Bhutan Women-only Festival Tour March/April 2025
Dates: March 27 – April 7, 2025
Number of Days: 12
Cost: $6,185+
HIGHLIGHTS of the Bhutan Women-only Festival Tour include:
- Hike to Tiger’s Nest, the country’s most photographed monastery
- Attend two festivals, including the popular Paro Festival and the smaller/intimate Talo Festival in Punakha
- Enjoy short 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
SORRY! This tour is now sold out. We are working on another Bhutan tour for the Fall of 2025. If you’d like to be alerted when those details are available, please contact us.
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Note: Cancellation fees apply. Please read our Booking Terms and Conditions before registering.
The group will fly from Bangkok, Thailand to Paro, Bhutan very early on the morning of March 27 (7:30 AM). It’s best to arrive in Bangkok at least 24 hours prior to departure to Bhutan in the event of flight delays.
We can suggest hotels in downtown Bangkok if you’d like to arrive in advance, or you can stay near the airport to make it easier on yourself the morning of our departure.
Bhutan Women-only Festival Tour Itinerary
Day 1
Thursday, March 27, 2025 – Bangkok – Paro – Thimphu
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Upon landing in Paro, we’ll be met by our guide and driver for the start of our journey through this pristine and peaceful kingdom.
You’ll immediately be struck by the crisp, clean air as you take in the scenery of this country that’s located at the foothills of the Himalayas.
Our first stop will be a short drive away to the town of Paro for a traditional lunch.
After lunch, we’ll begin our sightseeing with a visit to the National Museum of Bhutan. The building in which it’s located dates back to the 17th century and was once a ta dzong (watchtower). It now holds artifacts including thangkas (Buddhist paintings), textiles, armor and other relics that help tell the history of the country.
If there’s time, we may also visit Rimpung Dzong (literally translated as “fortress on a heap of jewels”), also built in the 17th century. But rather than a watchtower, this was built to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders.
From Paro, we’ll make the one-hour drive to Thimphu, the only capital city with no traffic lights!
We’ll get settled into our hotel and have a bit of time to relax in the late afternoon.
Dinner and overnight at Capital Hotel or similar in Thimphu.
Day 2
Friday, March 28, 2025 – Thimphu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, we’ll enjoy a full day in Thimphu, with a chance to learn about the local culture, arts and religion by visiting a number of sights.
We’ll start at 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, clothes and items such as yak tail dusters, butter tea cups and jewelry from Nepal and Tibet.
From the market, we’ll visit the National Memorial Chorten, one of the most visited religious sights in Thimphu. This stupa was built in 1974 to honor the third king of Bhutan and stands out in the city with its golden spire and ringing bells.
We’ll take a break for lunch before visiting the enormous Buddha Dordenma statue. This 170-foot-tall gilded Buddha is perched on a hill above the city atop a meditation hall. Inside the hall, there are 125,000 Buddha statues that range between 6 and 12 inches tall–all glittering in gold.
Also, in the afternoon we’ll have a chance to visit the handicrafts emporium, where tapestries, crafts, jewelry and clothes from around the country can be found, all in one location.
Dinner and overnight at Capital Hotel or similar in Thimphu.
Day 3
Saturday, March 29, 2025 – Thimphu – Punakha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Following breakfast, we’ll depart for Punakha, Bhutan’s ancient capital, via Dochu La Pass (10,171 feet). We’ll make a brief stop here to enjoy some tea and to also walk around the 108 stupas built as a memorial for fallen Bhutanese soldiers killed in 2003 by Indian insurgents.
On a clear day, there are spectacular views of the Himalayan mountain range.
From the pass, we’ll descend down a series of hairpin turns and drive onward to Lobeysa. Here we’ll stop to make the short walk (about 20 minutes) to Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of the divine madman. The namesake “mad saint” is best known for his unorthodox methods of teaching Buddhism. Among other things, he used singing, humor and outrageous behavior that included sexual overtones.
Depending on our travel time, we’ll have lunch somewhere along the way.
After our visit to the temple, we’ll continue our travels east toward the Punakha Valley where we’ll visit Punakha Dzong. This fortified monastery is considered the most beautiful of all dzongs in Bhutan.
We’ll have the chance to meander through this complex of buildings, home to hundreds of monks during the winter while they are studying here. And we’ll visit the magnificent main temple that contains massive Buddhas at the altar in addition to the thousands of small Buddha statues inset in the walls.
From here, we’ll continue on to our nearby hotel.
Dinner and overnight at Bhutanic Resort or similar in Punakha.
