Explore Eastern Bhutan festival Tour 2021 (9nights and 10 Days). Jambay Lhakhang Drup from 21st October to 23rd October 2021

Trip Length: 09 Days/08 Nights. Tour Costs: 1 person US $ 1990 each. Visa Fees USD 40 per person (one time fees) Cost includes: Government royalty, all meals, tea and snacks, accommodations, transport, entrance fees, guide service and sightseeing. Cost does not include: Druk Air fares, airport tax, drinks & beverages and other personal bills.

Trip Facts Jambay Lhakhang is one of 108 Buddhist temples built in the 7th century by the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo. Revered as one of the oldest landmarks of the arrival of Buddhism in Bhutan , this temple holds a unique Tshechu or Bhutan festival. The highlight of this Bhutan festival Tour is a fire dance that is done to purify sins and augur a good harvest. Naked dance is performed by men and considered very auspicious.

Detailed Tour Program.

Day 1 Arrival Paro from Kathmandu/Delhi/Bangkok: Paro Sightseeing During the flight, on a clear day, you can see breathtaking views of the Himalaya Mountains, including the sacred Jumolhari and Jichu Drake peaks in Bhutan. On arrival you will be greeted by the representative of Excursion to Himalayas-ETH and transfer to your hotel. After lunch, visit the Ta Dzong, once a fortified lookout tower that is now the National Museum. Then walk down the trail to visit the Rinpung Dzong which houses monastic bodies and center of civil administration. In the evening, you can stroll freely in the town. Overnight hotel in Paro. Day 2: Paro Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery  After breakfast, you will hike to Taktsang or “Tiger’s Nest” Monastery perched precariously on the cliff 900m above the floor of the Paro valley. It is the most famous monastery in Bhutan. It is said that Guru Rinpoche, the great spiritual master, have flown to the site of the monastery from eastern Bhutan on the back of a tigress and meditated here for three months. Lunch would be served in the Cafeteria restaurant on the way. After having explored the monastery, you will hike down to the valley. Overnight hotel in Paro. Day 03 Paro to Thimphu Sightseeing After breakfast, you will visit the King’s Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972), Changgangkha Monastery, the radio tower (for a great view of Thimphu Valley and the Thimphu Dzong), the zoo, which contains the national animal of Bhutan (the takin) and the nunnery temple. After a relaxing lunch, visit the National Library (which houses ancient manuscripts), the School of Arts and Crafts (also known as the painting school), the traditional paper factory and the Majestic Tashichodzong. In the evening, you can stroll through Thimphu town. Overnight hotel in Thimphu. Day 04 Thimphu to Punakha After your breakfast your drive from Thimphu to punakha will be 3 hours passing through green forest along the ways. On the way visit dochula pass and on a clear day you can view the 360degree view of Himalayas and remote Gasa Dzong. Visit chimil Lhakhang the temple of fertility and the temple also have good history. Day 05 Punakha to Trongsa: You’ll pass through dense forests of oak trees and rhododendrons and arrive at Tongsa,you can see the picturesque Black Mountain range. From there you’ll head to Trongsa, the ancestral home of the royal family. The route is along a spectacular winding road, crossing 3,300-meter-high Pele La, and you will see yaks grazing on the slopes of dwarf bamboos. On arrival, you can browse through the Trongsa shops and town. Overnight hotel in Trongsa. Day 06 Trongsa to Bumthang Sightseeing In the morning you’ll visit Trongsa Dzong, the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture, and you’ll also see Ta Dzong, the watchtower built to defend this Dzong. Then you’ll proceed to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation, with lush valleys and hilly forests. Along the way you will stop at a yathra (textile weaving) factory, where the yathras are designed with patterns unique to Bumthang, and you can even watch some of the weavers at their looms. The afternoon will be spent sightseeing in the area, including Jakar Dzong, the administrative center of the valley; Kurjey Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places, because Guru Rinpoche left his body imprint on the cave when he was meditating. You can spend the evening strolling through Bumthang town. Overnight hotel in Bumthang. Day 07 Attend Bumthang Festival Attend full day festival of Jambay Lhakhang. Stay awake till midnight to catch an unusual naked dance, which is considered pious and performed to sanctify the region and augur good harvest. Overnight at hotel in Bumthang. Day 08 Bumthang-Paro-HAA via Domestic flights: The flight is just 25 minutes to Paro from Bumthang Batpalathang airport. Our guide will receive you at the airport and drive you to small town of haa recently open for tourist. In haa visit the haa monastery and farm house in the evening. Day 09: Haa to Paro: Start your journey early so that you can hike from Chelela to Kili goenpa the most beautifull hike. Kili Goenpa have few Nun still meditating and Guru based here. You shall have packed lunch and proceed down to Paro and leisure time in the afternoon. Day 10: Paro to onward journey and see off. You might be interested in another festival. Please check Festival dates for 2020 and 2021 HERE

FA Question for this Bhutan Festival Tour?

