- Licensed Bhutanese tour operator
- Thimphu, Bhutan
Festival tour · 9 days, 8 nights
9 Day Jambay Lhakhang Drup Festival Tour 2027: Fire Blessing and Masked Dances in Bumthang, 14 to 17 November
See Jambay Lhakhang Drup from 14 to 17 November 2027 at one of Bhutan’s oldest temples, with the fire blessing at night, Prakhar Duchhoed in the Chhume valley, Punakha, Trongsa and the Tiger’s Nest.
- 9 days, 8 nights
- 11 to 19 November 2027
- Festival 14 to 17 November
14 to 17 Nov
Jambay Lhakhang Drup 2027
7th c.
Jambay Lhakhang, by tradition
2
Bumthang festivals in one week
Private
Guide and car
Trip overview
A festival at one of Bhutan's oldest temples
Jambay Lhakhang, in the Chamkhar valley of Bumthang, is said to be one of 108 temples built in a single day by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century to pin down a demoness who lay across the Himalaya. Each autumn it hosts Jambay Lhakhang Drup, one of the most atmospheric festivals in Bhutan. In 2027 the tentative dates are 14 to 17 November.
The festival is famous for its night-time fire blessing, called mewang. A gateway of dry grass is set alight, and people run underneath the flames to be cleansed of bad luck and illness. Later that night a sacred dance is performed that is closed to cameras. Over the following days, masked dances fill the temple courtyard, and families from all over Bumthang come in their finest clothes.
November is also clear and bright, so this trip pairs the festival with the best of western and central Bhutan: Thimphu, Punakha, Trongsa and the Tiger’s Nest. In the same week, Prakhar Duchhoed takes place in the nearby Chhume valley, so you can see two village festivals in one trip.
- The fire blessing under a burning gate
- Masked dances at a 7th century temple
- Prakhar Duchhoed in the same week
Highlights
What you will see
Mewang
The fire blessing at night, under a burning gate.
Masked dances
In the courtyard of Jambay Lhakhang.
Jambay Lhakhang
One of Bhutan's oldest temples.
Prakhar Duchhoed
A village festival in the Chhume valley.
Trongsa Dzong
The largest dzong in Bhutan, on its ridge.
Tiger's Nest
The cliff monastery above Paro.
Itinerary at a glance
Nine days around the festival
We drive east and fly back, so you see the country without retracing your steps.
Day 1: Arrive, to Thimphu
Land in Paro, drive to Thimphu.
Day 2: To Punakha
Thimphu sights, Dochula, Punakha Dzong.
Day 3: To Trongsa
Pele La, Chendebji Chorten, Trongsa Dzong.
Day 4: To Bumthang, fire blessing
Over Yotong La to Bumthang, mewang at night.
Day 5: Jambay Lhakhang Drup
Masked dances at Jambay Lhakhang.
Day 6: Prakhar Duchhoed
The village festival in the Chhume valley.
Day 7: Last day in Bumthang
Final day of Jambay Lhakhang Drup, Tamshing, Jakar Dzong.
Day 8: Fly to Paro, Tiger's Nest
Morning flight to Paro, hike to Paro Taktsang.
Day 9: Depart
Transfer to Paro airport.
Day 1
Arrive on 11 November
Your guide meets you at Paro airport and drives you about an hour to Thimphu. In the afternoon you visit Buddha Dordenma and the Memorial Chorten.
- Overnight: Thimphu
- Drive: about 1 hour
- Meals: lunch and dinner
Day 2
Thimphu and Punakha
After a morning visit to Tashichho Dzong, you cross Dochula, where November skies often show the high Himalaya, and drop into the Punakha valley to visit Punakha Dzong.
- Overnight: Punakha
- Drive: about 3 hours
- Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3
East over Pele La
You drive east over Pele La, at about 3,400 metres, past Chendebji Chorten, to Trongsa. Trongsa Dzong, the largest dzong in Bhutan and the ancestral seat of the royal family, sits on a ridge above a deep gorge.
