10 Days Domkhar Festival Tour

Highlights: Arrive in Bhutan and visit the National Memorial Chorten, Tashichho Dzong, and Buddha Dordenma Statue.

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

Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, you will meet our local travel guide and driver at the airport’s Arriving Hall.

Then, you will be transferred to Thimphu (2,350m), the capital city of Bhutan. Covering a total distance of nearly 54 kilometers, it will take you about 1 hour to get to Thimphu from Paro (2,250m).

After arriving in Thimphu, your guide will help you check in at the hotel.

Later, you will head to visit the King's Memorial Chorten (National Memorial Chorten), a stupa built in memory of the third king in 1974. The display inside shows good statues of tantric Buddhist and its philosophy.

Then, you will explore Tashichho Dzong, the eminent fortress where the national government and central monastic body are located. In addition, here sits the summer residence of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot of Bhutan.

After that, you will visit Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park, where you can see the 169-foot bronze statue of Buddha Dordenma, one of the largest Buddha statues in the world, as well as the Vajra Throne Buddha.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Tashichho Dzong

Highlights: Visit the National Folk Heritage Museum, Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory, Simtokha Dzong, and Motithang Takin Preserve in Thimphu.

After breakfast, you will first visit the National Folk Heritage Museum. It dedicates itself to connecting people with the rich Bhutanese folk heritage and rural history through exhibits, demonstrations, educational programs, and documentation of Bhutanese rural life. The museum will strive to disseminate the rich cultural heritage across generations by preserving it in different forms.

Next, you will head to visit Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory. The factor is located approximately 1 kilometer from Thimphu city, and uses the bark of two tree species (the Daphne tree and Dhekap tree) in the manufacture of traditional paper. You can observe the entire process of producing handmade paper using ancient traditional methods that have been practiced for generations. Besides, you are able to try your hand at this ancient craft and make some paper of your own as a souvenir.

Later, you will drive to Upper Motithang in Thimphu to visit Motithang Takin Preserve, a wildlife reserve area for takin (Budorcas taxicolor), the national animal of Bhutan. It's worthwhile taking the time to see these oddball mammals here.

You will end today’s sightseeing after visiting Simtokha Dzong. It was built by Zhabdrung to consolidate his domain and subdue the demon in 1629. Nowadays, it is often said to be the first dzong built in Bhutan.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Thimphu National Memorial Chorten

Highlights: Cross Dochula Pass and visit Chimi Lhakhang and Punakha Dzong.

In the morning, you will take a drive from Thimphu to Punakha (1,242m). The distance from Thimphu to Punakha is 71 kilometers, and it takes around 3 hours to complete. On the way, you will have an excellent opportunity to appreciate the panoramic view of the Himalayan Ranges in Bhutan and take photos of the impressive collection of 108 chortens at Dochula Pass (3,140m).

Next, you will continue your journey to Punakha. En route, you will visit Chimi Lhakhang, also known as Chime Monastery. Standing on a small hillock close to the village of Lobesa, it is a beautiful Buddhist monastery that was built in the 14th Drukpa hierarchy, Ngawang Choegyel.

After that, you will head to visit the Punakha Dzong. Standing by the riverside of Pho Chu and Mo Chu, Punakha Dzong is one of the most impressive buildings and one of the top favorite attractions in Bhutan. Moreover, the rectangular-shaped fortress is also an honorable treasury that preserves numerous Buddhist relics and historical legacies.

Stay overnight in Punakha.

Dochu La Pass

Highlight: Drive to Bumthang and visit the Chendebji Chortern en route.

After breakfast, you will start the journey to Bumthang (2,700m), the spiritual heart in central Bhutan. It takes approximately 7 hours to travel the 197 kilometers from Punakha to Bumthang. You will enjoy the stunning scenery of lush forests of oaks and pine trees along the way.

En route, you will visit Chendebji Chorten, a large Nepalese-style chorten that sits quietly by the side of the road. Modeled after the Swayambhunath in Kathmandu, this chorten was built in the 19th century by Lama Zhida to conceal the remains of an evil spirit that was said to have been slain at this very spot.

