Rhododendron Festival

Rhododendron Festival celebrates the rhododendron garden walk and exhibition, local culture and cuisines, arts and crafts, traditional games, cultural program, guided walks and 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, 35km from Thimphu.

Venue : Royal Botanical Park, Lamperi (Dochula)


Places Covered: Paro, Thimphu, Haa, Punakha and Wangdue.

Rhododendron Festival Day 1 – Arrive Paro (Altitude: 2400 m)
The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular flights amongst all the mountain flights. On arrival at the Paro International Airport, representative of Ola Tours and Trek will receive you and transfer you to Hotel.

After lunch, visit

  • Drukgyel Dzong; a ruined fortress located about 14 km away from Paro
  • Kyichu Lhakhang (Monastery), it is one of the two oldest monasteries built in the seventh century by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet in Bhutan.
  • Evening, take a leisurely walk around Paro town.

Optional activities you can choose:

  • Hike to Dzongdrakha Monastery.
  • Hike to Nunnery.
  • Village walk.
  • Mountain biking around Paro valley.
  • Drive to Chelila pass to view Higher Himalayas bordering Tibet including Mt. Jumolhari

Rhododendron Festival Day 2 – Paro (2400m)

After breakfast,

  • Hike to Taktsang Monastery. It is about 5-6 hours walk up and down. Lunch at Taktsang cafeteria.
  • Evening, visit to a farm house.

Optional activities you can choose:

  • Hike to Dzongdrakha Monastery.
  • Hike to Nunnery.
  • Village walk.
  • Mountain biking around Paro valley.
  • Drive to Chelala pass to view Higher Himalayas bordering Tibet including Mt. Jumolhari

Day 3 – Paro – Thimphu (2320 m)(54 km, 1 hr drive): 

After breakfast,

  • Ta Dzong (now National Museum).
  • Paro Dzong (Fortress) built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel

After lunch, drive to Thimphu.  On the way, view Tamchog Lhakhang

Day 4 – Thimphu Sightseeing (2320 m):  

After breakfast, visit

  • Memorial Chorten built in 1974 in memory of the Third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who is popularly considered as the Father of Modern Bhutan.
  • Changangka Lhakhang (Monastery),which was built in 15th century by the high saint Phajo Drugom Shigpo.
  • Zilukha Nunnery, to see nuns reciting prayers
  • National Library where it houses a vast collection of ancient Buddhist manuscripts and texts including the imprinted and archaic text of Bhutanese history.
  • Traditional Painting School, a centre where children learn traditional drawing and painting, wood carving, sculpture and other forms of traditional arts. On a visit, one can view the students at work.
  • Heritage Museum, the living farmhouse of the 19th century depicting the harmonious living style of the Bhutanese family with the domestic animals in the premises.
  • Traditional Medicine Institute, where the rich herbal medicine found abundant in Bhutan are prepared and dispensed

After lunch, visit

  • Takin Preserve Centre (Mini Zoo) to see Bhutan’s national animal Takin
  • Sangaygang View Point to catch a spectacular glimpse of Thimphu valley.  Traditional Medicine Institute, where the rich herbal medicine found abundant in Bhutan are prepared and dispensed.
  • Handicrafts Emporium, where various products of Bhutanese arts and crafts are displayed and can be purchased as well.

Day 5 – Thimphu – Punakha (Altitude: 1310 m) (76 km, 2 hrs)

After breakfast, drive to Punakha. Halt at Dochula pass (3116 m) to see the spectacular view of snow-capped eastern Himalayan Mountains.

En route attend full day Rhododendron Festival at Lamperi Botanical Garden.

Lunch at Lamperi Botanical Park.

Take a short hike through the Rhododendron Park. Evening, drive to Punakha.

Day 6 – Punakha (Altitude: 1310 m):

After breakfast, visit:

  • Khamsum Yulley Lhakhang built by Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuk.
  • Punakha Dzong (Fortress), it was built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel to serve as the religious and administrative centre of the region.

After lunch, visit

  • Chimi Lhakhang (Monastery) built in the 15th century by Ngawang Chogyel after the “Divine Madman” Lam Drukpa Kuenley built a small stupa on the site. It is a revered temple popularly recognized as a pilgrimage site for childless couples to receive blessings.

Dinner and overnight in Punatshangchhu Cottages or similar” in between Chimmi Lhakhang and Optional activities.

Optional activities you can choose:

  • Drive to Talo Goenpa
  • River rafting in Mo Chhu/ Pho Chhu

Day 7 – Punakha – Gangtey (Altitude 3120 m) – Wangdue (67 km one way, 3 hrs drive): 

After lunch, visit

  • Gangtey Goenpa
  • Explore Phobjikha valley: The pristine green valley is also the winter residence of rare and endangered black-necked cranes that migrate from Tibet to Bhutan in late autumn in a group of 200 to 300.
  • Evening, take a leisurely walk across the beautiful Phobjikha valley.
  • Information Crane Centre

Rhododendron Festival Day 8 – Gangtey – Wangdue – Paro (2280 m) (Distance: 197km, 3 hrs drive):

Morning, drive to Paro. En route visit Wangdue Town. Upon arrival, check into hotel for overnight halt.

Rhododendron Festival Day 9 – Paro – Haa – Paro (Distance: 65 km one way, 2 drive):

Morning drive to Haa. When you drive from Paro to Haa via Chelala pass (3980 m) and if the weather is clear, you will have a spectacular glimpse of Haa valley. Also you can catch a magnificent view of Jhomolhari, “mountain of goddess” which is about 7,315m high (the second highest peak in Bhutan) and Jichu Drake which is about 6,794m high.  En-route, you will get immense opportunities to take photographs.

  • Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple)
  • Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple).

After lunch, visit

  • Haa Town
  • In the evening, drive back to Paro.

Rhododendron Festival Day 10 – Paro: Departure: 

Early morning, drive to the airport and farewell.