Departure Dates: Every Thrusday from March to May, Sept. to November.
Bhutan is a well situated in the heart of the Himalayas and is called the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan where Myths and Folklore are still intact and believed by the locals. Myths and Folklore plays a vital role in the life of a Bhutanese and everything is connected with the mythology of a place, monastery, animals etc. In honor of such beliefs there are lots of festivals being held throughout Bhutan on different dates and months based on lunar calendar and one such festival is Bumthnag Jambay Lhakhang Drup.
About Tsechu festival
The Tsechu festivals-living culture of Bhutan that many have come to admire and to treasure. The tsechu is a festival in honour of Guru Rinpoche, the saint who brought Buddhism to Bhutan. These Tsechus are held in almost every district attracting hundreds of foreigners and its people in a spirit of festivity, celebration and deep faith. Peoples dance with mask, playing weapons and funny dresses. Here we have made some major festival tour departures. Come and visit Bhutan to experience it yourselves.
Tshechu Mask Dance
The largest and famous annual festival in Bhutan is the Tshechu, an event honoring Guru Rinpoche through Religious dances performed by the monks as well as by lay people. The dates and duration of the Tshechu festivals vary among dzongkhags (Districts) but they always fall on or around the 10th day of the month in the Bhutanese calendar.
The dances are known as Cham and are performed to bless onlookers, to teach them the Buddhist dharma, to protect them from misfortune and to exorcise all evil; the dancers who take on the aspects of wrathful and compassionate deities, heroes, demons, and animals do this. Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Pema Lingpa were main figures who composed many of the dances.
Dance of Guru Rinpoche
It is believed that merit is gained by attending this Religious festival. The dances invoke the deities to wipe out misfortunes, increase luck and grant personal wishes. Onlookers rarely fail to notice the Atsaras or clowns who move through the crowds mimicking the dancers and performing comic routines in their mask with long red noses. A group of ladies perform traditional Bhutanese dances during the intervals between mask dances.
An auspicious event of the many of the Tshechus is the unfurling of the Thongdrol from the main building overlooking the dance area. This is done before sunrise and most people rush to witness the moment. Thongdrols are large Thangkas or Religious pictures that are usually embroidered rather than painted. The word itself means 'liberation on sight.' It is believed that bad karmas are wiped away simply by viewing it.
Apart from its Religious implications, the Tshechu is also an annual social gathering where people dress in their finest clothing and jewelry. A small fair may be organized outside the Dzong for those looking for a variety of entertainments.
Trip Days: 7 Days
09 nights/10 days tour itinerary
22 Oct/Mon: Arrival at Paro (by Druk Air) - Thimphu
Transfetr to airport and fly to Paro with Druk air. After clearing customs and visa control you are met by your driver and guide then drive to Thimphu , the capital of Bhutan . This very picturesque drive past rural homes, hillside monasteries and chortens only takes 1.5 hours. Settle into your hotel and after lunch at a local restaurant start your sightseeing, visiting the Textile Museum, a traditional paper making factory and the Post office to see Bhutan's beautiful stamps which also depicts about our country's myths, traditions etc. Overnight at hotel.
23 Oct/Tue: Thimphu valley sightseeing and hike to Tango Monastery
After breakfast drive at Sangaygang, a field of Bhutanese prayer flags, perched high above the city. Visit the Motithang Mini Zoo where you can see the National animal Takin research centre where these odd animals graze peacefully in a small protected park. Walk to the Zilukha Nunnery and then drive to the Tango Monastery for a picnic lunch. The hike to the monastery takes about 45 minutes. It is a 13th century structure and today is home to about 150 monks studying Buddhist Philosophy and meditation. Thimphu sightseeing continues with the Folk Heritage Museum (a beautifully restored Bhutanese farmhouse from the last century) and the National Painting School . In the evening visit the National Memorial Chorten built in honor of our 3rd king Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (a wonderful opportunity to mix with the local population). Overnight at hotel.
24 Oct/Wed: Thimphu - Punakha
Depart Thimpu and drive over the Docchu-La pass to Punakha. The teahouse at the pass offers beautiful views of the Himalayan range in the distance. This is a 3 hour drive with e stops en route. The pass here is marked by colourful prayer flags and many chortens (stupas). Here it is being said that a demon was terrorizing the Afternoon visit the magnificent Dzong spanning the MoChu and Po Chu rivers. This is the winter residence of the monastic body and the Je Khenpo (chief Abbott). Dinner and overnight at hotel.
