BHUTANFor travellers drawn to living traditions
Enjoy sacred dance, local gatherings and thoughtful guiding, with short cultural walks and one substantial hike to Tiger’s Nest. An easier turnaround is available on the hike.
Private autumn festival journey · 9 days
Thimphu & Gangtey Festivals 2027
10–18 October 2027. Sacred dances in Thimphu, Gangtey’s dawn Thongdrel, and a private journey through Bhutan’s autumn valleys.
- Duration
- 9 days / 8 nights
- Route
- Thimphu · Punakha · Gangtey · Paro
- Style
- Private & handcrafted
- Travel dates
- 10–18 October 2027
The journey in one thought
Two festivals. A closer view of Bhutan.
Follow the sound of ritual music from Thimphu’s festival ground to Gangtey Goenpa in Phobjikha Valley. This private Bhutan festival tour keeps the 10–18 October 2027 journey centred on living traditions: sacred masked dances, families gathering in celebration and the early-morning unveiling of Gangtey’s Thongdrel.
Between the festivals, cross Dochula, walk briefly through Lamperi’s forest and visit Punakha Dzong. Return through Punakha for a gentle Mo Chhu rafting experience, then reconnect with the capital’s crafts and market before the climb to Tiger’s Nest. Your guide adjusts the pace within each day while preserving the route and festival visits.
Four valleys, eight nights
Thimphu: three nights, split two plus one. Punakha: two separate nights. Gangtey: two nights. Paro: one final night. Travel from 10–18 October 2027.
Festival days at your own pace
Spend time with the performances that interest you, pause for tea or lunch and return when you wish. Festival schedules, road conditions and your energy guide the details.
The story of the journey
Five experiences to carry home
Two distinct festival settings, a riverside dzong and the forest path to Tiger’s Nest give this autumn journey its character.
Thimphu & Gangtey Tshechu 2027
From Thimphu’s gathering to Gangtey’s dawn.
The published tentative calendar lists Thimphu Tshechu for 10–12 October and Gangtey Tshechu for 13–15 October 2027, with Gangtey’s Thongdrel on the final day. This journey attends Thimphu on 11 October and Gangtey across 13–15 October.
Day by day
Nine days, following the festival rhythm.
Festival visits remain flexible within each day, while longer walks and extra treatments stay optional.
Day01
10 October 2027 · Paro → Thimphu
Arrive without rushing.
Arrive in Paro and meet your private Raven guide and chauffeur for the drive to Thimphu. Follow the Paro and Thimphu rivers through forest and small settlements, letting the road itself become the first introduction to Bhutan. Once checked in, keep the afternoon completely flexible: rest, take a short stroll if the flight timing allows, or simply settle into the altitude before the festival day ahead.
- Pace
- Easy arrival · ≈54 km / 1½-hour drive
- Overnight
- Thimphu
Day02
11 October · Thimphu Tshechu
A day inside Bhutan’s living festival.
Spend the day at the Thimphu Tshechu, moving in and out of the festival ground at your own pace rather than treating it as an all-day seat. Masked cham dances, monastic rituals, music and local families in their finest dress make this one of Bhutan’s major annual gatherings. Your guide will explain selected dances and help you find quieter moments for photographs, tea and lunch before returning when the programme becomes most interesting.
- Pace
- Flexible festival attendance · easy town walks
- Overnight
- Thimphu
Day03
12 October · Thimphu → Punakha
Dochula, forest and the great dzong.
Leave Thimphu after breakfast and cross Dochula Pass, pausing among the 108 chortens and, if the sky is clear, looking north toward Bhutan’s high Himalayan peaks. Continue to the Royal Botanical Park at Lamperi for a short forest walk before descending into warmer Punakha. In the afternoon, visit Punakha Dzong at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu. Keep time for the pass, forest and dzong; the optional Khamsum Yulley hike would require replacing another visit.
- Pace
- ≈75 km / 2½–3 hours driving, plus visits
- Overnight
- Punakha
Day04
13 October · Punakha → Gangtey
Into Phobjikha and the first festival afternoon.
Leave Punakha in the morning for the climb into Phobjikha. The drive is around 80 kilometres, but allow extra time for village views, landscape photography and any wildlife encountered naturally along the forested road. Arrive in Gangtey with enough time to settle in and then join the first day of Gangtey Tshechu at Gangtey Goenpa. Because festival traffic can add time, an early start from Punakha is recommended.
