7 Days Punakha Tshechu Festival Tour

Highlights: Arrive in Bhutan and visit National Memorial Chorten, Tashichho Dzong, and Buddha Dordenma Statue.

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).

After arriving in Thimphu, your guide will help you check in at the hotel.

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 explore Tashichho Dzong, the eminent fortress where the national government and central monastic body are located. In addition, here sits the summer residence of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot of Bhutan.

After that, 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.

Tashichho Dzong

Highlights: 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.

Dochu La Pass

Highlights: Experience the colorful Punakha Tshechu Festival, watch sacred mask dances, and celebrate alongside local Bhutanese.

After breakfast, you will attend the Punakha Tshechu Festival at the magnificent Punakha Dzong. You will watch sacred Cham mask dances performed by monks, along with traditional folk dances and songs that share Buddhist stories and the teachings of Guru Rinpoche.

You will also see local families dressed in traditional Gho and Kira, gathering at the dzong to receive blessings and enjoy the celebration. It is a wonderful opportunity to experience Bhutanese Buddhist traditions and local festival life up close.

After the festival, you will return to your hotel and relax in Punakha.

Stay overnight in Punakha.

Punakha Tshechu Festival

Highlights: Continue the Punakha Tshechu celebration, witness special festival rituals, and explore the peaceful countryside of Punakha.

Today, you will continue to enjoy the Punakha Tshechu Festival, with more sacred mask dances, traditional performances, and Buddhist ceremonies. Depending on the festival schedule, you may also witness the unfurling of a giant Thongdrel, a sacred Buddhist tapestry displayed on special occasions for devotees to receive blessings.

In the afternoon, you can choose to visit Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. You will drive through Punakha’s beautiful countryside and take a pleasant walk through rice fields to reach the hilltop chorten, where you can enjoy peaceful valley views and traditional Bhutanese architecture.

After the visit, you will return to your hotel in Punakha.

Stay overnight in Punakha.

A huge cloth thangka

Highlights: 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

Highlights: 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 service end.