Thimphu Tshechu

9 Days / 8 Nights of Bhutan Festival Tour.

One of the biggest festivals in the country is the Thimphu Tshechu. This festival is held in the capital city for three days beginning on 10th day of the 8th month of lunar calendar. This Tshechu is witnessed by thousands of people many of which travel from neighbouring Dzongkhags (districts) to attend the festivities. The actual Tshechu is preceded by days and nights of prayer and rituals to invoke the gods. To farmers, the Tshechu is also seen as a break from farm life. It’s an occasion to celebrate, receive blessings and pray for health and happiness.

Thimphu Dromchoe Besides the annual three day Tshechu, Thimphu also celebrates a one day festival known as the Thimphu Dromchoe. The day long festival dates back to the 17th century. The dromchoe is celebrated 3 days prior to the Thimphu Tshechu. The Dromchoe showcases the sacred dances dedicated to the chief protective deity of Bhutan, Palden Lhamo. Legend has it, that the deity Pelden Lhamo appeared before Kuenga Gyeltshen and performed the dances while he was in meditation. Based on these dances, Kuenga Gyaltshen initiated the Dromchoe.

Day 1: Arrival in the Paro Airport, altitude 2200 m

• Our representative will be there to greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel.
• Visit Drukgyel Dzong in the afternoon, where you can catch the glimpse of Mt Jomolhari.
• Towards the evening visit, Paro Ta Dzong and Ringphung Dzong.
• Dinner and overnight at Hotel in Paro.

Day 2: Paro to Thimphu

• After breakfast , hike to the Paro Taktshang (Tiger’s nest )
• After lunch, free to roam around Paro Town.
• Towards the evening drive towards Thimphu.
• Dinner and overnight stay in hotel in Thimphu.

Day 3: Thimphu- Punakha

• After an early breakfast, drive towards Punakha.
• On the way to Punakha, halt in Dochula Pass for photography and visit Royal Botanical Park in Lampelri .
• Upon arrival in Lobesa , lunch will be served. Visit Chimmi lhakhang
• Visit Punakha Dzong.
• Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Punakha.

Day 4: Punakha to Phobjikha

• After breakfast, drive to Phobjikha.
• On the way visit Wangdi phodrang Dzong(now under reconstruction)
• Dinner and overnight stay in Hotel in Phobjikha.

Day 5: Phobjikha sightseeing

After breakfast, take a detour in the Phobjikha valley.  You can also take up an excellent photography session while you enjoy the view of the Black necked cranes. Phobjikha valley is the winter retreat for the black necked cranes that fly from Tibet every year to spend their summers in Bhutan. Snowfall and the cranes in the valley make it a wonderful vacation spot loved by every traveller who has enjoyed this heavenly abode of the cranes.

Day 6: Phobjikha to Thimphu

• After breakfast, drive towards Thimphu.
• Dinner and overnight stay in Hotel in Thimphu.

Day 7: Thimphu Tshechu Day 1

• After breakfast , attend the Thimphu Tshechu until lunch time
• After lunch, visit kuenselphodrang , and the national memorial chorten .
• Towards the evening visit the Takin Preserve center in Motithang and Changgangkha lhakhang .
• Dinner and overnight stay in hotel in Thimphu

Day 8: Thimphu Tshechu Day 2 To Paro

• After breakfast , attend the Thimphu Tshechu until lunch time
• After lunch, visit Dechenphu lhakhang and the National library of Bhutan.
• Towards the evening drive back to Paro.
• Dinner and overnight stay in hotel in Paro.

Day 9: Departure from Paro

• After breakfast drive to the Airport and we bid you safe journey.