Bhutan Women-only Culture and Festival Tour

Please contact us if you’d like to be put on the waiting list for this tour. Or check out our other tours listed at left.

WanderTours Giving Program – A portion of your tour cost will go to supporting RENEW Bhutan – an organization helping women and children of domestic violence.

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HIGHLIGHTS of the Bhutan Tour for Women

• Hike to Tiger’s Nest, the country’s most photographed monastery
• Attend two festivals including the Jambay Lhakhang Drup tsechu (festival) – known as the sacred midnight naked dance
• Take light hikes in the peaceful beauty of the Himalayan foothills
• Visit stunning Punakha Dzong – considered the most beautiful monastery in Bhutan
• Walk through the Gangtey Valley, where black-necked cranes migrate from the Tibetan plateau

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The group will meet in Bangkok for the flight to Paro, Bhutan. A welcome dinner will be arranged the night prior to departure (October 24) for all who can attend. Flights leave Bangkok very early on the morning of October 25th (usually 5:30 am) so it’s best to arrive in Bangkok at least 24 hours prior to departure to Bhutan in the event of flight delays.

Bhutan Women-only Culture and Festival Tour Itinerary

Day 1
Sunday, October 25, 2015 – Arrive from Bangkok – Paro – Thimphu
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

We’ll immediately enjoy the magnificent beauty of the region as soon as we arrive in Bhutan. On a clear day, spectacular vistas of the Himalayas, the world’s highest mountains, make way for the rich, green Paro Valley. Stepping off the plane, you’ll be struck by the crisp, fresh air. We’ll be met by our guide and driver after going through visa control and customs and then drive to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital (population 86,000; 7,520 feet) about 90 minutes away.

After lunch in Thimphu, we’ll have a chance to visit the city’s weekend market, filled with a wide variety of goods for both locals and tourists. Expect to see produce and meats for sale as well as souvenirs and clothes. Today we might also get a chance to see an archery tournament, which often take place at the local archery grounds.

Dinner and overnight at Bhutan Metta Resort and Spa or similar in Paro.

Day 2
Monday, October 26, 2015 – Thimphu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, we’ll enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Thimphu with a chance to learn about the local culture, arts and religion by visiting a number of sights. This might include the National Memorial Chorten, the handicraft emporium, a handmade paper factory and the National Zoo (more like a preserve, the only animal there is the national animal, the extraordinary Takin).

Dinner and overnight at Bhutan Metta Resort and Spa or similar in Paro.

HIGHLIGHT! Though Thimphu is considered a bustling city compared to the rest of Bhutan, it is the world’s only capital without a traffic light! It is also a great place to learn about the nation’s thriving arts and crafts.

Day 3
Tuesday, October 27, 2015 – Thimphu – Punakha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Following breakfast, we’ll depart for Dochu La Pass (10,000 feet), ascending steeply through pine and cedar forests with hanging lichen. The group will then take a short downhill hike through the woods and board our vehicle when we meet up with the road again. We’ll then drive onward to the Punakha Valley. Lunch will be served at the hotel.

In the afternoon, the group will tour nearby Punakha Dzong.

Dinner and overnight at Meri Puensum or similar in Punakha.

HIGHLIGHT! Punakha Dzong is likely the most beautiful of all dzongs in Bhutan. We will have a chance to meander through this complex of architectural structures which are home to hundreds of monks half of the year. We’ll see the magnificent main temple that contains massive Buddhas at the altar as well as thousands of small statues placed in the walls.

Day 4
Wednesday, October 28, 2015 – Punakha – Trongsa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, we’ll depart for the five-hour ride to Trongsa. We’ll cut through the Black Mountains on Bhutan’s “Central Road.” This highway essentially opened central Bhutan to the rest of the world just over 30 years ago.

Along the way, we’ll go through Wangdue, a small village and the district headquarters of Western Bhutan. The road then climbs through tropical vegetation to Pele La Pass (10,900 feet), surrounded by towering rhododendron and dwarf bamboo. We’ll likely see yak, which often graze in this area and, if clear, we might see impressive Mt. Jomolhari (24,140 feet). Coming down from the pass, we’ll continue on to Trongsa, where we’ll visit the striking Trongsa Dzong.

