Thangbi Mewang
- 14 Days/ 13 Nights
The Thangbi Mewang Festival is a deeply spiritual and culturally significant event held in the Bumthang region of Bhutan.
Tour Overview
The Thangbi Mewang Festival, held in Bumthang, Bhutan, is a vibrant cultural and spiritual event at the Thangbi Lhakhang monastery. The festival’s highlight is the “Mewang” fire blessing, where participants run through burning bamboo gates for purification and blessings. Traditional mask dances (chams) performed by monks invoke deities and bring peace. This intimate festival offers a unique glimpse into Bhutan’s rich spiritual heritage, providing an authentic experience of the country’s deeply rooted traditions and communal rituals.
Daily Itinerary for Thangbi Wewang Tour (14 Days)
-
Day 1 (3rd October) – Arrive in Paro via Druk Air & Drive to Punakha
The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular mountain flights, offering an adventurous landing experience at Paro International Airport. Upon arrival at around 11:30 AM local time, you will be warmly greeted by our company representatives. After a short drive to a hotel for lunch, we will begin our journey to Punakha, the old capital city of Bhutan. The 3-hour drive includes a stop at Dochu La Pass (3,150 m), where you can enjoy spectacular views of the Eastern Himalayan ranges and walk around the 108 stupas built by the Queen Mother. The drive continues through the valleys of Wangdiphodrang and Punakha, offering views of rice fields, temples, and unique cultural paintings on the walls of houses.
-
Day 2 (4th October) – Punakha to Bumthang
Today’s journey will be a long but scenic drive to the central part of Bhutan, Bumthang. Along the way, we will stop at Chendebji Chorten, a stupa built in the early 18th century to subjugate a demon, and the Tsheringma holy water, believed to bless people with a good singing voice. Our next stop is Tongsa Dzong, the longest Dzong in Bhutan, which played a key role in the unification of Bhutan in the 17th century. After visiting the Dzong and the Heritage Museum, we will continue through beautiful landscapes to Bumthang, where we will retire to our hotel.
-
Days 3 & 4 (5th & 6th October) – Attend Thangbi Mewang Festival in Bumthang
Over the next two days, you will experience the Thangbi Mewang (The Fire Blessing) festival, a unique cultural event in Bumthang. The festival begins with a fire blessing, where participants rush through a gate of blazing fire, believed to burn away sins and purify evils. The Tshechu festival, different from other Tshechus in Bhutan, features indigenous masked and cultural dances with deep spiritual significance. Atsaras (masked clowns) add a light-hearted touch to the festival, entertaining the crowd with their humorous performances.
-
Day 5 (7th October) – Sightseeing in Bumthang
Bumthang, comprising four valleys – Tang, Ura, Choekhor, and Chumey – is a deeply spiritual region shrouded in religious legend. Today, we will explore the region's historical sites, starting with Kurje Lhakhang, a complex of three temples, including one built on the rock face where Guru Rinpoche meditated in the 8th century. We will also visit Jakar Dzong, initially built as a monastery in 1549, and the Membartso (The Burning Lake), a pilgrimage site where Pema Lingpa found several of Guru Rinpoche's hidden treasures. Our final stop will be Jamba Lhakhang, a 7th-century monastery built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo to subdue evil spirits in the Himalayan region.
-
Day 6 (8th October) – Bumthang to Gangtey
Today, we will head back towards Gangtey, visiting different tourist destinations along the way. In Chumey, we will stop at a handloom where women weave woolen clothes in the traditional way. We will drive through Tongsa, bypassing Chendebji Chorten, before arriving in Gangtey by 3 PM. Here, we will visit Gangtey Goemba temple and take a short nature trail through villages and serene pine forests, possibly spotting a few black-necked cranes. We will also visit the Black-Necked Crane Information Centre, where we can learn about these majestic birds and meet Karma, a rescued crane.
-
Day 7 (9th October) – Gangtey to Thimphu
As we travel back to Thimphu, we will take a detour to Punakha and visit some prominent tourist destinations. After lunch at Lobesa, we will take a short hike to Chimi Lhakhang, a temple built by the famous Buddhist teacher Drukpa Kinley, known as the Divine Madman. The temple is believed to have the power to bless people with fertility. We will then visit Punakha Dzong, a stunning example of Bhutanese architecture built in 1637 at the junction of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. After exploring the Dzong, we will continue our journey back to Thimphu.
