Jambay Lhakhang Drup
Bumthang's most revered festival at one of Bhutan's oldest temples, including the night-time Mewang fire blessing.
Dates follow the Department of Tourism's tentative 2027 festival calendar and may shift with the lunar calendar — we confirm them when you book. See all 2027 festival dates
Held at 7th-century Jambay Lhakhang in the Bumthang valley, this festival is famous for Mewang, a night-time fire blessing in which people pass beneath a burning arch to be cleansed of misfortune.
The journey crosses the heart of the country to get there, taking in Punakha and the mighty dzong of Trongsa along the way.
Highlights
- The Mewang fire blessing at night
- Masked dances at Jambay Lhakhang
- The temples of the Bumthang valleys
- Trongsa Dzong
- Dochula and Punakha
Day by day
-
Day 1Tue 9 Nov
Arrive in Paro
Meet your guide and visit Rinpung Dzong.
Rinpung Dzong · Photo: Arian Zwegers from Brussels, Belgium, CC BY 2.0 -
Day 2Wed 10 Nov
Paro to Thimphu
Kyichu Lhakhang, then the capital's dzong and chortens.
Kyichu Lhakhang · Photo: David Broad, CC BY 3.0 -
Day 3Thu 11 Nov
-
Day 4Fri 12 Nov
Punakha to Trongsa
Over Pele La, stopping at Chendebji Chorten, to Trongsa.
Chendebji Chorten · Photo: Arian Zwegers from Brussels, Belgium, CC BY 2.0 -
Day 5Sat 13 Nov
Trongsa to Bumthang
Morning at Trongsa Dzong, then over Yotong La into Bumthang.
Trongsa Dzong · Photo: Gerd Eichmann, CC BY-SA 4.0 -
Day 6Sun 14 Nov
Festival & Mewang
The opening of the festival, and after dark, the Mewang fire blessing.
Jambay Lhakhang Drup · Photo: Gerd Eichmann, CC BY-SA 4.0 -
Day 7Mon 15 Nov
Festival & temples
More dances in the morning; afternoon at Kurjey and Tamshing Lhakhangs.
Kurjey Lhakhang · Photo: Christopher J. Fynn, CC BY-SA 3.0 -
Day 8Tue 16 Nov
Bumthang to Paro
Domestic flight back to Paro (schedule permitting).
Paro valley · Photo: Abhijit Kar Gupta from Kolkata, India, CC BY 2.0 -
Day 9Wed 17 Nov
-
Day 10Thu 18 Nov
Depart
Transfer to Paro airport for your onward flight.
Paro International Airport · Photo: Vinayaraj, CC BY-SA 4.0
Included on this journey
More journeys
Paro Tshechu
Masked dances in the courtyard of Rinpung Dzong and the dawn unveiling of a giant thongdrel, one of Bhutan's most celebrated festivals.
Thimphu Tshechu
The capital's grand autumn festival in the courtyard of Tashichho Dzong, paired with the golden harvest valleys of the west.
Black-Necked Crane Festival
Celebrate the return of the endangered black-necked cranes to the Phobjikha valley, with dances by local children at Gangtey Goenpa.
Make it yours.
Tell us your dates and wishes, and we'll tailor this journey around you.
- Private & tailor-made
- Licensed by Bhutan’s Department of Tourism
- Every enquiry answered personally