Jambay Lhakhang Drup Festival Tour
Trip at a Glance
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Country: Bhutan
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Trip grade: Easy
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Activities: Festival tour/Cultural sightseeing
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Accommodation: 3-Star hotels
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Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
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Transportation: Private vehicle
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Maximum altitude: Taktsang Monastery (3120m)
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Best Season: 26th - 29th October 2026
The Jambay Lhakhang Drup Festival is one of Bhutan's oldest and most important cultural events. It takes place every year to honor the building of the Jambay Lhakhang temple in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. Celebrated all together in four-day, the festival has special features with spiritual ceremonies, especially the Mewang (Fire Blessing) ceremony.
The Jambay Lhakhang Drup has a lively display of traditional masked dances (Cham), like the Black Hat Dance and the Dance of the Eight Manifestations of Guru Rinpoche. These dances take place in front of one of the kingdom's oldest and most famous landmarks.
Bumthang Valley is the cultural heartland of Bhutan where temples like Tamshing Lhakhang and Kurjey Lhakhang are located, where Guru Rinpoche left his body print.
Jambay Lhakhang Drup festival 2026
Date: 26th - 29th October 2026
Location: Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang
Jambay Lhakhang Drup festival Short Itinerary (Fly In/Drive Out):
Day 01: Arrival Paro (2250m)
Day 02: Fly Paro to Bumthang (2800m/35 min)
Day 03: In Bumthang- attend Jambay Lhakhang Drup (26th - 29th October 2026)
Day 04: Bumthang – Gangtey (2320m/5-6 hrs)
Day 05: Gangtey – Punakha - Thimphu (2350m/5-6 hrs)
Day 06: Thimphu- Paro (2250m/1 hr) & Hike to Taktsang Monastery ‘Tiger’s Nest’ (3120m/5-6 hrs)
Day 07: Paro depart
Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival Paro (2250m) – Thimphu (2350m/1 hr)
Day 02: Thimphu – Wangdue – Gangtey (2320m/6 hrs)
Day 03: Gangtey – Trongsa – Bumthang (2800m/5-6 hrs)
Day 04: In Bumthang- attend Jambay Lhakhang Drup (26th - 29th October 2026)
Day 05: In Bumthang - Sightseeing
Day 06: Bumthang – Gangtey (2320m/5-6 hrs)
Day 07: Gangtey – Punakha (1310m/3 hrs)
Day 08: Punakha – Paro (2250m/4 hrs)
Day 09: Paro – Hike to Taktsang Monastery ‘Tiger’s Nest’ (3120m/5-6 hrs)
Day 10: Paro depart
Arrive at Paro International Airport in Bhutan with a scenic touchdown amidst lush greenery and towering mountains. Upon your arrival in Paro, you will be transferred to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. Enjoy the scenic drive and sightseeing at Thimphu visiting Buddha Dordenma-one of the largest sitting Buddha statues in the world (54 meters/177 feet), National Memorial Chorten, Tashichho Dzong.
In the morning drive to Gangtey, the glacial valley of Phobjikha en-route stopping at Dochula Pass (3140m) to see the 108 memorial chortens and Himalayan peaks. Afterward, reach the Phobjikha Valley, the winter home of the rare Black-Necked Cranes (they typically begin arriving in late October from Tibet).
Continue to Bumthang en-route Trongsa where Trongsa Dzong is located, the longest and perhaps most impressive dzong in Bhutan. Then cross over the Yotong La pass (3400m) into the four valleys of Bumthang, the cultural heartland of Bhutan.
Attend Jambay Lhakhang Drup at Jambay Lhakhang, a 7th-century temple. Witness the colorful masked dances (Cham) and the local community in their finest traditional dress.
Visit Kurjey Lhakhang (where Guru Rinpoche left his body print) and Tamshing Lhakhang (famous for its ancient murals) including Jakar Dzong, “the castle of the white bird”.
Retrace your path back to the peaceful Phobjikha Valley. Enjoy the Gangtey Nature Trail, a gentle 1.5-hour walk through pine forests and wetlands with views of the vast valley floor.
Drive down to the valley of Punakha and visit Punakha Dzong the "Palace of Great Happiness," located at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. Walk across one of the longest suspension bridges in Bhutan for views of the river.
Continue to Paro en-route visiting Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple dedicated to Drukpa Kunley the "Divine Madman". In Paro visit the Ta Dzong (watchtower) which houses the National Museum of Bhutan and Paro Ringpung Dzong.
Drive to the base of the monastery from Paro and take a 5-6 hour round-trip hike to the monastery clinging to a vertical granite cliff. Afterward Kyichu Lhakhang, 7th-century temple, one of the oldest in Bhutan.
Transfer to Paro International Airport for your flight home.
What is included?
- Airport pick-up and drop services by private transportation.
- Guided sightseeing tour as per the itinerary.
- Accommodation in Bhutanese government-approved tourist standard hotels throughout the trip.
- All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner).
- Entrance and monumental fees during sightseeing.
- Bhutan visa fees and processing assistance.
- Bhutanese government-certified English-speaking local tour guide.
- Bhutanese government’s royalties, and taxes.
What is not included?
- International airfares.
- Personal travel insurance.
- Other expenses of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry, bottled water etc.).
- Bar bills, alcoholic drinks & beverages.
- Tip for the tour guide or driver.
