Bangkok, Thailand - Backyard Travel today announced that they are offering a special new tour taking travellers to the annual celebrations at Bhutan's colorful Jambay Lhakhang Drup Festival.

Backyard Travel specialize in unique, insider tours throughout Asia and this new tour has just the one departure date of 23rd October 2015. This wonderful Bhutanese festival takes place over four days in the remote district of Bumthang and is one of the kingdom's most visually spectacular events.

Set against the stunning backdrop of Bumthang valley at the seventh-century Jambay Lhakhang temple – the oldest in Bhutan – this consecration festival promises a remarkable cultural experience. 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.

During the guided eleven-day 'Discover Bhutan's Festival of Fire'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, which takes place from the 27 to 30 October 2015, is central to this insider's tour of Bhutan. Other cultural highlights include visits to historic sites in the capital Thimpu, exploring the stunning dzong fortresses of Punakha, Paro and Trongsa, hiking through Bhutan's central valleys and spending time in remote Himalayan villages.

2015 is also a particularly poignant year to catch the Jambay Lhakhang festival as its 'Visit Bhutan' year, commemorating the 60th birthday of the fourth king Jigme Singye Wangchuck, “Bhutan is Asia's most preserved country – geographically and culturally,” 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 mentioned in the visits are included.

About Backyard Travel

Bangkok based Backyard Travel is an online travel company specializing in tailor-made tours to Vietnam, Bhutan, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Indonesia, Japan, Borneo and China.

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