BHUTANFor curious travellers
Guests drawn to ideas, living culture and meaningful encounters. Walks adapt to your interests; Tiger’s Nest is the most demanding day, with a gentler alternative available.
Private festival & cultural Bhutan journey · 11 days
Bhutan Innovation Festival & Paro Tshechu
21–31 March 2027. Paro’s living traditions, one day at the Bhutan Innovation Festival, and unhurried time in Gangtey, Punakha and Thimphu.
- Duration
- 11 days / 10 nights
- Route
- Paro · Gangtey · Punakha · Thimphu
- Style
- Private & handcrafted
- Travel dates
- 21–31 March 2027
The journey in one thought
Living traditions. New possibilities.
Join Paro’s final festival day, walk to Tiger’s Nest and share an evening at Aum Leki’s farmhouse before spending one day at the Bhutan Innovation Festival at Dungkar Dzong. A taste of its conversations about human possibility becomes part of a wider, personal journey through Bhutan.
After your BIF day, continue into the western valleys: two nights in Gangtey, riverside time and monastery encounters in Punakha, then artisans and market life in Thimphu. Your private guide, thoughtful stays and room to choose give this 11-day journey its personal rhythm.
Three chapters
21–23 March: Paro’s traditions. 24 March: one day at BIF. 25–31 March: Gangtey, Punakha and Thimphu, followed by departure.
How it feels
Festive mornings, thoughtful conversations and quieter valley days. Four nights in Paro bring together both festivals; two nights in each following valley create space to settle.
The story of the journey
Five experiences to carry home
Sacred celebration, new ideas and generous local hospitality bring the journey together.
Bhutan Innovation Festival 2027
One day exploring Human Abundance.
BIF runs from 24–26 March at Dungkar Dzong. This journey includes one day, on 24 March, with selected sessions around Mindful Societies, Intelligent Economies and Regenerative Systems.
Explore the official festival · Festival Pass details · Pass terms
Day by day
Eleven days, with time to be present.
Paro Tshechu on 22 March and one BIF day on 24 March anchor the journey. Afterwards, your guide adjusts walks and local experiences to your interests, energy and conditions.
Day01
21 March 2027 · Paro
A first introduction to Bhutan.
Your Raven guide welcomes you at Paro Airport and accompanies you to your hotel. After time to settle in, visit the National Museum for an introduction to Bhutan’s art, traditions and natural heritage. Enjoy a gentle town stroll and an early dinner, ready for tomorrow’s dawn gathering. We arrange the museum visit around your flight arrival.
- Pace
- Relaxed arrival
- Overnight
- Paro
Day02
22 March 2027 · Paro Tshechu
Blessings, celebration and local life.
Begin before dawn with local families gathering for the sacred thongdrel and the final day’s blessings. Raven can arrange a gho or kira and help you wear it comfortably and respectfully. After breakfast, enjoy masked dances and music, then explore food stalls, local games, archery, traditional darts and other festivities around town with your guide. Leave the late afternoon open for rest. Ceremonial timings follow the confirmed local programme.
- Pace
- Early start · restful afternoon
- Overnight
- Paro
Day03
23 March 2027 · Tiger’s Nest & Aum Leki’s farmhouse
A monastery walk. A welcoming farmhouse evening.
Walk to Tiger’s Nest at your own pace, allowing time for the climb, monastery and descent. Later, join your hosts at Aum Leki’s farmhouse for a friendly archery and traditional darts session. Unwind in a hot stone bath before sharing a home-cooked Bhutanese dinner. Adjust the evening’s activities to your energy after the hike; a gentler Paro alternative is available for guests who prefer not to climb.
- Pace
- Main hiking day
- Overnight
- Paro
Day04
24 March 2027 · Dungkar Dzong, Paro
One day at the Bhutan Innovation Festival.
Transfer to Dungkar Dzong for a day at BIF, selecting available talks and experiences around your interests. Private transport follows your chosen programme. Guests who prefer a half-day introduction may spend the remaining time at leisure, on a gentle Paro walk or at the spa. The qualifying Festival Pass gives access to all three festival days, while you choose how much time to spend at BIF.
- Pace
- One festival day · flexible participation
- Overnight
- Paro
Day05
25 March 2027 · Paro → Dochula → Gangtey
Across the passes to an open valley.
