Punakha is the old capital of Bhutan and the yearly festival of Punakha Dromchay happens at the beginning of the year. The festival is very unique as it hosts a dramatic recreation of the scene from the 17th-century battle with the Tibetan army. This is one of the oldest festivals in the district. The festival depicts how the local Bhutanese militia duped and defeated an invading Tibetan army and forced them to withdraw.
Punakha Festival Tour is an annual festival introduced by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel to commemorate the victories over the Tibetans. During the festival, the “pazaps” or local militia men dress in battle gear and showcase a battle scene of this distant past recalling the days. When in the absence of a standing army, men from eight Tshogchen or great village blocks of Thimphu came forward and managed to expel the Tibetan forces out of Bhutan ushering in a new-found internal peace and stability.
Punakha Dromchay Tour Itinerary
- Day 1 Arrival at Paro International Airport and drive to Thimphu. Distance 60Km | Time Taken- 1Hour Drive | Alt 2300M
- Day 2 Thimphu to Punakha-Distance is 80KM | Time Taken 3 Hours | Alt 3200M at Dochula Pass
- Day 3 Punakha to Paro Drive. Distance 130KM | Time Taken 4 Hours | Alt 2300M
- Day 4 Paro Tiger Nest Hike. Distance 15 KM | Time Taken for Hike 5 Hours | Alt 2800M at Temple
- Day 5 Paro to Airport and See Off
Punakha Festival Tour Cost
All our tour costs include an SDF of USD 100 per person per night. The price includes meals, transport, guides, and hotels.
- Single Traveller Cost USD 1290.00
- 2 Pax Group Cost USD 1040 Per Person
- 3 to 4 Pax Group Cost USD 940 Per Person
Punakha Dromchay Tour Dates
The tour date starts from 6th to 8th March 2025.
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Punakha Festival Itinerary
Upon your arrival at Paro Airport, our team from Tour Bhutan will warmly receive you with a white scarf, a customary gesture to welcome guests with khaddar. Our knowledgeable guide will provide you with a program briefing while assisting you with your luggage. From there, we will embark on a drive to Thimphu, where the tour officially commences. The first stop will be at the Memorial Chorten, followed by visits to the Folk Heritage Museum and the Takin preservation center. You will spend the night at a comfortable hotel.
Enjoy the beautiful mountain road and drive towards the temperate Punakha valley. Secondly, we start early to see the festival. Additionally, the festival usually begins with a mask dance performed by the monk body, attracting locals who gather to witness the dance, driven by their belief in acquiring merits. Moreover, an interesting fact about the Punakha festival is the attendance of tribal people from Laya and Lunana. Notably, they faithfully participate in this annual festival before migrating back to the mountains with their Yaks.
Today we visit the longest suspension bridge in the morning and then drive to Paro in the afternoon. Specifically, the morning time is the best for visiting the bridge as it connects villages with Punakha dzong, the administrative center for Punakha. Afterward, we embark on a scenic drive to Paro, which takes approximately 3.5 hours. Furthermore, in Paro, we have the opportunity to visit Drugyel Dzong, which has recently completed its construction after being destroyed by fire in 1957.
Hiking the iconic Tiger Nest temple is a must-do during your tour of Bhutan. Moreover, no good thing comes easy, and reaching the temple is a herculean task as it involves a 3-hour uphill trek covering 12 km. The temple clings on a solid rock 900m above Paro valley. After visiting the temple, if time permits, you can also visit Paro dzong and the cantilever bridge of Paro Chu. Spend the night at the hotel for a well-deserved rest.
Your short Bhutan tour to attend Punakha Festival ends here. We drop you at the airport and see you off.
