Bhutan festival tours.
Please find below the Bhutan festivals & tour dates 2024 / 2025. The mask dance festivals in Bhutan, called Tshechu (Meaning tenth day) are held at various times of the year. These colorful events draw thousands of locals, some of whom have to travel in Bhutan for days. The underlying purpose of festivals in Bhutan is spiritual. The dances are more often like plays where good triumphs over evil. It also depicts significant historical events, especially about the life of Bhutan’s patron saint, Guru Rinpoche.
There is inevitably a great deal of socializing during these festivals in Bhutan. It is also an opportunity for people to relax and forget daily routines, to dress in finest clothes and jewelry. More importantly, Bhutan festivals are an occasion for prayer and blessings. Tshechus mainly comprise mask dances in addition to some folk dance entertainment. Festivals are not entertainment events and definitely not held as tourist attractions. They are genuine manifestations of ancient religious traditions, which outsiders are given the privilege to witness.
Pemagatshel Tshechu
Festival dates: 9th -11th Nov (Thongdral on last day)
Location: Pemagatshel Dzong, Pemagatshel.
Duration: 3 days
Highlights: Scenic landscapes, mountain flight, hiking, local food, culture, adventures
Chhukha Tshechu
Festival dates: 9th -11th Nov
Location: Chhukha Dzong, Chhukha
Duration: 3 days
Highlights: Witness the spectacular Chhukha tshechu festival.Meet local people.Experience unique culture and traditionsVisit ancient temples, monasteries and dzongs (Forts).Scenic landscapes.Visit the Bhutanese villages and farm houses.Museums and government institutions.
Jakar Tshechu
Festival dates: 10th -12th Nov
Location: Jakar Dzong, Choekhor, Bumthang.
Duration: 3 days
Highlights: Witness the spectacular Jakar festival Bhutan 2024.Experience unique culture and traditions.Meet local people.Visit ancient monasteries, temples and dzongs.Scenic mountain flight.Beautiful landscapes.Pristine villages and farm houses.
Black Necked Crane festival
Festival dates: 11th Nov
Location: Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang.
Duration: 1 day
Highlights: Witness the Black necked crane festival 2024.Meet local People.Scenic landscapes.Ancient temples, monasteries and dzongs.Witness archery matches.Bhutanese villages and farmhouse.
Jambay Lhakhang Drup
Festival dates: 15th - 18th Nov
Location: Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang
Duration: 3 days
Highlights: Witness the famous Jambay lhakhang Drup festival.Meet local people.Experience unique culture and traditionsVisit ancient temples, monasteries and dzongs (Forts).Scenic landscapes.Visit the Bhutanese villages and farm houses.
Druk Wangyel Tshechu
Festival dates: 13th Dec
Location: Dochula Pass (3140 m), Punakha
Duration: 3 days
Highlights: Witness the spectacular Chhukha tshechu festival.Meet local people.Experience unique culture and traditionsVisit ancient temples, monasteries and dzongs (Forts).Scenic landscapes.Visit the Bhutanese villages and farm houses.Museums and government institutions.
Jambay Lhakhang Singye Cham (Lion dance)
Festival dates: 15th Dec
Location: Jambay Lhakhang, Bumthang
Duration: 3 days
Highlights: Witness the Jambay lhakhang Singye Cham.Meet local People.Visit Bhutanese villages and farmhouses.Ancient temples, monasteries and dzongs.Witness archery matches.Panoramic landscapes.Scenic mountain flight.
Nalakhar Tshechu
Festival dates: 15th - 17th Dec
Location: Ngaa lhakhang, Nalakhar village, Bumthang.
Duration: 3 days
Highlights: Witness the colorful Nalakhar festivalMeet local people.Visit Bhutanese villages and farmhouses.Panoramic landscapes.Ancient temple, monasteries and dzongs.Archery matches.Scenic mountain flight.