8 Days Thimphu Tshechu Festival Tour

Day-to-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Paro (7 September 2024)

Welcome to Bhutan! Upon your arrival at Paro Airport, you’ll be greeted and transferred to our hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore Paro at your leisure.

Overnight: Paro

Day 2: Punakha, Chimi Lhakhang Temple & Camp by the Mo Chu River

Paro to Punakha. Start early as we drive to Punakha, passing through forests of pine, oak, and rhododendron to reach Dochu La Pass (3050m). After a brief stop, we continue to the scenic Punakha Valley. Enjoy a picturesque 1.5-2 hour hike to Chimi Lhakhang Temple, dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kunley, the Divine Mad Monk.

Next, we visit Punakha Dzong, a stunning example of Bhutanese architecture at the confluence of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu Rivers. Later, we head to our campsite by the Mo Chu River, where you can relax and explore. In the evening, you can opt for a hot stone bath with local drinks, followed by dinner.

Overnight: Punakha

Day 3: Punakha Valley

Punakha Valley to Thimphu. After an early breakfast, we drive along the Mo Chu River and hike for about 2-2.5 hours through rice fields to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, a beautiful temple on a hill with fantastic valley views. After exploring, we visit the picturesque villages of Talo on a ridge above the Punakha Valley.

We have a picnic lunch before visiting Sangchen Dorji Lhendrup Nunnery, situated on a ridge with stunning views of Punakha and Wangdue Valleys. The nuns here also learn skills like embroidery, tailoring, and statue making. After our visit, we drive to Thimphu.

Overnight: Thimphu

Day 4: Masked Dances of the Thimphu Tshechu (Festival)

The Thimphu Tshechu Festival is a three-day religious event celebrating Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava’s birthday. It features grand religious mask dances, blessings, and social gatherings. Each mask dance has a special meaning, often related to the life of the Guru.

Today, we drive to Tendrelthang at Tashichho Dzong to join locals from Thimphu and surrounding districts, all dressed in their finest attire, to witness the unique masked dances and traditional cultural displays.

Overnight: Thimphu

Day 5: Memorial Chorten & Handicrafts

Thimphu is Bhutan’s political, social, and spiritual heart. Despite being the most modern city, it retains its Bhutanese character. Today, we visit the Memorial Chorten, built in memory of Bhutan’s third King, Kuenselphodrang (Buddha point) with the world’s largest Buddha Dordenma statue, and enjoy views of Thimphu Valley. We also visit a handmade paper factory to see traditional paper making.

Overnight: Thimphu

Day 6: National Museum and Kichu Lhakhang

Thimphu to Paro. We drive to Paro with sightseeing along the way. We’ll stop at Chuzom, the confluence of the Paro (Pachu) and Thimphu (Wangchu) rivers, offering views of three different types of stupas – Bhutanese, Tibetan, and Nepalese. We visit Tachogang Iron Chain Bridge and Lhakhang, built by Thangthong Gyalpo in the 15th century.

In Paro, we visit the National Museum in Ta Dzong, overlooking the city, followed by Rinpung Dzong, famous from the film “Little Buddha.” After lunch, we tour Kichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest temples, and Dungtse Lhakhang Temple.

Overnight: Paro

Day 7: Tiger’s Nest Monastery

Today, we hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery, also known as Taktshang Pelphung Monastery, perched on a sheer cliff 900m above Paro Valley. The 4-6 hour trek offers stunning views. The monastery, accessible only by foot (or partway by pony), includes several temples and resident monks. After exploring, we return to Paro.

This evening, enjoy a traditional Bhutanese dinner at a farmhouse, interacting with a local family and learning about Bhutanese cuisine.

Overnight: Paro

Day 8: Paro (14 September 2024)

After breakfast, your tour concludes. A transfer will take you to Paro Airport for your onward flight. Safe travels.