Bhutan - Jamba Lhakhang Festival Tour

What's it all about?

Our Bhutan tour to the Jamba Lhakhang Festival in Bumthang is a rare opportunity for insight into rural and local Bhutanese life.

We immerse ourselves in spiritual and meditative vibes by visiting one of the country’s oldest festivals. It was at this time that Bhutan submerged into Buddhism. A legend goes that Bhutan built 108 temples in one day, including the Jamba Lhakhang, which is located in the ‘Spiritual Heartland‘ of Bumthang. At that time the valley of Chokhor was infested with disease and misery under the domain of evil spirits. There was no other choice, but to invite Guru Padmasambhava (known as Guru Rinpoche) to the valley in the 8th century to subdue these evil spirits. This was achieved by the Great Guru performing the very dances that are performed today in the Jambay Lhakhang Drup Festival. Tantric Buddhism then flourished in the
valley which later spread throughout the kingdom.

Visit Paro, the Jamba Lhakhang Festival, Gangtey, the old capital Punakha and the newer capital Thimpu, and all the temples, monasteries and mountain views in between, including the Tiger’s Nest!

Due to the incredible history of this festival, we can assure you it’s bound to be one of our most beloved tours.

Check out the itinerary below and feel free to get in touch for more info!

Where?

Paro – Bumthang – Gangtey – Punakha – Tiger’s Nest – Paro

When?

November 4 – 11th, 2025

Visa?

We take care of the visa application for you and then send you a copy of the visa before the tour.

The Itinerary

November 6 | Day 1 - Arrival / Paro

Upon arrival, our local team will meet us at the International Airport in Paro and transfer us to the hotel.
Visit the National Museum of Bhutan and get to know more about this tiny nation’s history.
Join a 1-hour leisurely hike along the forested hillside to Zuri Dzong.
Go for a stroll around Paro town in the evening. Enjoy some Bhutanese food along the way!
Overnight in Paro.

November 7 | Day 2 - Paro / Bumthang

Breakfast in the hotel before departing to the airport for our domestic flight to Bumthang.
Upon arrival in Bhutan’s spiritual capital, we check-in to our hotel.
Today is based around the Jambay Lhakhang Festival. The festival is named after one of the country’s oldest monasteries Jamba Lhakhang, built in the 7th century. The locals are telling stories in a dance-setting, often depicting significant historical events, such as honouring saints.
The festival is not just about dances, there are also many moments based around prayers and blessings.
At the end of the day, we head back to our hotel for the night.

November 8 | Day 3 - Bumthang

Sightseeing in Bumthang, the spiritual heartland of Bhutan, with its many legendary monasteries, temples and palaces. Bumthang is the collective name for an area of 4 valleys – Chokhor, Tang, Ura and Chumey.
Get ready to go on a tour through the area, where we’ll explore various sacred sites, such as the two stunning Kurjey Lhakhang and Tamshing Lhakhang temples.
Head back to the Jambay Lhakhang Festival for some more action today.
Visit to Membar Tsho ‘the Flaming Lake’, one of Bhutan’s most important pilgrimage sites.
Visit the Red Panda Brewery, one of Bhutan’s most prestigious beers!
Overnight in Bumthang.

November 9 | Day 4 - Bumthang / Gangtey

Today involves a lot of driving so we will make sure there is an opportunity to get some snacks and refreshments on the way. We will drive from Bumthang to Gangtey, which is a spectacular, scenic drive through the country’s highlands with peaks up to 3000m in elevation.
See the Trongsa Dzong, Bhutan’s ancestral royal family’s home from a distance. It’s a beautiful structure nestled in one of the country’s many mountainous peaks.
Visit Ta Dzong, the museum in the watchtower dedicated to the Wangchuk dynasty, which tells the stories of
the Dzong and the valley it has watched over for centuries and features personal belongings of the Kings and Queens of Bhutan.
Continue the last few hours’ drive to Gangtey at the peak of 2900 metres through the remote Phobjikha Valley.
We take a stop to explore Gangtey Gompa, which is one of Bhutan’s oldest monasteries. In Buddhist lore, an ancient guru hid terma—sacred treasures—so chosen terton (finders of treasure – future Buddhists) could one day revive Buddha’s lost teachings.
Overnight in Gangtey.

