Overview
Information for Bhutan Thimpu Tshechu festival tour package cost, date, places and itinerary of 2026 I Cultural and festival city tours in Bhutan I Bhutan festival tour operators, guide, agency, booking , visa procedures, duration and season.
Holiday Mountain Treks is specialised for festivals tour arrangements to Bhutan from Kathmandu making the best combination of cultural and tradition. The festivals are an important part of Bhutanese peoples from the long ago. The Tshechu one of the largest tourist attraction is the most famous and well-known Bhutanese festival.
These festivals are celebrated in the courtyards of the Dzongs (fortresses) in all the Dzongkhags (districts) with traditional dances blessing by Lamas and Mewangs by fire believing that it washes away their sins. The Tshechu is held in honor of Guru Rinpochhe, who brought Mahayana Buddhism to Bhutan in the eighth century. Bhutanese legend has a religious significance to people and says that on the tenth calendar day the great Guru Rinpochhe transformed himself into different forms to subdue demons. People dress traditionally in their finest clothing and jewellery.
The festival is religious implication and community gathering where Bhutanese come to socialise and feast on native delicacies.
Thimpu Tshechu festival tour package of 2026
Festival dates: Sep 21-23, 2026
Festival place: Tashichho Dzong at Thimpu
The Thimpu Tshechu Festival
The Thimphu Tshechu is held in Thimphu for 3 days, beginning on the 10th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar. Tshechus is one of the largest and most popular in Bhutan held at the Tashichho Dzong in the capital city of Thimpu The Tshechu festival specifically is a vibrant cultural and religious festival celebrated annually in Bhutan. It commemorates the birth anniversary of Guru Rinpoche, a revered figure in Tibetan Buddhism, and is a time for social gatherings, blessings, and prayers for well-being which also serves as a break from farm life for many Bhutanese farmers. The festival features mask dances;, folk dances, and traditional music performances. The festival is preceded by days and nights of prayer and rituals to invoke the gods, and the dances are performed to bless onlookers, teach them the Buddhist dharma, and protect them from misfortune. This year also we are going to organise this special journey from Kathmandu so come and join us it for a life time experience.
You can join following Festivals Tour 2026:
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 : Fly to Bhutan and arrive Paro airport 2200m.
Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by a representative of Holiday Mountain Treks from Bhutan. After a brief introduction and refreshments, transfer to your hotel where you can relax and acclimate to the altitude. In the afternoon, Paro Dzong, a fine example of Bhutanese architecture and visit the National Museum housed in the Ta Dzong, offering insight into Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage. We end the day with a welcome dinner featuring traditional Bhutanese cuisine.
Day 2 : Drive to Thimpu 2335m, 50 kms and 1.30 hours
After breakfast, we embark on a scenic hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest), Bhutan’s most iconic landmark perched dramatically on a cliff side. The hike offers spectacular views and an immersive spiritual experience. After lunch, visit the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. Late afternoon drive to Thimpu enjoying the beautiful scenery along the way.
Day 3 : Enjoy the festival in Thimpu
After breakfast; drive to Tashicho Dzong where the Tshechu held to attend the Tshechu festival. Full day enjoy the spectacular and monk mask dances where is the crowd of foreigners and locals with their beautiful attires. It is such a wonderful time watching and experiencing them in close up is the best way to observe deeply. Late afternoon, visit Memorial Chorten (shrine), a monument dedicated to the past 3rd king of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Then visit the National Institute of Zorig Chusum where the students learn Bhutanese 13 different crafts and arts such as wood carving, painting, statue making, and embroidery.
Day 4 : Drive to Punakha 1200m. 77 kms and 2.30 hours
After breakfast; drive Tashicho Dzong to attend the Thanka celebration of Guru Rinpoche which displays before sunrise. It is believed that those who are present during the celebration can wash away their sin and accumulate merits. Enjoy the most spectacular second day of Thimphu Tsechu with religious dance performances mixed with folk dances and dance of Bhutanese warriors.
Late afternoon drive to Punakha via Dochu la Pass (3050m), a scenic viewpoint for Mountains and also a popular for at the same time you will visit Druk Wangyal Chorten (108 stupas) which are built to honor the Bhutanese soldiers who lose their lives in the 2003 war with Indian rebels.
Day 5 : Drive to Gangtey 3000m. 78 kms and 3 hours
After breakfast, continue eastward through the beautiful landscapes of Wangduephodrang, stopping briefly at the town and local market. Then proceed to the picturesque Phobjikha Valley, home to the endangered black-necked cranes (seasonal from late October). Visit the Gangtey Monastery, one of Bhutan’s oldest Nyingma institutions, overlooking the glacial valley. This tranquil region offers a peaceful contrast to the bustling festival and is ideal for light walks and birdwatching.