Dinner and overnight at Yangkhil Resort or similar in Trongsa.

Day 5
Thursday, October 29, 2015 – Trongsa – Bumthang Valley
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Following breakfast, we’ll head eastward to the Bumthang Valley, where Buddhism in Bhutan got its start. Along the way, we’ll stop for the Prakhar Lhakhang Tsechu (festival) in the small town of Chummi. This event will be quite special because it will be small and attended mostly by locals.

We’ll have lunch at the festival and then head to the hotel in the afternoon.

Overnight at Rinchenling Lodge or similar in Jakar (Bumthang Valley).

HIGHLIGHT! It’s believed that Buddhism in Bhutan started in Bumthang. The valley is home to the two oldest temples in the Kingdom as well as a number of sacred sites. A spiritual vibe fills the air of this idyllic valley.

Day 6
Friday, October 30, 2015 – Bumthang – Festival Day
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the morning, we will attend the Jambay Lhakhang Tsechu. This is held at one of the oldest dzongs in the country and will be a great chance to visit this sacred site. The many dances at this festival include the popular mask dance as well as many other performances by traditional singers and dancers. There will be craftspeople from around the country set up with booths to sell jewelry, clothes, Buddhist treasures and other souvenirs. On this day, we may also have time for sightseeing around the Bumthang Valley.

Overnight at Rinchenling Lodge or similar in Jakar (Bumthang Valley).

Day 7
Saturday, October 31, 2015 – Bumthang – Ura – Bumthang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Following breakfast, the group will drive to the Ura Valley, about 25 miles from Bumthang. The road traverses Ura Shelthang-la where, in clear weather, there is a magnificent view of Bhutan’s highest peak, Gangkar Puensum (24,600 feet). The road then descends into the Ura Valley. We’ll hike down through a lush forest and through the village of traditional homes. We’ll then have a picnic lunch in the village and return to the hotel in the afternoon.

After dinner, we’ll attend Jambay Lhakhang Drup, where, very late, the sacred naked dance is performed by local men very late at night. (Yes, they are naked. No, photos are not allowed.) This is the end of the tsechu and this dance is performed in order to purify sins and to receive a good harvest. It’s believed to be very good luck to watch these dancers, giving yourself the chance to be absolved of a lifetime of sins (phew)!

Overnight at Rinchenling Lodge or similar in Jakar (Bumthang Valley).

HIGHLIGHT! The midnight dance on this night is quite a secretive affair. It’s usually held in the wee hours of the morning when most tourists have gone to sleep. But, it is WELL worth it if you are able to stay awake :-).

Day 8
Sunday, November 1, 2015 – Bumthang – Gangtey
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Following breakfast, we’ll start the drive back toward Paro. We’ll have a chance to stop at Yotong La Pass and continue on via Trongsa, to Pele La Pass, and then onward to the Phoblika Valley (10,000 feet), deemed the most beautiful valley in the Himalayas. There will be a lunch break along the way.

Dinner and overnight at Dewachen Hotel or similar in Gangtey.

HIGHLIGHT! The Phoblika Valley is the winter home to the endangered black-necked cranes which migrate from the Tibetan Plateau. While they are usually only here from November through March, sometimes there are some early arrivals around this time.

Day 9
Monday, November 2, 2015 – Gangtey – Wangdue
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Following breakfast, we’ll visit Gangtey Gompa, which was built in the 17th century and renovated just a few years ago. From the gompa, we’ll walk back to the hotel along a path that cuts through a beautiful forest and then across the valley floor. Lunch will be served back at the hotel.

In the afternoon, we’ll drive about two hours to a riverside hotel near Wangdue (4,000 feet) and enjoy some leisure time before dinner.

Dinner and overnight at Hotel Lobesa or similar in Wangdue.

HIGHLIGHT! You’ll enjoy the morning’s walk in the Phoblika Valley which is one of the easiest and most beautiful on the tour. This region is breathtaking and you’ll likely see horses and cows meandering around the valley floor that’s ringed by low mountain ranges.

Day 10
Tuesday, November 3, 2015 – Wangdue – Thimphu – Paro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

From Wangdue, we’ll drive onward to Thimphu where we’ll have lunch at a local restaurant and one last opportunity for sightseeing and shopping in the capital. We will then head to Paro.

