Spring festivalFestival · 6 days / 5 nights
Paro Tshechu Festival
Two festival days in Paro, ending with the dawn unveiling of the giant thongdrel.
Paro · Thimphu
Culture & festivals
A living Buddhist culture
In Bhutan, tradition is everyday life. Dress, architecture and festivals are part of how people live, not a show put on for visitors.
Experiences
Ways to connect
Dzongs and monasteries
Fortress-monasteries that still serve as seats of government and monastic life, explained by a guide who knows their history.
Farmhouse visits
Share butter tea and a home-cooked lunch with a farming family, and try ara, the local spirit, if you like.
Textiles and crafts
Watch weavers at work and visit the institute where young Bhutanese learn the thirteen traditional arts.
Archery
Bhutan's national sport, played with songs, dances and plenty of friendly rivalry. Ask your guide to find a match.
Hot-stone baths
A traditional wooden bath heated with river stones and scented with herbs, perfect after a long hike.
Monastery stays and meditation
On request, spend time with monks or nuns and learn about daily practice.
Festival calendar
Tshechu and other festivals
Tshechus honour Guru Rinpoche with days of masked cham dances. Dates follow the lunar calendar and move each year, so we confirm them when you enquire. Festivals are busy, so book early.
- Feb–MarPunakha Drubchen and Tshechu · PunakhaA re-enactment of a 17th-century battle, followed by masked dances.
- Mar–AprParo Tshechu · ParoEnds with the dawn unveiling of the giant thongdrel.
- Sep–OctThimphu Tshechu · ThimphuThe largest festival, held at Tashichho Dzong.
- NovBlack-necked Crane Festival · PhobjikhaLocal schoolchildren celebrate the cranes' return to the valley.
- Oct–NovJambay Lhakhang Drup · BumthangBumthang's famous night-time fire blessing.
Cultural tours
Tours built around culture
Spring festival
Best sellerCulture · 7 days / 6 nights
Cultural Discovery
Paro, Thimphu and Punakha: dzongs, monasteries, a farmhouse lunch and the Tiger's Nest hike.
Thimphu · Punakha · Paro
In depthCulture · 10 days / 9 nights
Heart of Bumthang
Central Bhutan's oldest temples, Trongsa Dzong and a cheese-making visit.
Thimphu · Punakha · Trongsa · Bumthang · Paro
Autumn festivalFestival · 9 days / 8 nights
Jambay Lhakhang Drup
Bumthang's midnight fire blessing and masked dances in central Bhutan.
Paro · Punakha · Bumthang
Visiting sacred places
Wear long sleeves and trousers or a long skirt when visiting dzongs and temples, remove hats, and walk clockwise around chortens. Photography is not allowed inside most temples. Your guide will explain as you go.
Want to time your trip with a festival?
Tell us which festival interests you and we'll confirm this year's dates and plan around them.