Recent Events
Bhutan wins Travel Award
Bhutan received a big boost in its tourism image winning the coveted “Special Travel Destinations Award 2023” at the Voyage magazine award ceremony on January 31, 2024.
Bhutan’s win is the second tourism award in China within a month.…>> Read MoreNew orchid discovered
An orchid species which was discovered in Trongsa, Bhutan in September 2019 has been identified as a new species and named Bulbophyllum Trongsaense, derived from the place of its origin.
Bulbophyllum Trongsaense is yellow in color and has reddish-maroon…>> Read More
MAKING NEWS!
Himalaya Airlines resumes Kathmandu to Lhasa flights
Himalaya Airlines breaks new ground by resuming the Kathmandu to Lhasa from 17th April, 2024. It has also best direct…
Tripadvisor picks Kathmandu #1 for 2024!
The popular travel portal 'Tripadvisor' has declared Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital city, as the best natural destination 2024 in the world.…
China visa free facility to 6 countries
China announced unilateral visa-free policy to more countries on a trial basis by extending visa-free facility to travelers holding ordinary…
Lijiang to Shangri-La train journey opens
The Lijiang-Shangri-La railway officially opened on November 26, 2023 marking a new milestone for tourism in Southwest China's Yunnan Province. In…
New Buddha era relics excavated
New Buddha-era relics have been unearthed in Ramgram Nawalparasi West Nepal located 46kms east of Maya Devi temple making this…
Sichuan Airlines to increase Nepal flights
Sichuan Airlines a major inbound carrier from Chengdu China to Kathmandu announced that it will operate daily flights from August. …
Hollywood Superstar Jet Li visits Nepal!
World famous Hollywood and Chinese actor Jet Li arrived in Kathmandu along with his wife during the Christmas holiday. He…
Join-in Departure Jambay Lhakhang Drub Festival 2024
Duration: 9 Days
Trip Grade: 
A Join-in Departure for Jambay Lhakhang Drub festival 2024 gives individual visitors opportunity to see a unique celebration. The setting of this festival is the quaintly beautiful Bumthang valley in eastern Bhutan a lush agricultural region. It has a very rural and ethnic flavor attracting pilgrims from the surrounding valleys and highlands of the area. It is a great opportunity to intermingle to observe rituals and traditions of the inhabitants.
This festival was introduced to celebrate completion of the lhakhang in 7th century. Dances are performed by laymen from the villages in the valley. The high light is the ‘Mewang” – the fire ceremony. The tour will spend 3 days of this 5 days long event.
Dances are in three categories; to give moral instruction, to drive away evil spirits and to celebrate the Buddhist faith. Inhabitants in their finest clothes come to attend adding to the air of festivity. There will be a number of stalls selling craftwork, jewellery, religious artifacts and thangkas.
The itinerary include visits to Paro, Thimphu, Punakha and Trongsa enroute to enjoying the festival.
Itinerary
13 Oct 1 Arrive Paro
Arrive in beautifull Paro valley, enjoying the rural setting of this unspoilt destination. Transfer to hotel, refresh, tour Kyichu Lhagang and Paro town, hotel.
14 Oct Day 2 Thimphu
Drive to Thimphu the bustling capital city, enroute visit the Dordema Buddha statue overlooking the valley entrance, Folk Art Heritage Museum, Tashichho dzong the Government Administrative and Religious Centre, continue to Jigme Dorji Memorial chorten and Handicraft Emporium, hotel.
15 Oct Day 3 Thimphu – Punakha
Drive to Punakha, stop by at the Dochula pass 3,150m and enjoy views of the Bhutan Himalayas. Check-in and refresh, tour Punakha Dzong venue the Royal Wedding of Their Majesties and winter retreat of Jhey Khempo Chief Abbot of the country, resort.
16 Oct Day 4 Punakha – Trongsa
Early departure take a walk to Chhimi Lhagang a holy place and and continue eastward journey to Trongsa, visit Trongsa Dzong where the title of “Trongsa Penlop” Crown Prince is bestowed on the Heir to the Throne, hotel.
17 Oct Day 5 Trongsa – Bumthang – Jambay Lhakhang Drub festival
Drive to Bumthang and enroute stop at Chumey valley and view ladies at work on “yatha” the yak wool garments.
On arrival in Bumthang, visit Jambay Lhakhang to see preparations for the festival which began to commemorate its completion by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in 7th century AD.
The first day festival dances begin around 8:30 pm :
Black Hat Dance “Shana” and of Gings - costumed dancers wearing long brocade robes and ornate black hats perform. Dancers who represent the Ging wear shorter robes with masks. It is performed to purify the ground and chase away evil influences.
