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2025 Punakha Festival & overland to Bumthang
Private journey
From March 09-21, 2025
Service includes:
Guides, drivers, private vehicles, lodges, meals, visas, permits, admissions to temples & monuments, museums & all ground costs & fees (***Tips & Gratuities are not included***)
Attend a colorful masked dance festival
Visit lovely Punakha valley, ancient Bhutanese capital
...an event at the 💗 of the kingdom's spiritual traditions
Fly from Bangkok to Paro, March 9, 2025
Return flight from Paro to Bangkok March 21, 2025
First stop: Paro, West Bhutan
...a place of serene rice fields and ancient temples
Next, travel by car to Punakha
Follow the lush Mochu River Valley
...to arrive at the mythically-inspired Pemako
Enter the grand fortress of Punakha & get festive with the locals. Join the biggest religious mask dance festival of the year, walk the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan, and meet our friend, the celebrated national artist, Kama Wangdi, at his open-air village studio.
Drive from Punakha into the 'Black Mountains' Range to scenic Gangtey-Phobjikha
Check in at the Gangtey Tented (safari style) Camp; visit the Black-necked Crane center to learn about Bhutan's efforts to save the endangered cranes; hike a serene nature trail where we may see a few remaining cranes before their annual migration to the Tibetan Plateau.
Travel overland to Bumthang, royal heart of the kingdom
Includes all guides and ground services, lodges, meals, visas, permits and all entrances, fees and attractions
Tour and photograph the magnificently-restored Wangduechhoeling Palace Museum; Take the 'Pilgrim's walk,' visiting temples and monasteries from 7th to the 17th centuries; Taste Red Panda Beer, local Swiss cheese, apple juice and fresh homemade Stroopwafel for the young & young-at-heart 💛
Enjoy relaxed rambles through the scenic countryside & walk to peaceful villages upriver along the Chamkhar-chhu. Stop to learn about local heritage sites like Thangbi and Ngang Lhakhang & enjoy delicious picnic lunches whilst discovering spectacular temples in the cultural heart of the kingdom.
Explore the pristine valleys of Bumthang
Take a 2 hour drive along winding mountain roads to Tang, where we cross a bridge and hike uphill through frozen-in-time villages to the Ogyen Choling Manor and Museum. Stay overnight and discover why this special place has been featured in Dwell Magazine and the NYTimes.
After breakfast travel by road to Tang Nunnery and trek over the mountain pass to back to our lodge in Jakar, Bumthang's main center; spend the late afternoon at a Buddhist lamp-lighting ceremony at the Kharchu Dratshang monastery before returning to the lodge for the night.
Includes all guides and ground services, lodges, meals, visas, permits and all entrances, fees and attractions
Take the domestic flight from Bumthang to Paro
Drive to Thimphu to check in at your secluded lodge set amid pine trees; Visit the Bhutan Foundation offices & meet Country Director Norbu Dema for an interesting conversation about their projects. See the city's markets, meet artisans, visit the textile museum & the school of traditional arts and crafts.
Visit the 14th century Changangkha Temple & light butter lamps for world peace, followed by a 2-hour uphill hike to the giant Buddha. Lunch is at our secret spot for the tastiest Himalayan dumplings in town, followed a fascinating afternoon stroll through the centenary farmer's market.
Drive 1.5 hours to the trailhead in Paro and hike up to famous Tiger's Nest Monastery; in the afternoon, a final opportunity to browse the Paro market and buy local gifts and souvenirs, or enjoy a round of traditional archery with your Bhutan Himalaya Expeditions crew.
We bid farewell following a final breakfast, after which we bring you back to the airport in time for your return flight to Bangkok & onward connections home.
Lodge details below:
Learn more about the lodges on this trip by visiting the following links:
Pemako Punakha | Gangtey Tented Camp | Mountain Resort, Bumthang | Ogyen Choling Heritage Lodge, Tang | The Zhiwa Ling Ascent, Thimphu | The Paro Uma Resort by COMO