Targeting the Thai market

Targeting the Thai market

As per the PM’s directions, tour operators are preparing packages for the lean season 

Tourism: Following the prime minister’s instructions, tour operators and hoteliers in the country have begun working on developing packages to attract Thai tourists during the leaner months of June, July, and August this year.

Some tour operators have already set targets and started appointing marketing representatives in Thailand, while hoteliers are working out discounts they could offer besides Thai specific services.

Last month, lyonchhoen instructed the tour operators to develop packages to attract Thai to commemorate Bhutan’s 25 years of diplomatic relation with Thailand.  The initiative was also expected to help promote tourism during lean seasons and make Bhutan an all year round tourist destination.

The target is to bring in 3,000 to 4,000 Thai tourists in June, July and August this year.  The least visited months of June, July and August in 2012 saw 6,580 tourists, while 3,229 visited Bhutan in January and February.

Tour operators said, although they have just about three months to market, the proximity with Thailand didn’t require much preparation.

“We have to try our best to bring in more Thai tourists,” a tour operator said. “It means competition, unlike the peak season, when we have the protective tariff where our cut is already included.”

Being a new initiative, another tour operator said they have to bring down their profit margins. “The amount of profit will depend on our bargaining power with hotels, guides and transporters.”

But despite the short notice, many tour operators appreciated the initiative, as it would help everyone in tourism to upgrade their services.

For instance, it would help hotels recruit permanent staff even during lean seasons.

“We’re hoping the initiative would help take the weight off the peak season, during which we lack capacity,” said another tour operator, whose agency is targeting 600 Thai tourists.

Hoteliers are working out room charges, depending on the number of tourists tour operators bring in.  All tourists are required to be provided accommodation in hotels rated three-stars and above.

A three star hotel in Thimphu charges Nu 3,000 to 4,000 a night, depending on the facilities.

One of the hoteliers in Thimphu said he would be able to give up to 30 percent discounts during the lean months for Thai tourists. “It’s a good initiative and our business depends on how many tourists we’re able to attract,” he said, adding they were hopeful that the initiative works, so that there is something to look forward to during leaner months.

An official from Zhiwaling hotel said they were preparing for Thai tourists with certain products. “We’re planning to hire a Thai chef, besides providing a lean season discount of about 25 percent,” the official said.

There are 75 tourist standard hotels in the country categorised three-star and above.  Paro has the highest number of hotels, resorts and guesthouse at 37, followed by Thimphu and Bumthang with 27 and 23 each.  Another 63 are currently under construction, records with TCB show.

The association of Bhutanese tour operators’ president, Karma Lotey, said, more than 30 tour operators have signed up with the tourism council to attend a travel fair in Bangkok.

The national airlines, Drukair, is also exploring off-season discounts of more than 30 percent.

Drukair’s chief executive officer, Tandin Jamso, said they would provide a discount of more than 30 percent from June to August to attract Thai tourists. “In collaboration with local tour operators, packages are also being developed.”

Today, the airfare for foreigners for the Bangkok-Paro sector, inclusive of taxes, is about USD 830 for a round trip, and about USD 420 for a one-way ticket.

From 2,235 Thai tourists in 2011, the country recorded 3,573 Thai tourists in 2012, making Thailand the fourth top source market.  Last year, there was a slight drop with 3494 visitors.

Source: Kuensel

By Kinga Dema

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Culture Show Performed by Chinese in Bhutan

Culture Show

Cultural show: Chinese artists perform at the Royal Institute of Management auditorium yesterday. The cultural troupe from the People’s Republic of China was led by China International Culture Association Vice President Dong Jungxin and officials from cultural ministry of Guangxi province and the Embassy of China, India.

Source: Kuensel

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Americans back on top in tourist arrivals

Americans back on top in tourist arrivalset

After falling second for the first time in 2012 to the Japanese, the Americans were once again #1

Tourism: American tourists dominated international arrivals last year, surpassing Japanese tourists who topped arrivals in 2012 .

Of the 52,798 international tourists, who visited the country last year, the highest were Americans, with about 6,927 visitors, a tentative arrival list by nationality show.

