Overview
The Thimphu Tshechu Festival Tour offers a captivating glimpse into Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage and vibrant traditions. Tshechu, meaning “tenth day” in Bhutanese, is also an annual religious festival celebrating across the country, and the Thimphu Tshechu one of the most revered and grandest of them all.
The tour begins in the charming capital city of Thimphu, where visitors immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere and witness the colorful spectacle of the Tshechu. The festival also takes place in the courtyard of the magnificent Tashichho Dzong, a fortress-like monastery that serves as the seat of Bhutan’s government. Locals and tourists alike gather in their finest traditional attire to witness sacred mask dances, religious rituals, and vibrant cultural performances. The air also filled with the sound of sacred chants and the aroma of incense, creating a truly mystical ambiance.
Apart from the festival, the Thimpu Tshechu Festival tour also includes visits to key cultural landmarks in Thimphu. Exploring the National Memorial Chorten, a stupa dedicated to peace and prosperity, also offers a serene experience and an opportunity for spiritual reflection. The tour also encompasses the National Folk Heritage Museum and the School of Traditional Arts, providing insights into Bhutanese traditional arts, crafts, and way of life.
Beyond Thimphu, the journey continues to the picturesque valleys of Paro and Punakha. In Paro, visitors can also hike up to the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery, perched precariously on a cliffside, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes. Punakha showcases the stunning Punakha Dzong, a majestic fortress situated at the confluence of two rivers and often considered one of the most beautiful dzongs in Bhutan.
Conclusion and Summary
The Thimphu Tshechu Festival Tour also provides an unforgettable experience, offering a blend of cultural immersion, natural beauty, and spiritual rejuvenation. It is also an ideal choice for those seeking a profound encounter with Bhutan’s traditions and a deeper appreciation for its enchanting way of life.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive Paro (2250m) & transfer to Thimphu (2350m)
Arrive Paro by Bhutan’s national carrier, Druk Air, and it’s a scenic flight as the plane touch down the lush green Paro Valley flying past the world’s highest mountains. Steeping down from the plane, cool, clean and fresh air welcomes the visitor, the first gift of Bhutan. After clearing the customs and visa formalities met by the representatives and transfer to Paro for lunch. Afterwards drive to Thimphu (1 hour) following Pa Chhu downstream.
In Thimphu, drive on to the Buddha Terrance for a stunning view of the valley and take a drive to visit Takin Preserve to see Takin, Bhutan’s national animal – a strange looking beast which some say resembles a beestung moose! Take a view of the majestic Tashichoe Dzong, the seat of the government before circumventing the Memorial Chorten – a monument erected in memory of Bhutan’s third king H.M. Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. Visit Centenary Farmers Market, the new authentic craft bazaar, National Institute of Traditional Medicine that still dispenses traditional herbal medicines to the locals, the Folk Heritage Museum – a 300 year old traditional house converted into a museum. Overnight at Hotel.(Lunch/Dinner included)
Day 02: Attend the Thimphu Festival
After breakfast, attend the Thimphu festival where the whole day is also in the festival with various mask dances and folk dancers along with jokers actions in the crowd. Overnight at Hotel.(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)
Day 03: Attend the Thimphu Festival
Another day in the interesting Thimphu festival. Or during the afternoon proceed for sightseeing at other places like visiting Changangkha Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the valley, Takin’s preservation center. Overnight in Hotel.(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)
Day 04: Thimphu – Punakha (1310m)
After breakfast, drive for about 1 & half hours to Punakha. Climb up the mountain road to Dochula La at 3140m. On clear weather, the pass commands a wonderful panorama of the Eastern Himalayas. From the pass, descend through varied forest and finally emerging into the highly cultivated valley of Punakha. Take a short hike through beautiful rice fields to Chimmi Lhakhang, a temple dedicated to Drukpa Kuenley, who as a favorite saint of the Bhutanese people is known affectionately as the Divine Madman.The temple is on a hillside in the middle of rice fields and has become a pilgrimage site for childless couples. Enjoy some tea and snacks at the end of hike while overlooking the fields. Overnight at Hotel.(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)
Day 05: Punakha – Paro (2250m)
Drive to visit a stunning hill-top nunnery – Sangchen Dorji Lhundrup Chholing. Have a chat with the nuns and enjoy the charm of the surrounds! The main temple is also dedicated to the bodhisattva of compassion (Avaloketeshvara) and next to the temple is a beautiful Stupa and there are slate carvings of religious figures. Re-crossing Dochula and stopping at Thimphu for lunch. Arrive Paro in the afternoon and check hotel. Overnigh at Hotel.(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)
Day 06: Paro – Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery (3120m)
After breakfast drive towards the base camp of Taktsang for the hike up to the Taktsang Monastery-Tiger’s Nest. It’s about two hours hike up the cafeteria. From this point, enjoy the spectacular view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in 8th century. Then visit the Taktsang Monastery and hike back to the road point then drive to Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines in Bhutan. Also visit Paro Ringpong Dzong. Afterwards, back to hotel. Overnight at Hotel (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)
Day 07: Paro depart
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to catch the onward flight. Also Bid farewell to the remote and legendary Dragon Kingdom disappearing again behind its guardian mountains.(Breakfast only included)