Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be greeted and transferred to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. En route, visit the Tamchog Lhakhang Iron Bridge, an iconic structure blending traditional Bhutanese design with practical engineering. Arrive in Thimphu and check in to your hotel, with the remainder of the day at leisure to relax and acclimatize. This journey is part of our Bumthang Festival Tour, offering an immersive experience through Bhutan’s cultural and spiritual heartland.

Begin your day with a drive to Dodena Base, followed by a scenic Hike along paved stone steps through oak and rhododendron forests to Tango Monastery (2850m), a 17th-century Drukpa Kagyu site housing the revered Hayagriva deity. Explore the monastery’s caves and intricate murals before descending back to the base, a 30-40-minute walk. Return to Thimphu town for lunch.

In the afternoon, visit the National Memorial Chorten, a prominent stupa built in honor of Bhutanese kings where locals come to offer prayers and circumambulate, providing insight into Bhutanese Buddhist practices.

Continue to the Textile Museum, which showcases Bhutan’s rich weaving traditions and intricate craftsmanship, followed by Zorig Chusum, the School of Arts and Crafts, where visitors can observe artisans preserving the country’s 13 traditional arts.

Next, explore the Folk Heritage Museum, a restored farmhouse that offers a glimpse into rural Bhutanese life through traditional tools and household items.

Conclude the day at Tashichho Dzong, the impressive fortress and monastery that serves as both the administrative center and a monastic hub of Thimphu. Our team has pre-screened these locations to ensure they provide authentic cultural depth while remaining accessible and enjoyable for all guests.

Depart Thimphu and drive through the scenic Dochula Pass (3,100m), a high mountain pass adorned with 108 chortens and offering panoramic views of the eastern Himalayas on clear days. The pass provides a stunning vantage point to see the snow-capped peaks of Bhutan’s mountains, framed by lush forested slopes below.

Continue to Lobesa to visit Chimi Lhakhang, also known as the Temple of Fertility, dedicated to the Divine Madman, Lama Drukpa Kunley. A gentle 20–30-minute walk through vibrant rice fields and traditional farmhouses brings you to the temple, allowing time to soak in the rural scenery and interact with local villagers along the way.

After this spiritual and cultural experience, continue the drive to Punakha, crossing rivers and valleys that showcase Bhutan’s serene countryside.

Begin the day with a visit to Punakha Dzong, one of Bhutan’s most impressive fortresses, dramatically set at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. Renowned for its grand architecture and historical importance, the dzong offers a deep insight into Bhutan’s religious and political heritage. We have observed a noticeable difference in guest experience depending on timing; early visits to Punakha Dzong allow for a more peaceful and reflective experience, before larger groups arrive.

Later, enjoy a scenic hike to Khamsum Yulley Chorten, a beautifully detailed stupa perched on a hilltop overlooking the Punakha Valley. The walk passes through pine forests and farmland, rewarding you with panoramic views from the top.

Conclude the day with a walk across the Punakha Suspension Bridge, one of the longest in Bhutan, offering striking views of the river below and daily life along its banks.

Drive to Trongsa in the morning. En route, explore Wangduephodrang, a lively market town that offers insight into local trade and daily Bhutanese life. Continue the journey over the Pele La Pass (3,420m), the natural divide between western and central Bhutan, often shrouded in mist and surrounded by alpine forests.

Stop to visit the tranquil Chendibji Chorten, an 18th-century stupa built to subdue a local demon and easily recognized by its eyes painted in all four directions. As you approach Trongsa, follow a winding mountain road that opens to dramatic views of a deep canyon, with the imposing Trongsa Dzong gradually coming into sight. Overnight in Trongsa.

After breakfast, visit Trongsa Dzong, the largest dzong in Bhutan, and the Ta Dzong Museum, housing historical artifacts of Bhutan’s royal family. Drive to Bumthang via Yutung La Pass (3,400m) and descend through dense coniferous forests into Chummey Valley. Later, visit Kurjey Lhakhang and Jambay Lhakhang. The distinction between visiting these two temples separately versus together is often overlooked, but our team finds this sequence offers deeper cultural and spiritual context. Overnight in Bumthang.

Drive to the Ura Valley, a high-altitude valley in the Bumthang region known for its stone houses, barley fields, and strong preservation of traditional culture. The Ura Tshechu takes place in the courtyard of the Ura Lhakhang. The Ura Festival, locally called Ura Yakchoe Tshechu, is a deeply spiritual and culturally rich event held in the courtyard of the Ura Lhakhang (local monastery) in the heart of the valley. The festival spans several days and is centered around a sacred relic, believed to have been miraculously left behind by a monk, centuries ago. This relic is displayed during the celebration and is considered to bring blessings, protection, and purification to those who witness it. The core of the festival features sacred masked dances (cham) performed by monks and lay dancers, each portraying spiritual narratives that purify negative energies and celebrate local deities and traditions. Return to Bumthang in the evening.

Enjoy a day trip to Tang Valley, the most remote and least-visited valley in the Bumthang region, known for its quiet landscapes and deep spiritual associations. The excursion includes a gentle hike to Ugyen Chholing Palace, a former noble residence that now offers insight into traditional Bhutanese life, as well as visits to Tang Rimochen Lhakhang, a revered meditation site of Guru Rinpoche, and Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake), one of Bhutan’s most sacred pilgrimage sites. Return to your lodge in Bumthang in the evening. We’ve refined this excursion over several seasons to balance hiking difficulty, cultural insight, and meaningful moments for reflection and meditation.

Take a domestic flight from Bumthang to Paro, enjoying aerial views of Bhutan’s rolling valleys and distant Himalayan peaks along the way. Upon arrival, explore Rinpung Dzong, a striking fortress-monastery that houses both monastic and administrative offices, and admire its intricate architecture, courtyards, and historical artifacts. Next, visit Ta Dzong, the former watchtower turned museum, which offers an impressive collection of Bhutanese art, weapons, and cultural relics, as well as panoramic views of Paro town and the surrounding valley. Overnight in Paro.

Embark on a scenic hike to Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest Monastery), perched dramatically at 3,120 m on a cliffside overlooking the Paro Valley. The trail winds through pine forests and past prayer flags fluttering in the mountain breeze, offering glimpses of the monastery as you ascend. Upon arrival, explore the monastery complex, its temples, and sacred shrines, and take in the breathtaking panoramic views of the valley and surrounding peaks. After the hike, return to Paro town for an afternoon at leisure, providing time to relax or enjoy local cafes and shops.

Transfer to Paro International Airport for your onward flight, concluding your unforgettable journey through Bhutan’s cultural and spiritual heart, as part of the Ura Yakchoe Festival Tour.