7 Days Thimphu Tshechu Festival Tour

Highlight: Arrive in Paro and visit the King's Memorial Chorten and Buddha Dordenma in Thimphu.

Welcome to Bhutan, the land of the “Thunder Dragon”.

Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, you will meet your local travel guide and driver at the airport’s Arriving Hall.

Then, you will be transferred to Thimphu (2,350m), the capital city of Bhutan. Covering a total distance of around 54 kilometers, it will take you about 1 hour to get to Thimphu from Paro (2,250m).

On the way, you will first encounter a private temple - Tschogang Lhakhang, the temple of the excellent horse. Keep driving to Thimphu, you will have a short stop at Chuzom, a confluence where the Paro Chhu and Wong Chhu meet. It is decorated with three different styles of stupas, namely Tibetan, Nepalese, and Bhutanese.

After arriving in Thimphu, your guide will help you check in at the hotel. You can also take a short rest if needed.

Later, you will head to visit the King's Memorial Chorten (National Memorial Chorten), a stupa built in memory of the third king in 1974. The display inside shows good statues of tantric Buddhist and its philosophy.

Then, you will visit Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park, where you can see the 169-foot bronze statue of Buddha Dordenma, one of the largest Buddha statues in the world, as well as the Vajra Throne Buddha.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Thimphu National Memorial Chorten

Highlight: Attend the Thimphu Tshechu Festival at Tashichho Dzong and visit Motithang Takin Preserve.

After breakfast, you will visit Tashichho Dzong and attend the Thimphu Tshechu Festival, one of the most important traditional festivals in Bhutan. Held annually at the grand courtyard of Tashichho Dzong, the festival features sacred Cham mask dances traditional music performances, and colorful rituals performed by monks and dancers dressed in elaborate costumes.

During the festival, you will join local Bhutanese people wearing their finest traditional attire and experience the unique spiritual and cultural atmosphere of this centuries-old celebration.

In the afternoon, you will visit Motithang Takin Preserve, a small nature reserve home to Bhutan’s national animal, the takin. Here, you can observe these rare animals in a peaceful forest setting while enjoying a different side of Thimphu’s natural environment.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Thimphu Tshechu Festival

Highlight: Continue experiencing the Thimphu Tshechu Festival and discover Bhutanese traditions at the Folk Heritage Museum and Changangkha Lhakhang.

Today, you will experience another day of the Thimphu Tshechu Festival. You will have more opportunities to witness traditional masked dances, observe local customs, and immerse yourself in one of Bhutan’s most significant cultural celebrations.

In the afternoon, you will explore more of Thimphu’s cultural heritage by visiting the Folk Heritage Museum, where you can learn about traditional Bhutanese lifestyle, architecture, and customs.

Then, you will then continue to Changangkha Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in the Thimphu Valley, dating back to the 12th century.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Changangkha Lhakhang

Highlight: Cross Dochula Pass and visit Chimi Lhakhang and Punakha Dzong.

In the morning, you will take a drive from Thimphu to Punakha (1,242m). The distance from Thimphu to Punakha is 71 kilometers, and it takes around 3 hours to complete. On the way, you will have an excellent opportunity to appreciate the panoramic view of the Himalaya Ranges in Bhutan and take photos of the impressive collection of 108 chortens at Dochula Pass (3,140m).

Next, you will continue your journey to Punakha. En route, you will visit Chimi Lhakhang, also known as Chime Monastery. Standing on a small hillock close to the village of Lobesa, it is a beautiful Buddhist monastery that was built in the 14th Drukpa hierarchy, Ngawang Choegyel.

After that, you will head to visit the Punakha Dzong. Standing by the riverside of Pho Chu and Mo Chu, Punakha Dzong is one of the most impressive buildings and one of the top favorite attractions in Bhutan. Moreover, the rectangular-shaped fortress is also an honorable treasury that preserves numerous Buddhist relics and historical legacies.

Stay overnight in Punakha.

Witnessing the superb Punakha Dzong

Highlight: Back to Paro to visit Drukgyel Dzong and Paro Rinpung Dzong.

After breakfast, you will take a 4-hour drive back to Paro from Punakha.

Upon your arrival in Paro, you will visit Paro Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong), a fortress once built to defend the valley from invasions. Nowadays, it serves as an administration center and school for monks.

Then, you will continue to explore the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong in the north of Paro Valley. It was built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the father and unifier of medieval Bhutan. Although it was destroyed by an accidental fire, its remains stand as a powerful reminder of Bhutan’s historic victories.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Paro Rinpung Dzong

Highlight: Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery to enjoy spectacular views from it and visit Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro.

After breakfast, you will start your hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery (also known as Taktsang Monastery). Perched on the side of a cliff 900 meters above the Paro Valley, Taktsang Monastery is one of the most famous monasteries in Bhutan. The principal monastery of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. Taktsang was damaged severely by fire in 1998 but has now been fully restored to its former glory. The hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery is about 3 km one way and takes around 5 to 6 hours for the round trip.

After exploring the monastery, you will begin your return tour to Paro.

In the afternoon, you will visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest and most beautiful temples built by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo in the 7th century.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Trek to Taktshang Monastery

After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to Paro International Airport for your next destination.

The tour services end.