Bhutan Dragon Festival Tour

Definitive Cultural & Festival Tour of Bhutan

Bhutan Dragon Festival Tour

Bhutan Dragon Festival Tour, The Kingdom of Bhutan stands as one of the world’s lesser-known treasures. In this “Land of the Thunder Dragon,” the measure of quality of life transcends material success to focus on Gross National Happiness, and the Bhutanese lead comfortable, serene lives.

Until recently, this small country remained in splendid isolation, devoted to preserving its rich Buddhist traditions and pristine landscapes. A limited number of guests each year visit to explore Bhutan’s natural and cultural wonders.

During this Dragon Festival trip, you will have the opportunity to attend at least one or multiple colorful Bhutan festivals, gaining insight into Bhutanese culture and traditions while visiting unique fortresses, monasteries, and ancient temples.

On occasions, your dinners /Lunches will be hosted by local families. We will explore local farms, villages, and schools, providing an opportunity to meet and learn from the locals.

First introduced in 2001, the Dragon Festival Tour has undergone slight modifications each year to align with changing conditions. This includes the addition of a one-way internal flight to enhance the overall travel experience.

Join us on this definitive Cultural immersion Journey, among ancient monasteries and temples, Himalayan peaks and glacial rivers, rare flora and fauna and extraordinary people. We assure you that this will be one of your most memorable trip.

Bhutan Dragon Festival Tour Outline Itinerary

Day 1 & 2: Arrive and drive to the capital, Thimphu

Day 3 & 4: In Punakha & Wangdue Valley

Day 5: Gangtey, Phobjikha Valley

Day 6 : Trongsa 

Day 7 & 8: In Bumthang

Day 9 & 10 : Fly to Paro & Tour

Day 11: In Paro (Hike to Takstang)

Day 12: Departure


Please note that the schedules are revised for each trips to incorporate the festivals, events.

 

Duration
12 days
Trip type
Festival Tours
Grading
Easy
Accommodation
Hotel are tourist standard 3 to 4* category.
Meals
All meals included
Group size
Maximum 9 members
Activity
Culture Tours

When to come

  • Best Months — March, April, May, October, November
  • Good Months — January, February, September, December
  • Lean Months — June, July, August

Detailed Iitinerary

Upon arrival by flight into Paro airport, meet/ greet and transfer to the hotel, where we spend two nights. Serene Paro at 7,500ft is one of Bhutan’s most fertile and most beautiful valley.

Usually, the flights from Bangkok or Delhi are scheduled for early morning arrival around 8 am. Which means practically whole first day. We will be able to cover all listed sights. In case, if it is afternoon , we will cover next day, if we had to miss due to time constrain.

Sleep Next best modern hotels Meals Lunch · Dinner Activity Attend festival if any, Local sightseeing, some short walks in between. Altitude Paro -2200m

A short, and scenic flight whisks into Bumthang, the spiritual and cultural heartland of the Kingdom.
It is laced with historical monasteries and other edifices. Enough to keep us engrossing engaged for 2 days.

Internal flight from Paro - Bumthang takes around 20 - 30 minutes.

Sleep Next best modern hotels. Meals Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner Activity 20 - 30 mins Flight. Attend festival if any, Local sightseeing with some short walks in between. Altitude Bumthang - 2600m

A short drive takes us over to Chumey valley. Continuing on across Youtongla pass, arrive at Trongsa, a small town, perched above a gorge, high above the Mangdechu river with a most spectacularly sited Dzong.  Normally a 3hr journey, the current road condition is likely to take more, and hence it is also a necessary stop.

You will be crossing one Mounatain Pass - Youtongla Pass - 3425m

Sleep Next best modern hotels Meals Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner Activity 3 - 4 hours to reach Trongsa. Local sightseeing. Altitude Youtongla Pass - 3425 m. Trongsa - 2300m

Phobjikha or Gangtey is a wide glacial valley with a central stream meandering through the open grassland and thickets of dwarf bamboo. Farmlands occupy the peripheral slopes where potatoes and turnips are grown. The central area is a marsh land protected as habitat for wildlife. At 2900m, this is the highest night halt on your journey. The valley is a protected (Conservation) area and is both scenically and culturally worthwhile.

Sleep Next best modern hotel Meals Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner Activity It takes 3 hours to reach Phobjikha. Local sightseeing, nature walks. Altitude Phobjikha 2900m

Punakha and Wangdue Phodrang two separate towns, but they are located nearby like twin towns. The valley is at a lower elevation of about 1250m above sea level and therefore it enjoys subtropical climate; with warm summers and pleasant winters. Cactuses, Mandarin, and Bananas, Guava, grow alongside rice crops, in terraced fields, gently slopping down the hillsides; one of the most delightful sight to see.

Meals Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner Activity It takes 3 hours to Phobjikha. Attend festival if any, some short walk to visit sights and also to villages. Altitude Punakha - 1300m

En-route, enjoy the panorama of snow capped peaks, including the highest mountain in Bhutan from Dochula pass, over a cuppa. Then spend the next two nights in a comfortable hotel, and visit Thimphu, which is still the most relaxed capital in the world, without any traffic lights ! In addition to its many attractions, you will have time for shopping, to go the post-office to send off  Postcards, see an archery match and colorful farmer’s market

Sleep Next best modern hotels. Meals Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner Activity It takes 3 hours to Thimphu. Attend festivals if any, local sightseeing. Altitude Dochula Pass - 3150 m, Thimphu 2300m

Our journey in Kingdom culminates into a hike to iconic Taktsang (tiger’s nest) monastery, the most famous site in Bhutan. Drive short distance to Paro and begin this famous hike, for which you can also hire a riding horses till the 1st viewpoint ( One way only).

If you wish, we can take you further up, following the old pilgrimage trail for 1 hour to visit Ugyen Tshemo, Zangdopelri, and retreat centre.

Sleep Next Best Modern Hotels. Meals Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner Activity 6-7 hrs - whole day affair Altitude Taktsang Monastery -3120m, Paro 2200m

After breakfast transfer to Paro airport according to your flight times.

If your flight is in the afternoon, then we can make the morning hour useful by exploring more the Paro Valley.

Meals Breakfast · Lunch

What the price covers

Included

  • Accommodations in 3-4star hotels/lodges.
  • All meals including some evening tea
  • All transfers
  • Sightseeing with entrance fees
  • One way internal flight
  • English Speaking Bhutanese Guide/Tour Leader
  • Bhutan Visa
  • Daily SDF
  • Bhutan Visa fees.
  • Bottled water and other complimentary services

Not included

  • Flights into and out of Bhutan (listed separately).
  • Travel & Medical Insurance ( Recommended).
  • All optional expenses such gifts, tips (optional), laundry, bars and beverages and other personal expenses not listed in the included section.
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