Festival Tours

A Highlight of Bhutan
Festivals form an inseparable part of the Bhutanese culture. The Tshechus (festivals) are celebrated for 3 to 5 days in which both monks and laymen take part in the dances. 

Dancers reenact legendary events, with monks playing exotic musical instruments. Elaborate dances tell us moral tales, dances intended to purify a place and protect it from evil spirits and dances that proclaim the victory of Buddhism and the glory of Guru Rimpoche. 

The highlight of most Tshechus is the brief unfurling of the Dzong’s huge appliqué thangka, representing Guru Rimpoche and his eight manifestations. Better known as a Thongdrel, the Bhutanese believe that by viewing this they are delivered from the cycles of reincarnations.

At the festivals the Atsaras or clowns weaving expressive masks are a welcome sight. Tshechus are also a time for the Bhutanese people to socialize with family, friends and acquaintances. These festivals both in terms of the ways of celebrations and rituals are well preserved over centuries.

We can also create a custom tour that suites your specific needs. Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions about these excursions.

Bhutan Folk Festival - 3 days
The event will showcase different artifacts, games, dances, food, folk and religious performances. It is a festival which will portray the simplicity, complexity and understanding of Bhutanese life. More >

Tangbi Man - 11 nights/12 days
Performed by the monks of Chiwong, this festival depicts the victory of Buddhism over the ancient 'Bon' religion. Includes hike to Tiger's Nest, Paro and Thimphu sightseeing. More >

Tamshingphala Choepa -13 nights/14 days
Includes hike to Tiger's Nest, Chari Goenpa and Thimphu sightseeing. More >

Punakha Dromshoe Festival - 12 nights/13 days
Includes 2 days at the festival, hike to Kila Goenpa nunnery and Tiger’s Nest and tour of Thimphu. More >

Paro Tshechu Festival - 6 nights/7 days
Because this festival has the easy access of being located near the only airport in Bhutan, it is one of the most visited. By visiting only Paro and our capital, Thimphu, you can stay in some of Bhutan's best hotels and enjoy the conveniences of easy access and modern amenities. More >

Ura Tshechu Festival - 12 nights/13 days
Ura is located in a beautiful and secluded valley in Central Bhutan just beyond the terminus of most tourist itineraries. As a result, this festival remains one of the most traditionally authentic. More >

Kurjey Tshechu Festival - 12 nights/13 days
One of the most important and venerated is the Kurjey monastery where the Guru Rimnpoche mediated and left an imprint of his body on a rock inside the second of three temples. More >

Trongsa Tshechu Festival - 11 nights/12 days
Trongsa was one of the most important towns in Bhutan. It was from here than our kingdom was unified. The Dzong and township occupy one of the most spectacular sites in Bhutan. More >

Festival Schedule
September 12-16
September 15-17
September 16-18
September 17-19
September 22-24
October 13-17
October 15-18
October 22-26
October 23-25
November 2-6
November 12
November 13-16
November 13-16
November 14-17
November 15-16
November 21
November 21-23
November 20-24
December 15-17
December 15-17
December 21
December 21-25

February 10-12, 2011
February 13-15
February 18
February 17-21
February 19-21
Feburary 18-March 4
March 2-4
March 13-15
March 13-15
March 13-16
March 15-19
March 17-19
April 13-15
May 14-17
May 22-23
July 8-10
July 10
July 29
October 1-5
October 4-6
October 4-6
October 6-8
October 6-8
October 6-8
October 10-12
November 1-5
November 3-6
November 12
November 10-14
November 11-13
November 22-25
December 2-5
December 2-5
December 4-5
December 10
December 10-13
December 10-12

January 2-4, 2012
January 2-4
January 2-4
January 9-13
January 9

2010-2011 (tentative)
Thimphu Drubchen, Thimphu
Wandgi Tshechu, Wangdue Phodrang
Tamshingphala Choepa, Bumthang
Thimphu Tshechu, Thimphu
Tangbi Mani, Bumthang
Shingkhar Rabney, Bumthang
Jakar Tshechu, Bumthang
Jambay Lhakhang Drup, Bumthang
Prakhar Tshechu, Bumthang
Sumdrang Kangsol, Bumthang
Crane Festival, Wangdue Phodrang
Mongar Tshechu, Mongar
Pemagatshel Tshechu, Pemagatshel
Trashigang Tshechu, Trashigang
Tang Namkha Rabney, Bumthang
Jambay Lahkhang Singye Cham, Bumthang
Nalakhang Tshechu, Bumthang
Chojam Rabney, Bumthang
Tongsa Tshechu, Trongsa
Lhuntse Tshechu, Lhuntse
Shingkhar Metochodpa, Bumthang
Nabji Lhakhang Drup, Trongsa

Punakha Dzong, PUNAKHA
Punakha Dzong, PUNAKHA
Tharpaling Lhakhang, Chummi, BUMTHANG
Tangsibi Lhakhang, Ura, BUMTHANG
Buli Lhakhang, Chummi, BUMTHANG
Chorten Kora, TRASHIYANGTSHE
Gaden Lhakhang, Ura, BUMTHANG
Gom Kora Lhakhang, TRASHIGANG
Talo, PUNAKHA
Zhemgang Dzong, ZHEMGANG
Rinpung Dzong, PARO
CHHUKHA
Domkhar, Chummi, BUMTHANG
Ura Lhakhang, BUMTHANG
Padsel-ling Gonpa, Choekhor, BUMTHANG
Nimalung Dratshang, Chummi, BUMTHANG
Kurjey Lhakhang, Choekhor, BUMTHANG
Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha WANGDUE PHODRANG
Tashi Chhodzong, THIMPHU
Wangdi Dzong, WANGDUE PHODRANG
Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha WANGDUE PHODRANG
Tamshing Lhakhang, Choekhor, BUMTHANG
Tashi Chhodzong, THIMPHU
Gasa Dzong, GASA
Tangbi Lhakhang, Choekor, BUMTHANG
Shingkhar, URA, BUMTHANG
Jakar Dzong, Choekhor, BUMTHANG
Gangtey Gonpa, PHOBJI KHA, W. PHODRANG
Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, BUMTHANG
Prakar Lhakhang, Chummi, BUMTHANG
Sumdrang Lhakhang, Ura, BUMTHANG
Mongar Dzong, MONGAR
Trashigang Dzong, TRSASHIGANG
Tang Namkha, Lhakhang, TANG, BUMTHANG
Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, BUMTHANG
Chojamrab Lhakhang, TANG, BUMTHANG
Ngaa Lhakhang, Choekhor, BUMTHANG

Pemagatshel Dzong, PEMAGATSHEL
Trongsa Dzong TRONGSA
Lhuntse Dzong LHUENTSE
Nabji Lhakhang, Nabji, TRONGSA
Shingkhar Lhakhang,Ura, BUMTHANG