25 Oct/Thu: Punakha - Trongsa - Bumthang
This morning we travel to Bumthnag valley via Trongsa enroute Wangdue valley, a typical rural town. Continue your drive with a stop at the Chendibji Chorten at the top of a highest pass of the Black mountains and then continue into Central Bhutan . The golden roofed Trongsa Dzong spans the valley that divides east and west Bhutan and is another architectural feat, which can be seen for 20 tantalising and winding miles before it is finally reached. Afternoon visit the impressive Trongsa Dzong and then drive to Bumthang the cultural heart of Bhutan via Yotongla pass (3,400 metres). You will probably see Yaks on the high passes on the way to Bumthang. Overnight at Rinchenling Lodge.
26 Oct/Fri: Bumthang
In the morning we hike to visit Tamshing Monastery (one of the oldest monastic schools built by Terton Pema Lingpa) and Kurjey Lhakhang (where the Guru Rinpoche subdued a local demon and left his body imprint on a rock). We also visit Jambay Lhakhang (one of the oldest temple in Bhutan built in 7th century) and Jakar Dzong (seat of the district administration).
In the afternoon hike to Thangbi valley across the suspension bridge and visit the Thangbi Lhakhang built in the 14th century. At mid night walk from your hotel to the festival ground and witness the "Fire Dance" or the naked dance which is played around a fire and offers a very spectacular view of people as all walks of life will be witnessing the dance as it is believed that by witnessing such dances will purify the your sins. Overnight at hotel Rinchenling lodge.
27 Oct/Sat: Bumthang
Full day witness Jambay Lhakhang Drup where you will witness different types of dances and the dancers in their best customes. This will also give the opportunity to interact with the local people in their finery. Overnight at Rinchenling lodge.
28 Oct/Sun: Bumthang - Wangdue
Depart the Bumthang valley and retrace our route back out of the valley and back to Wangdue. Overnight at hotel Dragon Nest.
29 Oct/Mon: Wangdue - Thimphu - Paro
An early departure from Wangdue to Paro via Thimphu . Afternoon visit Ta Dzong (an ancient watchtower) which now houses the National Museum and Rinpung Dzong, built in 17th century to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The dzong is now used as an administration centre and school for monks. Later evening take a walk around the main street of Paro's main shopping district. Overnight at hotel.
30 Oct/Tue: Paro - Hike to Taktsang Monastery
After breakfast drive the winding road to the Drukgyal Dzong, the ruined fort, which was once defended this valley from Tibetan invasions. Mount Chomolhari , can be seen the on a clear day from Drukgyal village. You can visit a typical Bhutanese Farm House of a local family for a close up view of everyday Bhutanese life. We then drive to Shari to hike up to the Taktsang monastery (Tiger's nest). The hike to the cafeteria will take around one and half hour. At the view point enjoy the stunning view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigeress in the 8th century. After lunch at the cafeteria walk back to the road point. On your way back visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temple in Bhutan built in 7th century. Over night at hotel.
31 Oct/Wed: Paro - Kathmandu
In the morning the guide will bid you farewell at Paro airport and fly back to Kathmandu
Tour cost: USD 1395 per person
Surcharge: one person USD 40 per night, two person USD 30 per night
Visa fee & TDF cost: USD 30 per person
Flight USD 423 per person Kathmandu-Paro-Kathmandu
Note: Surcharge - individuals or groups of less than 3 participants are subject to surcharges
07 nights/08 days tour itinerary
Day 01: Arrival at Paro (by Druk Air) - Transfer to hotel.
On a clear day, the flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular of all mountain flights. You will see major Himalayan peaks such as Everest, Kanchenjunga and Makalu , and then on the final approach to Paro Bhutan 's own snowy peaks, Chomolhari and Jichu Drake will come into view. After clearing customs and visa control you are met by your Bhutan representative, and then drive you the short distance to Paro town. After lunch visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum . Later visit the Rinpung Dzong, built in 17th century to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders.
Day 02: Paro valley sightseeing & drive to Thimphu
After breakfast; drive the winding road to the Drukgyal Dzong, the ruined fort, which was once defended this valley from Tibetan invasions. Mount Chomolhari , can be seen the on a clear day from Drukgyal village. You can visit a typical Bhutanese Farm House of a local family for a close up view of everyday Bhutanese life. We then drive to Shari to hike up (or horse ride) to the Taktsang monastery (Tiger's nest). At the viewpoint enjoy the stunning view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigeress in the 8th century. After lunch at the cafeteria walk back to the road point and then drive to Thimphu , the capital city of Bhutan .
