10 Days Nalakhar 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 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.

Thimphu National Memorial Chorten

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 Punakha in the morning after breakfast in Thimphu. During the trip we will pass through Dochula Pass (3150m), where you can see astonishing view of the Himalayan mountains.

You can hike to the temple of fertility (Chimi Lhakhang) on the way to Lobesa. This temple is built on a round hillock with a golden spire.

In Punakha, you will visit the most majestic dzongs in Bhutan – the Punakha Dzong. The construction has 6 stories with a tower at the center and is well maintained after all these years. You can enjoy interesting architecture, beautiful paintings during the tour. The Dzong is located on the confluence of two rivers, the Pho Chhu (Male) and Mo Chhu (Female), which converge in the valley.

Stay overnight in Punakha.

Chimi Lhakhang

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

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.

Then, across the Yotong La (3425m), we arrive at the Chumey Valley. There are in total four valleys in Bumthang.

Stay overnight in Bumthang.

Dochula Pass (3150m)

Today we stay at Bumthang to enjoy the Nalakhar Festival.

Nalakhar Festival is held yearly and lasts three days. During the event, traditional chams and mask dances will be performed by the locals. This event is held in at the Ngaa Lhakhang in Nalakhar village.

Stay overnight in Bumthang.

Nalakhar 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 after breakfast.

You will arrive at Phobjikha 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

After enjoying your breakfast, we will drive to Paro (2200m). During the drive we will pass through Dochula Pass (3150m).  You will 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".

Stay overnight in Paro.

Tachogang Lhakhang

After enjoying your breakfast, we will drive to Paro (2200m). You can hike to Taktshang (Tiger’s Nest), 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.