We are specialized for festivals tour arrangements to Bhutan. Festival tour is the best combination of cultural and tradition. The festivals are an important part of Bhutanese peoples from the long ago. The Tshechu one of the largest tourist attraction is the most famous and well-known Bhutanese festival. These festivals are celebrated in the courtyards of the Dzongs (fortresses) in all the Dzongkhags (districts) with traditional dances blessing by Lamas and Mewangs by fire believing that it washes away their sins. The Tshechu is held in honor of Guru Rinpochhe, who brought Mahayana Buddhism to Bhutan in the eighth century. Bhutanese legend has a religious significance to people and says that on the tenth calendar day the great Guru Rinpochhe transformed himself into different forms to subdue demons. People dress traditionally in their finest clothing and jewelry. The festival is religious implication and community gathering where Bhutanese come to socialize and feast on native delicacies.
Tour itinerary
Day 1. Arrive Paro:
On arrival in Paro, you will be received by our Bhutanese guide and escort to Hotel then visit the Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower, Paro Rimpung Dzong built in 1646. Over night in Hotel.
Day 2. Paro:
Hike to Taktshang Monastery. The primary Lhakhang was built surrounding Guru Rimpoche’s meditation cave in the 1684 by Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay. This incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava flew here on the back of a tigress. Then visit the ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong and the Kichu Lhakhang. Over night in Hotel.
Day 3. Paro – Thimphu:
Drive to Thimphu and visit the Sangaygang view point, from where the bird’s eye view of the Thimphu Valley can be seen. Visit the Takin Preserve Centre, the Drupthob Lhakhang, one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan, the National Memorial Chorten,the National Library, the Traditional Medicine Institute and the Tashichho Dzong. Over night in Hotel.
Day 4. Thimphu – Punakha:
Drive to Punakha crossing Dochula pass and vsit the Chhimi Lhakhang on the way to Punakha. Visit Punakha Dzong and surrounding. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 5. Punakha:
Whole day witness of Tsechu festival. Dinner and over night in Hotel.
Day 6. Punakha- Wangduephodrang – Gangtey:
Drive to Wangduephodrang and visit the Wangduephodrang Dzong then drive to Gangtey. Visit the Gangtey Gompa and explore the Phobjikha Valley, one of the most beautiful glacial valleys in the Himalayas and the winter place for the endangered Black Necked Cranes. Over night in Hotel.
Day 6. Gangtey – Thimphu:
Drive to Thimphu and visit the Royal silver smiths and Bhutanese paper factory followed by shopping for souvenirs in the shops of Thimphu. Over night in Hotel.
Punakha- Wangduephodrang – Gangtey:
Drive to Wangduephodrang and visit the Wangduephodrang Dzong and further drive to Gangtey then visit the Gangtey Gompa and explore the Phobjikha Valley, one of the most beautiful glacial valleys in the Himalayas and the winter place for the endangered Black Necked Cranes. Over night in Hotel.
Day 7. Gangtey – Paro:
Drive to Paro via Thimphu. Over night in Hotel.
Day 8. Departure:
Drive to Paro Airport and farewell.
Tour cost: USD 1540 (1-3 person) and USD 1400 (4-12 person)
Single supplements charge: USD 165
Note: One person half of the tour cost for 12-14 person and group leader free of tour cost above 15 person.
Flight cost: It depends on the sector and USD 448 round trip if kathmandu sector
Visa: USD 20 and TDF: USD 10
Tour cost includes: Royalty fee, accommodation, all meals, sightseeing tours by private coaches, service of experienced and English speaking guide, all transportation within Bhutan, entrance fee to the monuments, permits, during trekking-all camping/kitchen gears, ponies or yaks for transportation of gears, trekking guide and cook etc.
Tour cost excludes: Bhutan visa fee, TDF, airfares, expense of personal nature travel insurance, drinks, cigarettes, laundry, telephone call and tipping etc.
Guest References:
A super job Abir. I am an independent traveler and had never taken a pre-paid package before in my life. Beginner’s luck undoubtedly but the trip to Bhutan was perfect from A-Z. The professionalism of Abir and his agency is highly laudable-I will recommend to my other “reticent” independent traveling mates. He is the best and reliable Bhutan tour operator in Kathmandu I found after my few days checking around especially instantly booking and a fare price.
Many thanks for a superb memory
Terry Hershey
We sent a request to Abir about Bhutan tour from Australia. He organized every thing-We did not have to do a thing.
We then went to the amazing country of Bhutan. It is spectacular in beauty of both land and people. Abir organized a local tour guide for us, he was the perfect host on what was a perfect 8 days.
Highly recommend Holiday Mountain treks-This is our second time using them. 8 years a past plus I have sent friends here and all are equally happy.
Many thanks to you Abir
Kind regards
Greg Trappett & Vanessa O’Hanlon
North Melborne, Australia
