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Bhutan Festival Tours | Top-rated Bhutan Festival Itinerary

Whoever asks me what should they do to get an insight into the tradition & culture of a country, to take one step closer to the spiritual life of the locals, then honestly, nothing better than getting into this nation’s festivals which will give you a panorama of these things. It is true, I’m sure, especially when you travel to Bhutan, a Buddhist country, where converge a vast of mysteries, old-aged historical sites, and most importantly, there are so many lively festivals showing travelers the culturally spiritual value that has been playing an essential role in the locals’ lives for a long time.
If you are planning a vacation to Bhutan and your purpose is about indulging yourself in the vibrantly Bhutanese festivals to experience the sacred ambiance along with owning an extensive look at Bhutan’s religious culture, don’t be hesitant as let quickly stroll around and have your own tour packages among our ready-made Bhutan Festival Tours. If you do not see the festival you would like to attend on our list, please feel free to contact us then we will help you to customize the best Bhutan tours as you wish.

Tour Highlights

  • Experience the beauty of Paro valley as you arrive at Paro International Airport
  • Witness the grandeur of Bhutan's biggest festival
  • Immersing yourself in vibrant traditions and cultural performances.
  • Discover Thimphu's highlights, including the Memorial Chorten, Buddha Point, and School of Traditional Arts.
  • Visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong
  • Take a pleasant walk to the Temple of Fertility, Chimi Lhakhang.

Tour Highlights

  • Explore Paro Dzong, the National Museum, and the charming town of Paro.
  • Trek to the famous Tiger's Nest Monastery for breathtaking views and spiritual immersion.
  • Visit Simtokha Dzong, enjoy Dochu La's Himalayan views, and explore Punakha's scenic beauty.
  • Discover the tranquil Phobjikha Valley and witness the vibrant Black-necked Crane Festival.
  • Experience Thimphu's allure with Memorial Chorten, Trashi Chhoe Dzong, and traditional cuisine.

Tour Highlights

  • Experience the breathtaking beauty of Paro Valley.
  • Visit the ancient Kyichu Lhakhang for a purification ceremony and blessings.
  • Immerse yourself in the lively Changangkha Lhakhang Festival with traditional dances.
  • Embark on an unforgettable hike to the iconic Paro Taktsang, known as the Tiger's Nest.
  • Visit the Palace of Great Happiness, and explore the unique Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of fertility.

Bhutan Festival Tours

Druk Wangyal Tshechu – 8 Days

Tour Route: Thimphu – Punakha – Paro

Tour Highlights

  • Explore some of the holiest Buddhist sites in the Himalaya.
  • Indulge yourself in the stunning views of the country.
  • An opportunity to bump into lots of Bhutanese people.
  • Marvel at unique dances and traditional rituals performed by the Royal Bhutan Army.

Bhutan Festival Tours

Paro Festival Tour- 6 Days

Tour Route: Thimphu – Punakha – Paro

Tour Highlights

  • Visit and indulge in the vibrant capital city – Thimphu.
  • Discover the unique culture of Bhutan.
  • Experience Religious Festivals in Bhutan.
  • Enjoy the main part of the tour – Paro Festival.
  • Visit and witness several Temples & Monasteries in Bhutan.

Bhutan Festival Tours

Thangbi Mani Festival – 10 Days

Tour Highlights

  • Discover the capital city's wonders.
  • Experience the beauty of Punakha Valley.
  • Witness the vibrant Thangbi Mani Festival, and visit sacred sites.
  • Immerse yourself in Bhutan's history and culture at the National Museum.
  • Enjoy panoramic views from Drukgyel Dzong, and visit the historic Kyichu Lhakhang.

Tour Route: Thimphu – Punakha – Gangtey – Bumthang – Paro

Tour Highlights

  • Visit Chimi Lhakhang – one of the most ‘reversed temple’ in Punakha.
  • Gaze out at cultural heritage sites in West and Central Bhutan.
  • Hike up to the magical Tiger Nest Monastery perched on a sheer rock cliff.
  • Witness the sacred dances and rituals in Thimphu Tshechu festival with the local people, remove bad karma and receive good luck.


