Welcome to one of the most celebrated festivals in the kingdom of Bhutan!
Day 01: Arrive in Paro and drive to Thimphu
- Altitude in Paro: 2,300m
- Altitude in Thimphu: 2,400m
- Distance: 55km
- Estimated travel time: 1.30hrs
You will arrive at Paro International Airport. This is the only international airport in the country, and is surrounded with snowcapped mountains, which you can see from the plane. Our representative will meet you at the airport and then take you to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. It is the only capital in the world where you will not see any traffic lights. On the way, we will stop at the beautiful Tachogang Lhakhang Temple (Temple of The Hill of The Excellent Horse), erected by the legendary bridge builder Thangtong Gyalpo (1385-1464).
After arriving in Thimphu, we will leave your luggage at the hotel to go and visit the National Memorial Chorten. The impressive building serves both as a monument for world’s peace and prosperity and as a memorial to the Third King, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1928-1972).
Next, we will see the imposing Buddha Point (Buddha Dordenma Statue), which sits atop of a hill overlooking Thimphu. The site is renowned for its height, which is 51.5m, making it one of the tallest Buddha statues in the world. Inside, there are 125,000 miniature Buddha statues, gilded and made of bronze.
We will return to explore the dynamic life of Thimphu in the late afternoon and evening. You will find out a different side of the charming town, with bustling shops and bazaars, and finest pubs which will impress you with their offers of snacks and alcohol.
We will stay at a hotel in Thimphu for the first night.
Day 02: Discover Thimphu
The Folk Heritage Museum and the National Textile Museum will be our first stops for the day. They are the best place you can visit to learn more about the beautiful Bhutanese life and traditional weaving art. The heritage museum will take you back to the mid-19th century, its design replicates a rural house, built with rammed mud timber. Inside you will find many daily objects used by the locals, like the leopard-skin bags and Brokpa yak-hair ‘spider’ hats. Then you will get to see the art practicing of thagzo (weaving) at the National Textile Museum, which is very interesting as it is performed with different styles and on various materials.
We will then visit Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory to learn how the traditional Bhutanese paper Deh-sho is produced. Made from Daphne and Dhekap trees, Deh-sho paper is used by the monks for woodblock and manuscript books, and for writing prayer books.
If the trip is on a weekend, we can spend time walking around the farmer’s market. You will find in the market all kinds of vegetables, fruits, meats and rice that the local farmers have brought here from all over the country.
In the afternoon, we will stop at Changangkha Lhakhang, a popular temple in Thimphu. It is common for parents to come here and choose auspicious names for their newborns or to receive blessings for their kids. The temple sits on a ridge above the town, and you can also see the shrine of the tshomen (mermaid) in the courtyard. The back kora (pilgrim path) with beautiful black-and-gold prayer wheels is also a great sight to see.
The next destination – the National Institute for Zorig Chusum will definitely amaze you. It is commonly called the Arts and Crafts School, or Painting school. This is where the traditional arts of Bhutan are taught and practiced by young students. You will get to see the students sharpening their skills with great discipline under the instructions of their masters, from painting (thangkas – painted religious pictures, walls, and statues), to wood-carving (masks, statues), clay arts.
Tashichho Dzong (Fortress of The Glorious Religion) is one of the most iconic sites in Thimphu, and also the last stop for today. The grand dzong was built in 1216 A.D, and later moved to Thimphu after the city was chosen as Bhutan’s new capital. It sits next to the banks of Wang Chhu river and is surrounded with picturesque gardens. At 5pm, there is a flag changing ritual in the courtyard, make sure you will catch the interesting sight when visiting the place!
We will stay for another night at the hotel in the capital.
Day 03: Thimphu to Punakha
- Altitude in Punakha: 1,300m
- Distance: 75km
- Estimated travel time: 3hrs
From Thimphu, we will drive to the former capital Punakha. The historic town was the capital from 1637 to 1907, and is also known for its wonderful nature.
We will stop at Dochula pass to capture the panoramic view of the Himalayan mountains. Located at 3,050m, the pass is praised as one of the most picturesque mountain passes one will ever see. The sight of the 108 chortens gracing along the hillside and the mighty snowcapped mountains in the distance is breathtaking and for sure will be one of your most favourite memories of Bhutan.
