Festival
Rhododendron Festival
Two days among the rhododendrons below Dochu La
- 22–23 April 2027
- Royal Botanical Park, Lamperi, Thimphu
The festival
What happens
The Royal Botanical Park at Lamperi lies on the Punakha side of Dochu La, about 35 km from Thimphu, in forest of oak, hemlock and rhododendron between 2,100 and 3,800 m. Bhutan has some 46 kinds of rhododendron, from trees with trunks a man cannot reach round to shrubs that creep along the ground, and more than half of them grow in the park.
The festival has been held each spring since 2013, when the trees along the pass are in flower. It is run by the forestry service together with the villages around the park.
What happens
This is not a religious festival and there are no masked dances. For two days the park’s foresters lead walks along its trails and name what is in flower, there are displays about the plants and the birds, and people from the nearby villages sing, dance and sell food. There is a small lake, Baritsho, where boats can be taken out.
What you see depends on the week and on the height. Late April is usually the best time for the big red and pink trees along the road over the pass.
Practical notes
- The park is on the main road from Thimphu to Punakha, so the festival fits into any trip that crosses Dochu La.
- Wear walking shoes. The trails are easy but can be wet.
- April mornings on the pass are cold and afternoons often bring cloud. Come in the morning for the mountain view as well.
- Paro Tshechu falls in March or April too. In some years the two can be combined.
See it for yourself
A trip planned around Rhododendron Festival
A private trip, with your own guide and driver, timed so that you are there for the festival. Every day of it can be changed.
- 6 days / 5 nights
- Starts and ends in Paro
From US$1,260 per person Enquire about this trip
-
Day 1
Arrive in Paro and drive to Thimphu
Your guide meets you at the airport and we drive to Thimphu. In the afternoon we visit the National Memorial Chorten and the Buddha Dordenma.
- Travel
- 54 km, about 1 hour
- Altitude
- Thimphu, 2,334 m
- Overnight
- Thimphu
- Meals
- Lunch, dinner
-
Day 2
Thimphu
We visit the National Institute for Zorig Chusum, where the thirteen traditional arts are taught, then the Textile Museum and Changangkha Lhakhang. Tashichho Dzong opens once the offices close.
- Altitude
- Thimphu, 2,334 m
- Overnight
- Thimphu
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
-
Day 3
The Rhododendron Festival, then Punakha
We cross Dochu La in the morning, when the mountains are clearest, and spend the middle of the day at Lamperi: a walk through the forest with one of the park's foresters, then the festival ground. In the afternoon we drive on down to Punakha.
- Travel
- 76 km in all, 2 to 3 hours of driving
- Altitude
- Dochu La, 3,100 m
- Overnight
- Punakha
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
-
Day 4
Punakha to Paro
We visit Punakha Dzong when it opens, where the jacaranda trees along the river are in flower at this season, then drive back over the pass and on to Paro.
- Travel
- About 130 km, 4 hours
- Altitude
- Paro, 2,200 m
- Overnight
- Paro
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
-
Day 5
Hike to Tiger's Nest
We walk up to Taktsang in the morning, with a rest at the teahouse on the way, and visit Kyichu Lhakhang in the afternoon.
- Travel
- About 7 km on foot, 4 to 5 hours
- Altitude
- Tiger's Nest, 3,120 m
- Overnight
- Paro
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
-
Day 6
Depart from Paro
Your guide and driver take you to the airport after breakfast.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Prices
What the trip costs
| Group size | Price in US dollars |
|---|---|
| Solo traveller | US$1,770 |
| 2 travellers | US$1,285 per person |
| 3 or more travellers | US$1,260 per person |
Prices are per person in US dollars and include the Sustainable Development Fee and the visa fee.
This trip runs privately, on the dates of the festival. Festival dates are tentative until the year itself, so confirm them with us before you book flights.
Included
- Sustainable Development Fee (US$100 per person per night)
- Bhutan visa fee (US$40) and visa processing
- 3-star hotels, in a twin or double room
- All meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Licensed English-speaking guide throughout
- Private vehicle and driver, including airport transfers
- Bottled water in the vehicle
Not included
- Entry fees for monuments and museums, about US$90 per person
- Flights to and from Paro
- Travel insurance
- Tips for your guide and driver
- Drinks, laundry and personal spending
- Single room supplement, US$35 per room per night
See it for yourself
Other trips that fit this festival
Any of these can be timed to the festival dates. Tell us which days you want to be there.
Cultural tour
Bhutan Signature Journey
Thimphu, Punakha, Paro
Six days with a night in each of the three western valleys: two in Thimphu, one in Punakha and two in Paro.
Cultural tour
Complete Western Bhutan
Thimphu, Punakha, Phobjikha and 1 more
A week through four valleys: Thimphu, Punakha, the high crane valley of Phobjikha, and Paro with Tiger's Nest.
Questions
Asked about this festival
Are festival dates fixed?
Most are not. Bhutan’s festivals follow the lunar calendar, so they fall on different dates each year. The Department of Tourism and the Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators publish a list for each year and label it tentative, because dates can still move.
Our festival calendar shows the official dates and the day we last checked them. Confirm with us before you book flights. The Black-Necked Crane Festival is the exception: it is held on 11 November every year. If you are deciding between festivals, read how to choose a Bhutan festival.
Can I take photographs at a festival?
Yes, in the courtyard or festival ground, from where you are sitting. Do not step into the dance area or block other people’s view, and ask before photographing anyone at close range. Photography is never allowed inside temples and shrines.
A few rituals may not be photographed at all, among them the midnight Tercham at Jambay Lhakhang. Your guide will tell you. Drones are not permitted.
What should I wear to a festival?
A festival is a religious occasion and Bhutanese come in their best clothes. Wear long sleeves and full-length trousers or a long skirt, and take off your hat inside a dzong. You will be sitting on stone for hours, often in strong sun, so bring a cushion, a sun hat for outside the dzong, water and a warm layer for the early morning.
Enquire
Plan a trip around Rhododendron Festival
Hotels near festival grounds fill early. Tell us your dates and we will check what is still available.