November 10 | Day 5 - Gangtey / Punakha

Drive for around three hours before arriving in the old capital city of Bhutan: Punakha. This city was the capital between 1637, upon the construction of its first palace, and 1907, when the royal family swapped Punakha for Thimpu.
As the city is a lot lower in elevation, you can see clear differences, primarily in the vegetation and weather.
Upon arrival, we take a walk for an hour or so across the terraced fields of Sopsokha Village to Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility) built in the 15th century by the ‘Divine Madman’ (Lama Drukpa Kuenley). Visit one of the many phallic-themed souvenir shops.
Afterwards, we visit Punakha Dzong, which translates to “Palace of Great Happiness”. It served as the seat of government until the mid-1950s and all of Bhutan’s Kings have been crowned here.
Dinner & overnight in Punakha.

November 11 | Day 6 - Punakha / Thimpu

Today we will drive another 3 hours to switch between cities. We’ll drive from Punakha to Thimpu via the astonishing Douch La Passat 3050 (!) meters. No better place for a cup of hot tea than here!
Visit the huge statue of Buddha Dordenma, which commands a great view of Thimphu Valley. The impressive 3-storey throne holds several chapels and the body itself is filled with 125,000 smaller statues of Buddha.
After all that driving we will take it a little easier by visiting a museum. Simply Bhutan is an interactive museum
resembling a local village, to learn more about the traditional life in Bhutan.
Next, we’re off to a local market—perfect for sampling some new fruits and discovering new favourites!
Take an evening walk around town and soak in the atmosphere of this magical capital with its busy shops, bazaars and photogenic citizens in national dress.
Overnight in Thimphu.

November 12 | Day 7 - Tiger's Nest

While driving from Thimpu to Paro, we prepare ourselves for a day’s worth walk to the legendary ‘Tigers Nest’ – the sacred Taktshang monastery which clings to the rock face 900 metres above the valley floor.
Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown to the site riding on a tigress. He subsequently meditated here for three months. It is one of Bhutan’s most holy sites and draws pilgrims not only from Bhutan but also from neighbouring Buddhist countries. If you feel like it, you can climb higher above the monastery to some small more secluded temples before descending.
Lunch at the Taktshang cafeteria from where you get a spectacular view of the monastery.
Visit Dumtse Lhakhang, a temple built by Thangtong Gyalpo, the iron bridge builder or visit the impressive Paro Rinpung Dzong, one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture.
Wander through the main street of Paro taking in some of the many souvenir & craft shops.
Dinner & overnight in Paro.

November 13 | Day 8 - Departure

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
End of Bhutan Jamba Lhakhang Festival Tour.

Tour Map

Inclusions

Exclusions

Accommodation

Standard twin share hotels.
Tourist Tax

The Bhutan Sustainable Development Fee (SDF - Daily Tax) is included in the tour cost.
Guides

An English speaking local guide, driver and foreign tour leader on group tours.
Transport

All transport in country to complete the itinerary.
Meals

All meals are included.
Activities, Entrance Fees & Taxes

Jamba Lhakhang Festival, activities & entrance fees included unless otherwise stated.

Flights

Flights to and from Bhutan.
Tips

Tips are expected for your local guides and driver.
Travel Insurance

A must for this trip.
Personal expenses

Soft drinks, laundry, souvenirs etc.
Visa Fee

We will apply for the Bhutan visa on your behalf. The cost is $65.

You’ll be in the vastly experienced hands of our English-speaking local guides as well as your Rocky Road Travel tour leader. After conducting 2 research trips to Bhutan, we have perfected the itinerary and length of this tour accordingly.

Before each tour, we will add you to a dedicated Whatsapp group so you can share photos easily and chat with your travel mates. Just let us know if you want to opt out of this.

To book simply hit the button below and start the conversation today.

Apply for your spot on the tour now or simply request more info below.

Bhutan tour

November 6 - 13th, 2025

Flight to Paro

Start and finish in Paro.

Standard Hotels

7 Nights

The price

$3150 USD

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Bhutan - Jamba Lhakhang Festival Tour

What's it all about?