Gomkora Festival Tour
Trip Overview
The Gomkora Festival, held in eastern Bhutan, is a vibrant and deeply spiritual event that draws devotees from across the region, including the Dakpa tribe from Arunachal Pradesh, India. Centered around a legendary rock where a demon once hid after fleeing Tibet, the festival celebrates the triumph of Guru Rinpoche, who meditated in the cave and subdued the demon in the form of a mighty Garuda. This annual gathering offers a unique glimpse into Bhutan’s rich folklore and traditions, highlighted by the compelling ritual of circumambulation—an act of devotion famously captured in a local song urging visitors to “Go around today, for tomorrow may be too late”. Beyond the festival, the tour explores the stunning landscapes and vibrant culture of eastern Bhutan, making it an unforgettable pilgrimage for travellers seeking spiritual depth and natural beauty.
At a Glance
US $3,160 per Person
📅 Duration: 13 days / 12 nights
👥 Group size : 2 person & above
🏔️ Tour Type: Festival & Cultural Tour
🏔️ Tour grade Level : Easy
📊 Average walking Time : 4-5 Hours
🚶 Best Seasons : Mar-Apr
🌄 Highest Elevation : 3,786m
🛏️ Accommodation : Hotels
Tour Highlights
✅️ Attend Gomkora festivals with locals.
✅️ Taste the immortal water from the cave during the festival, its auspicious.
✅️ Enjoy the lush greenery and serene landscapes.
✅️ Explore the villages and experience rural life.
✅️ “Visit Gomphu Kora today; tomorrow may be too late” advice a local song that entices devotees to visit Gomphu kora.
✅️ Your trip will conclude in Paro with a climb to the stunning cliff-side Tiger’s Nest Monastery.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 (15 March, Monday): Guwahati – Samdrup Jongkhar
Our representative will receive you at the Guwahati airport and escort you to Samdrup Jongkhar through tea gardens, transparent rivers interspersed with quiet villages, and small townships of vibrant culture. Evening, take a walk-through town.
Day 2 (16 March, Tuesday): Samdrup Jongkhar – Trashigang
After breakfast, you will begin your journey to Trashigang, the major commercial hub of the eastern Bhutan. This is going to be stunning journey passing through varied tropical to broadleaved forests, villages and varied vegetation zones. Make stops at Narphung, Wamrong, Khaling and Kanglung to interact with locals.
Day 3 (17 March, Wednesday): Gomkora Festival
Enjoy the festival with locals who come from all over eastern Bhutan. The festival even draws the Dakpa tribe from neighboring Arunachal Pradesh in India. The biggest attraction of Gomkora is the circumambulation. “Go around today for tomorrow may be too late”, advises a local song that entices devotees to visit the festival.
Day 4 (18 March, Thursday ): Trashigang – Mongar
Proceed to Mongar passing through several villages. The road follows the Gamri River through cornfields and banana grooves and then ascends gradually to Yadi. Stop here for a while for a cup of tea. Then drive further up till the Kori La Pass (2450m) – famous spot for the avid birders and descend till you reach Mongar. In the evening, you can wander around Mongar town and sit down to a relaxing dinner.
Day 5 (19 March, Friday): Mongar – Bumthang
You will begin your journey to central Bhutan, which is different from eastern Bhutan in terms of development and lifestyle. The drive on this day is an exhilarating 6 hours, particularly the Thrumshing La (pass), which peaks at 3,750 meters. Stop for your picnic lunch at the Pass enjoying the great sceneries around. You can walk on the certain stretches of road to relax your muscles while your car will be following behind you. You will pass through Ura village, which has a medieval look because of the cobblestone streets, and the typical clothing of the women.
Day 6 (20 March , Saturday): Bumthang
A full day tour in Bumthang may include the historic Jakar Dzong, Kurjey Lhakhang (associated with Guru Rimpoche, who bought Tantric Buddhism to Bhutan and Tibet), Jambay Lhakhang (dating from the 8th century) and Tamshing Lhakhang (built in 1501 by the Buddhist saint Pema Lingpa). In the afternoon, you can walk around in Bumthang town and interact with locals.
Day 7 (21 March, Sunday ): Bumthang – Punakha
Today, you will drive to Punakha. En route, visit Trongsa Dzong, the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture. Lunch will be served at Chendebji which has a Chorten built in Nepalese style with eyes painted at four cardinal points. After long exhilarating drive passing through two spectacular high passes, you will arrive Punakha.
Day 8 (22 March, Monday): Punakha
After breakfast, visit Punakha Dzong, winter seat of the Je Khenpo and the Monk Body. Drive to Lobesa and hike other 20-minutes to Chime Lhakhang, temple of the “Divine Madman” popularly considered to be a temple of fertility. After lunch, you will cross the suspension bridge and then hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten through rice terraces, farms, and deep pine forest. The view from here is stunning. Walk down till road point where your car will be waiting.
Day 9 (23 March, Tuesday): Punakha – Thimphu
Drive to the capital, crossing the Dochula Pass and enjoying stunning views of the Himalayas. At Dochula, you can also visit the new Druk Wangyal Monastery, which is the only of its kind in the country with elaborate paintings depicting the lineage of the present monarchy and their visionary works. In afternoon, enjoy a stroll in Thimphu city.
Day 10 (24 March, Wednesday ): Thimphu
Enjoy some sightseeing in Thimphu with a visit to King’s Memorial Chorten (which was built in honor of late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck), School of Arts and Crafts (also known as the painting school), National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Buddha Point, and Motithang Takin Preserve. In the afternoon, visit the Tashi Chhoedzong, known as the “Fortress of Glorious Religion”. Also visit local archery ground and watch locals playing archery.
Day 11 (25 March, Thursday): Thimphu – Paro
After breakfast, you will drive to Paro with stop en route at Chhuzom (confluence), where you can see local farmers sit by the side of the road selling vegetables, apples and dried cheese. After lunch, sightseeing in Paro includes the Rimpung Dzong, dating back to the 17th century. From the Dzong, you can walk down to the road head crossing a traditional wooden bridge. From here, you will be taken to Kichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and the most sacred shrine in the country. In evening, enjoy a stroll in Paro town.
Day 12 (26 March, Friday): Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery
Conclude your stay in Bhutan by hiking to the Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) monastery, the most famous pilgrim site, which clings to the rock at 3180m. According to the legend, it is believed that Guru Rimpoche, the 8th century Spiritual Master, flew to this location on the back of a tigress to meditate. Lunch will be served at Cafeteria Restaurant halfway up on the mountain. Explore the monastery and hike back to Paro.
Day 13 (27 March, Saturday): Depart Paro
You will drive to the airport for departure. Our representative will bid you farewell.
Cost Includes
✓ Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
✓ VISA Fee
✓ Accommodation
✓ All meals
✓ Transport
✓ All internal taxes & charges
✓ Licensed Bhutanese Tour Guide
Cost Excludes
✗ Flight tickets
✗ Insurance
✗ Drinks and Beverages
✗ Tips
✗ Internet and Phone bills
✗ Other bills of personal nature
Insurance
Note: Package does not include insurance of any kind.
You are required to obtain separate coverage from your home country before your trip begins.