Punakha Tshechu Festival — 9 Days
Witness Bhutan's most spectacular masked dance festival at Punakha Dzong, then journey through Bumthang, Gangtey and Paro over nine days.
The Punakha Tshechu is held inside the magnificent Punakha Dzong each February — monks in vivid brocade perform sacred dances, and an enormous silk thangka is unveiled at dawn. This nine-day itinerary is built around the festival then takes you deeper into Bhutan: sacred Bumthang, the Phobjikha crane plateau, and Tiger's Nest in Paro.
Highlights
- Punakha Tshechu — masked dances and sacred thangka unveiling
- Bumthang valley: Kurjey and Jambay Lhakhang
- Trongsa Dzong — ancestral fortress of the Bhutanese monarchy
- Gangtey Goemba and Phobjikha Valley
- Tiger's Nest hike in Paro
Sample day-by-day itinerary
Your guide may adjust this based on conditions and your preferences.
1 Arrival in Paro — Thimphu
Arrive at Paro International Airport and drive to Thimphu. Visit the Heritage Museum, Textile Museum and Simtokha Dzong.
2 Thimphu Sightseeing
National Memorial Chorten, Jungshi Paper Factory and hike to Tango Goemba (12th century) above the Wang Chhu river.
3 Punakha Tshechu Festival
Drive to Punakha for the main festival day at Punakha Dzong (1637). Watch sacred Cham dances by monks in colourful brocade costumes. Afternoon: Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten.
4 Punakha to Bumthang
Drive through Wangdue, stopping at Chimi Lhakhang and Wangdue Phodrang Dzong (1638). Continue east to Bumthang.
5 Bumthang Temples
Tamshing Goemba (1501), Kurjey Lhakhang, Jambay Lhakhang, Jakar Dzong and the 14th-century Thangbi Lhakhang.
6 Bumthang to Gangtey via Trongsa
Visit Trongsa Dzong and Taa Dzong royal heritage museum. Drive on to Gangtey.
7 Gangtey & Phobjikha to Paro
Morning at Gangtey Goemba and walk across the Phobjikha plateau. Drive back west to Paro. Visit Paro Dzong and National Museum.
8 Tiger's Nest & Ancient Paro
Hike to Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest). Afternoon: Kyichu Lhakhang.
9 Departure from Paro
Morning farewell and airport transfer.
Choose your package
Prices are per person. Each package lists exactly what is included.
Festival, private guide, 3-star hotels, all meals
$2,450
per person, all-inclusive
- 8 nights 3-star hotel
- All meals
- Private English-speaking guide
- Festival entry
- All permits and entry fees
- Airport transfers
- Traditional costume
4-star hotels with premium festival viewing
$3,450
per person, all-inclusive
- 8 nights 4-star hotel
- All meals
- Private guide
- Festival reserved viewing
- All entry fees
- Airport transfers
- Traditional costume
Luxury lodges with exclusive festival experience
$4,600
per person, all-inclusive
- 8 nights luxury lodge
- All meals
- Expert guide
- Exclusive festival access
- All entry fees
- Airport transfers
- Traditional gifts
Included
Only the items listed in your chosen package, including the SDF when shown.
Usually not included
International flights, travel insurance, visa application fee, tips, alcohol, and personal expenses unless listed.
The itinerary shows travel days. Accommodation nights and exact check-in dates are confirmed before payment.
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