Paro Tshechu
Eight days built around one of the largest festivals in Bhutan
Two full days at the Paro festival, with the western valleys and Taktsang around them.
The Paro Tshechu is one of the biggest festivals in the country. On the first day all the mask dances are held inside the courtyard of the dzong; on the following days the festival moves to the ground outside, which is where the crowds are.
We give you two full days at it rather than one, because the first day is largely getting your bearings and the second is when you know where to stand.
The rest of the trip covers Thimphu, Punakha and the walk up to Taktsang.
Festival dates follow the lunar calendar and are confirmed only a few months ahead, so these trips need booking earlier than the others. Tell us the year you want and we will confirm the dates as soon as they are published.
What stands out
- Two full days at the Paro Tshechu, not one
- The mask dances in the dzong courtyard on the opening day
- Taktsang before the festival crowds arrive
- Punakha Dzong and the drive over Dochula
The itinerary
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Day 1 7,610 ft
Arrive Paro, drive to Thimphu
Met at the airport and driven to the capital.
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Day 2 7,610 ft
Thimphu
The dzong, the museums and the weekend market if the timing works.
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Day 3 4,100 ft
Thimphu to Punakha
Over Dochula and down into the warm valley. Punakha Dzong in the afternoon.
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Day 4 7,480 ft
Punakha to Paro
Chimi Lhakhang in the morning, then back west to Paro.
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Day 5 10,150 ft
Paro: the walk up to Taktsang
The Tiger's Nest, done before the festival days.
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Day 6 7,480 ft
Paro Tshechu: first day
An early start to get into the dzong courtyard for the mask dances. The best position is taken well before the dances begin.
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Day 7 7,480 ft
Paro Tshechu: second day
The festival moves to the ground outside the dzong, which is where most of the valley turns up. A different and much larger occasion than the first day.
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Day 8 7,480 ft
Departure
Morning transfer to the airport.
What is covered
- All internal transport with a private vehicle and driver
- A licensed English-speaking Bhutanese guide throughout
- Accommodation in government-approved three-star hotels, or better on request
- All meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
- All entry fees to monuments, dzongs and museums
- Bhutan visa processing and the visa fee
- The Sustainable Development Fee
- All internal taxes and the government royalty
- International flights to and from Bhutan
- Travel insurance, which we ask every guest to arrange
- Drinks, laundry, telephone and other personal expenses
- Tips for your guide and driver
- Anything not listed as included
Festival dates move each year with the lunar calendar and are usually published six to nine months ahead. Hotels in Paro fill up for the tshechu, so early booking matters more than usual.
The festival ground is crowded and hot. Bring a hat and something to sit on: everyone sits on the ground.
On this trip
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