Foreign Office travel advice
Before travelling, consult the latest UK FCDO advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/bhutan. Bhutan is one of Asia's safest destinations. US travellers should check travel.state.gov for current guidance.

A 13-day small-group journey for up to 12 travellers, timed to coincide with Bhutan's living monastery festivals — from Punakha Dzong and the sacred temples of Bumthang to the Phobjikha Valley celebrations, the Tang Valley's Burning Lake, and the Tiger's Nest pilgrimage above Paro.
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Our tour to this beautiful nation allows a glimpse of some of its most spectacular sights, from the amazing Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery in its dramatic cliff face location to the imposing Punakha Dzong, an incredible fortress with a turbulent past.
We travel through spectacular Himalayan scenery and have the opportunity to visit traditional Buddhist temples.
The highlight of this trip is the chance to celebrate at one of the many festivals held throughout the year in Bhutan. Each festival offers a different window into Bhutan’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage.
The tours in February/March include the Punakha Festival (Tsechu). The tours in April/May include the small and local Ura Festival in the Bumthang region. Choosing when to travel shapes the entire experience — our season-by-season Bhutan travel guide explains exactly what each festival period offers.


Bhutan Festival Tour
Drawn from the full tour dossier — the standout days, encounters and views our specialists keep coming back to.

Bhutan's capital and its airport gateway together hold the tour's opening and closing chapters. Thimphu unfolds across two days — taking in the Buddha Dordenma statue via Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park, Changangkha Temple through a blue pine and rhododendron forest walk, the Memorial Chorten, the National Textile Museum, the Craft Bazaar, and an optional visit to the Takin Reserve. Paro is reached for the tour's final three days and delivers the National Museum in Ta Dzong, a forested hillside walk to Zuri Dzong via Gonsaka Lhakhang, Rinpung Dzong, the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang, and the optional Dumtse Lhakhang, before the six-hour pilgrimage hike to Taktsang Monastery brings the journey to a close 900 metres above the valley floor.
The Dochu La Pass at 3,050 metres descends from Thimphu into the warmer, lower Punakha valley, where two days concentrate on sacred architecture and village trails. Punakha Dzong — built in 1637 at the confluence of the Pho and Mo Chhu rivers and crossed by suspension footbridge — stands as one of Bhutan's most impressive fortresses, whilst the Chimi Lhakhang sits across the paddy fields on a wooded hilltop. The 17th-century Chorten Ningpo with its Maitreya statue and the hike to the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten above Yebisa village add further depth to one of Bhutan's most rewarding valley destinations.
The journey east passes through Trongsa, where the commanding Trongsa Dzong — the royal family's ancestral home — overlooks a deep river gorge at 2,180 metres and the Ta Dzong watchtower museum holds collections on the Wangchuck dynasty. Bumthang, reached after a further 2.5 hours, is Bhutan's most ancient and spiritually significant region: Jamba Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, Tamshing Lhakhang, and Jakar Dzong are explored across the Chokhor valley, whilst the optional Red Panda brewery and Swiss cheese factory add an unexpected dimension to this remote highland setting. The Tang Valley excursion — visiting the Membar Tsho Burning Lake, Drangchel as the birthplace of Pema Lingpa, and the Ugyenchholing Palace museum — reaches the most remote corner of the Bumthang region.
The drive from Bumthang passes through Zungney village — where women weave traditional yathra textiles — before the wide glacial bowl of Phobjikha Valley opens at 2,900 metres, framing the ancient Gangtey Gompa and the winter habitat of the endangered black-necked cranes that arrive from Tibet each November. The festival in the Gangtey monastery courtyard — with flag-raising, folk dances by schoolchildren, food stalls, and close-up crane observation at the Black-Necked Crane Information Centre — is one of Bhutan's most distinctive seasonal events. The recently renovated Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, visited on the return drive to Paro, marks the end of the central Bhutan chapter.
