7 Days Rhododendron Festival Tour

(NOTE: We can also organize a private trip for this festival tour).

10 Days Rhododendron Bhutan Festival Tour

The festival celebrates the rhododendron flower. The festival features the rhododendron garden walk and exhibition, local culture and cuisines, arts and crafts, traditional games, cultural program, guided walks and activities. The festival showcases different species that are in full bloom in their natural habitat. Of the 46 rhododendron species recorded in the country, 29 are found in Lamperi Botanical Park, 35 km from Thimphu.

Venue: Lamperi Botanical Garden, Dochula.

Festival dates: 16^th – 18^th April 2021.

Tour starting date: 15^th April 2021.

Tour ending date: 21^st April 2021.

Group size for this Tour: Minimum 3 pax & Maximum 14 pax.

Hotels used: All Hotels used in this itinerary will be 3 star category approved by the Tourism Council of Bhutan.

Flight Options: You have the option of entering (Paro) Bhutan from Bangkok, Singapore, Kolkotta (India), Delhi, Kathmandu, Dhaka and Bagdogra (India).

Flight fares for the various sectors are below and are Round trip fares:

Kathmandu – Paro – Kathmandu: USD 443 per person.

Bangkok – Paro – Bangkok: USD 985 per person.

Kolkotta – Paro – Kolkotta: USD 437 per person.

Delhi – Paro – Delhi: USD 632 per person.

Singapore – Paro – Singapore: USD 1007 per person.

Dhaka – Paro – Dhaka: USD 442 per person.

Price: USD 1390 per person on Twin sharing basis.

NOTE: International Flight fares not included in the price.

Single room Supplement: USD 40 per room per night.

Sketch Itinerary

Sketch Itinerary for 7 Days Rhododendron Festival Tour:

Day 01. Arrive Paro (Altitude 2280 m) – Thimphu.

Day 02. Thimphu Sightseeing: (Altitude 2320 m).

Day 03. Thimphu – Punakha: Witness the festival at Lam Pelri Botanical Garden (Altitude 1310 m) (76 Km, 3 hrs drive).

Day 04. Punakha Sightseeing.

Day 05. Punakha – Wangdiphodrang – Paro sightseeing: (Altitude 2280 m, Distance 58 km, Drive Time 1 hour).

Day 06. Paro (Altitude 2280 m).

Day 07. Departure: (Altitude 2280 m).

View Road map 7 Days Rhododendron Festival Tour in Google Map.

Detail Itinerary

Detail Itinerary for 7 Days Rhododendron Festival Tour:

15 April. Arrive Paro – Thimphu: (2320 m) (Distance: 54 km, 1 hr drive).

Meet and greet Airport and drive to Thimphu. On the way,

View Tamchog Monastery built by Thangthong Gyalpo (Popularly known as Lama Chazampa, which literally means, the Iron Bridge builder) in the 15^th Thang Thong Gyalpo (1385 – 1464) was a wonder working saint from Tibet who came to Bhutan in 1433 looking for Iron Ore. He built 108 bridges across Tibet and Bhutan, out of which 8 were built in Bhutan. His only surviving bridge is in Duksum (Tashi Yangtse in Eastern Bhutan).
Visit Tashichho Dzong, seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan. Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

16 April. Thimphu Sightseeing:

After breakfast, visit to:

National Postal Museum,
visit to the National Memorial Chorten (1974) built in honour of our 3^rd King, late His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (The Father of Modern Bhutan),
Tallest Statue of Buddha, Changangkha Lhakhang, Takin Preserve center, Sangaygang view point, and the Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan.

After lunch visit to:

Hike to Cheri Monastery (18 kms).
In the evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

17 April. Thimphu – Punakha: (Altitude 1310 m) (76 Km, 3 hrs drive).

After breakfast, drive to Punakha. WITNESS THE RHODODENDRON FESTIVAL AT LAM PELRI BOTANICAL GARDEN, DOCHULA. After lunch, witness the festival.

Visit Dochula pass with its 108 stupas and the beautifully arranged Himalayan mountain ranges.
The Royal Botanical park, a nature reserve rich in flora and fauna and beautiful in itself. The recorded species are the monal pheasants, blood pheasants, musk deer, tiger, leopard, red panda and the leopard cat. A Rhododendron garden with 46 species of the plant is the theme of the botanical garden. Located 30 KMS from capital, the park has numerous view points, a lake and a canteen. At this park, you can indulge yourself amongst these rich biodiversity.

18 April. Punakha sightseeing:

After breakfast visit to:

Chimi Lhakhang, which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley (Popularly known as “The Divine Madman”, in the year 1499. The Temple is also called “the Temple of Fertility”. Lama Drukpa Kuenley (1455 – 1529) was one of the Bhutan’s Favourite Saints who was born in Tibet, trained at Ralung Monastery and was a contemporary and a disciple of Pema Lingpa. He Travelled throughout Bhutan and Tibet as a “Neljorpa” (Yogi) using songs, humour and outrageous behavior to dramatise his teachings of Salvation through sex.

After lunch, visit to:

Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Punakha is the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the First National Assembly here in 1952.
Walk the Suspension bridge. The longest Suspension bridge in Bhutan.
In the evening, hike to hike to Khamsung Yulley Namgyal Choling Monastery.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

19 April. Punakha –Wangdiphodrang – Paro: (Altitude 2280 m, Distance 132 km, Drive Time 4 hours).

After breakfast, drive to Paro via Wangdiphodrang.

Visit the Wangdiphodrang Dzong built in 1638. (razed by fire in 2012), now in ruins & under construction,

After lunch, visit to:

Ta Dzong, the National Museum.
Paro Rimpung Dzong built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the administrative centre of Paro district.
Evevening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

20 April. Paro Sightseeing: (Altitude 2280 m).

After breakfast:

Hike to Taktsang Monastery or the Tiger’s Nest built in 1684 by the Penlop of Paro Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay.
Drukgyal Dzong 16 km up the valley built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal,
Kichu Lhakhang, built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Srongsen Gampo.

21 April. Departure: After breakfast, departure.

Value Added Services

Tour Cost Includes / Excludes

Tour Cost Includes:

a. All Meals [Breakfast /Lunch/Dinner]
b. Accommodation in 3 star Hotels (Twin / double sharing]
c. All transportation within the country including airport transfers. Toyota Hiace Bus for 3 – 7 pax) & Toyota Coaster Bus for 8 – 14 pax.
d. Royalty & Govt. Taxes.
e. Entrance fees for Museums and Monuments.
f. Visa Fee.
g. English speaking Local guide.
h. Sightseeing.
i. Bottled Water.
j. Paro – Bumthang Drukair Fare (Domestic Fare)

Tour Cost Does Not Include:

* Druk Air fares (International).
* Insurance Premiums.
* Payments for service provided on a personal basis
* Cost for any services not mentioned in the “Cost Include head”
* Cost incurred due to mishaps, strikes, political unrest etc.
* Personal expense in items such as laundry, soft drinks, Camera Charges. Incidentals, Portage, Bellboy charges tips or any other services.