After the US, the other top source markets were China with about 4,764 tourists, Japan with about 4,015 and about 3,494 Thai tourists.

Americans continued to dominate international tourist arrivals until 2011.  However, in 2012, for the first time, it was Japanese tourists that topped the market.

Tourist arrivals by nationality

Japanese tourists surpassing American tourists in 2012 was mainly attributed to Their Majesties’ visit to Japan in 2011, which generated “enormous” publicity, followed by Tourism Council of Bhutan’s (TCB) follow-up promotions in Japan.

Also, for the first time in four years, Chinese tourists surpassed Japanese tourists, emerging as the second top source market last year.

The country usually saw the highest arrivals from the US followed by Japan.  In 2010, Germany saw an increase of about 42 percent in arrivals, overtaking the UK.

“During the same year, China represented a promising new market and was rated among the top five major markets for the first time with an increase of about 30 percent over 2009,” the tourism monitor stated.

In 2011, China emerged as the third top source markets with 2,896 visitors, records with Tourism Council  show.  During the same year, Thailand stood fifth among the top source markets with 2,235 visitors.

While arrival figures from top source markets were important, the tourism monitor stated that measuring source markets based on duration of stay was a valuable indicator. “Yield and revenue are linked to the duration of stay,” the monitor stated.

Despite the increase in arrivals from neighbouring Asian countries, Tourism Council  records indicated that tourists from US always visited for a longer period, contributing to higher revenue, followed by countries like the UK and Germany.

After dominating the top source market for a long time, the US dropped to the second in 2012, followed by Chinese, Thai and British tourists.  That year, the country recorded 105,407 international and regional tourists.

“A record increase in the top Asian markets like Japan, China, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia propelled the Asia/Pacific region to be the dominating market region in the world,” the 2012 tourism monitor stated.

The increase in arrivals from neighbouring Asian countries, tour operators, said was an advantage for tourism industry, considering the effort towards promoting the country as a all year-round tourist destination.

A majority of Asians, tour operators said, travelled during summer months to escape the heat. “So that’s when we have to package tours and market accordingly to attract Asian tourists and so far, our efforts have paid off,” a tour operator said.

Last year, 116,224 international and regional tourists visited the country, an increase by about 10 percent or 10,810 tourists from the previous year.

Of the total arrivals, 44,267 were international or Dollar paying tourists, 8,531 under international business, while the rest 63,426 were regional tourists.

Source: Kuensel

By Kinga Dema

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Trekking’s picking up steam

Trekking’s picking up steam t

A group of trekking tourists on the Laya-Gasa trek last month

… with travellers from closer to home, the so-called regional tourists

Tourism: A growing number of regional tourists are venturing into trekking activities, with many high-end regional tourists wanting to visit Bhutan for trekking only, say tour operators.

Visitors from India, Bangladesh and Maldives are referred to as regional tourists.  They are exempt from the minimum daily tariff and do not require visas.  Regional tourists, who come in by air, are considered high-end, owing to their contribution to tourism through airline earnings.

A local tour operator, Fly to Bhutan, catered to about three Indian trekking groups, comprising 16 people, so far, this year. “We also had the first group for the Laya-Gasa trek,” said the sales and operations manager, Dorje. “Indians are more interested in short duration treks, which range from four to five days.”

There are no separate records maintained for regional trekking or cultural tourists.  Tour operators, catering to Indian tourists, said there could be about 100 trekking tourists from India this year.

Trekking tourists are charged about Nu 10,000 per night, per head, which is inclusive of food and lodge. “We provide the same services, just as we cater to international trekking tourists,” he said. “We target high-end tourists, as they can afford to pay.”

“It also helps to have good counterpart agents in India,” added Dorje

Tourism council of Bhutan’s (TCB) Damcho Rinzin said regional tourists comprise family visitors, who mostly engage in cultural tourism activities. There is an increasing young, active and outdoor experience-seekers interested to visit Bhutan. “So it’s important that we promote our nature related adventure tourism products to these kinds of adventure seekers,” he said.

