- Private transportation.
- All necessary travel permits
- English speaking local guide.
- Accommodation on twin room basis.
- Sightseeing and monastery entrance fees as per the itinerary
- Meal plan: Full Board Basis
Journey overview
The experience at a glance
The Thimphu Tshechu (Festival) is an annual event that brings thousands of people from all over Bhutan to the city of Thimphu for three days of celebration. Initiated in 1867 by the 4th Desi Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay, the festival was later updated by the third king of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, in the 1950s.
To Bhutanese farmers, the festival serves as a much-needed break from the daily routine of farm life. People dress in their finest and come together to receive blessings, pray for health and happiness, and revel in the vibrant culture of the country.
The festival is marked by a series of prayers and rituals to invoke the gods, followed by mask dances and folk dances known as cham. These dances are performed to bring blessings, teach the Buddhist Dharma, and protect onlookers from misfortune.
Furthermore, it is believed that those who attend the festival will gain merit. The last day of the festival is especially special, as the Thongdrol of Guru Rinpoche is unfurled early in the morning, bringing blessings to all who view it.
The Thimphu Tshechu (Festival) is an incredibly unique and meaningful event, drawing people from all over the country to the vibrant city of Thimphu for an unforgettable experience.
Come experience the Thimphu Tshechu (Festival) Tour with the experts from Himalayan Windows! Our knowledgeable team will ensure that you have an unforgettable and once-in-a-lifetime journey.
Day by day
8 days · 1 region
Walk the route one day at a time — meals, overnight stays, and the details that shape each stage.
Arrive in Paro and meet your guide before driving to Thimphu. Go to the Postal Museum, Changzamtok Weaving Centre and Craft Bazaar. Spend the evening in Thimphu, taking in the sights and sounds of the city’s lively life, shopping for local handicrafts or relaxing before your overnight stay.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Overnight
- Hotel in Thimphu
- Distance
- 55 km
- Altitude
- 2,320m
Hence, when you wake up, visit the vibrant Thimphu Tshechu, Bhutan's largest religious festival where monks perform sacred masked dances as thousands of locals wear colorful traditional clothes to receive blessings. Visit the Tashichho Dzong, the seat of Bhutan's government and central monastic body, and then Buddha Dordenma, one of the world's tallest Buddha statues in the Thimphu Valley. Enjoy a traditional archery competition, the national sport of Bhutan, and visit the National Memorial Chorten, where local devotees gather daily for prayers. Stay overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.
- Meals
- Full Board
- Overnight
- Hotel in Thimphu
- Altitude
- 2,320m
After breakfast, visit the lively Centenary Farmers Market where local people come together to buy and sell fresh produce, handicrafts and traditional goods. Then walk to Tendrel Thang to see the second day of the colorful Thimphu Tshechu in full swing, with the masked dancing and festive atmosphere. To learn about Bhutan's intricate weaving culture, visit the National Textile Museum and discover what we really need to do in Bhutan. Drive to the trailhead after lunch and hike through rhododendron forests to the peaceful Tango Monastery, a Buddhist learning center with views over the valley. Return to Thimphu for an overnight stay.
- Meals
- Full Board
- Overnight
- Hotel in Thimphu
- Altitude
- 2,320m
After breakfast, watch the grand finale of the Thimphu Tshechu at Tendrel Thang, where sacred masked dances, traditional folk performances and warrior dances create a spectacular celebration of Bhutanese culture. Local people dress up in their best traditional attire and celebrate this festival. Later on, visit the Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory, Takin Preserve to see Bhutan's rare national animal, and the Changangkha Lhakhang, a 13th-century temple overlooking Thimphu Valley. Stay at your hotel in Thimphu.
- Meals
- Full Board
- Overnight
- Hotel in Thimphu
- Altitude
- 2,320m
After breakfast, drive to Punakha via the picturesque Dochu La Pass (3,140m) and enjoy panoramic Himalayan views and the 108 chortens. Then visit Druk Wangyal Lhakhang, and go to Chimi Lhakhang, the famous Fertility Temple. Explore the grand Punakha Dzong, Bhutan's former capital, before staying overnight in Punakha.
- Meals
- Full Board
- Overnight
- Hotel in Punakha
- Altitude
- 75m
NoteDocula Pass (3100m), Mountain Road
After breakfast, visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong and walk to the hilltop Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten with spectacular views of the Punakha Valley. Drive back to Paro and visit the historic Rinpung Dzong and the traditional cantilever bridge. End the day with a visit to a local Bhutanese farmhouse for a real glimpse of rural life before staying overnight in Paro.
- Meals
- Full Board
- Overnight
- Hotel in Paro
- Distance
- 128 km
- Altitude
- 2,250m
After breakfast, hike to the iconic Tiger's Nest Monastery (Taktsang), Bhutan's most sacred landmark, perched dramatically on a cliff at 3,120m. Enjoy breathtaking valley views before exploring the monastery where Guru Padmasambhava meditated in the 8th century. After lunch, visit the ancient Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest temples, and unwind with a traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath before your overnight stay in Paro.
- Meals
- Full Board
- Overnight
- Hotel in Paro
- Distance
- 6.4 km
- Altitude
- 3,120m
NoteHigh-altitude, Stay hydrated, walk slowly, 5 hrs hiking to Tiger's Nest (back and forth)
After breakfast, your tour guide from Himalayan Windows Tours will drive you to the Paro International Airport and bid you farewell.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Private vehicle & English-speaking guide throughout · Paro
Places covered
Destinations on this trip
The places this journey moves through, in the order they shape the experience.
Paro
Thimphu
Tango Monastery
Punakha
Tiger's Nest Temple
Trip essentials
What your journey covers
A clear split between what we arrange and what you budget yourself.
- Insurance of any kind
- Single Supplement (if required)
- Flight fare to/from Paro
- Sustainable Development Fee (SDF): US$ 100 per night/person
- Additional costs due to natural calamity and unforeseen circumstance
- Personal expenses such as drinks guide tips &, etc.
Before you go
Trip Information
Before you go
Frequently asked
More about travelling in Bhutan
