10 Days Jambay Lhakhang Drup Festival Tour (17 - 21 Oct. 2024)

When you arrive in Paro by Bhutan’s national carrier, Druk Air, your tour guide will pick you up at the airport. After clearing customs and visa formalities, your guide will transfer you to Paro town for lunch.

Then you will be transferred to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan, following the Pachu River. The drive takes about 1.5 hours in total, during when you can stop on the way to see the Tamchhog Lhakhang, a hereditary place of worship for the Bhutan’s iron bridge builders.

As the capital city of Bhutan, Thimphu is devoid of stereotyped skyscrapers and huge traffic. Instead, surrounding by rolling mountains, Thimphu is known for its picturesque Bhutan dzong, fresh air and loveable local people. Upon your arrival, you will pay a visit to Tashichho Dzong (Thimphu Dzong), the most beautiful Bhutan dzong as well as the headquarters of Bhutan government. You will also explore the National Library and Folk Heritage Museum, a 300-year-old traditional house converted into a museum.

Stay overnight in Thimphu

The new day begins with tasty Bhutanese breakfast. After that, we will travel northeast to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan. On the way, we will stop at scenic Dochu La Pass (3,100m), where there are about 108 sacred stupas or temples being build out there. The perfect vintage point brings you the unobstructed vista of Great Himalayas.

After lunch at Wangduephodrang (1,350m), we keep driving to Punakha, which used to the capital of Bhutan. You will explore the world-renowned Punakha Dzong, widely believed to be the most beautiful Bhutanese Dzong, built at the confluence of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu Rivers. You will also visit Chimi Lhakhang, a popular Buddhist monastery built around 1499 by Ngawang Chogyal.

Stay overnight in Punakha.

In the morning, we will drive up a winding mountain road into the Phobjikha valley first, passing through oak and rhododendron forest. Phobjikha valley, also known as Gangtey Valley, is one of the most beautiful high-elevation valleys in Bhutan, and is the winter home of black-necked cranes, migrating from the Tibetan plateau.

You may take a stroll in enchanting Phobjikha Valley and visit Gangtey Monastery, the only and the biggest Nyingmapa monastery in Bhutan.

Stay overnight in Gangtey.

After breakfast, we will drive from Gangtey to Bumthang valley. It will take about 5 hours. We will pass through cultivated fields, forests, and a high mountain pass called Yotong La (3,400m), before reaching the Chumey valley, the first of the four valleys in Bumthang. The Bumthang valley is wide broad and presents a totally different scenery one can enjoy.

Stay overnight in Bumthang. 

Today you will first enjoy a sightseeing tour in Bumthang, by visiting the following sites: Tamshing Lhakhang, also known as the temple of Good message, is famous for its collections of printings which exemplify the region’s style. It is also well known for being one of the few institutions continuing the teachings of Pema Lingpa.

Then after the suspension bridge, you meet the “Body Imprint Temple” Kurjey Lhakhang. Not far from Kurjey Lhakhang sits the Jambay Lhakhang, a temple built by the King Songtsen Goempo of Tibet in the 7th century. With his effort in the propagation of Buddhism, the Tibet king had an ambitious plan to build a total of 108 temples in Tibet and Bhutan.

Continue your Bumthang tour and arrive at Jakar Dzong after about 10 minutes’ drive. With a circumference of more than 1,500 meters, the majestic Jakar Dzong is definitely a wonderful piece of architectural art in Bhutan. The name Jakar is derived from the word “Bjakhab”, meaning “The white bird”.

In the evening, you will attend the first day of Jambay Lhakhang festival. The first day of the festival begins around 8:30 pm. It is said that the 7th century Tibetan king Songsten Gampo has built 108 temples in one day and Jambay Lhakhang in Bumthang is believed to be one of them. The Jambay Lhakhang Drup is one of the most interesting events held there.

During the festival, you will watch all kinds of chams (dances), including Terchham (Naked Dance), which was formerly initiated by Terton Dorje Lingpa, Mewang, Macham, Ging Tsholing, Dramtse Ngacham, Zhana Cham etc. The dances are performed by the local villagers of Norgang, Changwa and Nangsiphel.

Stay overnight in Bumthang.

Today, you can choose to return to experience more of the festivities at Jambay Lhakhang, or enjoy an excursion to Tang Valley, the most remote valley in the Bumthang district. During the excursion, you will take a 45-minutes’ walk to Ugyen Chholing Palace, built in the 16th century by the Trongsa Penlop Tshokey Dorji. The main building in the palace features a fascinating museum offering a real insight into the lifestyle of a Bhutanese noble family.

Then you will also head to visit the 14th century Tang Rimochen Lhakhang where Guru Rinpoche meditated and Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake), where some of Guru Rinpoche’s treasures were found in the 15th century by the famous treasure discover Pema Lingpa.

Stay overnight in Bumthang

After breakfast, we will drive the same route back to Gangtey. It will be a longer drive lasting about 8 hours. Upon arrival, you can have a good rest in the hotel.

Stay overnight in Gangtey.

Today, we will continue driving for about 5 hours towards Paro across Dochula Pass. Upon arrival in Paro, you can take a stroll around the streets there.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Getting up in the fresh morning, we’ll start today’s trek to Taktshang Goemba (also known as Tiger's Nest). Standing on the cliff of Paro Valley, Taktshang Goemba (3120 meters) is the landmark of Paro as well as the holiest temple in Bhutan. It’s said that Guru Padmasambhava (also known as Guru Rinpoche) had flied here on the back of a tigress and meditated in the caves on the cliffside for three months. From here, you can catch a panoramic view of Paro Valley.

After lunch, you may opt for a stone bath or enjoy free exploration nearby.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Today, our tour guide will transfer you to Paro International Airport for your next destination. Tour service end.