• Festivals in the Land of the Dragon
  • Festivals in the Land of the Dragon
  • Festivals in the Land of the Dragon
  • Festivals in the Land of the Dragon
  • Festivals in the Land of the Dragon
  • Festivals in the Land of the Dragon
  • Festivals in the Land of the Dragon
  • Festivals in the Land of the Dragon
Himalaya

Festivals in the Land of the Dragon

Réf : IBOUX

In summary

  • Sports
    Hiking / Trekking
  • Duration
    15 days
  • Level
    Beginner

    Levels

    Hiking / Trekking
    Beginner
    For those wishing to walk for up to 3 hours with minimal elevation gain (max. 300m) along roads, tracks, trails, or rolling terrain. Suitable for everyone.
    Intermediate
    For those wishing to hike for 4 to 5 hours a day, covering an elevation gain of around 600m on trails. You hike occasionally and are in good physical condition.
    Confirmed
    For those wishing to hike for up to 6 hours a day and/or cover an elevation gain of 600 to 800 meters, both on and off-trail. High-altitude sections are possible. You engage in a sporting activity once a week, hike regularly, and are in very good physical condition.
    Advanced
    For those wishing to undertake multi-day hikes involving over 6 hours of walking and an elevation gain of 700 to 1,200 meters, off-trail or over rugged terrain. High-altitude sections are possible. You engage in endurance sports several times a week, hike regularly, and are in excellent physical condition.
    Expert
    For those who want a challenging hike of 7 to 8 hours per day with over 1200 meters of elevation gain off-trail or on rough terrain. High-altitude sections. You have been practicing high-intensity endurance sports several times a week for several years, and you are training for this event.
  • Destination
    Nepal / Himalaya
  • Age
    From the age of 18
  • CO₂-Emissions
    4388.15 kg CO2
  • Type of stay
    This group trip is perfect for travelers who want to experience a sporting adventure with other enthusiasts and be guided.
    Type of stay
    In a group
  • Languages
    French

In a few words

The essence of Bhutan and its Buddhist culture! As a bonus, we witness a "tsechu," one of the festivals that punctuate the lives of the inhabitants... An exceptional experience!
Bhutan boasts an intact cultural heritage and is a country built around Gross National Happiness (GNH)! But that's not the only unique aspect of this small kingdom... Bhutan is even more fascinating in its strong commitment to preserving its cultural heritage. And during this trip, we will have the privilege of fully grasping the significance of this commitment and experiencing its benefits firsthand, through visits to the dzongs, particularly Paro and Punakha, and the discovery of their annual festivals of sacred dances, the tsechus.
A true immersion in Buddhist culture, each tsechu (monastic festival) includes a foundation of ritual dances and constitutes a genuine spiritual initiation for both the monks and the lay community. However, there is no separation between the sacred and the profane, and one moves effortlessly from the most esoteric ritual to the most joyous and unrestrained celebration. From dzong to dzong, from village to village, passing through a breathtaking natural environment at the foot of the highest peaks on the planet, we discover the reality of a truly unique country. The journey concludes with a flight back to Kathmandu, offering the opportunity to soar over the entire Himalayan range, from Kangchenjunga to Everest: a truly moving experience!

The highlights

  • We always attend a village festival, regardless of the starting point
  • A small group of 10 participants maximum, for a successful immersion
  • Easy walks in Bhumtang and Tharpaling, a very "zen" pace
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Photos

Sport

Level

Hiking / Trekking

Beginner

Levels

Hiking / Trekking
Beginner
For those wishing to walk for up to 3 hours with minimal elevation gain (max. 300m) along roads, tracks, trails, or rolling terrain. Suitable for everyone.
Intermediate
For those wishing to hike for 4 to 5 hours a day, covering an elevation gain of around 600m on trails. You hike occasionally and are in good physical condition.
Confirmed
For those wishing to hike for up to 6 hours a day and/or cover an elevation gain of 600 to 800 meters, both on and off-trail. High-altitude sections are possible. You engage in a sporting activity once a week, hike regularly, and are in very good physical condition.
Advanced
For those wishing to undertake multi-day hikes involving over 6 hours of walking and an elevation gain of 700 to 1,200 meters, off-trail or over rugged terrain. High-altitude sections are possible. You engage in endurance sports several times a week, hike regularly, and are in excellent physical condition.
Expert
For those who want a challenging hike of 7 to 8 hours per day with over 1200 meters of elevation gain off-trail or on rough terrain. High-altitude sections. You have been practicing high-intensity endurance sports several times a week for several years, and you are training for this event.
For those wishing to walk for up to 3 hours with minimal elevation gain (max. 300m) along roads, tracks, trails, or rolling terrain. Suitable for everyone.

The expert's opinion

This trip includes short walks and is accessible to anyone in good health. There are no altitude problems.

In figures

Hiking

  • Average duration/day: 3h
  • Average daily elevation gain: 200 m
  • Average daily descent: 450 m

Management

During this stay, a supervisor will be present to guide and assist you.
Languages ​​spoken:
French
Supervisor

Based in Bhutan for many years, our local agency guarantees a successful active travel experience, thanks to our guides and logistical infrastructure. During your trip, you will be accompanied by our adventure guides, fully committed to helping you discover unique places in the heart of nature.


Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, you will be greeted by our representative.

The stay in Bhutan is supervised by a French-speaking Bhutanese guide, assisted by a Bhutanese team.

Program

Days 1 to 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Day 14
Day 15
  • map

    Flight to Kathmandu - visit

    • Transportation Plane - 12h - 7000kmper day
    • Breakfast included
    • Lunch not included
    • Dinner not included
    Flight to Kathmandu. Depending on the arrival time, initial exploration of the Kathmandu Valley.
    Days 1 to 2

Note

Depending on weather and operational conditions, the guide reserves the right to modify this itinerary, for your safety and that of the group.

- The monks of the Drukpa School reside in the Punakha Dzong during the winter and in Thimphu during the summer. Tourists are permitted to visit either of these two Dzongs when the monks are not there.

- To attend the festivals, whose dates vary from year to year, the itinerary for each trip is arranged on a case-by-case basis. Of course, the content of the trip always remains the same (all planned sites will be visited), but the order of visits may be adjusted to coincide with the festival dates.

The Jakar Tshechu Festival, celebrated in the Bumthang region, is known for its masked dances and Buddhist rituals. This festival is distinguished by the intimate atmosphere of its celebrations and the active participation of the local community. The dances and ceremonies aim to invoke blessings and protect participants from misfortune.



Accommodation

During this stay, you will sleep in several different accommodations.
🏨 2-star hotel - Days 3 to 6, 10, 12 to 13
🏠 Bed and breakfast - Days 7 to 9, 11

Access

Departure
Kathmandou
Day 1 : 00h00
End of stay
Kathmandou
Day 15 - 00h00

Go to the starting point

Access by plane
The nearest airport isKTM - Kathmandou - Aéroport Tribhuvan

INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT:

For Nepal, we use scheduled flights departing from Paris. You will primarily fly with Emirates and Qatar Airways. Depending on availability at the time of your booking, we may also offer flights with other airlines.


We pre-purchase a stock of flights departing from Paris on these different airlines in order to guarantee you the best fares and availability for as long as possible. Departures from certain provincial cities are possible upon request and subject to an additional charge.


IMPORTANT: This information is for guidance only. Depending on availability at the time of your booking, the airlines may differ from those listed above.


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Bonus: You can also let us know the date that interests you and we will do our best to offer it to you!

Price details

The price includes

  • Flights Paris / Kathmandu / Paris (regular flights).
  • Flights Kathmandu / Paro / Kathmandu.
  • Guided by a French-speaking Bhutanese guide.
  • The Bhutanese visa.
  • Local transfers.
  • Accommodation.
  • Full board, except for meals in Kathmandu.

The price does not include

  1. The Nepalese visa.
  2. Meals in Kathmandu (from €5 to €15 per meal).
  3. Entrance fees to sites and museums (~€25).
  4. Personal expenses.
  5. The drinks.
  6. Tips for local teams (see section "Tips").

Options

  1. Flex fare and insurance

Practical information

Specific formalities

Specifics

Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).


In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.

It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.


ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.

Equipment

Equipment to bring

  • Walking stick(s) (optional)
  • toiletry bag and bath towel
  • sunscreen (face and lips)
  • Headlamp, with spare batteries and bulbs (for all trips except the "Namaste Nepal" discovery trip)
  • a water bottle with a minimum capacity of 1.5 liters, lightweight and insulated
  • toilet paper

Clothing to bring

Clothing, from head to toe:


  • trekking shoes


These are a trekker's best friends. They must possess three qualities: sturdiness, good foot and ankle support (high-tops), and waterproofing. Choose shoes with non-slip, lug soles that are relatively rigid; they must grip the terrain well. Vibram soles have a long-standing reputation; opt for them if you have the choice.

  • Light shoes (tennis shoes) or sandals for stops in towns, villages or in the evening at the campsite.


_ a pair of light shoes for visits in spring and summer.

  • a pair of flip-flops
  • socks
  • trekking pants
  • underwear.


This is the first layer of insulation you'll have, so take good care of it. Thin technical fibers, like Carline or Polartec, are very effective, warm, flexible, comfortable, and lightweight. They also dry very quickly.

  • warm wool shirt or a carline
  • A warm pullover or fleece. The latter has the advantage of being durable, warm, lightweight, quick-drying, and soft to the touch. The most suitable, well-known to mountaineers, are Polartec, Carline, and Ulfrotté fibers.
  • mountain jacket


For those who get cold easily, a down jacket or a good anorak. (from November to March).

The most effective jackets against wind and rain are made of Goretex, or Micropore, a "breathable" material that allows for the rapid evaporation of perspiration.

  • rain cape
  • wool gloves and hat
  • hat against the sun
  • good sunglasses
The Paulin team
Decathlon Travel Partner

The Paulin team

4.4/5 (1437 reviews) • 436 stays
For over 30 years, our local partner has been designing adventure walking trips around the world. Specializing in small-group treks, they cater to both casual hikers and seasoned trekkers seeking unspoiled natural environments and a return to the essentials. Their key strength? They own their own agencies in over 30 countries, guaranteeing complete trip creation from start to finish, without intermediaries. This direct, on-the-ground expertise ensures memorable active experiences and total freedom amidst breathtaking landscapes.
Discover their team and their trips
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