Thimpu Festival actors at Tashi Chhodzong

Bhutan’s festivals are joyous expressions of its Buddhist culture. Françoise Pommaret, describing their Chaucerian atmosphere, writes that “the festivals offer Bhutanese an opportunity to become immersed in the meaning of their religion [but] they are also occasions for seeing people and being seen. People bring their ﬁnest clothes, their most beautiful jewels; they take out picnics rich with meat and alcohol. Men and women joke and ﬂirt. An atmosphere of convivial, slightly ribald good humor prevails.”

In the spring and summer Sacred Festivals, we attend the Punakha serda, the grand Paro tshechu, or the intimate Gangtey kurim. In the fall, we visit Wangdiphodrang’s and Thimphu’s equally exuberant tshechus. And once again we’re pleased to offer festival trips to the central Bhutanese village of Trongsa over the winter holidays. We join hundreds of villagers as they enjoy a rollicking carnival and watch mystical masked dances. All trips visit the important villages and historic sites of western Bhutan, such as Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha. (Note that Sacred Festivals is a great trip to extend to or from. Angkor beckons, and so do a host of easily accessed Asian destinations.)

Departure Dates by Festival:

Dec 31, 2011 - Jan 8, 2012 (Trongsa Tshechu)
Mar 1 - 7, 2012 (Punakha Tshechu)
Apr 4 - 10, 2012 (Paro Tshechu)
Jul 24 - Aug 1, 2012 (Gangtey Kurim)
Sep 21 - 27, 2012 (Thimphu and Wangdi Tshechus)
Dec 19 - 27, 2012 (Trongsa Tshechu)

Bhutan Monks chanting during Tshechu Festival

Sample Itinerary:

Day 1: arrive in Paro • Day 2: drive to Punakha or Wangdi • Day 3: explore Punakha/Wangdi or excursion to Phobjikha • Day 4: drive to Thimphu • Day 5: morning in Thimphu, return to Paro • Day 6: explore Paro • Day 7: depart Paro.

Angkor Extension is available for this trip

Laos Extension is available for this trip