Despite getting queries on trekking based activities from a lot of high-end regional tourists, tour operators said logistics was an issue, as regional tourists didn’t route through a tour operator.

Last year, almost two-thirds of the total regional tourists came on their own, while the rest were part of packaged tours through tour operators, according to TCB.  Tour operators in India also offer packaged tours, partnering with local hotels in Bhutan.

Keys to Bhutan, destination management company for Make My Trip, India, has been targeting the Indian market for more than eight years, promoting both trekking and outdoor activities. “Somehow we’ve failed as it didn’t pick up as expected,” said general manager, Raju Rai.

Raju Rai said it was challenging to promote treks, which required trekking permits from various agencies. “Due to such formalities, we gave up after a few groups,” he said. “But now I’m sure there’s a proper channel to obtain permits for regional tourists, which could have eased things.”

TCB’s Damcho Rinzin said managing regional tourists has been a challenge because of their flexibility in arranging their trips, on their own. “However, we encourage and highlight the benefits of using the services of professional Bhutanese tour operators,” he said. “We’re also looking at improving and initiating systems to make it easier for regional tourists to route their travel through a local tour operator.”

Last year, 105, 407 tourists visited the country, of which 50,722 were regional visitors from the neighbouring countries of India and Bangladesh.

As is the trend, last year, a majority of the regional tourists comprised visitors from India, said tourism officials.  About 86 percent of the visitors were from India, followed by about 12 percent from Bangladesh, and the rest from Maldives.

TCB official said there are huge numbers of regional tourists, who travel to other countries from the neighbouring countries. “If we can tap the high-end segment, then it’ll highly benefit our tourism industry,” said Damcho Rinzin. “Regional tourists, especially from India, travel in summer months, when it’s low tourist season in Bhutan.”

As of October this year, 95,931 visited the country, of which 43,398 were international tourists and 52,533 were regional tourists.

Source: Kuensel

By Kinga Dema

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Tourist numbers register increases

Tourist numbers register increases 

Tourism: About 20,160 regional and international or dollar paying tourists visited the country last month.

This was an increase of 27.98 percent from those who visited the country in October last year.  Tourism council of Bhutan (TCB) recorded 15,752 regional and international tourists last year.

The month is also considered as the time of the year when tour operators, hoteliers, guides, and handicraft shops make more money.  Drukair also deploys additional flights to accommodate the increase in passengers.

The total tourist arrivals until last month was 95,931, records maintained by TCB stated. “About 43,398 were international and 52,533 regional tourists,” an official from TCB said.

This was also an increase of 7.6 percent from same period last year. “Until October last year, 89,139 tourists visited the country,” the official said.

Regional tourists are those from India, Bangladesh, and Maldives.  They do not pay the minimum daily tariff of USD 250 and USD 200 during the peak and lean seasons, and do not require visas.  Most of the regional tourists are from India.

“Looking at the trend so far, we’re positive that we’ll be able to meet our 2013 target,” said a tourism council official.  By the end of the 11th five-year plan, TCB intends to meet the goal of 200,000 tourist, officials said.

The president of association of Bhutanese tour operators, Karma Lotey, said the tourism industry should promote more high-end tourists than sheer numbers. “This will help in the preservation of our culture and tradition and promotion of GNH values,” he said. “As a small nation, we need to tread carefully for the sake of the sustainability of tourism business in the future.”

Source: Kuensel

By Kinga Dema

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Boom in Chinese tourist numbers

They now make up the third major market for the industry

Tourism: From 19 in 2003, Chinese tourists visiting Bhutan is emerging as the third major market for the tourism industry after Japan and the United States since 2011.

The tourism council of Bhutan (TCB) recorded the highest number of Chinese tourists last year at 3,766, an increase of more than 30 percent from the previous year.

Japanese were the number one international visitor at 6,967 last year, a 77 percent increase from the previous year, followed by 6,007 from USA.

Last year, tourist arrivals stood at 105,407; of which 54,685 were dollar-paying tourists, and 50,722 were regional visitors from the neighboring countries of India and Bangladesh.