Depart after breakfast for Gangtey, allowing a full travel day. Pause at Dochula, stop for lunch and take short scenic breaks along the way. Your guide helps you notice forest life and birds when opportunities arise, without promising sightings. Arrive at your valley lodge and settle in for the first of two nights, with no fixed evening appointment after the drive.
- Pace
- Full travel day with stops
- Overnight
- Gangtey
Day06
26 March 2027 · Gangtey & Phobjikha
Valley walking and monastery prayers.
Join either morning or evening prayers at Gangtey Monastery, according to the monastery’s schedule. Walk the Gangtey Nature Trail, visit the Black-necked Crane Visitor Centre and enjoy a leisurely lunch. Choose a locally arranged horse ride, a village visit or time to rest at the lodge. Most wild cranes have left by late March; the valley’s landscape and conservation story remain central to the day.
- Pace
- Gentle walking · optional riding
- Overnight
- Gangtey
Day07
27 March 2027 · Gangtey → Punakha
From high pastures to the river valley.
Enjoy a slow breakfast before descending towards Punakha. After lunch, visit Punakha Dzong when open to visitors and take a gentle riverside or suspension-bridge walk. Leave time to settle into your hotel and enjoy the warmer valley surroundings. Your guide adjusts the afternoon to arrival time and your preferred pace.
- Pace
- Scenic transfer · light visits
- Overnight
- Punakha
Day08
28 March 2027 · Punakha & Neyzergang
River time and a personal monastery connection.
Begin with optional rafting, subject to river conditions, followed by a riverside lunch. At Neyzergang Monastery, light butter lamps and spend time in conversation with the community when their schedule allows. Tree planting is arranged with suitable planting conditions and aftercare. Guests interested in a locally available mule ride can choose it instead of another activity. A dinner under the stars completes the day when weather permits.
- Pace
- Choose your activities
- Overnight
- Punakha
Day09
29 March 2027 · Punakha → Thimphu
A trail, a market and an unhurried arrival.
Choose a short, preselected section of the Trans Bhutan Trail with suitable vehicle access, or enjoy a leisurely drive with stops. After settling into Thimphu, explore the daily farmers’ market: seasonal produce, dried chillies, cheese and local ingredients offer a glimpse into Bhutanese kitchens. Continue with a town stroll before dinner.
- Pace
- Optional short walk
- Overnight
- Thimphu
Day10
30 March 2027 · Thimphu
Meet the people who keep traditions moving.
Begin with optional yoga, then spend time with artisans or textile makers through appointments arranged by Raven. Allow space for cafés, browsing and personal interests. An astrology consultation can be arranged for interested guests, followed by a farewell dinner. If tomorrow’s flight is very early, transfer to Paro after the day’s activities and spend the final night there.
- Pace
- Flexible cultural day
- Overnight
- Thimphu · or Paro for an early flight
Day11
31 March 2027 · Thimphu → Paro Airport
A thoughtful farewell.
Transfer privately to Paro Airport with a comfortable allowance for the drive and airline check-in. Your guide and chauffeur help bring the journey to a relaxed close, carrying memories of Paro’s celebrations, conversations at BIF and the people of Bhutan’s western valleys.
- Pace
- Private airport transfer
- Overnight
- Departure
Why Raven designed it this way
Time to participate. Space to reflect.
One BIF day gives the journey a thoughtful introduction to the festival while leaving time for the country beyond it. Four nights in the same Paro base bring together Paro Tshechu, Tiger’s Nest and your selected BIF experience before the road leads east.
Two nights in Gangtey make the drive worthwhile and allow a complete valley day. Punakha and Thimphu then bring the journey closer to local life through monastery connections, riverside meals and encounters with artisans.
Where you may stay
Characterful stays, thoughtfully placed.
Choose locally rooted boutique hotels, heritage properties or a more luxurious collection of stays. Raven shapes the selection around your preferred comfort, location and budget, confirming properties and room categories with your private proposal.
- Paro · 4 nights: one comfortable base for Paro Tshechu, Tiger’s Nest and your BIF day.
- Gangtey · 2 nights: a valley lodge with a complete day for walking, monastery prayers and rest.
- Punakha · 2 nights and Thimphu · 2 nights: welcoming stays for river experiences, local encounters and the capital.
Festival-period rooms are subject to availability. For an early departure flight, the final night can move from Thimphu to Paro.
