Bhutan: Jambay Lhakang Festival
Saturday 21 October – Friday 03 November 2023
Bhutan: Jambay Lhakang Festival
Saturday 21 October – Friday 03 November 2023
Untouched by the modern world, Bhutan is a majestic mountain kingdom in green valleys, rich forests and through high mountain passes. The Bhutanese known to be the most charming and welcoming will be showing you their pure Buddhist and traditional way of life, where Gross National Happiness is more important than gross domestic product. Experience Bhutan’s unique culture and traditions through the Jambay Lhakang Drup festival in the high peaks of Bumthang.
14 days from £4,455.00 per person
Day 1 : To Delhi
Fly to Delhi. Please contact us for a quote for International flights to Delhi.
Day 2 : Delhi
Arrive Delhi in the morning. Meeting, assistance on arrival and transfer to Hotel Oberoi Maidens for overnight stay. In the afternoon take rickshaw ride through old Delhi and a guided tour of the Red Fort. Overnight at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3 : To Thimphu
Transfer to Delhi airport and fly to Paro in the morning. The flight to Paro offers one of the most spectacular views of the Himalayas. Meeting and assistance on arrival and drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, a unique city with an unusual mix of modern and ancient tradition and culture. Take an exploratory walk around Thimphu’s Main Street and market area.
Visit the Authentic Craft Bazar and browse through some of Bhutan’s fine traditional arts. Overnight in Thimphu Kisa Hotel or similar (Altitude 2300m)
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Day 4 : Thimpu
Enjoy a visit to the Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang) with a panoramic view of the Thimphu valley. Next visit the National Library, housing an extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts. Stop by the institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the Painting School) where students undergo training courses in Bhutanese traditional arts and crafts.
Later, visit Textile Museum, which provides an insight into weaving, one of the most distinct art forms in Bhutan.
Proceed to visit Pangri Zampa Institute for Buddhist Astrology, built in 16th century and one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan.
Later visit Thimphu Kaja Throm for a stroll through the farmers market.
Overnight in Thimphu (Altitude 2300m).
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Day 5 : To Punakha
Today we head toward Punakha across the Do Chula pass (3080m). The pass offers the most spectacular view over the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas on a clear day. Take in the magnifient views and clear fresh air, stretch your legs whilst walking around the Druk Wangyel stupas. Continue onto to Punakha visiting Wanduephoradand Dzong (built in 1638). Visit to the magnificent Punakha Dzong, built strategically at the junction of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers in 1637, by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative center of the region.
Hike up through fields of chilies and cabbages to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, a stunning monument built by the Queens and consecrated in 1999.
Overnight in Punakha (Altitude 1400m).
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Day 6 : To Gangtey
Enjoy a visit to the Chimi Lhakhang, known as the temple of fertility where couples come to pray for a child. The trail leades across rice fields to the tiny settlement of Pana (field).
Head towards Gangtey. The road to Gangtey/Phobjikha Valley passes through an oak and rhododendron woodland. , Phobjikha is one of Bhutan’s few glacial valleys and the preferred home of black necked cranes migrating from the Central Asian Plateau. Explore the green protected Valley.
Overnight stay in Gangtey (Altitude 2900mm)
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Day 7 : Gangtey
Visit Gangtey Goempa and in the afternoon take the beatiful Gangtey Nature trail, and visit the Khewa Lhakhang, situated on the eastern side of the Phobjikha Valley, built by Tibetan sculptors in Tibetan style. Inside there are 3 statues of past, present, and future Buddhas. B, L, D
Day 8 : To Bumthang
Drive towards Trongsa across Pelela. En-route visit p at Trongsa Dzong built in the year 1648, the largest and one of the most majestic dzongs in Bhutan. Now converted into museum, it houses more than 200 items ranging from bronze statues, ritual costumes, prayer books, paintings and scrolls. Overnight at Bumthang. B, L, D
Day 9 : Bumthang - Jambay Lhakhang Drup Festival
Witness the Jambay Lhakhang Drup festival, it is a five-day event grandly held in the beautiful valley of Bumthang and is one of Bhutan’s most important festivals to commemorate the establishment of Jambay Lhakhang temple in 7th century and also to honor Guru Rinpoche. During this festival, enjoy various interesting traditional masked dances, folk dances, the harmonious chants of the monks echoing through the valley. Visit Kurje Lhakhang, one of the most sacred temples complex consisting of three beautiful monasteries one which contains the rock with an imprint of Guru Rinpoche's body. Walk across the cable suspension bridge through Tamshing village and visit Tamshing Lhakhang. Visit the famous Membar Tsho (The Burning Lake). Legend states in the early 1475 a saint discovered holy relics hidden here by Guru Rinpoche and thus received his holy mission to propagate religion. To silence skeptical minds, he plunged into the river with a burning lamp and returned with the lamp still burning brightly. Overnight in Bumthang. B, L, D
Day 10 : Bumthang - Jambay Lhakhang Drup Festival
The festivities continue on today.
Visit Kuencho Sum Lhakhang built in the 6th Century and renovated in 1995, and Jakar Dzong, the administrative centre of the valley. The Jakar Dzong, also known as the "castle of the white bird" was initially built as a monastary but is now serves as the centre of administration of Bumthang District. Later visit the charming Chamkhar town.
Overnight in Bumthang.
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Day 11 : To Paro
We take a short flight to Paro. Visit Ta Dzong, originally built as a watchtower which now houses the National Museum. Overnight stay in Paro. B, L, D
Day 12 : Paro
Today hike up to the Taktshang, Bhutan’s iconic landmark, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is called ‘Tiger’s Nest’.
Stop over in the town for last minute souvenir shopping. Overnight in Paro.
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Day 13 : To Delhi
Transfer to Paro airport for the short flight to Delhi. Meeting, assisstance on arrival and transfer to Oberoi Maidens. Overnight in Delhi. B
Day 14 : To London
Departure India.
Why not extend your stay in India? Contact us for options.
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Itinerary map
Prices
| Price per person (Double/Twin share) |
|---|
| £4,455.00 |
- International flights from Delhi-Paro-Delhi.
- Accommodation in charming hertiage hotels with ensuite facilities.
- Meals: Delhi on breakfast basis. Full Board in Bhutan.
- All transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary
- Accompanying English speaking guide
- Governmental royalty and taxes
- Entrance fees
- Bhutan Visa Fee
- International flights to and from Delhi-India.
- Visa for India
- Travel Insurance
- Any expense of a personal nature
- Tips & Gratuities
*Travel Insurance
It is essential to have adequate insurance in place before your departure. This should be appropriate for your age, health and destination you are visiting.
• Make sure it includes comprehensive medical and repatriation cover.
• Make sure it provides cover for your whole trip (whether one day or over a year).
• Make sure it covers you for all activities.
• Disclose pre-existing medical conditions.
• Take your policy number and the 24-hour emergency contact numbers with you.
If you have any doubts about your cover, check with your insurer. Please note Covid-19 cover is now available.
For a competitive quotation please click here
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