-
Day 8 (10th October) – Sightseeing in Thimphu
Today, we will explore Thimphu, starting with Tashichhodzong, the "fortress of the glorious religion," which houses the throne room of His Majesty, the King of Bhutan. In the evening, we will witness the flag-lowering ceremony. Our tour will also include the Memorial Chorten, built in memory of Bhutan's third King, and the Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang), offering a panoramic view of the Thimphu valley. We will visit the Mini Zoo to see the Takin, Bhutan's national animal, and the Bhutan Post, where you can create personalized stamps. The Traditional Paper Making Factory and Changangkha Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Thimphu, are also on the itinerary. We will end the day with visits to the Folk Heritage Museum, VAST Studio, and Simtokha Dzong, the oldest Dzong in Bhutan.
-
Day 9 (11th October) – Thimphu to Haa
Before heading to Haa, we will visit the School of Thirteen Traditional Arts and Crafts in Thimphu to learn about Bhutan's traditional arts. We will then drive southwest to Haa valley, one of the smallest districts in Bhutan, recently opened to tourists. Along the way, we will stop at Dobji Dzong, a former fortress now converted into a monastic school. Upon arrival in Haa, we will take a walk around the town and experience a hot stone bath before retiring to the hotel.
-
Day 10 (12th October) – Sightseeing in Haa
Haa is one of Bhutan’s most pristine tourist destinations, having only been opened to tourists in 2002. After breakfast, we will visit Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple) and Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple). We will take a short walk in one of the villages to observe the Bhutanese way of living and farming techniques, and enjoy a dry picnic by the Haa river. In the afternoon, we will drive north to Haa town and visit a Yak herder’s camp before retiring to a farmhouse for another hot stone bath experience.
-
Day 11 (13th October) – Haa to Paro
After breakfast, we will drive towards Paro, passing through farmlands and hamlets before climbing to Chele La Pass (3,822 meters). The pass offers spectacular views of Bhutan’s Himalayan peaks, including Mount Kanchenjunga in Nepal and Jhomolhari in Bhutan. We will take a short hike to Kela Goempa, a retreat and school for nuns, offering a glimpse into the life of Bhutanese women pursuing Buddhism. The retreat also provides a bird’s eye view of Paro valley. We will retire to a hotel in Paro for the night.
-
Day 12 (14th October) – Paro Sightseeing
Today, we will explore the cultural sites of Paro. Our first stop is Drugyel Dzong, a fortress built to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over Tibetan invasion in the 17th century. We will then visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines in Bhutan, built in the 7th century by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. Our next stop is Ta Dzong, a former watchtower now serving as the National Museum of Bhutan, followed by a visit to Rinpung Dzong, a fortress built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The day ends with a walk through Paro town before retiring to the hotel.
-
Day 13 (15th October) – Hike to Taktsang Lhakhang (Tiger's Nest)
Today, we will hike to the iconic Taktsang Lhakhang, also known as Tiger’s Nest, one of Bhutan’s most famous monasteries. Perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor, it is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery, giving it its name. The site is considered sacred and is visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime. After the hike, we will return to the hotel for some rest and reflection on the journey.
-
Day 14: Departure
On your final day, enjoy a leisurely morning in Paro before heading to Paro International Airport for your departure, concluding your memorable tour of Bhutan.
Contact Us
Lets plan you trip!
- Included in this package
- Bhutan visa fee
- Government royalty & taxes
- Dedicated English speaking tour guide
- Dedicated tour vehicle and driver
- 3-star accommodation (twin sharing)
- Daily 3 meals (B/L/D)
- Airport transfers
- Bottled water in Vehicle
- Not Included in package
- Flights to and from Bhutan
- Personal expense/shopping
- Alcoholic Beverages
- 4 or 5 star accommodation (extra charges will apply)
- Premium Travel insurance
- Tips for guide and driver
- Reason To Book With Us
- Expertly Curated Itineraries
- Experience Bhutan's best with meticulously planned, culturally rich, and adventurous tours guided by locals.
- Personalized Service and Flexibility
- Tailored itineraries, special requests, and seamless travel for a customized experience.
- Commitment to Sustainable Travel
- Support local communities and eco-friendly practices, preserving Bhutan's culture and environment.
Tailor Made Tours
Want something more personalized?
We offer customized tour itineraries based around your unique interests