Read Raven’s approach to staysPractical clarity
What Raven takes care of
Your private proposal separates Raven’s ground arrangements and the qualifying Festival Pass, with registration and the SDF waiver coordinated for eligible participants. The full journey takes place within 18–31 March. Every inclusion is confirmed before booking.
Your private arrangements
- Personal itinerary design and coordination with the BIF Secretariat for participant arrangements
- Private airport transfers and road transport throughout the confirmed journey
- A licensed Raven guide and private chauffeur
- Ten hotel nights in the properties and room categories agreed in your proposal
- Meals and refreshments as specified, including the confirmed farmhouse dinner
- Paro Tshechu guiding and assistance with a gho or kira for guests who wish to dress for the occasion
- Confirmed cultural visits, museum admission, Tiger’s Nest guiding and site fees
- Transfers for your BIF day and coordination of the local experiences included in your proposal
Not normally included
- Festival Pass, quoted separately unless expressly included in your proposal
- International flights, travel insurance and personal expenses
- Standard SDF for companions without a qualifying Festival Pass, and any stay outside the approved waiver dates
- Alcohol, shopping, laundry and personal purchases
- Optional spa treatments, horse or mule rides and activities not specified as included
- Rafting, private yoga and astrology unless included in your confirmed arrangements
- Tips, gratuities and applicable payment-processing fees
- Costs arising from changes to flights, the festival programme or travel arrangements
Make the festival day your own
A full day, or a lighter introduction.
The itinerary reserves 24 March for BIF. Guests who prefer a half-day visit can spend the remaining time at leisure or choose a gentle Paro walk or spa appointment. Registration and purchase of the qualifying Festival Pass are required for the participant benefits, including the SDF waiver.
Questions before you travel
Your festival journey, explained.
Dates, passes, walking and personal arrangements: the details that help you plan your Bhutan journey.
Will we attend the final day of Paro Tshechu?
Yes. The itinerary reserves 22 March 2027 for the dawn thongdrel gathering and the final festival day, followed by local celebrations. The published festival calendar is tentative; Raven reconfirms the ceremonial schedule before travel. We can help guests dress in a gho or kira.
How much time do we spend at BIF?
This itinerary includes one day at BIF, on 24 March 2027, before departing Paro on 25 March. Guests may choose a half-day experience and spend the remaining time at leisure or on a gentle local activity. The qualifying Festival Pass provides access to all three days, while guests choose how much to attend. Individual sessions follow the organisers’ programme and capacity rules.
How does the SDF waiver apply to this itinerary?
The journey runs from 21–31 March 2027, entirely within the approved SDF waiver window of 18–31 March. Eligible international guests must register as BIF participants and purchase the qualifying Festival Pass to receive the waiver. The pass gives access to all three festival days; this itinerary schedules one day, with a half-day option. Companions without a qualifying Festival Pass follow standard SDF requirements.
What does the Festival Pass cover?
The standard Festival Pass provides three-day BIF access, the applicable visa application fee and visa assistance for eligible international participants, plus the approved SDF waiver. Accommodation, flights and ground arrangements are separate. Passes are generally non-refundable, with a conditional exception for verified visa rejection; buying a pass does not guarantee visa approval. Current prices and full conditions appear on the official BIF website.
Can we make the walks and local activities gentler?
Yes. Tiger’s Nest is the most demanding walk and can be replaced with gentler Paro experiences. Short walks, optional yoga, riding and rafting are chosen around your interests and comfort. Monastery prayers follow the community’s schedule, while tree planting at Neyzergang is arranged with appropriate planting conditions and aftercare.
Why spend two nights in Gangtey?
The journey from Paro takes much of a day. Two nights provide a full day for the nature trail, Gangtey Monastery and the crane visitor centre. By late March most wild black-necked cranes have left their winter habitat, so sightings are not promised.
Can we attend Paro Tshechu on a different day?
Yes. The published tentative dates are 18–22 March 2027. This itinerary chooses 22 March for the final day and dawn thongdrel gathering. Raven can adjust your arrival and festival visit to another day within that period while keeping BIF participation on 24 March and departure by 31 March.
Your journey starts with a conversation
What would you like to discover in Bhutan?
Tell us who is travelling, your interests at BIF, preferred stays and the experiences that matter to you. We will shape your private journey around the festivals and the Bhutan you would like to know.
Begin a private conversation