Paro Festival
Tour The Paro festival is held annually every spring at Paro Rinpung Dzong to honour the Great Buddhist master Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava). Thousands of people gather, socialise, are entertained, and receive blessings. It is an opportunity for tourists to witness the colourful and fantastic display of Bhutanese traditional culture.
Key aspects of Thimphu Tshechu:
Time: It is held on the 12 the day of the 2 and month of lunar calendar..
Location: Paro Dzong (Paro Fortress).
Activities: Various colorful masked dances, religious rituals, Thangka Unfurling and Atsaras.
Purpose: Buddhists to cleanse bad karma and celebrate traditional culture.
Dress: People wear colorful national dress Gho and Kira.
- Tour Details
Tour Name: Paro Festival Tour
Tour type: Cultural tour and short hiking
Duration: 11Days/10Nights
Grade: Easy
Best time: Mid-March to mid-April
Place: Thimphu, Punakha, Phobjikha Valley, Paro, Trongsa, and Bumthang
Download Tentative-Festival-dates-for-2025.pdf
Tour Highlights
✓ Sacred mask dance performance
✓ Best sights of central and western Bhutan
✓ Explore the Bhutanese lifestyle
✓ Visit the winter home of migratory bird
✓ Majestic Fortress and Striking Buddhist monasteries
✓ 360-degree aerial view of 108 stupas and scenic highest Himalayas peaks
✓ Visit the old capital of Bhutan, Punakha, and explore the Bhutanese village lifestyle
✓ A pleasant walk to the longest suspension bridge at Punakha
✓ Hike to Tiger’s Nest monastery
- Itinerary Overview
- Day 01: Arrival at Paro and do local sightseeing at Paro
- Day 02: Attend Paro Festival
- Day 03: Tiger nest hike and transfer to Thimphu
- Day 04: Thimphu local sightseeing
- Day 05: Thimphu to Punakha Day 06: Punakha to Trongsa
- Day 07: Trongsa to Bumthang Day 08: Bumthang halt
- Day 09: Bumthang to Phobjikha Day 10: Phobjikha to Paro
- Day 11: Departure
Day 01: Arrival at Paro and do local sightseeing at Paro
Your flight to Paro will be the eye-catching sight of the highest mountains in the world. You will see great Himalayan peaks like Everest, Kanchenjunga, and Makalu. You will have the first glimpse of the country’s gross national happiness. Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, your company representatives from Bhutan Travel Light Tour will welcome you and transfer you to the hotel. Depending upon the arrival time, you will do local sightseeing in Paro if time permits.
Day 02: Attend Paro Festival
Today, in the early morning, you will drive to Drugyel Dzong. You will walk through Nyima Zam Bridge to Rinpung dzong, the castle, and a monastery to attend the Paro festival. It is one of Bhutan’s tentative sites in the UNESCO plan list for future World Heritage Sites. This is where Bernardo Bertolucci’s film “Little Buddha“‘ was shot. Just above the Dzong stands Ta dzong (watchtower fortress), now converted into the National Museum of Bhutan. Subsequently, you will stop at the Iron Bridge Maker temple on the way to town. Then, your day will end with exploring Paro town’s elegant, traditional-style houses.
Day 03: Tiger nest hike and transfer to Thimphu
Today, you will be prepared earlier than before for an exciting and challenging 5-hour hiking visit to Bhutan’s top icon. Sitting more than 800 meters above Paro Valley, perched on a cliff face of the mountain, stands the most heart touching ‘Taktsang’ (Tiger Nest monastery). It is renowned in the outside world for its uniqueness and spectacular position. Transfer to the capital city, Thimphu.
Day 04: Thimphu local sightseeing
In the morning, you will visit Buddha’s Point (gigantic bronze Buddha Dordenma statue), located on the mountain overlooking the southern approach of Thimphu town. You will take a short hike to see a panoramic view of the statue. Later, you will join the Buddhist devotees at the whitewashed semi-spherical Memorial Chorten. Enjoy your lunch at Simply Bhutan and visit the Royal Takin Preserve. You will have a walk from Norzin Lam Street to see Thimphu’s clock tower. Interestingly, here, you will see the traffic police signalling in the heart of the town junction. However, you will continue your walk to the handicraft market, where varieties of Bhutanese souvenirs are displaced and bought for a reasonable price. Then, your day will end after visiting a handmade paper factory that produces authentic Bhutanese paper.
Day 05: Thimphu to Punakha
On this day, you will drive to Punakha (the old capital of Bhutan). On the way to your destination, you will stop at Dochula Pass to see the panoramic view of Bhutan’s astounding highest snowclad Himalayan peaks. It is the best place for photographers to take a picture of a 360–degree aerial view of 108 Stupas and the snow-clad Himalayas peak. You will visit Punakha Dzong (the most beautiful fortress in Bhutan through a traditional cantilever bridge). This fortress is covered with high, whitewashed walls and towers. Flowingly, you will take a break to see the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan. In the afternoon, you will start with a short hike from the whitewater rafting point to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, which stands regally above Punakha Valley. You will take a walk-through of paddy fields with a fantastic view of Punakha Valley. Later on, if you are interested in water rafting at your own cost, we will arrange for the rafting crew to memorialize your trip.
