Bhutan Festival & Cultural Circuit
Punakha, Bhutan
Duration
9 days
Max Group
undefined people
Rating
New
Meets At
About This Expedition
Bhutan's festivals are among the most extraordinary cultural spectacles on earth. Tsechu ceremonies — with sacred mask dances, centuries-old rituals and thousands of devotees in traditional dress — reveal a living culture unchanged for 500 years. Nine days timed to coincide with a major dzong festival.
Local Impact Score
Of every pound you pay, 84p stays in local communities — guides, permits, accommodation and food sourced at origin.
Hover for methodology · With big international operators, less than 40% of your payment reaches local communities.
What this trek actually involves
Total distance
122km (76 miles)
Daily walking
4–8h
Max daily ascent
1,200m
Highest point
5,545m (Kala Patthar)
Temperature range
−10°C to +20°C
Total nights
13 (2 hotel, 11 teahouse)
Highlights
- Thimphu Tsechu — sacred mask dances and giant Thangka unveiling
- Tiger's Nest Monastery hike (3,120m)
- Punakha Dzong — the most beautiful fortress in Bhutan
- Dochu La Pass panorama (3,048m)
- Longest suspension bridge in Bhutan
Where you'll sleep
3-star hotel · Private bathroom · WiFi · Breakfast included
Twin rooms with bedding provided · Hot water available in most teahouses · Shared bathrooms · Dining room shared with other trekkers
Twin rooms with bedding provided · Hot water available in most teahouses · Shared bathrooms · Dining room shared with other trekkers
Twin rooms with bedding provided · Shared bathrooms · Basic dining room · Extra blankets recommended above 4,900m
Twin rooms with bedding provided · Hot water available in most teahouses · Shared bathrooms · Dining room shared with other trekkers
3-star hotel · Private bathroom · WiFi · Breakfast included
Insurance — what you need
Travel insurance is mandatory for all Voyana trips. Your policy must cover:
- Helicopter evacuation to 6,000m (not just 4,000m — most standard policies stop at 4,000m)
- Medical treatment and repatriation
- Trip cancellation and curtailment
- Personal liability
🇬🇧 UK travellers
True Traveller, World Nomads, Battleface
🇺🇸 US travellers
World Nomads, Ripcord, GeoBlue
🇦🇺 Australian travellers
World Nomads, Cover-More, NIB
Cost guide: approximately £60–120 for a 3-week Nepal trek policy.
Why is our price lower?+
G Adventures and Intrepid charge significantly more for similar itineraries. We charge £1,549. Here's why:
- No London or Melbourne office overhead
- No shareholder dividends
- No expensive marketing campaigns
- Our guides are not subcontracted — they're our own team
- We book accommodation directly, not through middlemen
84% of your payment goes directly to local Local communities. With the big operators, less than 38% does.
No payment charged yet — you'll pay on the next step
⏰ Book at least 3 months ahead
Our small expert team guides 2 seasons per year — max 8 per group. Spring and autumn dates fill early.
Travelling with your own group?
Groups of 2 or more — and even solo travellers — can book a private departure. Same trek, same expert guides, just your people.
From £1,585 per person for groups of 6+.
What will my trek actually cost?
Full breakdown — every cost, nothing hidden.
Prices shown are estimates based on typical costs for travellers from Kingdom. Voyana's trek fee is fixed — all other costs vary by timing, airline and personal choice.