Bhutan festival tours.
Please find below the Bhutan festivals & tour dates 2024 / 2025. The mask dance festivals in Bhutan, called Tshechu (Meaning tenth day) are held at various times of the year. These colorful events draw thousands of locals, some of whom have to travel in Bhutan for days. The underlying purpose of festivals in Bhutan is spiritual. The dances are more often like plays where good triumphs over evil. It also depicts significant historical events, especially about the life of Bhutan’s patron saint, Guru Rinpoche.
There is inevitably a great deal of socializing during these festivals in Bhutan. It is also an opportunity for people to relax and forget daily routines, to dress in finest clothes and jewelry. More importantly, Bhutan festivals are an occasion for prayer and blessings. Tshechus mainly comprise mask dances in addition to some folk dance entertainment. Festivals are not entertainment events and definitely not held as tourist attractions. They are genuine manifestations of ancient religious traditions, which outsiders are given the privilege to witness.
Druk Wangyel Tshechu
Festival dates: 13th Dec
Location: Dochula Pass (3140 m), Punakha
Duration: 3 days
Highlights: Witness the spectacular Chhukha tshechu festival.Meet local people.Experience unique culture and traditionsVisit ancient temples, monasteries and dzongs (Forts).Scenic landscapes.Visit the Bhutanese villages and farm houses.Museums and government institutions.
Jambay Lhakhang Singye Cham (Lion dance)
Festival dates: 15th Dec
Location: Jambay Lhakhang, Bumthang
Duration: 3 days
Highlights: Witness the Jambay lhakhang Singye Cham.Meet local People.Visit Bhutanese villages and farmhouses.Ancient temples, monasteries and dzongs.Witness archery matches.Panoramic landscapes.Scenic mountain flight.
Nalakhar Tshechu
Festival dates: 15th - 17th Dec
Location: Ngaa lhakhang, Nalakhar village, Bumthang.
Duration: 3 days
Highlights: Witness the colorful Nalakhar festivalMeet local people.Visit Bhutanese villages and farmhouses.Panoramic landscapes.Ancient temple, monasteries and dzongs.Archery matches.Scenic mountain flight.
Punakha Tshechu
Festival dates: 9th – 11th March 2025
Location: Punakha dzong, Punakha
Duration: 3 days
Highlights: Witness the most spectacular Punakha festival.Meet local people including the “Layaps”.Ancient temples, monasteries and dzongs (forts).Pristine villages and beautiful farm houses.Witness archery matches.Most scenic landscapes.
Tharpaling Tshechu
Festival dates: 14th March 2025
Location: Tharpaling monastery, Bumthang.
Duration: 3 days
Highlights: Witness the colorful Tharpaling tshechu festival.Meet local people.Scenic landscapes.Ancient temples, monasteries and magnificent dzongs.Pristine villages and farm houses.Witness archery matches.
Chorten Kora Tshechu
Festival dates: 14th & 29th March 2025
Location: Phuntsholing, Chhukha
Duration: 3 days
Highlights: Unique culture and tradition of eastern Bhutan.Ancient temples, monasteries and Dzongs.Meet local people.Panoramic landscapes.Archery matches.Pristine Bhutanese villages and farm houses.Scenic mountain flight.
Talo Tshechu
Festival dates: 5th – 7th April 2025
Location: Talo monastery, Punakha
Duration: 3 days
Highlights: Witness spectacular Talo festival.Meet local people.Ancient temples, monasteries and dzongs.Pristine villages and farm houses.Scenic landscapes.Witness archery matches.
Paro Tshechu
Festival dates: 8th – 12th April 2025
Location: Rinpung dzong in Paro
Duration: 5 days
Highlights: Witness the most spectacular Paro festival.Ancient monasteries, temples & dzongs.Meet the local people.Visit pristine hamlets and farm houses.Witness archery matches.
Rhododendron Festival
Festival dates: 22 – 24th April 2025
Location: Royal botanical park, Lam Pelri, Punakha
Duration: 3 days
Highlights: Witness Rhododendron festivalImmerse in local cultureMeet local peopleAncient temples, monasteries and dzongsBhutanese village and farm houseWitness archery matchesMost scenic landscapes
Domkhar Tshechu
Festival dates: 7th – 9th May 2025
Location: Domkhar lhakhang, Chumey valley, Bumthang
Duration: 3 days
Highlights: Witness the Domkhar tshechu festival.Meet local people.Visit ancient dzongs, temples and monasteries.Pristine villages and farm houses.Scenic landscapes.Archery matches.Scenic mountain flight.
Ura Yakchoe Tshechu
Festival dates: 9th – 13th May 2025
Location: Ura Lhakhang, Ura valley, Bumthang
Duration: 5 days
Highlights: Witness spectacular Ura Yakchoe tshechu festival.Experience unique culture.Most scenic landscapes.Ancient temples, monasteries and dzongs.Meet local People.Panoramic mountain flight.Witness archery matches.Pristine villages and farm houses.
Nimalung & Kurjey Tshechu
Festival dates: 3rd – 5th July 2025
Location: Nimalung Temple/Kurjey Lhakhang, Bumthang
Duration: 3 days
Highlights: Witness Nimalung & Kurjey tshechu festival.Meet local people.Scenic landscapes.Unique culture and traditions.Ancient monasteries, temples and dzongs.Pristine villages and farmhouses.Scenic mountain flight.
Haa Summer Festival
Festival dates: 3rd – 5th July 2025
Location: Nimalung Temple/Kurjey Lhakhang, Bumthang
Duration: 3 days
Highlights: Witness the colorful Haa summer festival.Meet local people.Visit Bhutanese villages and farm houses.Visit ancient temples, monasteries and dzongs.Scenic landscapes.Experience unique culture and traditions.