Day 6 : Drive back to Thimpu 2335m. 145 kms and 3.30 hours
Today we begin our return journey to Thimpu, retracing our route through the Dochu La Pass. On the way, we stop for lunch and tea while enjoying the serene Bhutanese countryside. On arrival in Thimpu, you’ll have time for relax and walk around the city for some souvenir shopping around city or optional visits to any sites missed earlier
Day 7 : Drive to Paro 2200m. 50 kms and 1.30 hours
After breakfast, Visit Traditional Bhutanese Jungshi Paper paper making factory (the handmade paper making) in Bhutan stemmed from the age old tradition originated in 8th century of Bhutanese history. Then visit Takin Preserve, which houses the National animal the Takin that is only found in Bhutan and lives above 13,000ft and finally visit Changankha Lhakhang temple situated atop a small hound overlooking the Thimphu valley which was built in the 13th century by the illustrious Lam Phajo Dugom Zhigpo. The temple is considered the spiritual home of children born in the Chang valley. After lunch drive back to Paro. On arrival in Paro, you’ll have time for last-minute shopping around Paro city or optional visits to any sites missed earlier. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner celebrating your memorable cultural journey in Bhutan.
Day 8 : Departure from Bhutan
After breakfast, our team will escort you to Paro International Airport for your onward flight. As you bid farewell to Bhutan, take with you the deep impressions of the Thimphu Tshechu, the spiritual calm of its monasteries, and the enduring warmth of its people. Tashi Delek!
Inclusions
What is included?
- Royalty fee
- Accommodation and all meals
- Sightseeing tours by private coaches
- Service of experienced and English speaking guide
- All transportation as per the tour itinerary
- Permit and entrance fee to the monuments
What isn't included?
- Bhutan visa fee USD 40
- TDF USD 10
- Airfares ( USD 485 round trip (Kathmandu sector)
- Expense of personal nature, travel insurance
- Drinks, cigarettes, laundry, telephone call and tipping etc
Complimentary
Introduction and trip briefing:
On our all tours, we give a short brief about the trip on the same day of your arrival and introduce your tour guide. At the mean time, we provide an opportunity for individuals to ask questions if any about the trip.
Tour Guide:
English speaking, well experienced and knowledgeable holding license from the government. They are well trained about eco tourism, social/culture/traditions responsibilities, and sincerely dedicated on their duty. Actually the tour guide play an invaluable role in ensuring that our clients have the best opportunity to experience, learn about, and enjoy their trip presenting them whenever you need any help.
Accommodation:
A wide variety of accommodation is available ranging from farmhouse stays and budget hotels to the high-end resorts. However, there is no rating on the star category but all government approved A-B-C grade. Basically comfortable 2/3 star category resorts and hotels are used on the tour.
Transportation:
Our local agent in Bhutan has own fleet of luxury Japanese/Korean and Indian car, van and buses. All major places of interest are connected by paved roads so travelling will be smooth and pleasant.
Tour itinerary:
Given tour itinerary is fixed as the route permit is taken while applying visa of the planned tour itinerary. In the special case there will be possibility to extend or shorten the tour so please discuss this with your tour guide and express your wishes.
Food and drinks:
As a full board package tour; three times meals are provided. The favorite Bhutanese dishes being Ema Dasti- a cheese and chilly dish. All Bhutanese dishes use an abundance of chilly so do order according to your palette strength. You will also have Indian and Chinese cuisine too. Besides the locally produced beer and whiskey, the local brew, are that is distilled from rice, barley or wheat is also popular with visitor
Photography:
Bhutan is the picturesque country for the Photograph so bring a good camera with extra batteries memory as what you need may not be available in Bhutan. It is polite to ask people if you may take their picture. Ask your guide when it is permissible to take pictures in religious and public buildings.
Risk and Liability:
Holiday Mountain Treks is not responsible for any loss, injury, or damage sustained by tourists. Additional expenses caused by weather-related delays, original itinerary change, and political actions must be borne by the traveler.
Tipping and Gifts:
You will find no beggars in Bhutan. Please do not hand out candy or trinkets to children. Small gifts to people you stay with and tips for your guide and driver are appropriate.
Travel Insurance:
Normally city tours no need any emergency evacuation insurance but we encourage people to purchase travel insurance that covers baggage and travel delays as well as helicopter evacuation for medical emergencies.