11 Days Bumthang Matsutake Festival Tour

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

Upon your arrival at Paro International Airport, your local guide and driver will meet you at the airport arrival hall. They will introduce themselves and greet you warmly. Your local representatives will then drive you to Thimphu (2320 m), the current capital city of Bhutan. Estimated driving time is around 1.5 hours.

We will first visit the Memorial Chhorten, which is a stupa with golden spires and bells, and is known as the most visible religious landmark in Bhutan.

Then visit the Buddha Dordenma statue when arrive at the entrance of Thimphu. This gigantic bronze statue gilded in gold has 125,000 smaller Buddhas hidden inside it. We will then hike from Kuensel Phodrang to Depsi, enjoying the peaceful view around the town.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Buddha Dordenma statue

In the morning, after breakfast, your local representatives will take you to the local Post Office, where you can buy Bhutanese stamps or customize the stamps with your own style.

Your next stop is the Jungshi Paper Factory. The factory shows the whole process of paper making step by step. Very interesting experience and educational.

We will also take you to the Gagyel Lhundrup Weaving Centre in Thimphu to experience the local weaving industry. You will find it interesting to see how the local weavers work on traditional Bhutanese cloth. You can also buy some as souvenirs if you like.

After lunch, you can visit the Motithang mini zoo. You will have the chance to meet the lovely national animal of Bhutan – Takin there.

In the evening, the local representatives will lead you to Tashichho Dzong, the seat of the head of Bhutan's civil government. You can enjoy paintings decorated in the Bhutanese style from Buddha's life, philosophy and teachings.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Gagyel Lhundrup Weaving Centre

We will head to Trongsa in the morning after breakfast in Thimphu. During the drive we will pass through Pelela pass (3400m) and visit Chendebji Chhorten, which is built to subdue demons.

We will then visit Trongsa Dzong on the way to Trongsa. As the largest Dzong in the country, the temple was constructed in the 16^th Century. Located in the central area of Bhutan, Trongsa Dzong has an extensive and complex structure as it should have as a strong and powerful fortress.

After, the tower of Trongsa Museum. The tower is strategically located on the hill with a fantastic panoramic view of the environment around. You can watch a well-organized video on local culture and religious heritage in the museum.

Stay overnight in Trongsa.

Chendebji Chorten

Today you will drive to Bumthang after early breakfast. You will across the Yotong La (3425m), then arrive at the Chumey Valley. There are in total four valleys in Bumthang.

Yathra Weaving Center is our next stop. You can see how local Woolen Textile is weaved.

In the evening, we stroll around the valley.

Stay overnight in Bumthang.

Today we stay at Bumthang Valley to enjoy the Matsutake Festival.

Gangtey Festival is held yearly and lasts three days in the mushroom season. During the event, traditional chams and dances will be performed by the locals.

Stay overnight at Bumthang.

Bumthang Matsutake Festival

In the morning, after breakfast, we will do some sightseeing in the Valley.

After lunch, you will visit Jambay Lhakhang, a temple in Bumthang that is said built by the Tibetan King. Legend says Jambay Lhakhang was constructed on the body parts of a supine demoness.

Your next stop is the Burning Lake (Mebertsho). The walking will take 15 minutes from the car park and is easy and peaceful. There is, as usual, a legend story about this lake.

You can always enjoy the Jakar Dzong Festival if you like during the day.

Stay overnight in Bumthang.

Jambay Lhakhang

Your local representatives will drive you to Gangtey (3100m) after breakfast.

You will arrive at Gangtey after lunch, then visit the Gangtey Goenpa Lhakhang sitting on the hilltop overlooking the Phobjikha Valley. This is also home to the endangered Black neck Crane.

Next, go hike through Gangtey Natural Trail, enjoy the beautiful view in the valley.

Stay overnight in Gangtey.

Gangtey Monastery

In the morning, after breakfast, you will visit the Black neck Crane Centre, which will take around 3 hours.

After lunch, your local representatives will drive you to Punakha.

You can do some sightseeing or light hike after arriving at Punakha.

Stay overnight in Punakha.

Black neck Crane Centre

After enjoying your breakfast, we will drive to Paro (2200m). You can visit Tachogang Lhakhang on the way to Paro. This temple along with an iron suspension bridge was built in the fifteenth century by Tangtong Gyelpo, known as the "Iron Chain Maker".

After lunch, we will visit the Paro National Museum and the Paro Dzong. The museum is in a round building in the shape like a conch shell. A good collection of thangkas and festival masks are exhibited in the museum.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Paro National Museum

After enjoying your breakfast, we will drive to Paro (2200m). You can hike to Taktshang Lhakhang (Tiger’s Nest Monastery), which stands at the cliffside of the upper Paro valley. During March and April, Tsechu will be held in the valley sometimes, you can enjoy the dance of the Black Hat monks if lucky. On our way down the hill, you can take a tour at the Jowo Temple of Kyichu built by the Tibetan Emperor in the 7th century, which is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Trek to Taktshang Monastery

Our local guide and driver will take you to the Paro International Airport after breakfast.  We wish you a safe and pleasant journey onwards.

Service end.