• Tours in Bhutan
    Witness an event few are privileged to see
    2024 14 day Jambay Lhakhang Festival Tour
  • Bhutan holidays
    Witness an event few are privileged to see
    2024 14 day Jambay Lhakhang Festival Tour
TBC | 14 DAYS 2024 14 day Jambay Lhakhang Festival Tour

Tihis tour is timed to coincide with the great Jambay Lhakhang Tsechu (festival) held at the Jambay Lhakhang temple in the Bumthang Valley, Bhutan’s spiritual heartland, and also visits many cultural sites, explores Bhutan's unique architecture and beautiful mountains and valleys.

The Jambay Lhakhang temple was built in the 7th century and is one of the oldest in the country. The festival is one of the most important in Bhutan and it highlights the ‘Mewang’, the fire ritual, and the ‘Tercham’, a religious naked dance, performed at midnight where the dancers only wear masks. It’s believed to bless infertile women so that they may bear children. The tsechus is in honour of Guru Rimpoche, the saint who brought Buddhism to Bhutan. Local villagers gather in a spirit of festivity, celebration and deep faith to witness unique masked dances and celebrations. The festival is a rich and happy expression of the Bhutanese people, who dress in their finest clothes and most resplendent jewellery while the monks prepare for weeks ahead, deep in prayer and meditation.

We also visit Bhutan's capital city, Thimphu, and explore all it has to offer. Leaving thriving city life behind, at Punakha Dzong and Trongsa Dzong you have the opportunity to roam around the most extraordinary ancient architecture and see monks go about their daily life. We also spend leisurely days exploring Bhutan's pristine natural wonders with days in valleys roaming the countryside with an informed guide who will take you to local farmhouses for lunch or to restaurants with amazing views and local food.





  • Departure Date: TBC
  • Days: 14 days
  • Max. Group size: 12
  • Difficulty: Easy

  • Price: $ TBC
  • Single Sup.: TBC
highlights

  • Thimphu is a bustling city compared to the rest of Bhutan. It is the world’s only capital city without a traffic light! It’s a great place to learn about the nation’s thriving arts and crafts.
  • Punakha Dzong is arguably the most beautiful of all dzongs in Bhutan. Meander through this complex architectural structure, home to hundreds of monks half the year.
  • Many clients tell us the Phobjekha Valley is the favourite part of their journey.
  • Take an unforgettable walk in the Phobjekha valley, breath in the magnificent forest, and visit Gangtey Gompa.
  • Trongsa to Bumthang - this drive is one of the most scenically beautiful routes in Bhutan and Jakar is a lovely village for meeting locals
  • Explore some of the oldest monasteries on foot with lunch in a traditional farm house. Rest of the day to witness the festival.
  • Attend Jambay Lhakhang Festival with locals, a rare opportunity to see the local having tremendous fun, dressed in their finest, and experience the depth and commitment of these people to their Buddhist faith. It is crowded and exciting event few are privileged to see, and one which will stay with you a lifetime.
  • Walk to the beautiful Tigers Nest Monastery. Lunch at a restaurant with views over the Paro valley.



Day 01 | Paro

An unforgettable flight, arrival in Paro from Bangkok.


Day 02 | Paro

Explore Paro visiting major cultural sites.


Day 03 | Thimphu

Drive to Thimphu, the capital -2/3 hours to enjoy the highlights on the way to the capital.


Day 04 | Thimphu

Visit major sites and see arts and crafts


Day 05 | Punakha

Drive to Punakha (3 to 4 hrs), the old capital of Bhutan. Visit Punakha Dzong and meander through this extraordinary structure, home to hundreds of monks half of the year.


Day 06 | Gangtey

Drive to Gangtey (3/4hrs) with the scenic stops on the route.


Day 07 | Gangtey

Visit Gangtey Monastery then an unforgettable walk in the Phobjekha valley to sight Black necked crane.


Day 08 | Trongsa

Drive to Trongsa, the gateway to central Bhutan (4-5hrs). Approaching Trongsa, you are treated to the sight of the enormous fortress monastery dripping down the emerald slopes of the valley.


Day 09 | Bumthang

Visit Trongsa Dzong then drive 4/5 hours to Bumthang with scenic stops on one of the most beautiful routes in Bhutan.


Day 10 | Bumthang

Day in Bumthang Valley with beautiful, easy walk though pristine forest and visit festival with a lunch in a Farm House.


Day 11 | Bumthang

Attend Jampay Lhakhang festival, explore palaces and finish the day with beer, whisky and cheese tasting.


Day 12 | Paro

Take 35mins domestic flight from Bumthang to Paro over a Himalayan Peaks.


Day 13 | Paro

Trek to the Tigers Nest Monastery with lunch at a restaurant with unforgettable views over the Paro valley


Day 14 | Departure

Tour concludes.



INCLUSIONS

Dept of Tourism accredited home stays and 3 star hotel accommodation


Two nights in 5 star Hotel Zhiwaling


All meals


Internal flight Bumthang to Paro


All transfers and sightseeing with licensed English speaking guide for the whole trip


Entrance to all dzongs and monuments


Bottled drinking water daily


All internal taxes and charges of 20%, airport tax, insurance surcharge, fuel surcharge and Visa fee


Sustainable Tourism Fund of US $200 per person per day

EXCLUSIONS

International Airfare to / from Bangkok or other place of departure


Travel insurance - must be evidenced


Personal expenses - bar bills, tips, telephone, laundry etc


Expenses due to nature, unforeseen events such as flight cancellation, road blockade


The Bhutanese Government requires a minimum of 3 people on a tour to avoid a small surcharge

private tours Bhutan

Payza


Payza is one of Bhutan’s most experienced and popular tour guides. Julia and Payza met in 2010 with Julia’s first trip to Bhutan, and Payza made it unforgettable. Not only is he highly organized with meticulous attention to detail and speaks fantastic English, but the extra care he puts into ensuring you have the best time possible is awesome. From consideration of special dietary needs to finding the best vantage points for festivals, to negotiating a way to get you that special photograph in a monastery, to telling the most fabulous and unforgettable stories that will have you laughing, Payza is a joy to travel with. He says that what he enjoys most about being a tour guide is sharing how people can live happily. He believes visitors come to understand and appreciate these values better through journeying though Bhutan.


Interested in touring Bhutan?
Please contact us or complete the tour enquiry form below.
Travelling solo? We invite you to join the tour and meet other like-minded people. If you’d like to take up our ‘willing to share’ option, meaning you share a room with another solo traveller of the same gender, you can pay the twin share price. It’s your choice! We’d love to have you along.

Australian office

Julia Davenport
P (+61) 0410 578 541
E julia@davenportmarketingandadvisory.com.au

Paro office

Payza Dorji
P (+975) 8 271 438
E payza2000@yahoo.com



TOUR ENQUIRY FORM

What others say

What our clients have to say...

Thank you for hosting such an amazing tour. The opportunity to come to this very special country with such special people will stay with me for life. I will take my good heart with me when I go.

Cherie W

A wonderful comprehensive journey, Julia and Payza put in a huge amount of work to make the holiday very special. Everything went like clockwork.

Charmain W

I was very impressed with the standard of food. The picnic food was especially good.

Joanne McB

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