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Masked dancers in yellow and green costumes at a tshechu

Festival Tours

Thimphu Tshechu Festival Tour

  • 7 Days / 6 Nights
  • Paro · Thimphu · Punakha · Phobjikha

The kingdom's largest festival, held at Tashichho Dzong each autumn, with masked dances, atsara clowns and the thongdrol.

About this journey

Bhutan Thimphu Tshechu Festival

Thimphu Tshechu (Fstival) is one of Bhutan’s largest and most popular religious festivals that one must plan Bhutan Festival Tour. It is held annually at Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu, bringing together monks, local residents and visitors to witness sacred masked dances, traditional music, prayers and community celebrations.

The festival is generally held in September or October, according to the Bhutanese lunar calendar. It is an important occasion for Bhutanese people to receive blessings, socialize and celebrate their religious and cultural heritage. It is dedicated to Bhutan Buddhist teachings, Spiritual Wellness and traditions associated with Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava). The larger numbers of Bhutanese attend wearing their finest Traditional gho and kira.

Major attractions during your Bhutan Festival Visit:

  • Sacred Masked Dances, with colorful costumes and elaborate masks representing deities, animals, spirits and other religious figures and the dances communicate Buddhist teachings and stories.
  • Atsara Performers, the humorous Atsaras, recognizable by their colourful masks and playful behaviour, entertain the audience while also serving traditional religious and social functions.
  • Traditional Folk Dances, witness religious cham dances, visitors can see Bhutanese folk songs and dances performed by local communities.
  • Thongdrol Ceremony, the unveiling of the giant sacred image on the final morning to devotees to receive spiritual blessings.

Tour Punakha Festival:

Single Traveler: USD $1690
2 Travelers: USD $1490 per person 
3 Travelers and Above: USD $1390 per person

Day-by-day itinerary

Every journey is private and can be adjusted to your pace, interests and travel dates.

Day1Arrival at Paro International Airport

Our representative from Exclusive Bhutan Journey will welcome you at Paro airport and drive to Thimphu.

  • Tachong Lhakhang (monastery) located on the bank of Paa Chhu River, built in late 1300s by great Tibetan saint Drupthob Thangthong Gyalpo.
  • Traditional Archery Experience.

On reaching Thimphu, check in the Hotel.

Overnight in Thimphu

Day2Explore tour around Thimphu

After breakfast Explore around Thimphu visiting site:

  • Buddha Statue, facing Thimphu valley down below is the worlds’ largest and tallest Buddha statue.
  • Textile museum, near National library at Chubachu, it was established in the year 2001, the museum contains Bhutanese textiles, arts, crafts.
  • View Tashichho Dzong, just near bank of the Wangchu River.
  • Simply Bhutan, Get to see Culture and Traditional of Bhutan.
  • Memorial Chorten, it was built in 1974 by Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Phuntsho Choden in memory of her son, Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
  • Visit Bhutan Museum
  • Royal Takin Reserve (Endanger Animal)
  • Craft Bazaar
  • Kaja Throm local market visit
  • Bhutan Postal Museum visit

Hiking after afternoon with beautiful view of Thimphu (Optional)

Leisure time at Thimphu Town

Overnight at Thimphu

Day3Explore Witness Thimphu festival

After early breakfast drive towards Tashichodzong Dzong Courtyard to witness the Thimphu festival during your Bhutan Tour and Travel. We will spend half of our day here, witnessing festival, mingling with locals peoples who have come for the festival and evening go around Thimphu town to explore the festival vibe and some cultural programs.

Overnight at Thimphu

Day4Drive from Thimphu to Punakha

After breakfast drive towards Punakha via Dochula pass.

  • Dochula Pass, an hour's drive from Thimphu will take you to this pass (3140 m) where one can have a superb view of the Eastern Himalayas on a clear day with a powerful binocular telescope. Visit the beautiful 108 chortens.
  • Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility), famously known for its fertility shrine, where couples unable to concieve come here for blessing.
  • Punakha Dzong, the dzong is situated on a stretch of a land where two rivers – Phochu and Mochu – meet. The dzong was built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in and the first monarch, King Ugyen Wangchuck, was crowned there and it served as the capital of the country until 1955.
  • Suspension Bridge

Overnight at Punakha

Day5Drive from Phobjikha valley to Paro

After breakfast drive towards back to Paro.

  • Visit Botanical Garden and Dochula pass, view the Himalayan Ranges in clear day and fresh air.
  • Ta Dzong (national museum), the dzong was built in the mid-17th century as a watchtower overlooking Paro Dzong and the circular dzong houses the National Museum of Bhutan.
  • Paro Rinpung Dzong, at the bank of Pachu River, Paro Dzong, formally known as Rinchen Pung Dzong.
  • Paro Airport Viewpoint

Leisure time at Paro

Overnight at Paro.

Day6Hike to Paro Taktsang monastery (Tiger Nest)

After breakfast drive towards Taktsang base from where the hike begins.

Horse riding facilities are available till view point (optional).

  • Taktsang monastery, the monastery is located 900 m above Paro valley on the face of a rocky cliff. Taktshang is perhaps the most famous monastery in the country.
  • Visit Farmhouse and get to see unique culture and Traditional of Bhutan. (Optional)

Leisure time at Paro Town

Overnight at Paro

Day7Final Departure from Paro International Airport

After breakfast, your guide and driver will see you off at Paro International airport for your onward destinations.

Good to know

  • Private tours: your own guide, driver and vehicle throughout.
  • The Bhutan visa fee of USD $40 and the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) apply to international visitors; the details are included in your written quote.
  • Payment terms and the cancellation policy are set out on our payment terms page.

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