Dinner and overnight at Metta Hotel and Spa or similar in Paro.

Day 11
Wednesday, November 4, 2015 – Paro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

On this last full day in Bhutan, we’ll get an early start in order to hike the two+ hours to Tiger’s Nest (Taktsang), the country’s most photographed and well-known monastery. We’ll tour the few temples at the top and have time to enjoy the view. On the way down, we’ll stop at the tea shop/cafe, located midway, where we’ll have lunch and have exceptional views of Tiger’s Nest up above.

Upon returning to Paro, we may have time for relaxing or going to town for last-minute souvenir shopping.

Final dinner and overnight at Metta Hotel and Spa or similar in Paro.

HIGHLIGHT! The hike up to and visiting Tiger’s Nest could quite possibly be the highlight of your time in Bhutan! This iconic site, perched on the side of a mountain, is revered by the Bhutanese – and you’ll soon see why.

Day 12
Thursday, November 5, 2015 – Paro – Bangkok
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Following breakfast, we’ll leave for the airport for our flight to Bangkok. Flights usually arrive into Bangkok late in the afternoon (4:30 p.m. or later). Though you can connect with an international flight that night, you might consider staying in Bangkok for one night in case flights out of Paro are delayed (not uncommon).

** Itinerary subject to change without notice.

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* Please contact us if you’d like to be put on the waiting list for this tour. Or check out our other tours listed at left. 

Cost:
Land cost:
Flight from Bangkok to Paro:
Single Supplement:

Interested in sharing the cost with another traveler? We do our best to pair up travelers so as to avoid the single supplement. However, priority is given to the first deposits received. If you’re interested in sharing, please send in your deposit as soon as possible in order to take advantage of this benefit. (Why a single supplement charge? See this FAQ page for an explanation.)

Final payment due no later than August 25, 2015.

Price includes: Transportation in Bhutan, all meals, hotels, bottled water, visa, airport tax and tourist development fund charge. Also includes entrance to monasteries and festivals.

Price does not include: Flights to and hotel in Bangkok, evacuation insurance (highly recommended), souvenirs, personal purchases (such as books and snacks), beverages other than water and tips.

We recommend Insure My Trip for travel and/or evacuation insurance.

This trip is limited to 12 women and requires a $900 deposit on a first come, first served basis.

Minimum required: 5 people (minimum reached)

Read Booking Terms & Conditions

Registration Form Bhutan Festival Tour Fall 2015 (tour closed)

For deposit and payments, please make payable and mail check to:

WanderTours
PO Box 16102
Seattle, WA 98116

For questions, please contact Beth at:
beth (at) wandertours (dot) com
206-317-1860

Bhutan Culture and Festival Tour 2015-Itinerary (PDF)

Tour Leader:

About Joslin
An international traveler for the past 14 years, Joslin has a substantial background in adventure travel and tour leading. She has led tours for WanderTours for the past three years to such destinations as India, Vietnam & Cambodia, and Seattle. When not leading tours in Asia, Ecuador, or Cuba, she can be found in Seattle. If not abroad, chances are she is on a distant river in Oregon, Alaska or British Columbia, where she works as a river guide in the summer months. She finds Bhutan to be a fascinating destination and she can’t wait to share this adventure with you in October.

About Bhutan
Few travelers go to Bhutan because of the country’s insufficient infrastructure and the government’s desire that the country sustain its extraordinary culture. Accommodations are quite comfortable, usually in the 3- to 4- star range (5-star hotels can be upwards of an additional $1,000/night!), and have private bathrooms, heat and hot water. Meals are usually served buffet-style at the hotel and include plenty of cooked vegetables, rice and meat. Vegetarians will have no issues finding enough to eat.

Bhutan is situated high in the Himalayas. The altitude shouldn’t be a problem for most, but sometimes people react to it with minor headaches or stomachaches. Participants should be fairly fit and expect to do light hiking throughout the journey. Consult your doctor and consider high altitude medication.

For those vulnerable to motion sickness, please bring medication or natural remedies in the event the twisty roads get to you.

Related links:
Bhutan Photo Gallery
Bhutan Holiday and Vacation Tips
Bhutan FAQs
What to expect in Bhutan
Recommended Books about Bhutan
Bhutan’s Most Popular Foods