Backyard Travel, the online boutique travel agency specializing in unique, insider tours throughout Asia, have launched a new tour to Bhutan’s annual Jambay Lhakhang Drup Festival.

(TRAVPR.COM) THAILAND - February 24th, 2015 - With only one departure date on 23rd October 2015, the eleven-day, ten-night insider’s tour offers travellers the opportunity to witness one of Bhutan’s most visually spectacular events. The Jambay Lhakhang Drup Festival takes place over four days at the seventh-century Jambay Lhakhang, the oldest temple in Bhutan.

This remarkable cultural experience is set against the stunning backdrop of the lush Bumthang Valley. This central region is less frequented by tourists than the western areas of the country and known as the sacred heartland of Bhutanese Buddhism.

Comprising a program of centuries-old dances and rituals, the event features elaborate costumes and brightly painted masks in a series of sacred performances meant to drive out evil spirits, purify the temple and bring good luck to all.

During the guided eleven-day ‘Discover Bhutan’s Jambay Lhakhang Drup Festival’ tour, travellers attend the festival for two days, witnessing the event’s most dramatic rituals. The Fire Offering is a particular highlight, during which locals bring firewood and other items to be burnt in a symbolic immolation of life’s obstacles. The ‘Naked Dance’ is another highlight of the festival, where performers clad only in face paint bless and purify onlookers.

The festival takes place from the 27 to 30 October 2015 and is central to their cultural tour of Bhutan. Other highlights include the chance to take in the astonishing scenery of terraced rice fields, pristine rivers and deep gorges in the Bumthang Valley, exploring the stunning dzong fortresses of Punakha, Paro and Trongsa, as well as the chance to hike through Bhutan’s central valleys to discover remote Himalayan villages.

2015 is also a particularly poignant year to catch the Jambay Lhakhang festival as the country celebrates ‘Visit Bhutan’ year, commemorating the 60th birthday of the fourth king Jigme Singye Wangchuck.

"Bhutanese festivals are an absolute reflection of the country’s cultural conservation efforts”, said Backyard Travel's General Manager Maeve Nolan. “The Jambay Lhakhang Drup represents one of the kingdom's oldest and most colorful events, and gives travellers a glimpse of Bhutanese culture they're unlikely to ever forget.” 

The unique tour has just one departure date on Friday 23rd October 2015. All meals are included and excursions are fully guided. Tours and transfers are by private air-conditioned vehicle (unless stated) and all entrance fees included.

To download high resolution images please visit their image library here. Any image use must be credited to 'Backyard Travel'.

###