Day 4
Sunday, March 30, 2025 – Punakha – Festival Day!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we’ll head to nearby Talo Monastery to watch the Talo Tshechu (festival). Perched high on a hill at just over 9,000 feet, this is an ancient pilgrimage site and one of the oldest monasteries in the country. We’ll spend the day here and either have a picnic lunch or enjoy one at the event.
The festival itself is known for its mask dance as well as the atsara (clown) dance, performed by monks and laypeople.
You’ll be mesmerized by both the attendees and the performers as they all will be wearing colorful traditional clothing.
Dinner and overnight at Bhutanic Resort or similar in Punakha.
Day 5
Monday, March 31, 2025 – Punakha – Gangtey
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Following breakfast, we’ll continue our trip east and head toward Gangtey. Along the way, we’ll pass through the small town of Wangdue before turning off the main road to the Probjhika Valley. This area is considered to be the most beautiful valley in all of Bhutan. It’s here that the Royal Society for Protection of Nature is very active in protecting the habitat because black-necked cranes migrate here from Tibet in October and November.
We’ll arrive in the valley in time for lunch at our hotel.
Afterward, we’ll take a hike where we’ll pass farmhouses, the village monastery and the black-necked crane observation building, before we cross the valley floor and then head up the small hill to Gangtey Gompa. This monastery, built in 1613, is surrounded by a village where you’ll find the families of students at the Pema Lingpa School for young monks.
Dinner and overnight at ABC Eco Lodge in Gangtey.
Day 6
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 – Gangtey – Trongsa – Bumthang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After an early breakfast, we’ll head toward Bumthang via Trongsa.
The road winds its way up through tropical vegetation and over Pele La Pass (over 10,800 feet), where we’ll stop for views of the snow-clad peaks, including that of Bhutan’s sacred peak, Mt. Jomolhari.
Continuing on, we’ll make another stop for tea/coffee at Chendebji Chorten, a stupa styled after Swayambhunath in Kathmandu.
While in Trongsa, we’ll visit the inner courtyard of the historical Trongsa Dzong, the largest and one of the most impressive dzongs in Bhutan.
We’ll have lunch at a nearby restaurant.
From Trongsa, we’ll continue our drive towards Bumthang (another three hours away), crossing the Yotong La Pass (11,236 feet) before descending into Chumey Valley, the first of four valleys in the Bumthang area.
Before arriving at our hotel, we’ll stop at the Yathra Weaving Centre, which represents the work of nearly 250 families living in the surrounding 13 villages.
It’s then onward to Jakar, a small village at the center of the Bumthang Valley. This area is considered one of the most sacred in the country as it is considered the birthplace of Buddhism in Bhutan. It’s here that kings were cremated and where the present royal family traces their ancestry back to the famous saint, Pema Lingpa.
Dinner and overnight at Rinchenling Resort or similar in Jakar (Bumthang Valley).
Day 7
Wednesday, April 2, 2025 – Bumthang Valley
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we’ll have a full day of sightseeing in the area, home to the two oldest temples in Bhutan, as well as many other sacred sites.
We’ll start with a visit to Tamshing Monastery, which is one of the oldest monastic schools. We’ll also visit Kurjey Lhakhang, which is where Guru Rinpoche is said to have subdued a local demon. Legends say that the imprint of the demon’s body is still in a local cave.
We’ll also visit Jambay Lhakhang (built in the 7th century, it’s one of the oldest temples in Bhutan) and Jakar Dzong (the valley’s imposing fortress).
After lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll take a walk through the local village’s main shopping area and visit the handicraft emporium, which features many Bhutanese products.
Dinner and overnight at Rinchenling Resort or similar in Jakar (Bumthang Valley).
Day 8
Thursday, April 3, 2025 – Bumthang – Paro (by flight)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Following breakfast, we’ll drive to the nearby domestic airport for our short flight back to Paro.
Upon arrival in Paro, we will be picked up by our (new) driver and head to lunch.
After lunch, we’ll have some free time and can either check in to our hotel or visit any sights we might have missed during our first pass through here.
Dinner and overnight at Metta Resort or similar in Paro.
Day 9
Friday, April 4, 2025 – Paro – Festival Day!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today will be another exciting festival day!
After breakfast, we’ll drive the short distance to the entrance of the Paro Dzong. From here, we’ll walk up to the monastery to join the tshechu. Similar to the one at Talo Monastery, this festival features traditional dancers and singers in masks who perform traditional folk songs. Much larger than Talo, there will be thousands of locals attending this festival, making it an excellent place for people watching and photography as the locals are dressed in their finest traditional clothes.
We’ll spend the day here and enjoy a packed lunch before returning to the hotel in the mid to late afternoon.
Dinner and overnight at Metta Resort or similar in Paro.
