Festivals of Bhutan – Black Crane: Self-Launched Edition
11 days · Bhutan
Exodus charges £3,800
No-markup version: ~£1,420 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Experience the magic of Bhutan's Black-Necked Crane Festival and the kingdom's most iconic monasteries — all on your own terms. This self-launched version of the Exodus itinerary follows the same unmissable route: Kathmandu, Paro, Thimphu, the Phobjikha Valley for the festival, Punakha, and the legendary Tiger's Nest hike. Bhutan requires all independent travellers to pay the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of USD $100/day, and to book through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator — but you can shop around for a smaller, locally-run operator at significantly lower margins than a Western group tour company. All costs below are estimated per person and are approximate.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Kathmandu
Kathmandu, Nepal
Fly into Tribhuvan International Airport and check into a budget guesthouse in the Thamel district — the classic backpacker hub with great food, cafés and gear shops. No activities are planned today; rest up after your flight and explore the lively streets of Thamel. Grab a dal bhat for dinner at a local restaurant.
🚌Taxi from Tribhuvan Airport to Thamel (~£5-8, agree fare upfront or use a pre-paid taxi counter)
🛏Hotel Encounter Nepal, Thamel (or similar guesthouse ~£20-28/night)
- →Explore Thamel neighbourhood on foot
- →Rest and acclimatise
- →Pick up any last-minute trekking gear
Fly to Paro & Explore the Valley
Paro, Bhutan
Fly from Kathmandu to Paro on Druk Air or Bhutan Airlines — one of the world's most dramatic flights, threading through the Himalayas with possible views of Everest, Makalu and Kanchenjunga. Upon landing, your pre-arranged local Bhutanese guide (required by law) will meet you. Check into your guesthouse in Paro. In the afternoon, visit the Rinpung Dzong fortress and the National Museum of Bhutan (Ta Dzong).
🚌Flights booked directly via Druk Air (drukair.com.bt) or Bhutan Airlines. Local guide provides ground transport as part of your licensed operator package.
🛏Paro Guesthouse or Deki Lodge (or similar ~£25-35/night, meals often included in SDF packages)
- →Fly Kathmandu to Paro on Druk Air or Bhutan Airlines (~£180-230 return)
- →Visit Rinpung Dzong (Paro fortress-monastery)
- →Explore the National Museum of Bhutan (Ta Dzong) — entry ~£5
- →Stroll through Paro town market
Drive to Thimphu
Thimphu, Bhutan
It's about an hour's scenic drive east to Thimphu, Bhutan's compact capital. Explore at your own pace: the giant Buddha Dordenma statue at Kuensel Phodrang offers panoramic valley views, and Simtokha Dzong — built in 1629 and the oldest fortress in Bhutan — is a short drive from the city. Don't miss the Takin Reserve, a local paper factory, and the weekend market if your timing works out.
🚌Shared or private car with local operator (~1 hour from Paro, included in licensed operator package)
🛏Hotel Jumolhari or Migmar Hotel, Thimphu (or similar ~£25-35/night)
- →Visit Buddha Dordenma (Kuensel Phodrang) — free entry
- →Tour Simtokha Dzong (oldest fortress in Bhutan)
- →Stop at the Takin Reserve (national animal of Bhutan)
- →Visit a traditional paper factory and weaving centre
- →Browse the local weekend market (if visiting Sat/Sun)
Drive to Gangtey via Dochu La Pass & Wangdue Dzong
Phobjikha Valley (Gangtey), Bhutan
An epic drive east from Thimphu over the Dochu La Pass at 3,050m (10,000ft), where 108 memorial chortens stand against a backdrop of Himalayan peaks on a clear day. Descend to Wangdue Phodrang to visit the impressive Wangdiphodrang Dzong, perched above the junction of two rivers. Continue into the wide glacial Phobjikha Valley — one of Bhutan's most beautiful — in time to spot the black-necked cranes returning to roost at dusk.
🚌Private car with local operator, approx. 78mi (125km), 4-5 hours — included in licensed operator package
🛏Phuntsho Yangkhil Lodge or Tshering Guest House, Gangtey (or similar ~£25-35/night)
- →Stop at Dochu La Pass and the 108 chortens — free
- →Visit Wangdiphodrang Dzong overlooking the river valley
- →Arrive in the Phobjikha Valley and explore on foot
- →Watch black-necked cranes coming in to roost at dusk
Gangtey Valley Hike & Khewang Lhakhang
Phobjikha Valley (Gangtey), Bhutan
A gentle morning walk (approx. 5km, 2-3 hours) through the farmlands, pastures and blue-pine forests of the Gangtey Valley, climbing ~500m up to Gangtey Monastery. After lunch, visit the 15th-century Khewang Lhakhang with its striking trio of two-storey Buddha statues, then stop at the Black-Necked Crane Visitor Center to learn about conservation efforts. Optional: a traditional hot-stone bath at a local farmhouse (~£8).
🚌On foot for hike; short car transfers for afternoon visits
🛏Phuntsho Yangkhil Lodge or Tshering Guest House, Gangtey (or similar ~£25-35/night)
- →Self-guided valley hike to Gangtey Monastery (~5km, 2-3 hours, 500m ascent)
- →Visit Khewang Lhakhang temple
- →Black-Necked Crane Visitor Center — free or small entry fee
- →Optional traditional hot-stone bath at farmhouse (~£8)
Black-Necked Crane Festival
Phobjikha Valley (Gangtey Monastery), Bhutan
The highlight of the trip: the Black-Necked Crane Festival, held annually on 11 November at Gangtey Monastery. The free, public festival celebrates the arrival of some 300 endangered black-necked cranes from Tibet. Schoolchildren perform the famous crane dance, alongside traditional masked dances, folk songs and conservation-themed plays. Arrive early for the best views and to soak up the atmosphere with local families. Food stalls serve traditional Bhutanese snacks and dishes.
