Ura Yakchoe Festival 18th April to 22nd April 2027

Q: What are the Destinations I can visit during this Festival Trip?

paro airport Ura Valley in Bumthang Bumthang

Ura Yakcheo Festival. Ura Valley, situated in the scenic Bumthang region, boasts a breathtaking landscape. The annual festival holds great significance for the local community residing in the area. During the Ura Yakchoe Festival, organisers prominently exhibit a sacred relic, allowing people to receive blessings and divine grace. Ura Valley in Bumthang is the oldest inhabited valley in Bhutan.

The Ura Dozhi or Makrong village observes the Ura Yakchoe Festival in Bumthang annually. Villagers started this local affair to commemorate Guru Rinpoche’s arrival, which helped them overcome an epidemic. The main part of the festival comprises five days of public performances. Sacred mask dances, folk dances, a thongdrol display, and a religious ceremony form the core part of the festival, as well as a tradition of making rounds to local homes for alcohol and food. Oral accounts relay the festival’s historical origins and evolution, spiritual and religious significance, cultural traditions, and a distinctive socio-economic system of organisation and management. The community employs the Ura Yakchoe Festival as a special event to transmit cultural ideas, values, knowledge, skills, and stories from one generation to the next.

Key Information about the Ura Yakcheoa Festival

Festival Date: 18th to 22nd April 2027
Difficulty: Easy
Festival Venue: Ura in Bumthang
Recommended Tour Duration: 5 to 7 days for a complete cultural experience
Best For: Cultural travellers, photographers, spiritual seekers, and festival enthusiasts
Main Highlights: Traditional mask dances, Buddhist rituals, local cultural performances, blessings from monks, and interaction with local Bhutanese communities
Nearest Airport: Paro International Airport
Accommodation: Hotels and traditional stays are available in Paro and nearby areas
Dress Code: Modest and respectful clothing is recommended for attending religious festivals and visiting monasteries
Photography: Allowed in most outdoor areas; always ask permission before photographing monks or inside temples
Festival Atmosphere: Spiritual, vibrant, and deeply rooted in Bhutanese Buddhist traditions

Ura Yakchoe Festival Tour Program

Day 01: Arrival at Paro and drive to Thimphu. Distance 60KM | Driving Time 1 Hour | Altitude 2400m.
Day 02: Thimphu to Punakha. Distance 72.8km | Driving time 2hr 3 mins | Altitude 1200M.
Day 03 Punakha to Gangtey. Distance 73km | Driving time 2hr 11mins | Alt ranges from 2900 to 2300M
Day 04: Gangtey to Bumthang. Distance 153.7km | Driving time 4hr 17mins | Altitude 2800M.
Day 05: Attend the Bumthang Ura Yakchoe Festival. |Altitude 2800M.
Day 06: Bumthang to Paro. Distance 306KM | Flight Time Taken 25 to 30 Minutes | Altitude 2300M.
Day 07: Paro City Tour. Altitude 2200M.
Day 08: Paro Tiger Nest Hike. Distance 15KM | Hiking Time 4 Hours | Altitude 3120M
Day 09: Paro to the Airport and see off. Altitude 2300M.

Ura Yakchoe Festival Tour Cost

All our tour costs include SDF of USD 100 per person per night and Bhutan Visa Fees. When planning your trip around the Ura Yakchoe Festival, it’s worthwhile to consider these expenses in your budget.

Tour Cost for a solo traveller is USD 2390.00
Tour cost for a group of 2 Pax is USD 2040.00 Per Person
3 to 4 Pax Group Cost: USD 1880.00 Per Person

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Ura Yakchoe Festival Overview

Ura Yakchoe Festival Tour Date

The festival date is scheduled from 18th April to 22nd April 2027. You can customise this festival with a cultural tour.

Similar Tours and Sights

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Highlights of Ura Yakchoea Festival 2027

Enjoy the Mountain Flights from Bumthang to Paro.
Explore the ancient culture and Tradition of central Bhutan.
Visit the burning lake in Bumthang.
Hike the Tiger nest temple, the wonders of Bhutan.

Day 1 :

Arrival at Airport and Drive to Thimphu | Distance 60KM | Driving Time 1 Hour | Altitude 2400M.

Land at the only Bhutan airport. Very few are trained to land at Paro International Airport. The pilot has to do the landing manually and frequent altitude drops and turbulence is common while landing at Paro Airport. One can see the mighty Himalayan mountains if you happen to take the left side seat while flying into Bhutan from Delhi or Kathmandu.

Upon landing and Visa processing, our team will receive you and drive you to Thimphu. You will be briefed about the total program by the guide. If time permits, we will take you to the BBS tower for the Thimphu city view and the Takin preservation centre. A quick hike (Takin Trail) from the centre to Motithang Children's Park will refresh your body. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 2 :

Thimphu to Punakha | Distance 72.8km | Driving time 2hr 3 mins | Altitude 1200M.

Drive to fertile Punakha valley. On the way spend sometime at Dochula Pass. enjoy the mountain view with hot cup of Coffee. Further drive to Lobesa valley, as you drive the altitude decrease and weather changes from cold to warm as you reach Punakha valley. Visit Chimi Lhakhang, Punakha Dzong. Over night at Hotel.

