Masutake Festival - Exquisite Bhutan
Culture

Masutake Festival

Celebrate the start of the wild Matsutake mushroom season at the Masutake Festival alongside the people of the mystical Ura Valley. Ura is renowned for being one of the most picturesque valleys in the entire kingdom. Its inhabitants, the Uraps are a cheerful, hospitable people. Ura provides one of the most authentic experiences of traditional rural Bhutanese life available.

Paro Airport
1h 50m-65km

Day 1After arrival transfer to Thimphu

Day 1After arrival transfer to Thimphu

Paro Airport - Thimphu

  • Arrive Paro International Airport. Our tour guide will meet you and take you on a short one-hour drive along the Paro and Thimphu river valleys to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital, at 2320 metres.

  • You will be dropped at hotel, Check in and let’s have your first taste of Bhutanese cuisine and some light sightseeing in Thimphu.

    After lunch we will be visiting Heritage Museum, Thimphu Dzong and National Memorial Chorten.

Meal and accommodations
Lunch: Zakhang (traditional restaurant)
Dinner: 3 star hotel
Accommodation: 3 star hotel

Day 2Visit Punakha Dzong

Day 2Visit Punakha Dzong

Thimphu - Punakha

  • After breakfast, we will drive from Thimphu to Punakha on national highway, which leads from the cold of Thimphu to the hot, almost tropical area of the Punakha Valley. En route, we will stop at Dochula Pass, where you can visit the marvelous 108 stupas and have a coffee break.

  • Upon arrival in Punakha visit Chimmi Lhakhang - Takes a 45mins hike round trip. This monastery is also referred to as the “Abode of Fertility”

  • After lunch we go visiting the beautiful Punakha Dzong, seated at the confluence of Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers and Punakha suspension bridge, an exciting bridge for photography enthusiasts.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: 3 star hotel
Lunch: Zakhang (traditional restaurant)
Dinner: 3 star hotel
Accommodation: 3 star hotel
8h 50m-218km

Day 3Visit Kurje Lhakhang

Day 3Visit Kurje Lhakhang

Punakha - Bumthang

  • After breakfast we will be driving towards Bumthang. En route, we will stop at Yathra Factory, colorful wool weaving, a pattern native of central Bhutan with deep color.

  • After lunch we will be visiting Kurje Lhakhang, Jambay Lhakhang and Jakar Dzong.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: 3 star hotel
Lunch: Zakhang (traditional restaurant)
Dinner: 3 star hotel
Accommodation: 3 star hotel

Day 4Ura Matsutake Festival

Day 4Ura Matsutake Festival

  • The Matsutake Festival gives the cheerful Uraps a reason for celebration and to have some fun. After an exciting day of picking mushrooms with the people of Ura, sampling some truly delicious meals, learning about their art and crafts, their traditional lifestyle, folk songs and dances, regional food and drink. Sample freshly gathered mushrooms; try some wild honey or high altitude medicinal herbs and potions, along with other local dishes of wheat and barley. Shop for textiles, cane, bamboo and other regional products.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: 3 star hotel
Lunch: Zakhang (traditional restaurant)
Dinner: 3 star hotel
Accommodation: 3 star hotel
10h-271km

Day 5Drive to Thimphu

Day 5Drive to Thimphu

Bumthang - Thimphu

  • After breakfast, we will drive to Paro. En route, we will stop at Lamperi Botanical Garden which comprises of over 46 species of rhododendrons.

  • Evening you can visit Thimphu Town, Handicrafts Stall or Centenary Farmer’s weekend Market.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: 3 star hotel
Lunch: Zakhang (traditional restaurant)
Dinner: 3 star hotel
Accommodation: 3 star hotel

Day 6Thimphu Sightseeing

Day 6Thimphu Sightseeing

  • Once you settle into your hotel, we will begin to unlock the mysteries of Bhutan by touring Thimphu’s most important sites.

    After lunch visit the Memorial Chorten built in the memory of late Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, Buddha Point, 15th century Changangkha Lhakhang, Textile Museum is worth a visit to learn about Bhutan's living national art of weaving and primary center of learning for Bhutanese artists School of Thirteen Arts & Crafts.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: 3 star hotel
Lunch: Zakhang (traditional restaurant)
Dinner: 3 star hotel
Accommodation: 3 star hotel
1h 12m-60km

Day 7Hike to Cheri Monastery

Day 7Hike to Cheri Monastery

Thimphu - Paro

  • In the morning drive to north of Thimphu Valley (15kms) and hike to Cheri Monastery for 30 – 45mins. Cheri Monastery was established in 1620 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is now a major teaching and retreat center of the Southern Drukpa Kagyu sect.

  • Later evening we will drive to Paro and evening leisure at Paro town visiting handicrafts shops.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: 3 star hotel
Lunch: Zakhang (traditional restaurant)
Dinner: 3 star hotel
Accommodation: 3 star hotel

Day 8Full day sightseeing in Paro

Day 8Full day sightseeing in Paro

  • Today we will be having full day sightseeing visiting Rinpung Dzong built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, Ta Dzong (the watchtower) one time watch tower built to defend Rinpung Dzong during inter-valley wars of the 17th century, Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom dating back to 7th century and Drukgyel Dzong - This Dzong, with a delightful village nestling at its foot, was built in 1646.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: 3 star hotel
Lunch: Zakhang (traditional restaurant)
Dinner: 3 star hotel
Accommodation: 3 star hotel

Day 9Hike to Taktshang, Tiger’s Nest

Day 9Hike to Taktshang, Tiger’s Nest

  • After breakfast, we will hike to Tiger’s Nest - Bhutan’s most scenic icon or the most important landmark, Taktshang the Tiger’s nest clings to the side of a steep cliff 300 meters above the Paro valley.

  • Afternoon you can relax at the hotel or explore the neighboring villages.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: 3 star hotel
Lunch: Zakhang (traditional restaurant)
Dinner: 3 star hotel
Accommodation: 3 star hotel
Paro Airport

Day 10Have a nice journey and see you soon !

Day 10Have a nice journey and see you soon !

  • We drive you back at the airport accordingly to your flight departure.

Meal and accommodations
Breakfast: 3 star hotel

Hello

I am Sudarshan from "Exquisite Bhutan". Send us your request, and we will answer you within 48 hours.
Call us at
+975 1757 3097