🚌Short walk or car transfer to Gangtey Monastery from accommodation
🛏Phuntsho Yangkhil Lodge or Tshering Guest House, Gangtey (or similar ~£25-35/night)
- →Black-Necked Crane Festival at Gangtey Monastery — free public event
- →Watch crane dances and traditional masked dances
- →Enjoy folk music and environmental conservation plays
- →Browse local food stalls and interact with local Bhutanese families
- →Evening birdwatching — cranes roosting in the valley
Drive to Punakha via Chimi Lhakhang
Punakha, Bhutan
Drive west (~3 hours) back towards subtropical Punakha, stopping en route at the quirky Chimi Lhakhang monastery (built 1499), dedicated to the 'Divine Madman' Drukpa Kuenley — famous for the phallic paintings adorning nearby houses, a traditional symbol of good luck and protection. Walk through a traditional Bhutanese village to reach the monastery. In Punakha, visit the spectacular Punakha Dzong — arguably the most beautiful fortress in Bhutan — sitting between two rivers. Time permitting, hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten for valley views.
🚌Private car with local operator, ~3 hours from Phobjikha Valley — included in licensed package
🛏Meri Phuensum Resort or Hotel Lobesa, Punakha (or similar ~£25-35/night)
- →Walk through village to Chimi Lhakhang — free entry
- →Visit Punakha Dzong (entry fee ~£5)
- →Optional hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten (1-hour walk from road)
Drive to Paro via Iron Chain Bridge, Mini Taktsang & Kyichu Lhakhang
Paro, Bhutan
A scenic 3-hour drive back to Paro with three worthwhile stops. First, the Tachogang Lhakhang Iron Chain Bridge — a 600-year-old wooden and iron bridge over the Paro Chhu, said to be the first bridge ever built in Bhutan. Then detour to Dzongdrakha Goemba (Mini Taktsang), four atmospheric cliff-side shrines often missed by tourists. Finally, stop at Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest (7th century) and most sacred temples in Bhutan, before arriving in Paro.
🚌Private car with local operator, ~3 hours from Punakha — included in licensed package
🛏Paro Guesthouse or Deki Lodge (or similar ~£25-35/night)
- →Visit Tachogang Lhakhang (Iron Chain Bridge) — free
- →Explore Dzongdrakha Goemba (Mini Taktsang cliff shrines)
- →Visit Kyichu Lhakhang — one of Bhutan's oldest temples (entry fee ~£3)
- →Free time to explore Paro town
Hike to Tiger's Nest (Taktsang Monastery)
Paro, Bhutan
The iconic centrepiece of any Bhutan visit. The Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery hike is approximately 11km round trip with ~915m of elevation gain. Start early to beat the heat and crowds. The trail winds through fragrant pine forest, with a viewpoint café roughly 2 hours up offering extraordinary views of the monastery clinging to the cliff face. The energetic can push on for another 2 hours to reach the monastery itself — well worth it. Bring trekking poles (or buy a walking stick at the car park). Photography is not permitted inside the monastery. Budget for the monastery entry fee (~£20) and lunch at the cliff-side café.
🚌Car to/from Taktsang trailhead — included in licensed operator package
🛏Paro Guesthouse or Deki Lodge (or similar ~£25-35/night)
- →Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery (~11km round trip, 915m elevation gain)
- →Viewpoint café stop with breathtaking cliff-face views (~£5 for drinks/snacks)
- →Explore Taktsang Monastery interior (entry fee ~£20)
- →Afternoon free time in Paro town — browse handicraft shops
Fly Back to Kathmandu & Explore
Kathmandu, Nepal
Transfer to Paro Airport for your flight back to Kathmandu. The afternoon is free — Kathmandu has no shortage of wonders. Stroll to Boudhanath Stupa (the largest Buddhist stupa in the world), visit the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, or take a taxi to the medieval city of Bhaktapur (~£3 each way). Swayambhunath (the Monkey Temple) is a pleasant uphill walk from Thamel with panoramic city views.
🚌Taxi from Tribhuvan Airport to Thamel (~£5-8). Local taxis for sightseeing (~£3-8 per journey).
🛏Hotel Encounter Nepal, Thamel (or similar guesthouse ~£20-28/night)
- →Fly Paro to Kathmandu (included in return flight booked Day 2)
- →Visit Boudhanath Stupa — entry ~£2
- →Explore Pashupatinath Hindu temple complex — entry ~£10 for non-Hindus
- →Optional half-day trip to Bhaktapur Durbar Square — entry ~£12
Depart Kathmandu
Kathmandu, Nepal
Your adventure ends in Kathmandu after breakfast. If time allows before your flight, grab a final meal in Thamel, pick up souvenirs, or squeeze in a morning visit to Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) which is a 20-minute walk from Thamel. Transfer to the airport for your onward flight home.
🚌Taxi from Thamel to Tribhuvan Airport (~£5-8)
🛏No accommodation needed (departure day)
- →Final breakfast in Thamel
- →Optional: morning visit to Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) — entry ~£2
- →Last-minute souvenir shopping in Thamel
- →Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport
Self-launched vs. Exodus
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Exodus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,420 | £3,800 |
| Duration | 11 days | 11 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £2,380 per person (63%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Exodus-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,420
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Festivals of Bhutan – Black Crane: Self-Launched Edition cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,420 per person for 11 days in Bhutan. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Exodus?+
Yes — Exodus charges around £3,800 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,420 — a saving of roughly £2,380 (63%) per person.
How long is the Bhutan trip?+
This itinerary runs 11 days, covering 11 day-by-day stops through Bhutan.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, hiking, wildlife trip through Bhutan, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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