Thimphu Tshechu Festival Tour

Day 1: September 21, 2023 Arrive in Paro

Our team will receive you at the Paro international airport in a traditional Bhutanese way. The only gateway to Bhutan via air, Paro presents the best introduction to Bhutan. Paro is a kind of paddy fields except for a few concrete and traditional style-buildings.

If you arrive early in the morning, we will take you to the National Museum of Bhutan, which is housed in a medieval watch tower called Taa Dzong. This circular building on the ridge overlooking Rinpung Dzong is a piece of Bhutanese heritage. Therefore, we will also visit Rinpung Dzong.

Today, Rinpung Dzong is the civil and religious administrative centre of the Paro District. Historically important, this dzong (or fortress) was first built by Hungral Drung Drung, a descendant of Phajo Drugom Zhigpo. In 1640s, the descendants of Hungral Drung Drung offered the dzong to Zhabdrung Rinpoche who built a new dzong in the same spot in 1646. Overnight: Paro

Day 2: September 22, 2023 Hike to Taktshang

Today, we hike to Taktshang Monastery. Clinging on the face of a cliff 900 metres above Paro valley, Taktshang is also known as the Tiger’s Nest, and is one of the most sacred places in Bhutan. This monastery is said to have been blessed by a large number of enlightened Buddhist masters; among them Guru Padmasambhava (popularly known as Guru Rinpoche in Bhutan). Guru Rinpoche believed to have flown to this place riding a tigress.

We will have lunch at the Taktshang cafeteria, from where we will enjoy a great view of the monastery. After traveling to Thimpu in the afternoon, we can either take a stroll around Thimphu city or visit the historically significant Semtokha Dzong built in 1629 by the founder of Bhutanese state, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It is the oldest dzong in Bhutan. Overnight: Thimphu

Day 3: September 23, 2023 Hike to Tango / Chari

Today we will hike to Tango, one of the oldest temples in the country, and and Chari, a university of Buddhist Studies. In the afternoon, visit the popular Memorial Choeten in the heart of the city built in memory of the third King of Bhutan. Also take a visit to the traditional weaving centre, the heritage museum, the Bhutanese paper factory, the National Library, the School of Traditional Arts and Crafts, and Buddha Point, the largest Buddha statue in the world. Overnight: Thimphu

Day 4: September 24, 2023 Attend Mask Dance Festival Tour

Highlight: Thimphu Tshechu Festival Tour / Mask Dance

Thimphu Tshechu is held at Tendrelthang, a recently built mini stadium attached to the Tashichhoe Dzong. Tashichhoe Dzong houses the Throne Room and office of His Majesty the King, office and summer residence of His Holiness the Chief Abbot (Je Khenpo), the quarters of the monks of the Central Monastic Body, as well as government ministries and other offices.

We will witness diverse facets of Bhutanese culture and religion at the festival. At the Tshechu, various mask dances, folk dances, and dance dramas will perform. We will also witness a large crowd of spectators dressed in their finest costumes and jewellery. Our guide will explain to you the significance of the day’s events. Overnight: Thimphu

Day 5: September 25, 2023 Depart

Our guide will drive you to the airport on time to catch your flight back home. We will bid you farewell in a traditional Bhutanese way by offering you a white silk scarf. Hope you enjoyed Thimphu Tshechu Festival Tour in Bhutan.