Day 10
Saturday, April 5, 2025 – Paro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we’ll get an early start in order to hike Tiger’s Nest (Taktsang), the country’s most photographed and well-known monastery.
We’ll take breaks along the way, but expect the hike up to the main buildings (at 10,240 feet) to take more than two hours.
About halfway up, there is a cafe/tea shop, if you’d like to stop and wait for the group to return.
Once at the top, we’ll tour the few temples here and have time to take in the stunning view.
On the way down, we’ll stop at the cafe/tea shop for lunch and enjoy the unparalleled views of Tiger’s Nest up above.
On our way back to Paro, we may stop at a couple more sights and/or go into town for some souvenir shopping.
Dinner and overnight at Metta Resort or similar in Paro.
Day 11
Sunday, April 6, 2025 – Paro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is a VERY exciting day!
We will wake up very early (around 2 AM) to go back to Paro Dzong for the unfurling of a gigantic thongdrel (appliqued tapestry) of Guru Rinpoche. The tapestry is more than 100 years old. It is unfurled against the side of a building and measures approximately 100 feet.
It’s believed that witnessing this unfurling will liberate you of negative karma. (YAY!)
It’s done in the dark and rolled back up before sunrise to prevent damage from sunlight.
We’ll return to the hotel for some sleep before having breakfast.
After we eat, we’ll take a drive to Chela La Pass. At 13,116 feet, it’s the highest motorable pass in Bhutan. We’ll enjoy the views here and, if the group would like, we can hike to a nearby nunnery.
We’ll have lunch nearby the pass and then return to the hotel in the afternoon to rest and get organized for our flight tomorrow.
In the evening, we’ll have a farewell dinner and overnight at Metta Resort or similar in Paro.
Day 12
Monday, April 7, 2025 – Paro – Bangkok
Meals: Breakfast
Following breakfast, we’ll leave for the airport for our flight to Bangkok. Flights usually arrive into Bangkok late in the afternoon (4:30 PM 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).
If you’d like to overnight in Bangkok and would like suggestions for hotels in the city or near the airport, we’d be happy to provide you with some suggestions.
** Itinerary subject to change without notice.
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SORRY! This tour is now sold out. We are working on another Bhutan tour for the Fall of 2025. If you’d like to be alerted when those details are available, please contact us!
Note: Cancellation fees apply. Please read our Booking Terms and Conditions before registering
Costs
Land cost: $6,185
Flights from Bangkok to/from Paro: $900 (approximate)
Single Supplement: $865
NOTE: We will book your flights from Bangkok, Thailand to/from Paro, Bhutan. Price above is approximate and will be confirmed once final payments are due.
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.)
Looking to share a room? Check out this post to see what’s available.
Booking and Payment Details
Price includes: Transportation and accommodation in Bhutan, 33 meals, snacks, tea/coffee, bottled water during activities, tips for guide and driver, Bhutanese visa, government Sustainable Development Fund fee, entrance to monasteries and festivals as noted in itinerary.
Price does not include: Flights to and hotel in Bangkok, ground transportation (if required) in Bangkok, travel insurance (highly recommended), personal purchases such as beverages, souvenirs and laundry.
This trip is limited to 15 women and requires a $900 deposit on a first come, first served basis.
Minimum bookings required: 8 people (minimum reached!)
Final payment due no later than January 26, 2025.
As a boutique tour company, we really appreciate checks as it helps cut down tremendously on bank fees. We ask that if you’re able, please pay the deposit or full amount by check, Venmo or wire transfer.
Here’s our mailing address:
WanderTours
PO Box 16102
Seattle, WA 98116
Cancellation fees apply. Please read our Booking Terms and Conditions before registering.
The fine print
Registration Form Bhutan Women-only Festival Tour Spring 2025 (online)
Itinerary for Bhutan Women Only Festival Tour Spring-2025 (PDF)
We have now partnered with Travel Insured International so that you have ability to purchase “cancel for any reason” insurance. We HIGHLY recommend travel insurance (no matter who your provider is) to protect your travel investment from any future issues.
For tour questions, please contact Beth at:
beth (at) wandertours (dot) com
206-317-1860
Trip Leader: Beth Whitman
After a few years hiatus, Beth is SO excited to be returning to Bhutan for this trip. From the moment she visited in 2008, she has felt a strong connection to this Buddhist kingdom and has maintained a connection with her “Bhutanese family” over all these years. This will be her 12th time to the country.
Beth is the author of the Wanderlust and Lipstick guides including The Essential Guide for Women Traveling Solo and For Women Traveling to India. She is the publisher and founder of Wanderlust and Lipstick and WanderTours and hosts the She’s Bold podcast, which can be found through your favorite podcast provider.