- Overnight: Trongsa
- Drive: about 6 hours with stops
- Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4
The fire blessing
You cross Yotong La into Bumthang and settle in. In the evening you go to Jambay Lhakhang for the mewang, the fire blessing, on the first night of the festival. A gate of dry grass is set alight, and people run underneath it to be cleansed. Your guide stays close and explains what is happening.
- Overnight: Bumthang
- Festival: 14 to 17 November 2027
- Note: dress warmly for the evening
Day 5
A day of masked dances
A full day in the courtyard of Jambay Lhakhang, watching masked dances by monks and laymen. Local families picnic around the temple. In the afternoon you can walk to Kurjey Lhakhang nearby.
- Overnight: Bumthang
- Meals: picnic lunch at the festival
- Walking: easy
Day 6
Prakhar Duchhoed
You drive to the Chhume valley for Prakhar Duchhoed, held at Prakhar Lhakhang from 15 to 17 November 2027. It is a small village festival with masked dances and a very local crowd. On the way you visit Nimalung Dratshang, a monastic school.
- Overnight: Bumthang
- Festival: Prakhar Duchhoed, 15 to 17 November
- Drive: about 1 hour each way
Day 7
The last day of the festival
The final day of Jambay Lhakhang Drup on 17 November. In the afternoon you visit Tamshing Lhakhang, founded in 1501 by Pema Lingpa, and Jakar Dzong above the valley.
- Overnight: Bumthang
- Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Note: no photos inside temples
Day 8
Fly back and hike to the Tiger's Nest
You fly from Bumthang to Paro on an early flight, then hike to the Tiger’s Nest, five to six hours return. If the flight timing doesn’t allow the hike, we move it to the next morning before your flight home.
- Overnight: Paro
- Flight: about 30 minutes
- Hike: 5 to 6 hours return
Day 9
Fly home on 19 November
After breakfast your guide drives you to Paro airport for your flight.
- Transfer: about 15 minutes
- Meals: breakfast
Where you stay
Where you stay
Book early: Bumthang is busy in November.
| Nights | Place | Where you stay | Why we chose it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thimphu | 3-star or 4-star hotel | Central |
| 2 | Punakha | 3-star or 4-star hotel | Valley views |
| 3 | Trongsa | 3-star hotel | View of the dzong |
| 4 to 7 | Bumthang | 3-star or 4-star hotel | Near Jambay Lhakhang |
| 8 | Paro | 3-star or 4-star hotel | Near the trailhead |
November nights in Bumthang are cold. Hotels have heaters and hot water bottles.
What the price covers
Included and not included
Included
- Bhutan visa (USD 40) and the Sustainable Development Fee for every night
- Hotels as listed, 3-star as standard, with 4-star and luxury upgrades on request
- All meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
- A licensed English-speaking guide for the whole trip
- Domestic flight from Bumthang to Paro
- Private car or SUV with a Bhutanese driver, and all transfers
- Entry fees to dzongs, temples and museums
- Bottled water in the car
Not included
- International flights into and out of Paro (we can book them for you)
- Travel insurance, which we strongly recommend
- Drinks, laundry and other personal costs
- Tips for your guide and driver
- Anything not listed under included
Price on request
Tell us your budget and we will send our best price
We don’t publish one fixed price, because hotels, season and group size change the total a lot. Tell us your dates, who is travelling and the budget you have in mind. We will reply within 24 hours with our best price for this Jambay Lhakhang Drup tour.
How we price
What decides the cost of this trip
Government fees
The SDF is USD 100 per adult per night until 31 August 2027, plus a USD 40 visa. These are fixed by the Government of Bhutan and paid through us.
Hotels you choose
Hotels in Bumthang and the domestic flight are the main costs. Book early for festival week.
