FESTIVALS OF TRADITION
Medieval Bhutan Tours

Festivals in the land of the Thunder Dragon are rich an happy expression of its ancient Buddhist culture. These festivals are held in all districts in honour of Guru Rinpoche, the saint who introduced Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8^th century. Tsechus are held on auspicious days and months in the Bhutanese calendar, and last up to four days in which a series of highly stylized masked dance rituals performed.

Festivals are also a big family and social occasion. People dress up in their finest clothes and most resplendent jewelry of coral and turquoise. They pack picnic lunches in their traditional bamboo baskets and stay all day at the festivals which are usually held in the dzongs(fortresses) or at monasteries.

Behind the scenes, the monks prepare themselves for weeks ahead of the festival, involved in deep prayer and meditation prior to the festival. The monks perform special masked dances that are inspirations of enlightened beings in history, and the Bhutanese believe that watching these mystical dances is essential to gain enlightenment. All Bhutanese try to to attend a festival at least once in a lifetime, and for many, it is an important annual affair where they consider it a blessing to be able to watch the dances. Apart from the monks, community dancers also participate in the local festivals.

The tshechu are a rich form of the oral history tradition where the Bhutanese pass on values, mythology and spiritual beliefs through the dance dramas. Many of the tshechus culminate with a rare display of a giant silk appliqué thankha(painting)depicting Guru Padmasambhava or some important Buddhist deity.

People’s deep faith and devotion make these festivals a special occasion. At the same time, it is also an opportunity to join hundreds, and even thousands, of Bhutanese in taking part in an important religious and social occasion that often exudes a carnival atmosphere.

Paro Tsechu is a popular tsechu in Paro district held usually in spring.

One of the largest festivals is the Thimphu Tsechu in the capital where thousands of people turn up for the four days of dances and prayer. But for visitors who prefer a more intimate experience, there are many tsechus in a smaller districts which are less crowded and where the local atmosphere is more relaxed and enjoyable. Small village festivals are the best way to get acquainted with the spirit of Bhutan.

Sl. No	FESTIVAL	PLACE	DATES
1	Punakha Drubchen	Punakha	Feb 18th – feb 22nd
2	Punakha Tshechu	Punakha	Feb 23rd – feb 25th
3	Chorten Kora	Trashiyangtse	Feb 28th – mar 15th
4	Gomkora	Trashigang	MAR 23rd – MAR 25TH
5	Paro Tshechu	Paro	Mar 26th – mar 30th
6	Chukha Tshechu	Chukha	Mar 28th – mar 30th
7	Ura Tshechu	Bumthang	April 24th – april 28th
8	Nimalung Tshechu	Bumthang	June 19th –june 21st
9	Kurjey Tshechu	Bumthang	June 21st
10	Thimphu Drubchen	Thimphu	Sept 12th – sept 16th
11	Wangdi Tshechu	Wangdue Phodrang	Sept 15th – sept 17th
12	Tamshingphala Choepa	Bumthang	Sept 16th – sept 18th
13	Thimphu Tshechu	Thimphu	Sept 17th – sept 19th
14	Tangbi Mani	Bumthang	Sept 22nd – sept 24th
15	Jambay Lhakhang Drup	Bumthang	Oct 22nd – oct 26th
16	Prakhar Tshechu	Bumthang	Oct 23rd – oct 25th
17	Mongar Tshechu	Mongar	Nov 13th – nov 16th
18	Pemagatshel Tshechu	Pemagatshel	Nov 13th – nov 16th
19	Trashigang Tshechu	Trashigang	Nov 14th – nov 17th
20	Nalakhang Tshechu	Bumthang	Nov 21st – nov 23rd
21	Trongsa Tshechu	Trongsa	Dec 15th – dec 17th
22	Lhuntse Tshechu	Lhuntse	Dec 15th – dec 17th

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Bhutan Spring festival tours