The wedding of the Hong Kong actor couple in Bhutan in 2007, according to tour operators, helped promote Bhutan as a tourist destination.  In 2010, about 21 Bhutanese travel companies visited China for marketing and promotion.

 “Bhutanese culture isn't the main attraction for Chinese tourists,” said a tour operator. “It’s to do with the happiness factor. Most Chinese tourists say they come to experience happiness in Bhutan.”

Chinese tourists usually visit the country in October and during their New Year, which coincides with the Bhutanese Losar.  Students visit during their summer breaks in July and August.

Officials of the national airline, Drukair, in an earlier interview, said it was mostly Chinese tourists, who usually flew in from Kathmandu in February, and this year there were also requests for chartered flights.

According to UN world tourism organisation (UNWTO), Chinese travellers spent USD 102B on international travel in 2012, about 40 percent more than what they spent in 2011. “More than 80M Chinese travelled internationally in 2011, outspending German tourists, the longtime leader in overseas travel spending for the first time,” the UNWTO report released in April this year states.

In Bhutan too, China made it to the top five major markets for the first time in 2010, with an increase of about 30 percent in arrivals from 2009. (see graph)

According to the 2012 Bhutan tourism monitor, Chinese tourists visited Bhutan for a short holiday period. “Their time of visitation is spread throughout the year, with a slight majority skewed towards September to November months,” the monitor states.

Chinese tourists, who visited the country, were highly educated, with the majority holding university degrees, according to TCB.  About 64 percent of the total visitors were in Bhutan for the first time, while about 27 percent of them came for the third time.

About 34 percent of Chinese tourists came to visit only Bhutan, while the rest combined their trips with neighboring countries, like Nepal and Thailand.

Just as Chinese travel in other parts of the globe in large groups, a majority of Chinese tourists also came to Bhutan in groups. “About 49 percent of the visitors came in as ‘group of friends’, followed by about 21 percent as couples, and about 20 percent as part of organised tour groups,” according to the tourism monitor.

A leading tour company in China has estimated that about 90 percent of the Chinese visitors travel in larger groups, moving from destination to destination while staying at budget hotels.

Visitors from USA stayed for eight days last year, according to TCB records, while Chinese and Japanese tourists spent an average of 4.96 and 4.88 days respectively. “Asian tourists staying for shorter duration is a stable trend and does not seem to change with the years,” states the monitor.

Last year, a majority of the Chinese visitors flew in by air through Kathmandu, while the rest came through Thailand.

Despite the drop in international tourists arrival this year, tour operators said they were expecting more Chinese tourists.

Source: Kuensel

By  Kinga Dema

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Thimphu and Paro make it to the top 10 friendliest cities in the world

The Top 10 Friendliest Cities in the World

Readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine have named a seaside, partygoers' destination on an island in the south of Brazil the friendliest in the world.

Thimphu Seen from Kuenselphodrang

Florianopolis beat out other cities like Thimphu, Bhutan; Charleston, South Carolina; and Kilkenny, Ireland to become the highest rated destination when it comes to welcoming visitors with open arms.

A common thread among the top 10 friendliest cities is that most are small to mid-sized destinations from less affluent, modest countries such as Bhutan, Burma, Ireland and Indonesia.

Predictably, nowhere is there a New York, London or Tokyo in sight.

And interestingly, while the top 10 friendliest list includes a lone US representative (Charleston, South Carolina), half of the cities listed as the top unfriendliest destinations are American.

Paro Dzong

Here are the top 10 friendliest cities in the world, according to readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine.

Friendliest

1. Florianopolis, Brazil
2. Thimphu, Bhutan
3. Queenstown, New Zealand
4. Charleston, South Carolina
5. Paro, Bhutan
6. Margaret River, Australia
7. Mandalay, Burma
8. Kilkenny, Ireland
9. Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
10. Chiang Mai, Thailand

Source: Yahoo News Singapore

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FAQs By Tourist Visiting Bhutan

1. Do I need a visa for Bhutan and how to obtain it?

Except travellers from India, Bangladesh, Maldives and all visitors to Bhutan require visa. Visas are issued only when a confirmed booking through a Bhutanese operator like (Bhutan Landlocked Adventures) is made. Air tickets to Bhutan can only be issued once the visa is confirmed. Your visa will be processed by the travel agent that you choose to travel with. A Bhutanese visa is issued only by the Department of Immigration after receiving the full tour payment in the account of Tourism Council of Bhutan, Thimphu. Passport: You are required to have a valid passport with at least six months validity from the date of your departure.