Day 03: Thimphu - valley sightseeing - Punakha
After breakfast drive at Sangaygang, a field of Bhutanese prayer flags, perched high above the city. Visit the Motithang Mini Zoo where you can see the National animal Takin research centre where these odd animals graze peacefully in a small protected park. Walk to the Zilukha Nunnery and then drive to the Tango Monastery for a picnic lunch. The hike to the monastery takes about 45 minutes. It is a 13th century structure and today is home to about 150 monks studying Buddhist Philosophy and meditation. Thimphu sightseeing continues with the Folk Heritage Museum (a beautifully restored Bhutanese farmhouse from the last century) and the National Painting School . In the evening visit the National Memorial Chorten built in honor of our 3rd king Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (a wonderful opportunity to mix with the local population). Then drive over the Dochola pass (3050m) to Punakha.
Day 04: Punakha - Trongsa - Bumthang
After breakfast drive through the small town of Punakha and view the Punakha Dzong, winter seat of the Je Khenpo and ancient capital of Bhutan , remarkably located between the rivers of the Mo (Female) Chu and Pho (Male) Chu . The dzong is open to visitors only in summer when the Je Khenpo and the Monk Body are in Thimphu and then continue our drive to Bumthang via Trongsa.
Day 05: Bumthang - Nalakhar Tsechu
After an early breakfast hike to Nanglakha and full day witness Nalakhar Tsechu (the walk from the motorable road is around 1 hour to the village of Nalakhar .
Day 06: Bumthang - Wangdue
After breakfast from the farm house and witness the mask dances for an hour walk back to the road point where your car will pick you up and then drive you to the hotel. Refresh yourself and then drive to Wangdue over the Yotong-la pass and Pelela pass (3,300m). Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 07: Wangdue - Thimphu - Paro
After breakfast drive for 25 minutes into the fascinating valley of Samtengang where you will have the opportunity to visit the school of Samtengang situated on a spur nearby a beautiful lake and is beautifully surrounded by pine forests. From here walk into the village of Samtengang and then onto the village of Gyelekha and visit Seygang Lhakhang where if desired a donation can be presented as this monastery is solely supported by the village community and afternoon drive to Paro
Day 08: Paro - Departure (by Druk Air)
After early breakfast; drive a short distance to the Paro airport and fly to further destination.
Tour cost: USD 1100 per person
Surcharge: one person USD 40 per night, two person USD 30 per night
Visa fee & TDF cost: USD 30 per person
Flight USD 424 per person Kathmandu-Paro-Kathmandu
Note: Surcharge - individuals or groups of less than 3 participants are subject to surcharges
11 nights / 12 days tour itinerary
15 Dec Sat: Transfer to airport and fly with Druk air to paro then drive to Thimphu (2hrs)
16 Dec Sun: Visit local markets and thimphu sightseeing. Overnight in Thimphu
17 Dec Mon: Thimphu to Trongsa (8 hrs) Overnight in Trongsa
18 Dec Tue: Witness Trongsa Tsechu. Overnight in Trongsa.
19 Dec Wed: Witness Trongsa Tsechu. Overnight in Trongsa
20 Dec Thu: Morning witness Trongsa Tsechu. Afternoon drive to Bumthang (3hrs) Overnight in Bumthang
21 Dec Fri: Bumthang sightseeing. Overnight in Bumthang
22 Dec Sat: Drive to Punakha (8 hrs) Overnight in Punakha
23 Dec Sun: Punakha sightseeing and drive to Thimphu. Overnight in Thimphu
24 Dec Mon: Thimphu sightseeing. Overnight in Thimphu
25 Dec Tue: Drive to Paro and sightseeing. Overnight in Paro.
26 Dec Wed: Transfer to Paro airport and fly with druk air to further destination.
Tour cost: USD 1705 per person
Surcharge: one person USD 40 per night, two person USD 30 per night
Visa fee & TDF cost: USD 30 per person
Flight USD 423 per person Kathmandu-Paro-Kathmandu
Note: Surcharge - individuals or groups of less than 3 participants are subject to surcharges.
Arrival/departure transfer, royalty, accommodation on twin sharing basis, all meals, sightseeing tour with English speaking guide and all transportation as per itinerary, entrance fee to the monuments etc.
Airport taxes, Nepal re-entry visa fee, expense of personal nature like cold drinks and tip, personal travel health insurance etc.
Booking for any trips should reach us at least 15 days in advance with passport details. After visa clearance, we will give you the copy of same, which you will have to produce while checking in for the flight to paro. The original visa is stamped on your passport upon arrival at the Paro airport.