Festivals in Bhutan are rich and happy expressions of its ancient Buddhist culture. It is also a social gatherings where people, dressed in their best, come together to rejoice. Festivals are annually held in every Dzong (fortress) and monasteries.
This tour package combines the important Punakha tshechu festival, with a visit to the roosting ground of Black necked crane and also some historical cultural site of the central and western region of Bhutan.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 (20 February, Saturday): Arrive Paro
The flight to Paro offers the spectacular views of the Himalayan range including the sacred Jhomolhari and Jichu Drake peaks of Bhutan. Upon arrival in Paro, you will be greeted by our representative and transfer to hotel. After lunch, visit Paro Dzong, which was built in 1646, and visit Kyichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the country. Overnight hotel in Paro.
Day 2 (21 February, Sunday): Paro - Punakha
After breakfast you will drive to Punakha, with a stop en route for tea at Dochu La (3,100 meters), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas. After lunch at Dochula Pass, you will drive to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan. On the way to Punakha, you will stop at Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to Chimi Lakhang, which is a fertility temple, dedicated to Devine Madman, a man who was known for earthly sense of humour. Overnight hotel in Punakha.
Day 3 (22 February, Monday): Punakha - attend full day of festival
After breakfast, you will attend the festival in Punakha. Enjoy the celebration of the mask dances by the local people and the monks. Overnight hotel in Punakha.

Day 04: Wangdue – Gangtey/Phobjikha (2.1/2 hours)

After breakfast drive to Gangtey/Phobjikha. Gangtey lies towards the east of Wangdue on the flanks of the Black Mountains. There is an old monastery of Gangtey Gompa dating back to the 17th century. A few kilometers past the Gompa on the valley floor are the fascinating valley of Phobjikha. This quite, remote valley is the winter home of black necked cranes, which migrate from the arid plains of Tibet in the north. Explore Gangtey and Phobjikha valley. Enjoy the Bird Watching and overnight Hotel in Phobjikha.
Day 5 : Gangtey - Bumthang Drive 6Hours.
Drive to Bumthang and pass Pelela Pass at 3340mts and enjoy snow capped himalayas and descend down to Trongsa for hot lunch. Visit the Trongsa Dzong and continue driving to Bumthang "Golden Vase Valley". Overnight Hotel in Bumthang.
Day 6: Bumthang - Bumthang
Visit to Swiss Cheese Making Factory and Red Panda Beer Manufacturing unit. Visit Jakar dzong "White Bird Castle" built in 17th century. Visit to Jambay Lhakhang the oldest monastery built in 659AD by Tibetan King to subdue Ogress in Tibet and built 108 Monasteries and two are here in Bhutan and the other one is the Kyichu Monastery in Paro. Drive to Kurjey Monastery and do a short hike crossing over Chamker Chu (River) to Tamching Monastery. After visiting the Tamshing Monastery, the residence of Great treasure Discover Pema Lingpa and now private monastery, visit the Kharchu Monastery, private monastery maintained by Lama Namkhai Nyingpo. Overnight Hotel in Bumthang.

Day 7 : Bumthang - Thimphu
Drive to Thimphu and check in the hotel.
Day 8: Thimphu Sightseeing
After a late breakfast you will start your sightseeing of Thimphu with a visit to the Institute traditional medicines .Then we head to The Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thangkhas (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls). The Bhutan heritage Museum, a nineteenth century house, preserved to show how middle class Bhutanese lived in the past. Next we will visit the National Library and return to the hotel for lunch. After lunch, we visit Textile Museum, the traditional gold and silver smith workshop, weaving center and other places of interest. If the day falls on a weekend, then a visit to a weekend market is a must. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 9: Paro Sightseeing
After breakfast we will drive to Paro this will take about 2 hours, check into hotel and then we will start our sightseeing by visiting the Drukgyal Dzong built in 1647 by Shubdrung Nawang Namgyal, the Dzong was destroyed by fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. On a clear day you can get a magnificent view of the Mount Chomolhari, alt. 7314 m / 23,990 ft. Go round the fortress, it is a 30 minutes leisurely hike, this is a beautiful walk. Drive south to Satsam Chorten, built in memory of the late Dilgo Khentse Rinpochey, and continue on to Kyichu Lhakhang, built in seventh century by a Tibetan King, Songtsen Gonpo. After lunch we will visit the National Museum of Bhutan, (Ta Dzong) which contains works of art, handicrafts, costumes, armors and rare stamps. Take a leisurely hike down to Rimpung Dzong. You will walk through a traditional covered bridge across the river to your waiting car and drive to your hotel. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 10 Excursion to Taktsang Monastery
After breakfast your car will drop you at the starting point of the excursion to view the spectacular Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s lair). The trail to the monastery climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. You stop at the cafeteria for a rest and refreshments and continue the hike (if not tired) for short while until you see, clearly and seemingly within reach, the Taktsang monastery. Built in 1600s, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. The history states that Guru Padmasambhava, the Tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, landed here on the back of a flying tiger. Looking at the monastery flying tigers doesn’t seem so impossible after all. Lunch will be served at the cafeteria. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 11 Departure:
Our representative will see you off from the Paro Airport.

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