Nimalung Festival Tours

Trip Overview of Nimalung Festival Tours

Nimalung Festival, at the Nimalung Festival, Mask Dances are performed by both monks and lay person in brilliant costumes re-enacting the legendary events, accompanied by blaring horns, booming drums, and clashing cymbals as they whirl and leap around the courtyard. During the intervals, young women in their best of dress perform the folk dances that they believe is another way of offering which enables them to receive blessings and earn good karma.

Detail itinerary of Nimalung Festival Tours

  • DAY 1

    ARRIVE PARO & DRIVE TO THIMPHU

    Fly from Kathmandu to Paro on Druk Air. From a left window seat on clear days you can experience a spectacular view of Himalayan peaks as you approach Paro. On arrival you will be received by our representative and then start our two hours drive to Thimphu, the road winds along with the Paro River, until you arrive at the confluence of Paro and Thimphu River. From here we start north along the Thimphu River passing through paddy fields, villages and Apple orchards until we see the Capital City from a distance. We check in to our hotel, if time permits we will have sightseeing around Thimphu Valley. This will solely depend on the arrival time of the Druk Air. Overnight at Wangchuk Resort, Hotel Pedling or similar

  • DAY 2

    THIMPHU SIGHTSEEING

    Visit King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk Memorial Chorten, Dupthop Lhakhang ( Monastery for the nuns), National Library, the Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thangkhas (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls), and the Medicine Institute where traditional medicines are prepared according to ancient practices. After lunch you will visit Lungtenzampa to observe the traditional silver smiths plying at their crafts and tour the Bhutanese traditional paper factory. Return back to town to visit the handicraft stores and stroll around the tiny capital city. Overnight at Hotel. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. (B/L/D). OPTION: If you are in Thimphu during Friday Saturday and Sunday then the sightseeing will be Visit Thimphu weekend market, which is in a permanent set of stalls, vendors from throughout the region arrive on Friday afternoon and remain selling their goods until Sunday night. It's an interesting place to visit, where village people jostle with well-heeled Thimphu residents for the best - and cheapest vegetables and foodstuffs. This is the only time that fresh produce is easily available and the shopping is enhanced by the opportunity to catch up on the weeks gossip. Continue your sightseeing to Zangdopelri temple, the Changlimithang where you can witness young Bhutanese practicing their favorite archery game. Return to hotel for lunch, after lunch visit the Memorial Chorten built in honor of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, Dupthop Lhakhang (Monastery for the nuns) and other places of interest.

  • DAY 3

    THIMPHU-PUNAKHA

    After breakfast we will start our drive to Punakha early before the clouds come in and bloke the views of the Bhutan as Snowcapped Mountain seen from the Dochula Pass. Leaving Thimphu the road climbs steeply through a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochula pass (10,460 feet / 3,140 m). This pass offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges, as we descend along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha (1,350 meters/ 4,162 feet). Before proceeding further to our hotel we will hike up to the Chimi Lhakhang temple on a small hilltop. This temple is dedicated to the great Yogi in 14th century known as Drukpa Kuenley or popularly known as Divine madman to the westerners. It is believed that this temple blesses women who seek fertility; it is about one hour of round trip walk. We proceed to hotel; check in, lunch will be served here. After lunch we will proceed to Punakha town to view the majestic Dzong (fortress), situated between the two rivers Pho Chu and Mochu (male and Female River). This fortress is now used as the winter seat of the Je Khenpo (the Spiritual head of Bhutan). In the past this Dzong was the capital seat of the Kingdom. Return to hotel, Overnight at Kyichu / Meri Puensum, Punatsangchu or similar.

  • DAY 4

    PUNAKHA - TRONGSA

    We will have a heavy breakfast today as our lunch will be late and simple. The drive to Trongsa takes approximately 6 hours. We start early for the fabulous drive to the central valleys of Bhutan through the breathtaking beauties and serenity of Bhutan is rich flora and fauna. As we cross the fertile valley of Punakha and enter into the valley of Wangdue Phodrang, we take an opportunity to photograph the majestic fortress of Wangdue Dzong, which stands on a spur of a hill at the confluence of the Tsang Chu and Dang Chu rivers. We then climb steadily passing through semi-tropical vegetation and then to Pele la Pass (3,300 m/ 10,989 ft.) With an alpine environment of rhododendrons and dwarf bamboo, the Pass is traditionally considered the boundary between West and East Bhutan. During the clear weather we can view the high snow capped peaks specially the Mount Chomolhari (7,314 m/ 24,355 ft.). From here we continue our drive to Chendebji Chorten, where we will make a brief stop. This Chorten or Stupa was built in 18th century by a Lama known as Shida, in order to nail into the ground a demon that had been terrorizing the inhabitants of this valley and the Ada valley just over the ridge. Continue your drive to Trongsa, as you enter Trongsa valley, the huge fortress of Trongsa makes you wonder if you will ever reach it. Backing on mountain and built on several levels, the Dzong fits narrowly on a spur that sticks out into the gorge of the Mangde River and overlooks the routes south and west. The view from the Dzong extends for many miles and in former times nothing could escape the vigilance of its watchmen. Arrive Trongsa and overnight at Yangkhil Resort, this resort offers a superb view of the soaring mountains and the majestic Trongsa Dzong.