Then we will visit the striking Punakha Dzong, or ‘Place of Great Happiness’. The grand complex was founded at the confluence of two major rivers in Bhutan, the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu, which converge in this valley. On sunny days, the building becomes even more beautiful as the sunlight reflects off the water onto its giant buttressed walls.
From the remarkable dzong, we will travel to Pho Chhu Suspension Bridge, the longest of its kind in Bhutan with a length of 160m. The bridge offers the amazing sight of Punakha Dzong and the fertile Pho Chhu valley.
Afterwards, we will take on an easy hike to reach Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten (1,500m), which stands proudly on a ridge above the valley. The trail from the suspension bridge will ascend 200m up the hill, and we will finish it in about an hour. The chorten was designed on the principals delineate within the Holy Scriptures, and the purpose was to provide spiritual protection, peace and harmony. The whole site consists of the four-story, pagoda-style chorten, and various smaller pagodas surrounding it, some of which contain prayer wheels.
Tonight, we will stay at the hotel in Punakha.
Day 04: Punakha to Paro
- Distance: 125km
- Estimated travel time: 4hrs
Today we will drive back to Paro. On the way, we will hike to visit Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility) at an altitude of 1,500m. It is an easy hike and will ascend about 20m, taking us to cross hillock fields. The whole walk will be only for 30 minutes.
We will next stop at Simtokha Dzong. ‘Simtokha’ literally means ‘Atop a demon’, and the site is believed to guard a demon that had vanished into the rock nearby. The dzong was the first to be founded by the Zhabdrung, the unifier of Bhutan as a nation-state. The building houses the bed chamber of both Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel and Jigme Namgyel, two of the most important figures in Bhutanese history. Moreover, inside the dzong’s Utse (central tower) is a giant statue of Yeshay Gonpo (Mahakala), the chief protective deity of Bhutan. There are more statues and paintings of various Buddhas, deities and religious figures that you may see once we are at the site.
We will stay overnight at the hotel in Paro
Day 05: Paro Tshechu Festival
The Paro Tshechu Festival, held at the famous Paro Rinpung Dzong, is one of the most popular religious celebrations in the kingdom. It was undoubtedly the highlight of our trip. Thousands of locals and guests attend this ritual every year to honor Guru Rinpoche, the great master who brought Buddhism to the Himalayas.
Attending this fantastic festival is an excellent way to experience the country’s historic live culture. People dressed in their finest attire and jewelry will gather at Paro Rinpung Dzong early in the morning. Monks dressed in colorful attire will perform masked dances – which Guru Rinpoche first introduced in Bhutan during his visit to the country in the 8th century. The masked dances in these Tshechu will tell the ancient story of Guru Rinpoche’s conquests, driving out evil spirits and purifying the region with his footprints.
People who attend the festival believe they will receive prayers and blessings, and it is also an occasion for the entire town to get together and mingle. It is a truly remarkable experience that you cannot afford to miss.
Over the course of five days, various performances will take place at the Paro Dzong. Some of the most outstanding performances include:
- Zhana Cham: The Black Hat Dance
The Black Hat Dance is an exceptionally powerful and profound performance that originates from Vajrayna Buddhism. The dance portrays a tantric or Vajrayana Buddhist master who possesses spiritual power, enabling them to subdue demonic forces and transform negative energy into positive energy. The dancers’ clothing and movements reflect the utilization of force and fear, which is done out of compassion to stop any further evil. The dancers wear black hats, and their foreheads and cheeks are marked with soot, creating a menacing appearance. The tassels hanging from the hat represent the long hair of tantric priests. This is achieved through a technique called ‘liberation,’ where the victim’s awareness is freed while its regular identity is destroyed.
- Shazam Cham: The Stag Dance
The dance is a spiritual practice that represents removing negative energy and cleansing the area for spiritual purposes. Known as the ‘liberation’ ritual, it is a powerful practice in Vajrayāna Buddhism that combines the compassion of Mahāyāna Buddhism to alleviate the suffering of all sentient beings with the methods of secret tantras to achieve this goal. The dance is performed by four dancers who don deer masks and hold swords.
- Durdak Cham: Dance of the Charnel Ground Masters
The Durdak dance represents the powerful spirits present in the charnel grounds, specifically those that assist those seeking enlightenment by overcoming internal struggles. These spirits aid in overcoming hindrances such as attachment, fear, and prejudice, as well as external obstacles like demonic spirits. Typically, four dancers hold a triangular vessel on a black rug during the dance. This vessel is then presented to the wrathful Buddhas to be either ritually destroyed or liberated.
