We’d like to share some important information on traveling to our very special destination with you as the year begins and you are doubtless daydreaming about your next getaway, possibly to Bhutan.

Our team has put up a useful guide to visiting Bhutan that covers everything from the seasons and ideal times to visit to the festivals and activities you can participate in as well as crucial flight and visa information.

SEASONS

While Bhutan may be visited year-round, spring and fall are some of the greatest times to take in the country’s natural splendor while taking advantage of mild and sunny conditions.

Spring

Bhutan erupts into a colorful display of wildflowers from March through May, including rhododendron, jacaranda, and peach, pear, cherry, and apple blossoms.

The Rhododendron Festival, a springtime event held in the Botanical Gardens outside of Thimphu from April 14–16, is a fantastic spot to stop on the way to Phobjikha Valley.

At Gangtey – Phobjikha Valley during the spring, plum and apricot trees spray white blossoms that sparkle against Bhutan’s brilliant blue skies, while the valley floor is covered in purple primulas.

Autumn

Fall is ideal for hiking because of the milder temperatures and the paddy fields’ kaleidoscopic display of gold, copper, and bronze as they get closer to harvest.

Throughout the valley, there are several wonderful treks, some of which begin right outside our front door, as well as mountain bike paths that wind through nearby towns.

To visit nearby farmhouses and see the farmers harvesting their crops firsthand, take these hiking and bike trails.

Around 612 Black Neck Cranes make the valley their winter roosting location each year from late October until the beginning of February.

Because it is thought that the presence of these uncommon birds will result in abundant crops and prosperity, locals revere and protect them.

Walking around the valley in the early morning offers fantastic opportunities to see these stunning and graceful animals.

The Black Necked Crane Festival is a one-day celebration on November 11th that takes place in the courtyard of Gangtey Goemba’s temple. It gives the community a chance to celebrate the arrival of the cranes, display their cultural heritage through masked folk dances and songs, and spread awareness of conservation issues.

Visitors get the chance to take part in one of Bhutan’s many magnificent celebrations while also helping the neighborhood’s residents, who work hard to preserve the valley’s biodiversity and promote harmony between humans and birds.

FESTIVALS

The Land of the Thunder Dragon celebrates Guru Rinpoche, the saint who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in the eighth century, with festivals that are vibrant and joyful representations of Bhutan’s historic Buddhist culture.

Festivals are also important family and social gatherings. Locals dress to the nines in their finest kiras and ghos and pack picnic lunches in anticipation of spending the entire day at the festivals, which are frequently hosted in the courtyards of dzongs (fortresses) or monasteries.

In the background, the monks spend a lot of time in prayer and meditation getting ready for these important occasions.

The monks execute unique masked dances and rituals on the festival day to bestow blessings and good karma on everyone in attendance.

The festivities are a rich source of mythology and oral tradition. An unusual display of a massive silk appliqué or thangkha (painting) featuring significant Buddhist deities marks the conclusion of many of the celebrations. These celebrations, or “Tsechus,” as they are known in Bhutan, take place during opportune times of the year.

Tsechu, the name for these events, literally translates as “day ten” because they are typically held on the tenth day of the lunar calendar month.

The Paro and Thimphu Tshechu are two of the most well-known, but there is something really wonderful about going to one of the smaller festivals, where the crowd is less and the occasion may be more genuine.

Every year in September, Gangtey hosts its own “Tsechu” in the courtyard of the Gangtey Goenpa monastery. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate with the villagers in an important religious and social event while taking in a carnival-like atmosphere.

Festival Dates for 2023

Paro Tsechu – 2-6th April

Thimphu Tsechu – 24-26 September

Gangtey Tsechu – 27-29 September

ARRIVING TO BHUTAN.

Bhutan is home to Drukair and Bhutan Airlines, two national carriers.

The country is connected by these airlines’ direct flights to and from Paro International Airport to a number of foreign cities, including Bangladesh (Dhaka), India (Bagdogra, Gauhati, Kolkata, and New Delhi), Nepal (Kathmandu), Singapore, and Thailand (Bangkok).