2. Where do I enter Bhutan?

Druk Air, the national carrier is the only airline that operates flights into Paro international airport. Druk Air operates a fleet of two Airbus 119 planes and flies to Kathmandu (Nepal); Delhi, Calcutta, Bagdora (West Bengal), Guwahati (Assam) India; Dhaka, Bengal Dash Bangkok (Thailand)and Singapore. Visitors can also enter or exit Bhutan by road through the neighboring Indian states of Assam and West Bengal in south. You can enter or exit through road from Phuntsholing, a border town to India in the south- western part of the country which is about seven hour drive from Paro or Thimphu. The nearest airport from Phuntsholing is Bagdogra in India at the base of the foothills of Darjeeling and Sikkim between which you can drive overland taking about 05 hours approximately. The Eastern Bhutan which is not that explored till now could be entered by road through south- eastern town of Samdrupjongkhar which is about an hour drive from Guwahati Airport in Assam. There are so many places of historical importance in east and not to forget its rich flora and fauna.

3. How can I purchase Druk Air tickets?

We will purchase the E- tickets and forward them to your email address. You can also buy your drukair ticket online from Druk-air : website www.drukair.com.bt but there won't be discount on the ticket.

4.I want to travel, but none of the dates/trips you run coincide with my holiday dates.

Don’t despair! We offer a tailor-make service for all of the destinations featured on our website - and a few more besides. Alternatively, if you can get your own group together (3+ persons) then it will be less expensive for you. Otherwise we have Single supplementary charges applicable for sin. We are happy to lay on a private trip for you, either on one of our existing itineraries or if you prefer, we can help you devise your own.

5. What kind of season do you have in Bhutan?

Spring is a botanist delight as rhododendrons, wild azaleas, and masses of wildflowers including the edelweiss cover the meadows like carpet. Pear and apple blossoms add a dainty touch to the valleys as their pink and white blooms add a sense of new wonder to the land that is about to burst with abundant growth again. Summer is an abundant time of the year as flowers are in bloom and the valleys are covered in green, weeping willows sweep the banks of many of the rivers and the pine cones glisten in sun, so full with resin they are ready to plummet to the ground. Autumn casts a bright golden glow on the vast landscape and is one of the more crowded times of the year for tourism to Bhutan. In fall, rice fields ripen to a golden brown under crisp blue skies. The merry pink and white of cosmos flowers dot the countryside. Winter has its moments. The days are full of sunshine while evenings can turn chilly. The winter landscape lays bare the majesty of the mountains and the sweeping valleys. Soft tufts of cloud drape lazily over mountain tops as if waiting for new life to blow it across the landscape.

6. Who is Bhutan Landlocked Adventures?

Bhutan Landlocked Adventures is a Government Licensed Tour Operator who organizes a wide range of tours, Cultural, Textile, Festival, Flora & Fauna, Bird watching, Religious, Photography, Hiking, Trekking, Honeymoon vacations and other adventures.

7. Is Bhutan Landlocked Adventures, a secure site?

Yes, it is licensed by the Royal Government of Bhutan with the consultation of the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) and is a member of the Association of Bhutan Tour Operators (ABTO).(Click on the home page logo of Government)

8. Why should I travel with Bhutan Landlocked Adventures?

The billion dollar question… Whilst there is plenty of general competition, we feel that Bhutan Locked Adventures is truly unique in the Bhutanese travel market and the high percentage of clients who travel with us again and again isn’t down to chance. Bhutan Landlocked Adventures is a company that has been set up by travellers for travellers and the company ethos is to help travellers souls get to incredible places that would otherwise remain inaccessible. Our office is manned by experienced tour leaders and it is their knowledge and passion (along with that of our experienced guides) that is evident in all aspects of the trips, from planning through to implementation. In short, we run the kind of trips that we like to do! By keeping the group sizes small we can allow for a greater degree of flexibility and cater to individual needs and this unobtrusive ‘low impact’ tourism gives travellers a chance to get off the beaten track without damaging the places they visit. In addition, a percentage of the trip profits are used to fund various charities for monks & Nuns in the country – travellers and locals alike – benefit from the experience.