Vibrant Festivals to Join in Bhutan Festival Tours

Day by day, you wake up and pinch yourself whether if you are still in a dream or not. Then you get a little bit tired when you realize that you are definitely in real life. So, what does it mean? To me, you are in a not good condition, the person inside you – your mind, I mean, is complicated so you need a little retreat in mind. Then you find out Tshechu, a Buddhist festival in honor of Buddhist Saint Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) that will come to you with color, music, dance, and drama to let you feel blessed. Since then, you can live your life without worrying about what will happen next. Now, do not waste your time anymore, go with us and see what exactly Tshechu/ Festivals in Bhutan are before making up your mind to book or customize your own Bhutan Festival Tours.

Thimphu Festival

Thimphu Festival, without doubt, is one of the biggest events in Bhutan lasting 3 days that is annually held in the courtyard of the Tashichhodzong and is considered one of the most beautiful tshechu in western Bhutan. Getting into the festival, you will witness thousands of people, many of whom travel from neighboring Dzongkhas to attend the tshechu. Once there, you can indulge your soul in the sacred dances and rituals performed by monks and laymen in elaborate, colorful costumes as well as feel a bit sacred in mind. thimphu tshechu - bhutan festival tours

Paro Festival

Paro Festival is a massive event in springtime in Bhutan. Just like Thimphu, during the festival’s time, thousands of people come to the city to socialize and dance. When the event happens, it’s time for you to marvel at sacred dances and rituals displayed by monks and Layman dressing up in dazzling brocade costumes and re-enact famous legends in Buddhism Bhutan. Once there, you will fall in love with the vibrant ambiance of the festival as there will be a performance of dancers wearing colorful costumes and different masks. Moreover, at the end of the Paro festival, aa four-story thangkha (Buddhist religious painting) will be unveiled in the celebration. Once again, after experiencing all these rituals, be ready to feel something sacred and a little bit peaceful in your mind. paro tsechu- festival tours in bhutan

Jambay Lhakhang Drup Festival

This Bhutan Festival is celebrated in Bumthang, the spiritual heartland of Bhutan; hence it is far to easy to understand why Jambay Lhakhang Drup Festival is one of the most important events in such a country. If you don’t want to miss any part of the 4-day festival, go to bed early will be a crime because this event itself will last from day to late at night. In the festival, you might also see the masked dance; however, it is a bit different from elsewhere. I would be brutally honest that my favorite part among others during my time enjoying the festival is naked dance known as Ter Cham and Mewang or the fire blessing as the dancers will perform it around the camping fire at midnight. I heard that this fire dance is held to bless infertile women so that they may bear children after that. Overall, if you want something weird yet unforgettable happening on your Bhutan Festival Tours like mine, the Jamay Lhakhang Drup Festival will be your thing. jambay lhakhang drup - bhutan festival tours

Black-necked Crane Festival

I also had an opportunity to attend this fascinating festival and really enjoyed it mostly because I am a nature lover and more than that the tshechu itself had its own meaningful message. Black-necked Crane Festival is not only celebrated to rejoice the arrival of the black-necked crane – the endangered bird that has become an inseparable part in their daily lives during the winter but to raise the awareness and understanding on the importance of conserving the endangered bird. Talk about the festival, you will enjoy some cultural programs like folk songs (without understanding their meaning), black-necked crane dances as the dancers will put on the black-necked crane costumes while performing the dance, and masked performed by the locals. Furthermore, if you love watching drama, it will be a great opportunity to watch the environmental conservation-themed dramas displayed by school children. black necked crane tshechu - best bhutan festival tour

Wangduephodrang Festival

Wangduephodrang Festival is a fairly new one among other Bhutan Festivals; however, it has been one of the largest tshechus in Bhutan so far. I love this festival because unlike other festivals celebrated for religious purposes only, it is organized to bring people together and promote peace and harmony between people. So, if you have a chance to experience this festival, it will be great for you to drink, dance, and socialize. Raksha Mangcham or ‘Ox Dance’ is the most important part of the festival. On the other hand, just like other festivals in Bhutan, the Wangduephodrang Tshechu finishes with the unfurling of the Guru Tshengye Thongdrol. Wangduephodrang Festival - Bhutan festival holiday