Dance of Offering “Tshogcham” - a dancer offers the body of evil spirits to deities. After the offering everyone goes outside the temple where an arch of pine bushes has been erected.
Fire Dance “Mewang” - the arch of pine is set on fire and said to purify the earth of evil spirits. People who pass through the arch have their sins cleansed. A dancer chases away the evil spirits. It is the most spectacular as bare bodied performers jump through the flames.
18 Oct Day 6 Bumthang – Jambay Lhakhang Drub festival
Attend the second day of Jambay Lhakhang Drup festival starting around 10:30 am watching many ritual dances performed in the court yard. Highlights of the dances performed :
Dance of “Singje Yab Yum” Lord of death and his consort is performed to protect the four realms over which he has power. It follows a ceremony where a young girl representing the daughter of Sindhu Raja blesses the villagers.
Dance of Nyulema and Peling Ging Sum “Three kinds of Ging” - the Nyulema is an evil spirit represented by a boy in a skeleton mask. The Ging with sticks catch the Nyulema and dance to celebrate victory of religion over evil spirit.
Dance of the Jachung Bochung Two mythical birds - dancers wearing masks representing the auspicious birds perform. This is a light drama with a story of the Atsara Clown with a red mask trying to cure his sick son through curative dances.
Enjoy a walk in the town center, drop in to the Swiss dairy and taste local products including Yak cheese, organic honey, jam and other, hotel.
19 Oct Day 7 Bumthang – Jambay Lhakhang Drub festival
The 3rd day of Jambay Lhakhang Drub begins at approximately 10:30am with the dances.
Besides attending the Festival dances, visit the Tang valley ancestral home of the Kings, walk to view points in this area, return to Bumthang, hotel.
Highlights of the Dances :
Dance of the four stags “Shacham” King of the Wind was causing unhappiness and suffering in the world. When Ugyen Rinpoche subdued him, to commemorate the victory this dance came into existence.
Dance of Ging Tsoling - takes place in Guru Rinpoche’s paradise and performed by His incarnations. It is said to give blessings to those who witness it and remove obstacles to Buddha’s teachings. People whistle to chase away evil spirits and the Ging hit people on their head to chase away impurity.
“Dramitse Ngacham” drums from Dramitse – the dance was created by Kuenga Gyeltshen, a learned lama from 16th Century who lived in Dramitse. He is reputed to have seen the dance in Guru Rinpoche’s paradise performed by His attendants. It signifies superiority of religion over evil spirits.
“Pacham” Dance of the heroes - Pema Lingpa the Treasure Revealer who discovered many Buddhist treasures saw this dance in Guru Rinpoche’s paradise. On his return to earth he recreated this dance.
“Phole Mole” - the nobleman and the lady ‘play’ is about two princes who leave their princesses and go to war.
20 Oct Day 8 Bumthang – Paro
Transfer to Youngphula airport, take a flight to Paro. On arrival drive to the base of the hike to view the "Taktsang" Tiger's Nest monastery where legend has it that Guru Rimpoche flew there on a tigress and meditated in a cave where the monastery was built. Later enjoy an Optional traditional Bhutanese “hot stone bath” and farewell dinner, hotel.
21 Oct Day 9 Paro departure
Transfer to airport for onward departure.
Bhutan's Paro International Airport is connected by Druk Air and Bhutan Air flights from Bagdogra, Bangkok, Delhi, Dhaka, Guwahati, Kathmandu, Kolkata and Singapore.
Hotels : Standard Tourist Accommodation are in the 3* and 3* plus categories with upgrades on payment of supplementary cost in locations where available.
Local Trip Leaders : all tours are lead by our experienced and knowledgeable Bhutan Trek Leaders to give you an insight from a local perspective and accompany the group from arrival to departure.
Visa : on confirmation and full tour payment; visas will be processed.
Pre & Post Tour assistance : those who plan to make pre or post tours to Nepal, India or Tibet TAR can do so, please enquire to make arrangements. Nepal and India are just a little over 1 hour flight connected daily.
Exit Options : those who do not wish to fly can exit by land to Darjeeling and Sikkim, India.
Book ahead to view the Jambay Lhakhang Drub festival one of the most atmospheric and exciting festival in Bhutan - a journey for a lifetimes experience!
ENQUIRE & BOOK THIS DEPARTURE : 13 October – 21 October 2024
Duration: 9 Days
Trip Grade:
Join-in 2 Festivals Wangdi & Thimphu Tsechus 2024
Duration: 8 Days
Trip Grade:
Duration: 9 Days
Trip Grade:
Associated with:
follow us on:
We Accept:
