Rhododendron Festival Tour

Set in the Lamperi Botanical Garden, near Dochula pass, this festival celebrates the Rhododendron Flower and features the Rhododendron Garden walk and exhibition, local culture and cuisines, arts and crafts, traditional games, cultural program, guided walks and similar activities. The festival showcases different species that are in full bloom in their natural habitat. Of the 46 rhododendron species recorded in the country, 29 are found in Lamperi Botanical Park, located 35km from Thimphu.
  • 1
    Day 1: Arrive Paro (Bhutan) by Flight & drive to Thimphu (55km, approx. 1.1/2-hour drive)

    • On arrival at Paro International Airport, received by our representative after immigration formalities & baggage collection and then transfer to Bhutan’s capital city, Thimphu. En route photo stop at Tamchog temple viewpoint & Chuzom, the confluence of Paro & Thimphu rivers.
    • On arrival in Thimphu check into the hotel.
    • Later visit King’s Memorial Stupa.
    • Evening an exploratory walk around Thimphu city centre.
    • Overnight in Thimphu (Altitude 2,320m).

  • 2
    Day 2: Thimphu

    • Full day exploration of Thimphu valley includes visit to, Folk Heritage Museum, Textile Museum, Institute of Zorig Chusum or Arts & Crafts School, Takin Preserve, Thimphu Post office, Buddha Dordenma and Trashichhoedzong, the beautiful medieval fortress / monastery.
    • Overnight in Thimphu (Altitude 2,320m).

  • 3
    Day 3: Thimphu – Dochula pass (Lamperi Botanical Garden) - Punakha 

    • After early breakfast, drive to Dochula pass (3,080m) at Botanical Garden (30km, approx. 1-hour drive) to witness Rhododendron Festival at Lamperi Botanical Garden. The festival celebrates the rhododendron flower and features the rhododendron garden walk and exhibition, local culture and cuisines, arts and crafts, traditional games, cultural program, guided walks and similar activities.
    • Evening drive onwards to Punakha (45km, approx. 1.1/2-hour drive).
    • Overnight in Punakha (Altitude 1,300m).

  • 4
    Day 4: Punakha 

    • After breakfast visit historic Punakha Dzong (fortress cum monastery). 
    • Then a walking excursion (approx. 2-hour round trip walk) to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Stupa.   
    • Afternoon visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery and a short walking excursion (about 30 min round trip walk) to Chimi Lhakhang or ‘Fertility Temple’.
    • Overnight in Punakha (Altitude 1,300m).

  • 5
    Day 5: Punakha – Paro (125km, approx. 4-hour drive) 

    • Morning after breakfast, drive to Paro via Dochula pass.
    • Afternoon visit to Ta Dzong (National Museum) & Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) or ‘Fortress on a Heap of Jewels’. 
    • Evening an exploratory walk around Paro city centre.
    • Overnight in Paro (Altitude 2,280m).

  • 6
    Day 6: Paro 

    • After breakfast, walking excursion (approx. 5-hour round trip walk) to Taktsang monastery or ‘Tiger Nest’. 
    • Afternoon visit Kyichu & Dungtse temples.
    • Overnight in Paro (Altitude 2,280m).

  • 7
    Day 7: Depart Paro (Bhutan)

    • Morning transfer to Paro International Airport for flight to onward destination. 

Rhododendron Festival Tour

Description

Set in the Lamperi Botanical Garden, near Dochula pass, this festival celebrates the Rhododendron Flower and features the Rhododendron Garden walk and exhibition, local culture and cuisines, arts and crafts, traditional games, cultural program, guided walks and similar activities. The festival showcases different species that are in full bloom in their natural habitat. Of the 46 rhododendron species recorded in the country, 29 are found in Lamperi Botanical Park, located 35km from Thimphu.

Location Map

Tour Timeline

  • 1
    Day 1: Arrive Paro (Bhutan) by Flight & drive to Thimphu (55km, approx. 1.1/2-hour drive)

    • On arrival at Paro International Airport, received by our representative after immigration formalities & baggage collection and then transfer to Bhutan’s capital city, Thimphu. En route photo stop at Tamchog temple viewpoint & Chuzom, the confluence of Paro & Thimphu rivers.
    • On arrival in Thimphu check into the hotel.
    • Later visit King’s Memorial Stupa.
    • Evening an exploratory walk around Thimphu city centre.
    • Overnight in Thimphu (Altitude 2,320m).

  • 2
    Day 2: Thimphu

    • Full day exploration of Thimphu valley includes visit to, Folk Heritage Museum, Textile Museum, Institute of Zorig Chusum or Arts & Crafts School, Takin Preserve, Thimphu Post office, Buddha Dordenma and Trashichhoedzong, the beautiful medieval fortress / monastery.
    • Overnight in Thimphu (Altitude 2,320m).

  • 3
    Day 3: Thimphu – Dochula pass (Lamperi Botanical Garden) - Punakha 

    • After early breakfast, drive to Dochula pass (3,080m) at Botanical Garden (30km, approx. 1-hour drive) to witness Rhododendron Festival at Lamperi Botanical Garden. The festival celebrates the rhododendron flower and features the rhododendron garden walk and exhibition, local culture and cuisines, arts and crafts, traditional games, cultural program, guided walks and similar activities.
    • Evening drive onwards to Punakha (45km, approx. 1.1/2-hour drive).
    • Overnight in Punakha (Altitude 1,300m).

  • 4
    Day 4: Punakha 

    • After breakfast visit historic Punakha Dzong (fortress cum monastery). 
    • Then a walking excursion (approx. 2-hour round trip walk) to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Stupa.   
    • Afternoon visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery and a short walking excursion (about 30 min round trip walk) to Chimi Lhakhang or ‘Fertility Temple’.
    • Overnight in Punakha (Altitude 1,300m).

  • 5
    Day 5: Punakha – Paro (125km, approx. 4-hour drive) 

    • Morning after breakfast, drive to Paro via Dochula pass.
    • Afternoon visit to Ta Dzong (National Museum) & Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) or ‘Fortress on a Heap of Jewels’. 
    • Evening an exploratory walk around Paro city centre.
    • Overnight in Paro (Altitude 2,280m).

  • 6
    Day 6: Paro 

    • After breakfast, walking excursion (approx. 5-hour round trip walk) to Taktsang monastery or ‘Tiger Nest’. 
    • Afternoon visit Kyichu & Dungtse temples.
    • Overnight in Paro (Altitude 2,280m).

  • 7
    Day 7: Depart Paro (Bhutan)

    • Morning transfer to Paro International Airport for flight to onward destination.