9. How much will my package cost?

The policy of value tourism is best supported by a system of a daily minimum price of US $ 250 per person per night for visits to Bhutan. The price also in a way limits the volume of visitors allowing exclusivity and care.

Do you have extra charges for 1 or 2 people?

Individual tourists and smaller groups of less than three persons shall be subject to surcharge, over and above the minimum daily rates applicable, as follows: Single individual : US$ 40 per night Group of 2 persons : US$ 30 per person per night Single Room Supplementary : US$ 25 per night.

10. Do you offer discounts for children & students?

We offer 50% discount for children from ages 6 to 12 accompanied by parents/guardians and 25% discount for students below 25 years of age with proper ID.

11. What is included in my trip package?

The fee in fact covers a package that include all internal taxes and charges including royalty, accommodation, all meals, services of licensed guides, internal transport and camping equipment and haulage for trekking tours.

12. How do I contact Bhutan Landlocked Adventures?

Email or fax us to discuss your travel plans with one of our specialists, be it to create your Tailor Made tour or to find out further information on one of our Inspirational Journeys. Email: bhutancrownadventures@gmail.com or call us at +975 17606090

13. Tell me more about the tour & trek itinerary?

The entire itinerary is not fixed. It depends on one’s interest, whether cultural, festivals, trekking or a combination.

14. How do I pay for bookings with Bhutan Landlocked Adventures?

All the tour payments must be made in advance. Payment should be deposited through the Bhutan National Bank account abroad, payable in favour of the travel Agent in Bhutan whose names and addresses will be provided by us after the confirmation of your trip.

15. When will I get my trip confirmation?

Within 8 hours of your booking unless it is Saturday or Sunday or a government holiday in Bhutan, as they are closed on those days.

17. What if I need to cancel my trip at the last moment?

The tour programmes booked and subsequently cancelled are subjected to cancellation charges as follows: * Season - Full refund will be made for the tour cancelled 30 days or more prior to arrival date (December, January, February, June, July and till Mid-August) * Peak Season - Full refund will be made for the tour cancelled 60 days or more prior to arrival date (March, April, May, Mid-August, September, October and November) * 30% penalty on the total tour cost for the tour cancelled less than 30 days prior to arrival date. This is because by this time hotels would be already booked and company is subject to cancellation charges for rooms cancelled in less than 30 days. * Duration lost or trip shortened due to unforeseen reasons after arrival in Bhutan, no refund will be made – because we will already have had paid for the hotels and other logistics.

Is it Secure to send payment before the trip?

It is very safe, the Tourism council of Bhutan will continue to hold the money you have sent for your tour until your trip has taken place. It will not be released to Bhutan Landlocked Adventures until you have left the country on your return flight. This provides you with the security of knowing that your money is safe until your holiday takes place. If for any reason the trip doesn't go ahead then the government will not give your money to Bhutan Landlocked Adventures  but will return it to you (subject to any cancellation charges which apply if you have cancelled the trip). So in the unlikely event that we do not run your trip for you, you would not be out of pocket.

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Kingdom of Yangdon

A Filipino romance-drama television series Princess and I was shot in Bhutan and will screen from 16th of this month on ABS-CBN. The series starred some of the most sort-after Filipino celebrities decorated in best of Bhutanese costumes. I have learned their costumes were designed by Pila Wangyel (Congratulations man).I am yet to know what the story is all about, but from the little I could grasp from the YouTube trailer- the princess of Bhutan (strangely Bhutan is called the Kingdom of Yangdon), who grew up in some place away returns home and finds the love of her life. It seems, she also discovers who she really was during her journey home.

This series shall remain on the top of my wanna-watch list, and I hope it finds its way to Bhutan soon, like the princess and give us a break from ordinary Bhutanese movies. 

