The festival of Punakha for 2026 is ready. It is a 5 days itinerary that covers Thimphu, the Punakha festival and Paro. The Punakha Festival is celebrated every year before the nomadic people of Laya depart back home. The Punakha Tshechu (or ‘festival’) takes place each February or March inside the incredible Punakha Dzong, the ancient capital of Bhutan. As well as being a really fun and exciting day out for the Bhutanese, the tshechu also provides devout Buddhists with an opportunity for pilgrimage and prayer.
The Punakha Festival Tour is a five-day program starting from Paro and ending at Paro. During the festival, the “pazaps,” or local militia men, dress in battle gear and showcase a battle scene from this distant past, recalling the days. When a standing army was absent, 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 Festival Tour Cost
- Solo travellers cost USD 1240.00
- 2 Pax Group Cost: USD 1120 Per Person
- 3 to 4 Pax Group Cost: USD 1040 Per Person
All our Trip costs include SDF, one-time Visa Fees, meals, a Guide, Transport and sightseeing.
Punakha Festival Tour Overview
Tour Outline
- Day 01: Arrive at Paro International Airport and drive to Thimphu. The distance is 60 km, the Driving Time is 1 Hour, and the altitude is 2400 m.
- Day 02: Drive from Thimphu to Punakha to witness the Punakha Festival. Distance 80 Km | Time 3 Hours via Dochula Pass | Altitude 1200.
- Day 03: Punakha to Paro City Tour. Distance 150 KM | Time 4 Hours via Thimphu | Altitude 2300M
- Day 04: Paro Tiger Nest Hike. Distance 15 KM | Hiking Time 4 Hours | Temple is 900M above Paro valley.
- Day 05: Drive to Paro Airport and See you off. Altitude 2300M.
Punakha Festival Trip Fact
- Duration of the festival: 4 Nights and 5 Days
- Festival Trip Guide: Licensed Tour Guide
- Meals: All Inclusive
- Transport: Private
- Route: 1 night in Thimphu, 1 Night in Punakha, and 2 Nights at Paro.
Festival Date for 2026
Punakha festival dates are usually scheduled in early spring when the nomadics from Laya start moving back to the village. The Punakha Festival runs from the 9th to the 11th of March 2025. For this tour, the cost includes daily SDF, Hotels, Meals, Guides and transportation.
Flight Details for Punakha Festival March 27th,28 Feb to 1st March, 2026
- Flights Detail Bangkok to Paro KB 153 Departs at 0600 and Arrival at 0815
- Paro to Bangkok KB152 Departs at 1150 and Arrives in Bangkok at 1600
- Kathmandu to Paro KB 401 Departs at 0900 and arrives at Paro at 1020
- Paro to Kathmandu KB 400 Departs at 0700 and Arrives Kathmandu at 0800
Similar Tours and Sights to Visit in Bhutan
Highlights
- Enjoy the Religious Dance of Guru in different forms.
- Get the Photoshoot at the Festival.
- Cultural Emmersion
- Enjoy Scenic beauty of Punakha Valley
- Limited Tourist Crowd