Season and dates
Festival weeks are the busiest of the year. Booking early holds better rooms and seats.
Group size
Guide and car costs are shared, so the price per person drops for two, three or four travellers.
We send a written, itemised quote before you pay anything. No booking fees.
Good to know
Planning your Jambay Lhakhang Drup trip
The fire blessing
The mewang takes place on the first evening of the festival. A tall gateway of dry grass is set on fire, and people run under the burning arch to be purified. It is crowded, smoky and exciting. Wear clothes you don’t mind smelling of smoke, keep away from the flames and follow your guide. Photography is allowed for the fire, but some sacred dances later at night are closed to cameras, and visitors must respect that.
About Jambay Lhakhang
By tradition, Jambay Lhakhang is one of the 108 temples built by Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century, together with Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro. The main statue is of Jampa, the future Buddha. The temple has been restored many times, but it remains one of the most sacred places in Bhutan.
Festival etiquette
Festivals are religious events first. Dress neatly, with shoulders and knees covered, and wear a jacket with a collar if you can. Stay at the edge of the dance ground, never walk across it, and keep your camera flash off. Don’t climb on walls or temple roofs for a better view. The atsara clowns may tease you; laugh along, it is part of the blessing. Read our guide to Bhutan’s festivals.
About the 2027 dates
Festival dates follow the lunar calendar. The dates on this page come from the tentative 2027 festival list published by Bhutan’s tourism authorities. We confirm them again when you book and a few weeks before you travel, and if a date moves we shift the trip with it. See our full 2027 festival calendar.
Other festivals that week
November is a busy festival month. The Black-Necked Crane Festival in Phobjikha is on 11 November 2027, Jakar Tshechu runs from 6 to 9 November, and Prakhar Duchhoed from 15 to 17 November. With a few extra days, we can combine them. See our Crane Festival tour.
November weather
November is dry and clear, with the best mountain views of the year. Days in Bumthang are cool and sunny; nights drop below freezing. Bring a down jacket, a hat and gloves for the evening fire blessing.
Visa, SDF and guide rules
Every visitor except Indian nationals needs a visa, which costs USD 40 and is issued online before you fly. The Sustainable Development Fee is USD 100 per adult per night until 31 August 2027, with half rates for children aged 6 to 11. A Department of Tourism notice from April 2026 confirms that visitors travel with a licensed guide. We file the visa and pay the SDF for you. Read more in our Bhutan visa guide and SDF guide.
Flying into Paro
Only Drukair and Bhutan Airlines fly into Paro, mainly from Bangkok, Delhi, Kathmandu, Kolkata and Singapore. Pilots land by sight between the ridges, so morning flights are the most reliable. We suggest a night in your hub city on the way in. Our flights to Bhutan page lists every route.
Jambay Lhakhang Drup tour: questions
It depends on your hotels, group size and dates. Tell us your budget and we will reply within 24 hours with our best price, including the SDF, visa, hotels, meals, guide and car.
The tentative dates are 14 to 17 November 2027.
On the first evening, people run under a burning gateway of grass to be cleansed of bad luck.
Yes, mostly. Some sacred dances at night are closed to cameras.
Yes, with two or three extra days.
Days are cool and sunny; nights are below freezing.
It saves two days of driving and ends the trip in Paro.
Five to six months ahead.
Price on request
Ask for your best price
Tell us your dates, who is travelling and your budget. We will reply within 24 hours with our best price for this Jambay Lhakhang Drup tour.
- Share your budget, we shape the trip around it
- No booking fees, ever
- A reply within 24 hours
- Licensed Bhutanese tour operator
- +975 17533776
- +975 77495028
- info@deyabhutantours.com
- Thimphu, Bhutan
Let's plan your Bhutan journey
Tell us a little about your trip. Our team in Thimphu will reply with ideas, a day-by-day plan and a full price.
We’ll reply within 24 hours. No booking fees, and no obligation to book.