- Small-group trip to two central Bhutan festivals
- 12 days
- Paro · Thimphu · Phobjikha · Bumthang · Punakha
Cranes and Fire Festival Group Trip
Twelve days that take in two of Bhutan's most distinctive festivals. The Black-necked Crane Festival in the Phobjikha Valley celebrates the cranes that winter there, and Jambay Lhakhang Drup in Bumthang is known for its evening fire blessing at one of the country's oldest temples.
About this trip
Between them, the group hikes to Tiger's Nest, spends a day in Thimphu and crosses the passes east by way of Trongsa Dzong. There are some long drives, so it suits travellers who don't mind time on the road in exchange for festivals with smaller crowds than Paro or Thimphu.
Good for: Travellers who want festivals away from the main western route, with a small group.
- Rhythm
- One festival in Phobjikha, then Bumthang for the second
- Walking
- Easy town and valley walking, plus Tiger's Nest
- Longest drive
- Around 7 hours from Bumthang to Punakha
- Group
- Up to 10 travellers, as hotels in Phobjikha and Bumthang are small
Highlights
- The Black-necked Crane Festival at Gangtey Monastery
- Jambay Lhakhang Drup and its evening fire blessing
- Bumthang's temples, including Kurjey and Jambay Lhakhang
- Tiger's Nest hike and Punakha Dzong
Dates and seats
No dates published yet
We publish each departure here with its price, group size and places left. Tell us when you'd like to travel and we'll let you know when suitable dates open.
Your route
Paro Days 1–22 nights
Drive about 2 hours
Thimphu Day 31 night
Drive about 5 hours
Phobjikha Days 4–52 nights
Bumthang Days 6–94 nights
Punakha Day 101 night
Drive about 4 hours
Paro Days 11–121 night
Fly home on day 12
Day by day
Day1ParoArrive in Paro
Meet your guide and the group at Paro airport. Keep the first evening easy with a walk through town.
Day2ParoTiger's Nest
Hike to Tiger's Nest, usually 4–6 hours return with a tea stop. It's good preparation for the higher valleys later in the trip.
Day3ThimphuParo to Thimphu
Drive about an hour to Thimphu for Tashichho Dzong, the National Memorial Chorten and a local market.
Day4PhobjikhaOver Dochula to Phobjikha
Cross the Dochula pass and stop at Punakha Dzong on the way to the Phobjikha Valley, a long but scenic day. Your guide briefs the group on the festival over dinner.
Day5PhobjikhaBlack-necked Crane Festival
A day at the festival in the courtyard of Gangtey Monastery: masked dances, crane dances by local schoolchildren and songs about the birds. With luck, the cranes are feeding on the valley floor.
Day6BumthangPhobjikha to Bumthang
Drive east over the Pele La pass and stop at Trongsa Dzong, the largest dzong in Bhutan, before reaching Bumthang. Around 6 hours with stops.
Day7BumthangBumthang valleys
Visit Jakar Dzong, Kurjey Lhakhang and Tamshing, with a gentle walk between temples and time at a local cheese or honey producer.
Day8BumthangJambay Lhakhang Drup
The festival opens at Jambay Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest temples. In the evening, join locals for the fire blessing, when people pass under a burning arch for good fortune.
Day9BumthangFestival day
A second day of masked dances at Jambay Lhakhang, with time to step out for lunch or a quieter walk in the valley.
Day10PunakhaBumthang to Punakha
The longest drive of the trip, around 7 hours, back west over the passes to warmer Punakha.
Day11ParoPunakha to Paro
Drive back over Dochula to Paro, around 4 hours, with a free afternoon in town.
Day12ParoDepart
Transfer to Paro airport for your onward flight.
In the price
- Twin-share hotels at the Comfortable tier
- All meals
- A licensed Bhutanese guide with the group throughout
- Group vehicle and driver
- Visa, permits and the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
- Entry fees for every site on the itinerary
Not in the price
- International flights to Bhutan
- Travel insurance
- Single-room supplement, if you want or need a room to yourself
- Tips and personal spending
Rooms and solo travellers
Rooms
Two travellers share a twin room at the per-adult price. We don't pair travellers from different parties, so an odd number in your party means one single room, at the supplement shown on each departure.
Travelling solo
You get a room of your own, and the price we show for one adult already includes it.
Travelling solo in BhutanFestival etiquette
A tshechu is a religious event first. Your guide briefs the group before the first festival day; these are the basics.
- Dress modestly, with long trousers or a long skirt and covered shoulders.
- Don't point your feet towards the dancers or altars, or interrupt prayers and rituals.
- Turn off phone sounds during ceremonies, and don't use flash inside temples.
- Ask before taking close-up portraits, and follow your guide's lead on where to stand.
Questions about this trip
When does the Cranes and Fire Festival Group Trip run?
Departures are timed to both festivals, so they run only in years when the festival calendar puts them the right number of days apart. Each departure shows its exact dates.
How active is the trip?
Easy town and valley walking, plus Tiger's Nest. The whole group follows the same plan, set before you book.
I'm travelling solo. What will I pay?
Rooms are shared in pairs, and we don't pair travellers from different parties, so a solo traveller takes a single room. The price we show for one adult already includes the single-room supplement.
What if the departure doesn't reach its minimum group size?
We offer a comparable alternative or a full refund of payments made to us, as set out in our cancellation terms.
When do I pay, and can I change my booking?
You pay the deposit shown on the departure when you book, and the balance 60 days before departure. You can move to another departure once with no Guided Bhutan Tours administration fee when you ask at least 45 days before departure, and cancel with no administration fee at least 45 days before; any price difference applies.
Can I do this route on my own dates?
Yes. Take the similar private tour, which runs on the dates you choose with a guide just for your group.
Where you'll stay
These are examples of hotels we often use on this tour. We may book a different hotel of the same standard, depending on availability.
Paro · 3 nightsHotel Kaachi GrandIn Paro town, with rain showers, floor heating and balconies facing the mountains.4-star- Thimphu · 1 nightAriya HotelA modern hotel in the capital with a spa, restaurant and gym.4-star
Phobjikha · 2 nightsHotel DewachenWood-stove rooms above the valley, with a traditional hot stone bath.3-star
Punakha · 1 nightDhensa Boutique ResortValley views and a pool, ten minutes from the dzong.4-star
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