How is the weather in this time of the year?

Ans: Weather is very favorable and warm. The temperature may drop as you drive towards Bumthang and vary from 8 to 12 degree during day and 0 degree at night in Bumthang.

What is the time limit to book this festival Tour?

Ans: To book this trip you at least need 4 months prior to your trip. This is because we need to book your Bhutan flight tickets as it will be difficult to get the tickets during this time.

Which airline operates in Bhutan?

Ans: Bhutan have only two airline that operates in multiple destination. They are Drukair and Bhutanairlines and they operate from Bangkok to Paro, Delhi to Paro,Kathmandu to Paro and Singapore to Paro. No other airline operates in Bhutan. You can check their website for Booking online or contact us for reservation.

What is the cancellation policy for Bhutan Festival Tour?

Ans: For this our company have very strict policy and once the tour gets started there will be 100 percent chargeable. For further information please click here.

What kind of hotels will I be provided in this tour?

Ans: All hotels will be of 3 star Hotel with attached bathroom, color TV with hot and cold shower and clean rooms.

How can I apply Bhutan Visa?

Ans: Once you confirm the tour with us we will need you passport copy with filled Visa form. Upon the receipt of full payment we shall apply your visa and visa acceptance letter will be send to you. You need to download this visa leter and produce during boarding of flight to Bhutan. Your actual visa will be stamped upon arrival in Paro International Airport.

Who will be there at Airport to receive us?

Ans: Our guide with your name will receive you at the airport with white traditional khaddar for good luck journey into happiness.

How much should I tip Guide and driver?

Ans: Guide and driver though they are paid daily DSA by the company but its customary for tourist visiting Bhutan to pay something to Guide and driver after the tour based on experience with them. The minimum you can pay them is 10$ per day but its not mandatory.

For any further question please write to us and we shall be happy to answer you.

Please keep in mind that before you take this trip. Few things to remember are your visa acceptance letter, your air tickets, Passport validity should be 6 months and more. If you have any health condition please make sure your health insurance covers all.

Emergency contacts during your Bhutan Travel.

Being a responsible company, we are always available for 24 hours a day, in case if you need any emergency help. It is best to first call your designated travel coordinator or sales person (whose contact numbers are will be listed on your tour agreement), for any reason if you are not able to reach to him/her then please ring us on the below numbers:
Thimphu Head Office: (00975)-331423
Mobile number: (00975)-17140505(Available 24/7)
Note: office working time is 9am – 5pm from Monday to Friday.
Mr. Sagar Pradhan (Marketing Manager) 00975 17343496 (Available for 24 hours a day)

Etiquette and Taboos

Cultural Considerations: Be aware that your cultural values may differ from those of locals. These may include different concepts of time, personal space, communication, etc., which are not wrong or inferior, just different. Making the extra effort to respect local customs and cultural differences will enhance your interactions with locals during your time in Bhutan and contribute to building mutual respect between locals and tourists.

Appropriate attire: Most Bhutanese are pretty conservative from our western perspective so it is always polite to wear long pants at all times (Man and Women). Women should wear long pants or skirts. Shirts should not be revealing and bras should be worn. Unfortunately, many tourists ignore these cultural norms and can be seen in towns and villages wearing shorts and revealing summer attire; while it may be comfortable, it is not appropriate, especially when visiting monasteries and Dzongs.

Itinerary Disclaimer

Generally we adhere to the original itinerary that we described but sometimes little alterations can be born due to the situations that are beyond our control. On the other hand, in order to make our trip for your personal experiences and flexible, we allowed our clients to make minor changes by discussing with us (office staff) and guide (field staff). The trip detail itinerary is a general guide to the tour and region, and any mention of specific destination or activities is by no means of guarantee that they will be encountered or carried due to sudden change in time and the local circumstances and climate.

Meals

Meals are usually provided in buffet system and most of tourist food are blend and if you need to change the foods varieties we are very open to change and you need to discuss with guide. We have Indian, Chinese and authentic Bhutanese restaurant where you can have very spicy food.

Destination Guide

Bhutan is a unique travel destination with some special considerations. It is highly recommended that you undertake some background reading before travel to Bhutan. The more you learn about your destination, the more rewarding your travel experience will be.

Bhutan Festival Tour Guide

Mr.Yeshey Tharchen is multi talented Tour Guide and locals of Bumthang. He have the deep knowledge of how naked dance in Bumthang was introduced and what are the benefits of attending this festival of Bhutan.