- Tercham: A Sacred Dance of Sakteng
The Tercham dance originated in the court of Emperor Trisong Detsen as a month-long annual ritual to protect his kingdom from disasters and disease. It is performed in Sakteng on the 15th day of the fifth lunar month of the Bhutanese calendar, but only once every three years during the Mang Kurim festival. Tercham dancers emerge from the temple, wearing masks and dorjé gong. They perform in the temple courtyard at dusk, joined by other dancers representing Vajrayana Buddhist ideals, before travelling to villages to bless homes. Locals offer them food and beer as offerings for blessings.
- Shawa-Shachi: The Dance-Drama of the Stag and Hounds
The Shawo Shachi Dance was created in the 11th century after Jetsun Milarepa, a well-known Tibetan yogi, convinced Gonpo Dorji, a fierce hunter, to embrace the Dharma. This dance-drama is not just for entertainment but also serves as a way to convey important spiritual and moral concepts such as nonviolence, ethical livelihood, devotion, miracles, and enlightenment. The performance is split into two main sections, each lasting up to two hours, and generally takes place over two days.
The Shinjé Yabyum dance is a display of Yamantaka performed by two dancers wearing red bull masks. The dance is performed at the start of the festival dance program to demarcate, purify, and bless the ground for the upcoming acts.
- Peling Gingsum: The Three Ging Dances of Pema Lingpa
This performance includes a series of three sacred mask dances that were introduced by Pema Lingpa. Legend has it that he received the secret teachings of these dances from Guru Rinpoche during a visit to Zangdo Pelri. The Peling Gingsum is considered highly sacred, and those who witness it are believed to gain great merit. The three dances, Jug Ging (dance with stick), Dri Ging (dance with sword), and Nga Ging (dance with drum), are performed in sequence.
- The Dance Drama of Polek Molek
The dance’s origins stem from the tale of King Norzang, a virtuous ruler who falls in love with a nymph-like goddess. The performance incorporates risqué humor and pranks, featuring two couples and a number of clown figures. While it provides entertainment, the dance also conveys a potent moral message. This message is steeped in the Buddhist belief in universal law, which teaches that worldly things have no real essence.
- Drametse Ngacham: The Drum Dance of Drametse
This sacred dance is widely popular in Bhutan. Sixteen dancers will dress in silk costumes and animal head masks, each holding a drum. The performance lasts for two to three hours. Khedrup Kuenga Gyeltshen, during his meditative retreat, witnessed Guru Rinpoche’s heavenly attendants transforming themselves into one hundred peaceful and wrathful deities and performing a drum and drumstick dance in the celestial palace of Zangdog Pelri. He understood that Guru Rinpoche wanted him to use this dance to help sentient beings defeat the cycle of birth and rebirth. Thus, he noted down the choreography and introduced it in Drametse.
During tshechu, it is important to recite prayers to Guru Rinpoche and seek his help to achieve his level of insight and carry out meaningful actions in the world. Guru Rinpoche’s mantra is Om Ah Hung Vajra Guru Dadma Siddhi Hung, which roughly translates as “Om ah hung, may I attain the state of adamantine teacher Padma”. Adherents should keep Guru Rinpoche in mind, live according to his concepts and goals, and recite prayers seeking his blessings to live up to his ideals. Also, remember to chant the seven-line prayer along with the aforementioned mantra, as it is the essence of all prayers to Guru Rinpoche.
Day 06: Paro Tshechu Festival
The Paro Tshechu festival is concluding today and will be held outside the dzong.
The Thongdrel revealing is the most highly anticipated event of Tshechu, and it will take place in the early morning, about 3 am. Following that, the Shugdrel ceremony will be performed.
In a previous life, Ugyen Rinpoche was born to a female poultry farmer and was instrumental in erecting the famous Jarung Khashor (Bodhnath in Nepal) chorten. During this time, he made a vow to have compassion for sentient beings, especially in Nepal, Bhutan, and Sikkim. Due to his vow, he bestows compassion and blessings upon them more rapidly than other Buddhas through the Great Thangka.
