visas on arrival for certain nationalities – please check if this applies to you with your nearest embassy or consulate.

Visa in advance

To get a visa in advance you can apply online at nepaliport.immigration.gov.np and collect it from your nearest Nepali embassy. Find more information at www.immigration.gov.np.

Visa on arrival

When you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, there will be three lines. If you have already secured your visa, go straight to the Immigration line. If not:
Fill in a tourist visa form at the electronic kiosks. After inserting your passport, the machine will automatically fill out an application form, take an electronic photograph of you and print a paper slip. If the machine won’t read your passport, complete the details manually using the touchscreen. We recommend taking a passport photo with you just in case.
Top tip: This process can be completed through the online immigration portal (click ‘Visa On-Arrival’) within 14-days prior to arrival in Kathmandu, helping you to avoid lengthy queues at the kiosks when you come through immigration – ensure you print and bring the confirmation with you. If you have completed your visa on arrival form in advance, go directly to the visa fees counters with your printed confirmation and skip the kiosk queues.
Proceed to the visa fees collection counter and pay the visa fee (in cash, if possible). Make sure to keep the receipt. Card payments are not always possible, so paying in cash is easiest, most currencies are accepted but US dollars are preferred.
Go to the relevant immigration desk and present your tourist visa form, payment receipt and passport to obtain your 15-, 30- or 90-day visa stamp. Please check you have been given the correct visa duration.

Breakfast is included throughout the trip plus eight lunches and eight dinners while in Bhutan.

During your adventure in Bhutan, prepare to savor a delightful array of flavors that blend Bhutanese and Western cuisines. While Bhutanese dishes are traditionally seasoned with chilies, often tempered for foreign palates, the local cuisine boasts rich and varied tastes. Enjoy a diverse selection of meat, vegetable, rice, and potato dishes, alongside iconic specialties like ema datshi—featuring chilies and cheese. If you desire a more authentic or spicier culinary experience, don’t hesitate to share your preferences with your trip leader, who will endeavor to tailor meals to your liking.

Breakfasts are an assortment of cereals, eggs, toast, fruit and often some Bhutanese dishes. Lunches are taken in a restaurant and dinners are either in the hotel or at a local restaurant.

Please allow approximately 2,500-3,350 ngultrums (US$30-US$40) per day for other main meals in Kathmandu.

We experience a range of temperatures during the trip depending on the altitude. On spring and autumn departures, temperatures are approximately 10C-20C (50F-68F) during the day. At night, temperatures drop in autumn to about 4C (39F). Although these departures fall outside the normal monsoon season, there is always a chance of rain in Bhutan and you should be prepared for this.

Himalayan views tend to be best between October to December, as the weather is generally clear with sunny skies. From March to May the valleys are awash with colour when the famous rhododendrons bloom; the country has over 45 wild species.

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

You’ll also find Thriving Nature, Thriving People moments across our trips. These experiences are often a highlight of your adventure, while also benefiting the natural world or local communities.

On this trip, we:

Experience regional festivals to learn about age-old Himalayan traditions and community-led cultural celebrations.
Visit a paper factory, weaving centre, and local market to learn about traditional crafts and everyday trade practices.
Explore the Black-Necked Crane Visitor Centre to learn about conservation efforts protecting this threatened species.

Laura and Gavin Jones

Added October 2019

Beautiful Bhutan

This trip provides a fascinating insight into a little known destination. We loved it!

Most Inspirational Moment

The highlight of the trip was the trek to the Tiger's Nest Monastery. It looks unreachable (and strangely familiar from the famous photos) and then suddenly you are standing outside! The Thimpu Festival was also spectacular.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kemey was organised, articulate and incredibly eager to do anything he could to make us comfortable. We were given a very warm welcome.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The day that we visited the Thimpu Festival it rained. This is apparently not unusual. We were therefore sitting out in the rain for about 3.5 hours. It helped to have a good waterproof, something to wrap around your legs to keep them dry (poncho) and a sit mat so that we were not sitting directly on wet concrete. The temperature varies throughout the trip - it helps to have layers. We travelled in October and it was warmer than we expected.

Angela Coates

Festivals of Bhutan - Thimphu

Activity Level

Comfort Level

Activity

Overview

Travel through western Bhutan, timed to experience the Thimphu Festival at its heart

Key Information

What's Included

Highlights

Itinerary

Dates & Prices

Skip the hassle: We’ll handle your trip from start to finish, with competitive flight prices, deposit-only payments, and full ATOL protection available.

Your Group, Your Adventure

Accommodation

Hotels and guesthouses

Extend Your Trip

Chitwan or Kathmandu Valley Add-on Tours

Essential Information

Key information

Getting to the start hotel

Catching your return flight

Bhutan

Nepal