Day 06: Punakha to Trongsa
On this day, your diver will drive to Trongsa over Pele-la pass (3300m), a boundary between western and eastern Bhutan. You will take a break to watch the scenic environment. Further drive will lead you to the gateway of central Bhutan. En route to Trongsa, you will see Chendebji Chorten patterned with eyes painted at the four cardinal points, similar to the Boudhanath stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal. But then you will continue your travel to Trongsa viewpoint to see the largest fortress in the country. Trongsa is a place in Bhutan where our royal dynasty has emerged. Moreover, it was the seat of power over central and eastern Bhutan. Indeed, the first two hereditary kings ruled from this fort and our tradition still dictates that the crown prince should serve as Trongsa Penlop before acceding to the throne. Next, you will visit the Ta Dzong (watchtower fortress) overlooking the Trongsa dzong, a house that fascinates the museum of our country. Overnight you will stay in Trongsa.
Day 07: Trongsa to Bumthang
Start your drive from Trongsa; as you ascend, you will come across Yutong La Pass (3400m), one of the beautiful, chilly and picturesque passes you will find before reaching Bumthang and from there, gradually descend into Chumey Valley (the first valley of Bumthang). Visit the palace used by the past king as a summer residence. Next, a short hike takes you to Prakar Goemba (white monkey temple), a picturesque valley in Chumey perched on a small plateau. According to legend, white monkeys helped build this temple. The founder of this temple worked during the day, while monkeys continued the work at night. Therefore, it was named ‘’Prakar Goemba’’ meaning ‘’white monkey temple’’. Later, you will make a stop at the Yathra weaving centre. Depending upon the
time, if time permits, do local sightseeing or take a drive to the hotel directly and get a rest.
Day 08: Bumthang halt
On this day, your day will start with a visit to Jakar Dzong, a castle of white birds at a picturesque location overlooking Chamkhar Valley. You will drive to Jambay Lhakhang, the first-ever built temple in the country. You will continue to reach Kurjey Lhakhang, a complex consisting of three beautiful temples and a place where the remains of the first three kings are kept. You will enjoy your picnic lunch in the riverside. In the afternoon, you will take a short hike to Tamshing Lhakhang, across the river from Kurjey Lhakhang. This site must be visited by art and painting connoisseurs because it is where you can wipe your sins by carrying the chain bar smith of the great saint Terton Pema Lingpa. You will then drive towards Tang Valley to see Mebar Tsho (the burning lake), the most sacred site in Bhutan related to the renowned religious treasurer Terton Pema Lingpa, who discovered treasure inside the lake. You will stop at Red Panda Brewery and Cheese factory owned by a Swiss national who got married to Bhutanese. Subsequently, you will explore the town and drive back to the hotel.
Day 09: Bumthang to Phobjikha
Today, your journey will be quite hectic due to long hours of travelling, but it is worth a lot. Your driver will drive you back through the same way; as you ascend from Bumthang on the twisting mountain road point, you will see the habitat of red pandas and other animals. Then, from Yutong la Pass, the road descends to Trongsa. Subsequently, you will continue your drive, and again, you will get the last opportunity to see Chendebji Chorten. After crossing Pele La pass, it’s time to see the most beautiful marshland in Bhutan. First, you will visit Gangtey Monastery, the main seat of Terton, a discoverer of ancient hidden texts. Now, you will start Gangtey Nature Trail, a distance of 4km at an Elevation of 2900m. You will take a walk around the potato fields to the pine forest. This land is famous for its winter home of rare black-necked cranes. Here, cranes are seen in the late autumn and winter (November to February). Again, when the time comes for their departure, they leave for Tibet back in March. You can also try a hot stone bath at your own cost. Then, the day will end when we return to the hotel to rest.
Day 10: Phobjikha to Paro
If you visit here during the arrival time of cranes, you will be awakened by the call of cranes. Early morning drive to Chime Lhakhang (The fertility temple). This temple is dedicated to a 15thcentury famous saint called Lam Drukpa Kuenley, also known as The Divine Madman, who flourished Buddhism through outrageous and scandalous sexual exploits. In addition, your tour guide/monk will let you know more of his crazy wisdom upon your interest. Your driver will drive back to Paro, where you took your land in Bhutan.
Day 11: Departure
On this day, your guide and driver will drop you at Paro airport, where your tour guide and driver will bid you goodbye. It was nice meeting you, and we hope you enjoyed the beauty of our country. We expect you to visit again for a longer duration.
Tashi Delek, have a safe flight back home
- A sustainable tourism Royalty (SDF) to the Royal Government of Bhutan which goes towards the economic developmental works such as in the education , health, roads, etc.
- Bhutan Visa
- Accommodations in 3- star properties. (Can be upgraded to 4 & 5-star with additional Premium)
- All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
- Certified English Speaking Bhutanese Guide.
- All ground transportationAll internal taxes and charges including Entry Fees
- Mineral Water while traveling
- Complimentary from company : Traditional Hot Stone Bath
- Airfare ( Can be arranged with us)
- Travel Insurance
- Any Expenses of Personal Nature
- Tips for the guide and driver