  • DAY 5

    TRONGSA - BUMTHANG (JAKAR)

    After breakfast we will drive to visit the majestic Trongsa Dzong, built in 1647, by Shubdrung Nawang Namgyal, this Dzong was the source of many important historical events in making of Modern Bhutan. Our car will drop us at the junction of the road to Bazaar and the dzong, you will walk from here to the Dzong. After the visit the car will pick you up at the Bazaar. We will than resume our drive to Bumthang crossing the Yotongla Pass and into the first four valley of Bumthang known as Chumey, we will visit Domkhar Palace, this palace was used as the summer residence of 2nd king Jigme Wangchuk. Lunch will be served here in the open ground. We will make another stop at Tsungney village, where we will observe the weavers weaving the famous Bumthang fabric known as Yathra. Continue our drive for an hour and arrive at the Chokhor Valley, if time permits your car will drop you at the Chamkhar Bazaar, from where you can walk back to the hotel on your own before dark. Overnight at Hotel Yu-Gharling, Mipham / River Lodge or similar.

  • DAY 6

    ATTEND NIMALUNG FESTIVAL

    After breakfast we will drive to witness the ongoing festival, The festival is celebrated annually by the people of Bumthang valley. During the festival various spiritual mask dances are performed and local people with their picnic lunch participate the festival in their finest dress. This is a season when you would like to see and be seen. Evening return to hotel at Jakar.

  • DAY 7

    JAKAR - TRONGSA

    After breakfast we will drive to Trongsa which will take little more than 2 hours we will proceed south to Kungarabten. This small village had once served as the winter retreat for the Royal families. Before reaching Kungarabten, you will find a dirt road leading up to the nunnery, we take the dirt road until we arrive at the parking lot. From here we start our walk towards the nunnery; the view from here of the valley below is breathtaking. This monastery is the home to over 100 nuns, who study and meditate here. We will visit the shrine, hostel, and maybe join for lunch with the nuns. After the visit at the nunnery, we will continue our hike downhill to the Palace. We visit the small Palace and then start our drive back to Trongsa. Overnight at Yangkhil Resort.

  • DAY 8

    TRONGSA - PHOBJIKHA OR PUNAKHA

    After breakfast we will start our drive back towards west taking the same lateral highway from where we drove in. From Pele Pass we will take the left hand road to beautiful glacial valley of Phobjikha. This valley is the designated winter home for 100s of endangered black-necked crane that migrate here from the Tibetan plateaus. This valley is also known for produce of best potatoes in Bhutan. From the Phobjikha Pass we will start walking downhill to Gangtey Monastery. If you enjoy the nature then this is a beautiful walk. If lucky you may encounter the precious Red Panda and many bird species. We will visit the magnificent Gangtey Monastery that overlooks the valley. This monastery has recently under gone a major renovation and has been built into a very magnificent Monastery. Overnight at Hotel Dewachen, Phuntsholing Guest house, MERI PEUNSUM Resort/hotel Dragon Nest or Punatsangchu.

  • DAY 9

    PHOBJIKHA / PUNAKHA - THIMPHU

    After breakfast we will start our 2 / 4 hours drive to Thimphu, we will have several stops en route for pictures and leg stretch. If weather permits; we will be able to see the northern snowcapped mountains of Bhutan from here. Continue our drive to Thimphu, Lunch will be served here. Rest of the day free for shopping in the capital city, overnight at Wangchuk Resort, Hotel Pedling or similar.

  • DAY 10

    PARO SIGHTSEEING

    After breakfast we will drive back to Paro, this will take about 2 hours, check into hotel and then we will start our sightseeing of Paro valley by first visiting Drukgyal Dzong built in 1647 by Shubdrung Nawang Namgyal, the Dzong was destroyed by fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. On a clear day you can get a magnificent view of the Mount Chomolhari, alt. 7314 m / 23,990 ft. Go round the fortress, it is a 30 minutes leisurely hike, this is a beautiful walk. Drive south to Satsam Chorten, built in memory of the late Dilgo Khentse Rinpochey, and continue on to Kyichu Lhakhang, built in seventh century by a Tibetan King, Songtsen Gonpo. After lunch visit the National Museum of Bhutan, (Ta Dzong) which contains works of art, handicrafts, costumes, armors and rare stamps. Take a leisurely hike down to Rimpung Dzong. You will walk through a traditional covered bridge across the river to your waiting car and drive to your hotel. Overnight at Hotel Dechen Hil Resort, Olathang, Kyichu or similar.

  • DAY 11

    PARO SIGHTSEEING

    After breakfast our car will drop us at the Paro International airport for our flight back to Kathmandu "You May Cotomize the Tour As per your Need & Desire"

Cost includes and excludes

Check the cost inclusion and exclucion of Nimalung Festival Tours

Service Includes
  • Accommodation with all meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).
  • All transportation by private vehicle.
  • Sightseeing tour with English speaking Guide as per itinerary including entry fee to museum.
  • Royalties and other taxes. Other than departure tax Bhutan entry visa fee US$ 20 and US$ 10.
Service Excludes
  • Airfares (Kathmandu to Paro, Calcutta to Paro, Dhaka to Paro, Delhi to Paro and Bangkok to Paro for one way and double for round trip flight by Druk Airlines.
  • Bhutan entry visa fees US$ 20, Paro airport tax US$ 10 & US$ 10 for TDF.
  • Hard and soft drinks during the trip.
  • Surcharge, Insurance, Personal expense and Tips