Haa Summer Festival

Haa Summer Festival is one of the most spectacular festivals in Bhutan not only because of the spiritual values it has, but also its most impressive settings with superb lakes and lush valleys that are a backdrop to this wonderful festival. If you have an opportunity to attend this event, you will notice that unlike other tshechus, this one is celebrated by the nomadic herders living in Haa Valley to express the traditional-living style of the locals. It can be a perfect experience for those who want to get an insight into the old-world culture and history. More than that, getting into the festival, you have to be ready to join with the locals as you will drink, sing, and dance with them. haa summer tshechu - bhutan festival tours

Punakha Festival and Drubchen

In short, the Punakha Drubchen is a fascinating tshechu as it is celebrated for the victory of Bhutan when the armies successfully defeated the Tibetan forces of invading in the 17th century. During the time of the festival, you will notice that the local military and villagers will re-enact the battles yet in glorious costumes of bright colors. If you think that is all, not so fast. The tshechu is held within the most beautiful Dzong in Bhutan – Punakha Dzong; hence, why don’t you take this chance to experience both the traditional & cultural values as well as the breathtaking vistas outside the Dzong. Punakha Festival and Drubchen -bhutan festival tours

Bhutan Festival Calendar

To enjoy Bhutan Festival Tours, first of all, you have to know about when will festivals in Bhutan take place. Therefore, all festivals in Bhutan including names, destinations, start and end dates will be listed below:
FestivalsDestinationsStartEnd
Punakha DrubchenPunakhaFebruary 12, 2019February 14, 2019
Punakha TshechuPunakhaFebruary 15, 2019February 17, 2019
Tharpaling ThongdrolBumthangFebruary 19, 2019
Gasa TshechuGasaMarch 14, 2019March 16, 2019
Zhemgang TshechuZhemgangMarch 14, 2019March 14. 2019
GomphukoraTrashigangMarch 14, 2019March 16, 2019
Talo TshechuPunakhaMarch 14, 2019March 16, 2019
Paro TshechuParoMarch 17, 2019March 21, 2019
Chorten KoraTrashi YangtseMarch 21, 2019April 05, 2019
Domkhar TshechuBumthangApril 14, 209April 16, 2019
Ura YakchoeBumthangApril 16, 2019April 20. 2019
Rhododendron FestivalThimphuApril 19, 2019April 21, 2019
Nimalung TshechuBumthangJuly 10, 2019July 11, 2019
Kurjey TshechuBumthangJuly 11, 2019
Haa Summer FestivalHaa ValleyJuly 13, 2019July 14, 2019
Mushroom FestivalThimphuAugust 15, 2019August 16, 2019
Masutaki Mushroom FestivalBumthangAugust 23. 2019August 24, 2019
Tour of the DragonBumthangSep 07, 2019
Thimphu DrubchenThimphuOctober 04, 2019
Wangdue TshechuWangdue PhodrangOctober 05, 2019October 07, 2019
Tamshing Phala ChhoepaBumthangOctober 07, 2019October 09, 2019
Thimphu TshechuThimphuOctober 08, 2019October 10, 2019
Gangtey TshechuWangdue PhodrangOctober 10, 2019October 13, 2019
Thangbi ManiBumthangOctober 10, 2019October 13, 2019
Jhomolhari Mountain FestivalThimphuOctober 14, 2019October 15, 2019
Jakar TshechuBumthangNovember 05, 2019November 09, 2019
Chhukha TshechuChukhaNovember 06, 2019November 08, 2019
Dechenphu Tshechu DechenphuThimphuNovember 08, 2019
Pemagatshel TshechuPemagatshelNovember 11, 2019November 13, 2019
Black Necked Crane FestivalGangteyNovember 11, 2019
Jambay Lhakhang DrupBumthangNovember 13, 2019November 16, 2019
Prakhar DuchhoedBumthangNovember 14, 2019November 16, 2019
Mongar TshechuMongarDecember 04, 2019December 06, 2019
Trashigang TshechuTrashigangDecember 05, 2019December 07, 2019
Jambay Lhakhang Singye ChamBumthangDecember 12, 2019
Nalakhar TshechuBumthangDecember 12, 2019
Druk Wangyel TshechuThimphuDecember 12, 2019
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