Day 3 :

Punakha to Gangtey | Distance 73km | Driving time 2hr 11mins | Alt ranges from 2900 to 2300M

Drive from old capital to remote Gangtey valley. As your driver cruises through dusty road towards Gangtye you could find many places you can stop for fresh air and photo shoot. Upon reaching gangtey visit the Gangtye monastery located right in the middle of gangtye village. Take the gangtey trail hike from the monastery towards your hotel.

Day 4 :

Gangtey to Bumthang | Distance 153.7km | Driving time 4hr 17mins | Altitude 2800M.

Drive to Bumthang. The drive takes about 5 hours from gangtye. On the way visit Trongsa dzong. After lunch drive to Bumthang and relax.

Day 5 :

Witness Bumthang Ura Yakchoe Festival | Alt 2800M

Witness the Ura Festival. Ura Valley in Bumthang is a 1.5-hour drive from Bumthang. We start early so we don’t miss the start of the festival. The festival has many exciting programs performed by local monks and communities. Also, find more about Bumthang's history. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 6 :

Bumthang to Paro | Distance 306KM | Flight Time 25 to 30 Minutes | Alt 2300M.

Enjoy the amazing flights to Paro from Batpalathang Airport. With the only airport in the country located here, one would naturally assume Paro to be a somewhat bustling township. Fortunately, nothing could be farther from the truth-the town of Paro consists of under 35000 souls.

In reality, Paro is a village now transforming itself into a small town. Walk the small street of Paro that stretches for about 500m. The neatly arranged shops and houses are only a couple of blocks deep on either side of the main thoroughfare and only a petrol pump is located here. In the evening,g relax in the Hotel.

Day 7 :

Paro City Tour | Altitude 2300M.

Tour the best places in Paro. Visit Paro Dzong, Dungtse Lhakhang, Ta Dzong and Paro Weekend market.
Dungtse Lhakhang is possibly the only lhakhang that is built in the shape of a chorten and literally chained down since local beliefs believe that it will otherwise fly away to heaven.

You can see the chains on the four sides of the chorten chained down. It was built in 1421 by Thangtong Gyalpo in search of Iron ore to be used for constructing bridges in Tibet, his homeland. Visit the Taa Dzong, followed by Paro Rinpung Dzong. In the afternoon, visit the weekend market, where you see locals selling produce from their farms. Evening at the Hotel. You can also check the popular Paro festival.

Day 8 :

Tiger Nest Temple Hike | Distance 15KM | Hiking Time 4 Hours | Altitude 3120M

Hike the Tiger Nest temple. It is now time to embark on an arduous adventure for the day, ascending the 3000ft/915m cliff to reach the most spectacularly located gompa in Bhutan. To get to the starting point you will have to drive back 8km and then turn left for 3Km to reach a large parking lot decorated with prayer flags. You need to keep in mind that the trek to Tiger Nest temple is quite an uphill task and it takes around three hours and at an average speed, to climb up to this temple perched atop a cliff at 9700ft/2950m. The path is well paved and you will be impressed with the efforts made to preserve the environment, there are receptacles for garbage placed all along the route and in spite of a large number of visitors and pilgrims, there is hardly any litter.

Day 9 :

Paro to Airport and see off. Altitude 2300M.

As you bid farewell to Paro, the scenic drive to the airport unfolds the beauty of Bhutan's landscapes. Marvel at the lush valleys and towering mountains, savoring the last glimpses of this enchanting kingdom. Your journey concludes with a picturesque drive, leaving you with memories of Bhutan's natural splendor.

FAQs

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What is the tour cancellation policy?

90% refund for the tour cancelled 45 days prior to arrival date, payment transfer charges will be charged 75% refund for the tour cancelled between 30 to 45 days prior to arrival date No refund for the tour cancelled less than 30 days of arrival date and for the change of itinerary Booking made for 4 star and 5 star hotels have to follow individual hotel’s cancellation policies.

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What is the flight cancellation policy?

70% refund for cancellation made before 30 days prior to arrival date (Documentation charge USD 25 applicable) 30% refund for cancellation made between 15 to 30 days of travel date NO refund for cancellation made less than 15 days of travel date Documentation charge applicable for the change of dates, sectors etc (issued tickets only, USD30/ticket)

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What are the Destinations I can visit during this Festival Trip?

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Where is the Ura Yakchoe Festival celebrated?

The festival is primarily celebrated in Ura Valley, which is one of the valleys in the Bumthang district of Bhutan. The main venue is usually the Ura Lhakhang (temple).

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What activities can attendees expect at the festival?

Attendees can enjoy traditional Bhutanese dances, music performances, and rituals. There are also opportunities to witness the display of sacred relics, engage in local handicrafts, and sample traditional Bhutanese cuisine.

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Are there accommodations available in Ura Valley?

Yes, there are several guesthouses and hotels in and around Ura Valley. It’s advisable to book in advance, especially during the festival period, as accommodations can fill up quickly.

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What cultural significance does the Ura Yakchoe Festival hold?

The festival holds significant cultural and religious importance as it celebrates the local deity, promotes community bonding, and preserves Bhutanese traditions. It is also a time for spiritual reflection and renewal.