BHUTAN FESTIVALS TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Two days at a lively Bhutanese festival—a colorful display of whirling dancers in traditional costumes
- The cultural highlights of Paro, Punakha, and Thimphu
- Optional day hikes into the countryside
BHUTAN FESTIVALS TOUR DETAILS
- 9-day trip begins and ends in Paro, Bhutan
- 8 nights traditional, authentic hotels
- All meals included
TRIP RATING
Easy to moderate touring; optional moderate day hikes
A trip to Bhutan is like a step back in time, for a glimpse of customs and traditions that are fast disappearing from the rest of the Himalayan world. Our cultural tour of Bhutan combines the important villages and historic sites of western Bhutan, such as Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha, with a visit to the colorful annual festivals known as tsechus. Few travelers ever have the privilege of witnessing these traditional festivals, where elaborately costumed dancers perform dramas before hundreds of onlookers. Spending time with locals during these joyous celebrations is a unique privilege shared by only a few visitors each year. With optional day hikes along local paths, visits to impressive whitewashed dzongs, and an immersion in Bhutanese culture, our trip into this magical kingdom is the complete cultural odyssey.
Bhutan Festivals Tour Overview
Days 1-9: The exact itinerary will vary by departure, and is designed to follow a route to coincide with one of the festivals in the towns of Paro, Punakha, or Thimphu. We attend a festival along with locals, who come attired in their finest clothing and jewelry, to witness special performances that few outsiders ever see. In addition to the festival, we tour Paro, and hike to Taktsang Monastery. Along the way to Punakha, we'll view 20,000' snowcapped mountains. Explore the Punakha Dzong, one of Bhutan’s most beautiful fortress monasteries. Finally, we return west, to the capital city of Thimphu, and explore its many interesting sites on foot.
Step Away from the Ordinary ~ Bhutan Festivals Tour
We’d like to let you in on a little secret – Bhutan. Typically people we tell about Bhutan ask “Where? Where is Bhutan?” and that’s just the way we like it. It is this anonymity that Bhutan has preserved so well, for so many years, that makes it so special. The Kingdom of Bhutan is a hidden Himalayan gem that is often compared to Tibet before the Chinese invasion, and Nepal without the budget backpackers. Let us introduce you to Bhutan, a true Shangri-la!
More Information
2009 Dates
- March 2-10,
Punakha Festival - April 2-10,
Paro Festival - September 24-October 2,
Thimphu Festival
Land Cost
- $3895 per person
- Single Supplement $275
- Internal Airfare: $810 (Thailand-Bhutan R/T)
- (prices good through December 31, 2009; airfare may be subject to change)