Bhutan Trekking and Festival Holiday
16 days from £5,276 pp
Privately guided and tailor-made, this Bhutan Trekking & Festival Holiday pairs an iconic Himalayan trek—such as the Yaksa, Druk Path or Jomolhari—with a vibrant Bhutanese festival like the Ura Festival. Share your travel dates and trekking experience, and our Bhutan experts will match the best festival and trekking route to your pace, comfort level and interests. Enjoy seamless logistics, hand-picked hotels, and full trekking support throughout, with a private guide and team from start to finish.
Trip Highlights
- Hike to Tiger’s Nest (Taktsang) Monastery in Paro
- Private multi-day trekking, camping in high Himalayan valleys with full support
- Experience the colourful Ura Festival in Bumthang
- Explore Bhutan’s top cultural highlights – including famous dzongs, monasteries and scenic valley walks
Our Expert Tip
”Plan your Bhutan trekking and festival holiday well in advance. Festivals are popular with both locals and tourists, so we recommend confirming travel windows early. We’ll tailor the best trek to match your fitness and the festival calendar”
Holly, Bhutan Expert
Detailed Bhutan Trekking & Festival Holiday Itinerary
Day 1-3: Paro
Arrive in Bhutan to the beautiful Paro Valley. Meet your private guide and team, then transfer to your hotel. Settle in, stroll Paro on foot, and enjoy your first taste of this remarkable Himalayan kingdom.
Acclimatise for your Bhutan trekking holiday with a guided hike to the iconic Tiger’s Nest (Taktsang) Monastery. This 4–5 hour round walk leads to Bhutan’s most sacred cliffside temple, perched 900 metres above the Paro Valley. Hear the story of Guru Rinpoche, believed to have flown here on a tigress to meditate, and take in one of the great highlights of any Bhutan festival and trekking itinerary.
Take a second acclimatisation hike to Chele La Pass (3,800m), one of Bhutan’s highest drivable points. On clear days, enjoy sweeping Himalayan views towards Mount Jomolhari and distant peaks, including Kanchenjunga. Today’s 4-hour walk reaches around 4,100m, preparing you for the days ahead on your private Yaksa trek.
Day 4: Yaksa Trek
Start your private Yaksa Trek from Shana, following the river valley through pine and rhododendron forest. After a picnic lunch with outstanding mountain views, continue towards Mount Jomolhari. Walk around 7 hours and camp at 3,620m in comfortable tents, with freshly prepared meals and full trek support.
Day 5: Yaksa Trek
Trek from Soi Thangthangkha to Jangothang as the trail follows the river into a broad, high valley.
Enjoy views of ridgelines and snow-capped peaks, pass yak herders and a small local school, then reach camp at 4,100m. Walking time: around 6 hours.
Day 6: Yaksa Trek
Rest and acclimatise at Jangothang, choosing from several superb day hikes with your guide.
Options include viewpoints towards Mount Jomolhari to the west, Jichu Drake to the north, and wild, little-known summits to the east.
Day 7: Yaksa Trek
Trek north from Jangothang to Chora, crossing the Paro Chhu by wooden bridge. Climb steeply past the glacial lakes of Tshophu (4,880m), traverse scree slopes, then descend into a hidden valley towards the Bhonte La Pass. After switchbacks, river crossings, and meadow trails, arrive at camp for a well-earned meal. Walking time: 7–8 hours.
Day 8: Yaksa Trek
Cross streams and ridges as the trail turns south, ascending to Takhung La (4,530m). Enjoy epic viewpoints and encounters with yak herders before descending to camp at Thumbu Shong for your final night under canvas. Walking time: 6–7 hours.
Day 9: Thimphu
Climb out of the valley to Thombu La (4,380m), then descend gradually before a steeper switchback trail to the trek’s finish at 2,880m. Meet your driver and transfer to Thimphu (around 3 hours) for a hot shower and a relaxed evening. Walking time: around 5 hours.
Day 10: Thimphu
Discover Bhutan’s captivating capital with your private guide. Visit the Buddha Dordenma for panoramic views over Thimphu Valley, explore Druk Wangditse Lhakhang, and see Bhutan’s national animal at the Takin Reserve. Browse local markets and artisan stalls, and (time permitting) visit the Folk Heritage Museum and the National Textile Museum.
Day 11: Punakha
Travel to Punakha, Bhutan’s former capital, and notice the shift to a warmer, subtropical valley. Visit Chimi Lhakhang (the Temple of Fertility), set among terraced fields near the village of Sopsokha.
Explore magnificent Punakha Dzong, the “Palace of Great Happiness,” then enjoy gentle walks in the valley before relaxing at your hotel with peaceful river and mountain views.
Day 12: Bumthang
Drive east to Bumthang via scenic Trongsa, the gateway to central Bhutan. Stop to admire dramatic Trongsa Dzong, visible from miles away, then continue through some of Bhutan’s finest landscapes to Bumthang—Bhutan’s spiritual heartland of monasteries, temples, and palaces. Meet local weavers making traditional yathra textiles, enjoy an easy valley walk, and savour a hearty Bhutanese dinner.
Day 13: Festival
Experience a Bhutanese festival at the spellbinding Ura Festival. Watch masked cham dances, join locals in their finest traditional dress, and witness colourful brocade costumes as dancers perform the famous “thunderbolt step.” It’s a powerful day of prayer, pageantry, and celebration—an unforgettable highlight of your Bhutan trekking and festival holiday.
Day 14-15: Gangtey
Travel to the beautiful Phobjikha (Gangtey) Valley around 5 hours away, for superb walks and wide-open views across this glacial bowl. Visit Gangtey Gompa, see traditional village life, and stop at the Black-Necked Crane Centre. We’ve included a comfortable, traditional 3* Bhutanese hotel, with the option to upgrade to a superb 5* stay here.
Day 16: Paro
Return to Paro via Wangdi, breaking the journey with rewarding sightseeing. Enjoy free time for handicraft shops and local cafés, or add a final gentle hike with your guide before your departure.
When to Go
Includes
- All accommodation
- Excursions
- Transport
- Private guides
Excludes
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Visa cost
- Tips
Why Book With Travel Differently
Passionate and experienced
- Each member of the team has over a decade of experience in the industry
- Our 5* client reviews reflect our service & standards
- We are a fully independent & owner-run tour operator
- Our holidays include full financial protection & ATOL coverage
- We are destination experts, ensuring authentic & reliable advice
Committed and Responsible
Tailor-made and Personal
- No two trips are the same, our holidays are 100% bespoke
- We design personal, genuine cultural connections & experiences
- From planning to travel, you’ll have one dedicated point of contact
- Our support is available around the clock during your holiday
- We take care of the details, so you don’t have to
Need More Inspiration?
Want to combine multi-countries, take less flights, or include a hike in Patagonia? Thinking of a longer sabbatical holiday, or staying in some luxury yurts? It’s all possible; all our holidays are tailor-made with a focus on responsible travel. Take a look at more ideas below, and contact our experts.