- Pace
- ≈80 km / 2½–3 hours driving, plus scenic stops
- Overnight
- Gangtey / Phobjikha
Day05
14 October · Gangtey Tshechu
Masked dances, ritual and valley life.
Spend the day at Gangtey Goenpa for the second day of the tshechu. Masked dances, ritual music, blessings and the gathering of families from across the valley give the day a different rhythm from ordinary sightseeing. Stay for the performances that interest you most, step away for lunch or a quiet village stroll when you need a break, and return later rather than feeling obliged to remain in one place from morning to evening.
- Pace
- Flexible festival day · village stroll
- Overnight
- Gangtey / Phobjikha
Day06
15 October · Gangtey → Punakha
The Thongdrel at dawn, then the Mo Chhu.
Rise very early for the final day of Gangtey Tshechu and the sacred Thongdrel. The large religious tapestry is traditionally displayed at dawn, before direct sunlight reaches it; the exact 2027 timing will be confirmed locally shortly before the festival and your vehicle will be scheduled accordingly. After the ceremony and breakfast, drive back to Punakha. If arrival time and river conditions are suitable, finish the afternoon with a gentle rafting journey on the Mo Chhu; otherwise the rafting can be shortened or omitted rather than forcing the day.
- Pace
- Pre-dawn start · ≈80 km / 2½–3-hour drive · rafting
- Overnight
- Punakha
Day07
16 October · Punakha → Thimphu
Chimi Lhakhang, crafts and the capital.
Begin with the easy walk through Sopsokha’s fields to Chimi Lhakhang, then continue west toward Thimphu. After checking in, use the afternoon according to your energy: Buddha Point for broad valley views, Choki Traditional Art School for living crafts, the Centenary Farmers Market, which operates beyond the weekend, and an easy walk through town. The guide will choose a sensible combination rather than trying to fit everything into one afternoon.
- Pace
- Easy temple walk · ≈75 km / 2½–3-hour drive
- Overnight
- Thimphu
Day08
17 October · Thimphu → Paro
Tiger’s Nest: the sacred climb.
Leave Thimphu early and drive directly to the Tiger’s Nest trailhead. The hike climbs through blue-pine forest to the cafeteria and onward to the famous viewpoint and monastery complex. Allow around five to six hours for the full return journey including rests and the monastery visit. If you prefer an easier day, you can turn around from the lower viewpoints or cafeteria rather than completing the final stair section. After the descent, continue to your Paro hotel and keep the evening quiet.
- Pace
- ≈54 km drive · 5–6-hour return hike with rests
- Overnight
- Paro
Day09
18 October · Paro → Delhi
A quiet farewell.
Enjoy breakfast before your private transfer to Paro International Airport for your onward journey to Delhi. Your guide and chauffeur assist with luggage and departure arrangements before saying farewell. The exact airport transfer time and flight are confirmed against the airline’s final schedule.
- Pace
- Private airport transfer · confirmed flight time
- Overnight
- Departure
Why Raven designed it this way
A route shaped around the celebrations.
Two nights in Thimphu give you an easy arrival and a dedicated festival day. Two consecutive nights in Gangtey allow the opening afternoon, a flexible second day and the final dawn ceremony without moving hotels during the celebration.
Punakha breaks the road journey in both directions. Returning there after the Thongdrel avoids a long transfer straight to the capital; Thimphu then provides a night before the early drive to Tiger’s Nest. The final night is in Paro, close to the departure airport.
Where you may stay
Comfortable stays between the celebrations.
Selected three-star hotels provide a comfortable base throughout. The proposed collection is Om Amriti in Thimphu, Dhumra Farm Resort in Punakha, Dewachen Hotel & Spa in Gangtey and Eco-Nest Paro. The same Thimphu and Punakha properties are planned for the return nights, subject to availability. Your private proposal confirms rooms and the full-board meal arrangements.
- Thimphu · 3 nights: 10–11 and 16 October, with Om Amriti proposed for both stays.
- Punakha · 2 nights: 12 and 15 October at the proposed Dhumra Farm Resort; Gangtey · 2 nights: 13–14 October at the proposed Dewachen Hotel & Spa.
- Paro · 1 night: 17 October, with Eco-Nest Paro proposed after the Tiger’s Nest hike.