Key moments for Bhutan Festival Tour
Full itinerary · 13 days
Reserve your place with a 10% deposit. Final balance due 70 days before departure. Single-room supplements optional — most travellers happily share.
| Departs | Returns | Status | Price pp | Single supp. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Sept 2026 | 2 Oct 2026 | Guaranteed | £3,595 | +£400 | Book now |
| 3 Nov 2026 | 15 Nov 2026 | Guaranteed | £3,595 | +£400 | Book now |
| 15 Feb 2027 | 27 Feb 2027 | Guaranteed | £3,595 | +£400 | Book now |
| 13 Apr 2027 | 25 Apr 2027 | Guaranteed | £3,595 | +£400 | Book now |
| 9 Oct 2027 | 21 Oct 2027 | Guaranteed | £3,595 | +£400 | Book now |
| 3 Nov 2027 | 15 Nov 2027 | Guaranteed | £3,595 | +£400 | Book now |
Every one of our Bhutan journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.
Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.
Before travelling, consult the latest UK FCDO advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/bhutan. Bhutan is one of Asia's safest destinations. US travellers should check travel.state.gov for current guidance.
Independently verified reviews from travellers who joined Bhutan Festival Tour. Rated 4.9 Excellent on AITO by 250+ reviewers.
“I loved my trip, everything was excellent. Lots of help and information, good communications, excellent tour notes and finding flights and additional accommodation when needed. A seamless, well planned trip from start to finish.”
Di B
Bhutan
“An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!”
Anna
“This adventure was always going to be very full-on, which is how we like our trips. I didn't count on getting bronchitis and ending up in hospital, however. The itinerary was quickly amended to avoid high-altitude destinations as much as possible while still making sure we had a chance to enjoy interesting experiences. While obviously sad to have missed some of the original sites, the revised itinerary was the only sensible option under the circumstances. I was extremely impressed with how Undiscovered Destinations and their local team handled the situation — taking the stress out of it, smoothing the way, rearranging the itinerary and booking new hotels, translating for me with the medical staff, and making sure I always had transport, medicines and anything else I needed. Nothing was too much trouble, and they kept in touch with me, each other, and the insurance company throughout. I can't recommend them enough!”
Grete
“My wife and I had a wonderful tour with Undiscovered Destinations. We had a different guide at each stop, and all of them were friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable. The local people were welcoming, and we always felt safe and comfortable. The beaches were spectacularly beautiful and empty of people, with warm, clear water, and each stop had its own character — some we loved for their unspoiled scenery, others for their history and the warmth of the welcome. We took the opportunity to snorkel on one of the most pristine reefs we've experienced, swimming with sea turtles and enormous manta rays that came right up to us out of curiosity. A wonderful destination for nature lovers.”
Frank
“Excellent. Action packed. Our local agent was excellent, and a good choice by Undiscovered Destinations. Because there were only two of us on the holiday, we had different guides at each stop, each one making sure we were handed over safely. All manner of transport was used, and we appreciated the different guiding strategies, the wealth of information given, the high level of English, and the genuine wish to show off their country at its best. Excellent.”
Cathy
“Far exceeding my expectations, this was one of the best trips I've ever done. A beautiful destination, with interesting history, lively ceremonies, lovely people and — surprisingly, for somewhere that sees so few tourists — absolutely no hassle on the streets. Excellent service from start to finish, with a first-class tour leader.”
Lynn
“We had a two-week trip with Undiscovered Destinations, flying in for two days first to break up the journey. It was a great trip, because we managed to see so much more than just the capital cities. This was the fourth trip we've taken with Undiscovered Destinations, and each one has been wonderful. Our guides were lovely — very professional and helpful. We rate UD very highly.”
Andy
“We had a fabulous trip with an excellent local guide, who took great care of us and enthusiastically shared his knowledge of both ancient and recent history, with lots of fascinating personal stories of his own life. We highly recommend this trip — Undiscovered Destinations were great to work with, and we hope to use them again.”
Jennie
“Everything was great — we got to witness a wonderful variety of wildlife, and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and the hospitality of the people. A fabulous trip from start to finish.”
Debbie
“Excellent all-round trip. Drivers were conscientious and careful, accommodation was better than expected, and the scenery was stunning throughout.”
Alexis
“I loved my trip, everything was excellent. Lots of help and information, good communications, excellent tour notes and finding flights and additional accommodation when needed. A seamless, well planned trip from start to finish.”