After arriving in Bumthang, your guide will help you check in at the hotel.

Stay overnight in Bumthang.

Chendebji Chorten

Highlights: Join local Bhutanese at the Domkhar Festival and experience sacred Cham mask dances and traditional Buddhist celebrations.

Today is one of the most special days of your journey as you attend the Domkhar Festival, a traditional Buddhist celebration held annually in Bumthang.

You will join local Bhutanese families to watch sacred Cham mask dances, performed in colorful costumes and elaborate masks. These traditional performances are an important part of Bhutanese Buddhist culture and carry religious and symbolic meanings.

During the festival, you can enjoy the lively atmosphere, observe local traditions, and see how the community comes together to celebrate its spiritual heritage.

One of the festival's most distinctive traditions is the unveiling of a large sacred Thongdrol, a religious textile image displayed on the final day of the celebrations. If your visit coincides with this ceremony, you will have the opportunity to witness this special event.

Stay overnight in Bumthang.

Domkhar Festival

Highlight: Explore the cultural heritages in Bumthang, such as Jakar Dzong, Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, and Namkhe Nyingpo Goemba.

In the morning, you will first visit Jakar Dong in Bumthang Valley. With a circumference of more than 1,500 meters, Jakar Dzong is one of the most majestic dzongs in Bhutan and is widely accepted as a wonderful piece of architectural art all over the country.

Then, you are going to worship the Jambay Lhakhang, a temple built by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet in 659 AD. It is one of Bhutan’s oldest and most sacred temples, which was renovated by Sindhu Raja after Guru Rinpoche restored his life with his magical powers.

After that, you will continue to visit the nearby Kurjey Lhakhang. It houses the imprint of Guru Rimpoche who meditated in a cave where the monastery was built.

Finally, you will explore Namkhe Nyingpo Goemba, a large Nyingmapa monastery located on a hill to the east of Jakar. Built in the 1970s by Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche, it offers a serene and spiritual experience.

Stay overnight in Bumthang.

Kurjey Lhakhang

Highlight: Drive back to Gangtey through Phobjikha Valley and visit Gangtey Monastery.

After breakfast, you will start your journey to Gangtey (2,890m), located 163 kilometers from Bumthang. Also known as Phobjikha, Gangtey is one of Bhutan’s most stunning destinations and serves as the winter home for a group of endangered black-necked cranes that migrate annually from the Tibetan Plateau.

Upon your arrival, you will visit Gangtey Monastery, generally known as Gangtey Goempa. Situated atop a hill at an altitude of 2800m, the monastery offers a stunning view of Phobjikha Valley.

Stay overnight in Gangtey.

Gangtey Monastery

Highlight: Drive back to Paro and visit Simtokha Dzong and Paro Rinpung Dzong.

Getting up early this morning, you will say farewell to the charming Gangtey Valley and take a 5-hour drive back to Paro.

En route, you will visit the Simtokha Dzong. Built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, Simtokha Dzong is often said to be the first dzong in Bhutan.

Upon your arrival in Paro, you will visit Paro Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong), a fortress once built to defend the valley from invasions. Nowadays, it serves as an administration center and school for monks.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Witnessing the superb Punakha Dzong

Highlight: Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery to enjoy spectacular views from it and visit Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro.

After breakfast, you will start your hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery (also known as Taktsang Monastery). Perched on the side of a cliff 900 meters above the Paro Valley, Taktsang Monastery is one of the most famous monasteries in Bhutan. The principal monastery of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. Taktsang was damaged severely by fire in 1998 but has now been fully restored to its former glory. The hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery is about 3 km one way and takes around 5 to 6 hours for the round trip.

After exploring the monastery, you will begin your return tour to Paro.

In the afternoon, you will visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest and most beautiful temples built by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo in the 7th century.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Trek to Taktshang Monastery

After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to Paro International Airport for your next destination.

The tour service end.