All eight nights and room categories are confirmed in your private proposal. Festival-period hotels are subject to availability; published traveller ratings are not a guarantee of your stay.
Read Raven’s approach to staysPractical clarity
What Raven takes care of
Eight nights in selected three-star hotels, full-board meals, your private guide, chauffeur and SUV form the journey’s foundation. Your confirmed proposal specifies the rooms, admission fees, rafting, visa and applicable Sustainable Development Fee.
Your private arrangements
- Eight nights in the confirmed three-star hotels and room categories
- Full-board meals, with arrival-day meals according to flight timing
- Private licensed Raven guide, professional chauffeur and dedicated SUV
- Fuel, Paro airport transfers and private road transport on the confirmed route
- Thimphu and Gangtey festival visits and listed cultural-site admission fees
- Mo Chhu rafting, subject to river and operating conditions
- Filtered drinking water, itinerary planning and in-country support
- Visa processing, applicable permits and SDF as stated in your confirmed proposal
Not normally included
- International flights unless expressly included
- Travel insurance, including appropriate medical and evacuation cover
- Alcohol, shopping, laundry and personal expenses
- Tips and gratuities
- Hotel and room upgrades beyond the confirmed proposal
- Optional activities and treatments not specified as included
- Applicable card and bank-transfer charges
- Costs arising from unforeseen changes to flights or travel arrangements
Rest and personal choices
Leave room for a quieter evening.
A traditional hot stone bath after Tiger’s Nest or a spa treatment can be arranged as an optional addition. Astrology in Thimphu, a longer Gangtey Nature Trail walk and a Paro sand-mandala experience depend on time and availability. Khamsum Yulley remains optional and would require replacing another visit on Day 3. These choices do not automatically extend or fill the festival programme.
Questions before you travel
Your autumn festival journey, explained.
Practical answers about festival attendance, the dawn ceremony, driving days, walking and your private arrangements.
When are Thimphu and Gangtey Tshechu in 2027?
The published tentative dates are 10–12 October 2027 for Thimphu Tshechu and 13–15 October for Gangtey Tshechu, with Gangtey’s Thongdrel on the final day. The journey runs from 10–18 October. Raven reconfirms the calendar and local programmes before non-refundable arrangements.
Which festival days does this itinerary include?
You attend Thimphu Tshechu on 11 October, Gangtey’s opening afternoon on 13 October, the second festival day on 14 October and the final dawn Thongdrel on 15 October. Attendance is flexible: take breaks for meals, tea or rest rather than remaining at the festival ground all day.
How are the eight nights arranged?
Three nights are in Thimphu, on 10–11 and 16 October; two separate nights are in Punakha, on 12 and 15 October; two nights are in Gangtey, on 13–14 October; and the final night is in Paro on 17 October. Departure is on 18 October 2027.
Why do we stay in Punakha twice?
Punakha provides a practical overnight stop in each direction. The outward stay allows Dochula, Lamperi and Punakha Dzong before Gangtey. Returning after the dawn Thongdrel avoids a long drive straight to Thimphu and allows Mo Chhu rafting if timing and conditions suit.
How demanding is the Tiger’s Nest day?
On 17 October, leave Thimphu early for the Tiger’s Nest trailhead. Allow around five to six hours for the full return hike and monastery visit, including rests. The uphill walk and final stairs are the journey’s most demanding activity. You may turn around at lower viewpoints or the cafeteria for an easier day.
Is rafting included, and what happens if conditions change?
Mo Chhu rafting is included in the proposed programme on 15 October after the drive from Gangtey. It depends on arrival time, river conditions and the operator’s assessment. The experience may be shortened or omitted if it cannot be offered appropriately; the day will not be rushed to fit it in.
Which activities are optional?
The hot stone bath, spa, astrology consultation, longer Gangtey Nature Trail, Khamsum Yulley hike and sand-mandala experience are optional, subject to availability and timing. Longer activities require reducing other visits. The journey’s confirmed inclusions and any additional costs are set out in your private proposal.
Your journey starts with a conversation
What would you like to discover in Bhutan?
Tell us what draws you to Thimphu and Gangtey’s festivals, your preferred walking pace and any optional experiences you would enjoy. We will confirm your private 10–18 October 2027 journey around the festival programme, comfortable stays and attentive local guiding.
Begin a private conversation