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Matsutake Festival Tour

8 Days

 Highlights:

  • Glimpses of Bhutan’s cultural and historical heritage sites such as fortresses, monasteries and temples
  • Witness the unique masutake festival and join local villagers as they search for mushroom in the forest
  • Hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) monastery – one of Bhutan’s most sacred places
  • Visit Trashichho Dzong and Punakha Dzong and see the beautiful architecture of the fortresses
  • Visit the beautiful Dochula Pass from where you can get a spectacular view of the Himalayas
  • See how people live and learn about the traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan
  • Experience the local culture and taste Bhutanese cuisine
  • Visit to the Bhutanese farmhouse and enjoy a hot medicinal stone bath

This eight-day tour program offers a glimpse of Bhutan’s rich cultural and traditional heritage and spectacular mountainous landscape. You will see the beautiful valleys of Paro, Thimphu and Punakha. The tour will give an insight into Bhutan’s heritage, culture and traditions. You will have the opportunity to participate in the unique masutake festival and to join the mushroom hunt.

In Thimphu, you will have the opportunity to see one of the tallest statues of Buddha and to visit the Memorial Chorten. You will also learn more about Bhutanese life, arts and crafts from the visit to the folk museum, the institute of arts and crafts and the institute of traditional medicines. One highlight is the visit to the Trashichho Dzong, the seat of the administrative and religious power in Bhutan and which houses the throne room.

In Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan, you can see the Punakha Dzong nestled between two rivers and also make a visit to the sacred Chimi Lhakhang and Khamsum Yulley Monastery.

In Paro, for a memory of a lifetime you can visit the memorable Tiger’s Nest temple which is perched high up in the cliffs, and also visit Drugyel Dzong, a fortress of historical significance.

The flight into Bhutan will give you a spectacular view of the Himalayan mountain ranges. On a clear day you may be able to see Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world.

Your tour representative will receive you upon arrival. The drive from Paro to Thimphu (capital city) will take you through beautiful rice terraced fields, and alongside the gushing Pho Chu and Wang Chu rivers.

Afternoon visit Kuenselphodrang where a 169-feet statue of Buddha Dordenma has been built and overlooks the Thimphu valley. Evening visit the Memorial Chorten built in memory of the third King of Bhutan.

Day 2 :
THIMPHU

Morning visit the weekend vegetable market where people come from various places to buy & sell their goods. Visit the Folk Heritage Museum and the Institute of Zorig Chusum (13 traditional crafts).

Afternoon visit the town and Crafts bazaar where different types of handicrafts are sold. Evening visit Zelukha Nunnery & Tashichho Dzong which houses the King’s Throne Room, monastic body & Government offices.

To witness the Genekha Mushroom Festival drive to Genekha Village. The Matsutake Mushroom festival is managed by the local community who showcase their native matsutake mushroom and other local produce. You can participate along with the villagers in traditional mushroom hunts into the surrounding valleys and also witness some cultural exhibitions put forward by the local community. After an enjoyable day at the festival, return to Thimphu.

After breakfast drive to Punakha over Dochula Pass (2.5 hours). On a clear day, one can get a panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain ranges and also see the Gasa Dzong at a distance. One can also visit the Druk Wangyel Chortens (108 stupas) on the Pass.

Enroute to Punakha, visit Chimi Lhakhang, a picturesque temple located on a small hillock and well-known for fertility. It is often frequented by people seeking blessing for parenthood.

Punakha is the old capital of Bhutan. After lunch visit Punakha Dzong, built at the junction of the two rivers Pho Chu (male river) and Mo Chu (female river). It is one of the most spectacular dzongs in the country. The Dzong serves as the winter residence for the Je Khenpo, Chief Abbot & the Central Monastic Body.

Morning hike though rice fields and a gentle ascent uphill to Khamsum Yulley Monastery. The 4-tier is located on a ridge and has a good view of the countryside and nearby villages. It was built in the 1990s by Her Majesty the Queen Mother and is dedicated to the well-being of the kingdom, its people and all sentient beings.

Afternoon drive to Paro. Enroute to Paro, if time permits, visit Tamchog Lhakhang, a temple built by Thangtong Gyalpo is known for having introduced the construction of suspension bridges into Bhutan and Tibet (many of the bridges are still in use today

Day 6 :
PARO

After breakfast drive to Drugyel Dzong, 18 kilometers away from Paro town. The Dzong, now in ruins, is a place of historical importance, from whose ramparts the Bhutanese once repelled Tibetan invaders. On a clear day, one can view the sacred Mount Chhomolari, Mountain of Goddess (24,000 ft). Visit also Kichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in the country built in the 7th century AD.

After lunch visit Ta Dzong, the National Museum housed in an ancient watchtower, which has a fine collection of ancient Thangka paintings, textiles, weapons and artifacts. Visit also Paro Rimpung Dzong as well as a traditional wooden cantilever bridge. Evening visit Paro town.

After breakfast drive to Ramthongkha. Hike uphill for about 2-3 hours to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest). This magical monastery clings to a vertical granite cliff 3,000 ft above the valley floor. It is a sacred monastery for the Bhutanese people who believe that it must be visited at least once in their life time.

Evening experience a unique hot stone bath which will relieve all aches & pains followed by typical Bhutanese dinner in an old traditional Bhutanese house.

Early morning drive to Paro for departure. Your tour representative will see you off at the airport.

The Tour Cost Includes

  • Sightseeing as per the program
  • Three-star hotel on twin sharing basis
  • Camping and porter horse
  • All meals during the tour
  • All land transfers & transportation within Bhutan
  • Good English speaking certified guide
  • Entrance fees to cultural sites
  • Government Royalty of USD 65 per day
  • Mineral water during sightseeing

The Tour Cost Excludes

  • Air-tickets - International
  • Visa Fee of USD 40 per person
  • Bank transfer charge of USD 50 per transaction
  • All beverages including water consumed in hotels / restaurants
  • Laundry, phone calls and personal expenses
  • Travel and health insurance
  • Language guide other than English speaking

You can send your enquiry via the form below.

Matsutake Festival Tour
From $ 1,399
/ Adult