Di B
Bhutan
“An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!”
Anna
“This adventure was always going to be very full-on, which is how we like our trips. I didn't count on getting bronchitis and ending up in hospital, however. The itinerary was quickly amended to avoid high-altitude destinations as much as possible while still making sure we had a chance to enjoy interesting experiences. While obviously sad to have missed some of the original sites, the revised itinerary was the only sensible option under the circumstances. I was extremely impressed with how Undiscovered Destinations and their local team handled the situation — taking the stress out of it, smoothing the way, rearranging the itinerary and booking new hotels, translating for me with the medical staff, and making sure I always had transport, medicines and anything else I needed. Nothing was too much trouble, and they kept in touch with me, each other, and the insurance company throughout. I can't recommend them enough!”
Grete
“My wife and I had a wonderful tour with Undiscovered Destinations. We had a different guide at each stop, and all of them were friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable. The local people were welcoming, and we always felt safe and comfortable. The beaches were spectacularly beautiful and empty of people, with warm, clear water, and each stop had its own character — some we loved for their unspoiled scenery, others for their history and the warmth of the welcome. We took the opportunity to snorkel on one of the most pristine reefs we've experienced, swimming with sea turtles and enormous manta rays that came right up to us out of curiosity. A wonderful destination for nature lovers.”
Frank
“Excellent. Action packed. Our local agent was excellent, and a good choice by Undiscovered Destinations. Because there were only two of us on the holiday, we had different guides at each stop, each one making sure we were handed over safely. All manner of transport was used, and we appreciated the different guiding strategies, the wealth of information given, the high level of English, and the genuine wish to show off their country at its best. Excellent.”
Cathy
“Far exceeding my expectations, this was one of the best trips I've ever done. A beautiful destination, with interesting history, lively ceremonies, lovely people and — surprisingly, for somewhere that sees so few tourists — absolutely no hassle on the streets. Excellent service from start to finish, with a first-class tour leader.”
Lynn
“We had a two-week trip with Undiscovered Destinations, flying in for two days first to break up the journey. It was a great trip, because we managed to see so much more than just the capital cities. This was the fourth trip we've taken with Undiscovered Destinations, and each one has been wonderful. Our guides were lovely — very professional and helpful. We rate UD very highly.”
Andy
“We had a fabulous trip with an excellent local guide, who took great care of us and enthusiastically shared his knowledge of both ancient and recent history, with lots of fascinating personal stories of his own life. We highly recommend this trip — Undiscovered Destinations were great to work with, and we hope to use them again.”
Jennie
“Everything was great — we got to witness a wonderful variety of wildlife, and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and the hospitality of the people. A fabulous trip from start to finish.”
Debbie
“Excellent all-round trip. Drivers were conscientious and careful, accommodation was better than expected, and the scenery was stunning throughout.”
Alexis
Make Bhutan Festival Tour your own — adjust the route, dates, pace or who travels, or start from a blank page with a specialist. We'll bring the details of this trip straight into your enquiry.
Join a small-group departure, or let our Bhutan specialists craft a private journey shaped around your dates and interests.
Common questions
Maximum 12 travellers — that's the cap on every Undiscovered Destinations small-group tour. Small enough to eat in a local family home; large enough to share the wonder with other like-minded travellers.
Yes — there's no compulsory single supplement on our small-group tours. You get your own room at no extra cost. About 60% of UD travellers come solo, so you'll be in good company.
Fitness requirements vary by itinerary, from gentle to demanding. The day-by-day tour dossier sets out walking distances, terrain and any altitude so you know what to expect. If you have specific concerns, speak to our team before booking — they can talk you through a typical day.
The next available departures are 20 September 2026; 3 November 2026; 15 February 2027. See the "Pick your departure" table further up the page for the full schedule and per-departure pricing.
Included items vary by tour — see the full list above. On this trip, expect: Arrival and departure transfers; Overland transport throughout with professional driver; All accommodation; and more. International flights and travel insurance are not included.
This tour visits Bhutan. Each destination has its own page with practical information, climate, and the attractions our specialists recommend — linked from the itinerary above.
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