From PaSsuDiary.com

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Routes to Bhutan

The only way to Bhutan by road is through India, at four different locations: Phuntsholing, Gelephug, Samdrupjongkha and Samtse. Bhutan Gate in Phuntsholing is the most convinent and frequented highway to Bhutan, which is through Jiagong, West Bengal.

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Festival Dates

Bhutan Festival Dates for 2015 Type Name Town Start Date End Date Festival Takin Festival Gasa Feb 21, 2015 Festival Nomad Festival Bumthang Feb 22, 2015 Festival Punakha Drubchen Punakha Feb 23, 2015 Feb 27, 2015 Festival Punakha Tshechu Punakha Feb 28, 2015 Mar 02, 2015 Festival Tharpaling Thongdrol Bumthang Mar 05, 2015 Festival Chhorten Kora Trashi Yangtse Mar 05, 2015 Mar 20, 2015 Festival Gomphu Kora Trashigang Mar 27, 2015 Mar 29, 2015 Festival Gasa Tshechu Gasa Mar 27, 2015 Mar 30, 2015 Festival Talo Tshechu Punakha Mar 27, 2015 Mar 29, 2015 Festival Zhemgang Tshechu Zhemgang Mar 27, 2015 Mar 30, 2015 Festival Paro Tshechu Paro Mar 31, 2015 Apr 04, 2015 Festival Rhododendron Festival Thimphu Apr 18, 2015 Apr 20, 2015 Festival Domkhar Tshechu Bumthang Apr 28, 2015 Apr 30, 2015 Festival Ura Yakchoe Bumthang Apr 30, 2015 May 04, 2015 Festival Druk Wangyel Tshechu Thimphu Jun 02, 2015 Festival Nimalung Tshechu Bumthang Jun 24, 2015 Jun 26, 2015 Festival Kurjey Tshechu Bumthang Jun 26, 2015 Festival Haa Summer Festival Haa Valley Jul 04, 2015 Jul 05, 2015 Festival Hungla Dance Festival Trashi Yangtse Aug 12, 2015 Festival Masutaki Mushroom Festival Bumthang Aug 22, 2015 Festival Tour of the Dragon (Bicycle Race) Bumthang Sep 05, 2015 Festival Thimphu Drubchen Thimphu Sep 18, 2015 Sep 22, 2015 Festival Wangdue Tshechu Wangdue Phodrang Sep 21, 2015 Sep 23, 2015 Festival Gangtey Tshechu Gangtey Sep 21, 2015 Sep 23, 2015 Festival Tamshing Phala Chhoepa Bumthang Sep 23, 2015 Sep 25, 2015 Festival Thimphu Tshechu Thimphu Sep 23, 2015 Sep 25, 2015 Festival Jakar Tshechu Bumthang Oct 20, 2015 Oct 23, 2015 Festival Pemagatshel Tshechu Pemagatshel Oct 20, 2015 Oct 23, 2015 Festival Chhukha Tshechu Chukha Oct 20, 2015 Oct 22, 2015 Festival Thangbi Mani Bumthang Oct 27, 2015 Oct 29, 2015 Festival Jambay Lhakhang Drup Bumthang Oct 27, 2015 Oct 30, 2015 Festival Prakhar Duchhoed Bumthang Oct 28, 2015 Oct 30, 2015 Festival Black Necked Crane Festival Gangtey Nov 11, 2015 Festival Mongar Tshechu Mongar Nov 18, 2015 Nov 21, 2015 Festival Trashigang Tshechu Trashigang Nov 19, 2015 Nov 22, 2015 Festival Nalakhar Tshechu Bumthang Nov 25, 2015 Nov 27, 2015 Festival Jambay Lakhang Singye Cham Bumthang Nov 25, 2015 Festival Lhuentse Tshechu Lhuentse Dec 20, 2015 Dec 22, 2015 Festival Trongsa Tshechu Trongsa Dec 20, 2015 Dec 22, 2015 Festival Nabji Lhakhang Drup Trongsa Dec 25, 2015 Dec 27, 2015

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