Bhutan's Thimphu Tshechu & Gangtey Tshechu Festivals

Fly into the only international airport of the country at Paro International Airport in the beautiful Paro Valley. As the plane takes a dramatic sweep into the valley, you will see the inner Himalayan mountainsides with traditional Bhutanese house perched in the mountains and snowcapped peaks of the Northern Himalayas towards the Tibetan border. You will be met in Paro at the airport with a traditional sign of welcome, a white silk scarf with the eight lucky & auspicious signs embossed in it. Bhutanese culture revers symbolisms, so we believe that you must start our journey in Bhutan with an auspicious beginning. We will then drive (1 hour) to Thimphu (2300m), the capital of Bhutan. In Thimphu, we will head to the Buddha Dordenma Statue (Buddha Point) the largest seated Buddha statue in the world with a height of 51.5 meters, made of bronze and gilded in gold. The statue itself is the home for over 100,000 smaller statues of Buddha. You will be in awe at the size of the statue, as well as the artistry that it took to create it. We will then visit the Memorial Chorten (Stupa) at the center of the capital, dedicated in memory of His Majesty the Third King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The stupa attracts many elderly Bhutanese daily for prayers, and is a window into the daily lives of Buddhist Bhutanese. Accommodation: Kisa Villa or similar, Thimphu

The Thimphu Tshechu Festival (2nd to 4thOctober 2025) is one of the grandest of Bhutan’s festivals and attracts the largest audience. Featuring dances performed by trained monks and laymen in amazing masks and costumes, Tsechus (festivals) are one of the best ways to experience the ancient living culture of Bhutan. A Tsechu is a Buddhist festival in honor of Guru Rimpoche, the saint who brought Buddhism to Bhutan. The Thimphu Tsechu was established by the 4th Temporal Ruler, Tenzing Rabgye (1638-1696) in 1670. This festival also provides a great opportunity to witness locals gathered in their finest Gho’s and Kira’s in a celebration of their culture and faith. This tour also visits sacred sites in Paro, Thimphu and Punakha. The Tshechu is a daylong affair and guest may decide how long they would like to watch. In the late afternoon, we shall embark on a short hike to the Wangditse monastery. Wangditse hike is one of the easiest hikes in Thimphu. The hike takes less than one hour each way and is mostly a flat trail. The trail takes into trees of oak, pine, and rhododendron which accompany you throughout the hike while occasionally opening to the view of the Buddha Dordenma statue, Tashichoe Dzong and Thimphu valley.Accommodation: Kisa Villa or similar, Thimphu

Today, you will drive towards Punakha (1300 m). On the way, and 40 minutes drive up into the mountains, we will stop at the Dochu la Pass (3150 meters) to see the Himalayan Mountain Range. On a clear day, you will see the Northern Himalayas bordering China with the Jumolhari, Kula Gangri and Jichu Drakey peaks. We will also see the 108 stupas named the Druk Wangyal Khangzang Chortens offered as a tribute to his Majesty the Fourth King of Bhutan Jigme Singye Wangchuck for his selfless service to the nation and its people. At Dochula Pass, we will offer a wind prayer flag as is Bhutanese custom. Your guide will arrange the consecration of the flags from a temple before our visit. Bhutanese believe that the winds blowing the prayer flags gathers spiritual power to all beings and carries the prayers and wishes to the gods. After lunch, you will take a short walk of 20 minutes through the village towards Chimmi Lhakang (the temple of Fertility) built in 1499 by the saint Drukpa Kinley, known as the Divine Madman. The tradition of the temple is to bless pilgrims with a wooden phallus, a symbol to drive away the evil eye and also for those seeking to be blessed with children. In the evening, you will visit the Punakha suspension bridge (590 ft), one of the longest suspension bridges in the country. Strongly strengthened with iron chains and metal netting, this extraordinary bridge adorned in fluttering prayer flags, connects Punakha Dzong to the surrounding villages, and offers a great view of the glistening stream below.Accommodation: Gasothang Farmhouse, Punakha

Today, we will take a short hike of about 45 minutes each way to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. Standing majestically on a strategic ridge above the Punakha valley, this temple was built over a period of 9 years. The Chorten was built by Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck, in 1999, to protect the present King, and through him, the prosperity of the Bhutanese people.After lunch, we head over to the picturesque and peaceful Gangtey valley (2865 meters), a huge U-shaped glacial valley located in the central kingdom. The drive covering over 78 kms will take about 2.5 hours.Accommodation: Dewachen Resort & Spa or similar, Gangety

The Gangtey Tshechu festival is held at Gangtey Goenpa in Phobjikha valley – the winter roosting ground of the migratory and rare black necked cranes. Different kinds of mask dances are performed during the festival. Gangtey Festival offer a unique and immersive way to experience the cultural and spiritual richness of Bhutan, particularly in the stunning Gangtey Valley, also known as Phobjikha. Gangtey Festival, also known as the Gangtey Tsechu, is an annual religious and cultural event celebrated in the Gangtey Monastery, a prominent religious institution in the valley. This festival is a vibrant showcase of Bhutanese traditions, featuring traditional mask dances, religious ceremonies, and community gatherings. We can also visit the Gangtey Village to explore the quaint shops of this one street town and visit the 16th century golden topped Gangtey Goemba at the head of the valley.Accommodation: Dewachen Resort & Spa or similar, Gangety

Today, in the morning, we will enjoy the beautiful 2 hour Gangtey Nature Hike in the stunning Phobjikha valley - home to the rare and endangered black-necked cranes, making it a haven for nature lovers and bird watchers. The hike itself is a moderately challenging, yet rewarding experience. We will follow a scenic trail that winds through forests of blue pine, juniper, and rhododendrons, offering stunning views of the valley below. In the late afternoon, we will drive back to Punakha. Explore Punakha town.Accommodation: Zhingkham Resort or similar, Punakha

Today, we will drive towards Paro. The drive will take a total of 3.5 hrs.After lunch in Paro, we will visit the National Museum of Bhutan, built in 1648. The museum showcases over 3000 works of Bhutanese art & cultural heritage and also houses Buddhist scrolls on cloth known as Thangkha Painting as early as the 12th Century. After visiting the museum, we will take a short stroll down to the Ringpung Paro Dzong (the Fortress of Jewels). Dating back to the 17th century, the fortress houses the district monastic body as well as the administrative center. Praying in that chapel is believed to bring about long-life. Explore Paro town.Accommodation: Khangkhu Resort or similar, Paro

After breakfast, we will drive towards the base of the Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest), the sacred and famous site of the temple built on the cliffside in 1693. Legend has it that, in the 8th century, Guru Padmasambhava meditated in the caves around which the monastery was built, after flying on a tigress’s back. The monastery hangs on a cliff at 3120 meters above sea level, and although it looks very steep and almost vertical, the monastery has a mule track leading to it. The trek is very scenic, surrounded by pine trees. The Trek will be about 5-6 hours round trip and lunch will be served at the cafeteria on the way. Upon your return form Tiger’s Nest, enjoy a relaxing dip in Bhutan’s hot stone baths. The bath comprises of fresh water infused with Artemisia absinthium (wormwood) leaves and other herbs. The water is heated using river stones that have been meticulously roasted over an open flame until they attain searing temperatures. In the evening, you will have time to stroll around and visit Paro town.  Accommodation: Khangkhu Resort or similar, Paro

After breakfast today, you will be transferred to Paro airport for your international departure flight, rejuvenated by the Bhutanese way of life.