The monks will unveil a gigantic silk Thangkha (embroidered painting), the Guru Throngdel. The Thongdrel’s size is impressively large, covering the face of an entire building. It is a very sacred scroll, that will only be displayed a few hours before sunrise and brought down before the sun touches it. One is believed to cleanse their sins just by viewing the Thongdrel.
The Shugdrel ceremony requires three out of five accomplished elements:
- An accomplished place: It is here in the kingdom of Bhutan, Valley of Medicinal Herbs, where Buddhas and Bodhisattvas have diffused the Tantras.
- An accomplished master: He is Ugyen Pemajyune, who incorporates all Buddhas, and his image on the Thangka liberates us from bad reincarnations.
- An accomplished retinue: The holy clergy and devout people dressed in rich clothing and ornaments, likened to a gathering of celestial stars.
- An accomplished time: A period of flourishing religious practices, including the recitation of Mani and Baza Guru, and the practice of the Tantric Path.
- An accomplished requisite for offerings: A combination of offerings, such as good food, fruits, prayer flags, nectar-like alcohol, offering tea, and sweet-smelling incense.
On the fifth day of Paro Tshechu, you still have a chance to watch some interesting performances, like:
- Pacham: Dance of the Heroes
Pacham is a mesmerizing dance inspired by Tertoen Pema Lingpa’s mystical visit to Zangdog Pelri, Guru Rinpoche’s home. Guru Rinpoche sat enthroned, surrounded by a beautiful mandala of rainbows and spiritual beings, conducting a harmonious dance of gentle and fearsome deities. Pacham dancers wear beautiful knee-length yellow skirts, golden crowns representing the five Buddha families of tantric Buddhism, and long strands symbolizing dakinis’ hair. Dancing barefoot, each performer gently holds a little bell and drum, embodying serenity and spiritual depth.
- Guru Tshen Gye: Dance of the eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche
- Dance of the Sixteen Fairies
Once the festival is over, we can take the opportunity to go and explore Paro Rinpung Dzong. The entire complex is a magnificent example of Bhutanese architecture. This amazing construction was built on the site of a monastery originally established by Guru Rinpoche in 1644. Perched high on a steep hillside, it offers breathtaking views of the surrounding valley.
After taking a lunch break, we will make our way to Paro. This charming town in Bhutan is best explored on foot. It offers a blend of ancient and modern aspects of Bhutanese culture. As we stroll along the main street, which was constructed in 1985, you will notice the vibrantly painted wooden storefronts and restaurants.
We will return and stay in the hotel for another night.
Day 07: Paro sightseeing
We will spend the first half of the day hiking to the sacred Taktsang Monastery, also known as the ‘Tiger’s Nest monastery’. The striking monastery is located on a cliff of more than 3,000m, so it will take us 5-6 hours to get there. The highest altitude of the hike will be at 3,120m, with a 900m of walking height. Every Bhutanese is expected to complete the pilgrimage to the Tiger’s Nest at least once in their life. It is said that a trip to Bhutan would not be considered as completed if you have not been to this holy site.
Due to the hike’s difficulty, we will have stops for refreshments as well as enjoy the pristine nature along the trail. The incredible views of ancient forests and snowcapped Himalayan mountains on the way to the monastery will become part of your unforgettable experience in Bhutan.
Next, we will visit Kyichu Lhakhang, which is one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas. Legends say that the Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo established these structures in just 1 day to pin down the demon tigress, which tried stopping the introduction of Buddhism in the Himalayas. The ancient temple was also visited by Guru Padmasambhava in the 8th century. It is also one of the most outstanding temples in the kingdom.
We will join a Bhutanese family for a special dinner after the visit to Kyichu Lhakhang. It is a very nice experience to spend time chatting with the family members and enjoying delicious dishes. Bhutanese are known for their friendliness towards travelers to the country.
If interested, you can try out archery and dart, which your guide and driver will happily teach you. They are the most popular sports in Bhutan, played in almost every family.
Besides that, Paro has some trendy bars and pubs, you can check them out and find tasty snacks and local alcohol. Enjoy your last night in Bhutan!
We will stay overnight at the hotel in Paro
Day 08: Depart Paro
After breakfast at the hotel, your guide will take you to the airport for flight to your onward destination. It is time to say ‘Tashi Delek’ (goodbye and good luck) and hope to see you again!
