7-Day Thimphu Festival Tour
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Overview
Tsechus is one of the most important religious festivals and is an intrinsic part of Bhutan’s tradition and culture. The festival is performed and celebrated all around the country at different periods. Tshechu means the “tenth day,” and is observed on the tenth day of a month corresponding to the lunar calendar, the birthday of Guru Rimpoche (Guru Padmasambhava).
The origin of Tsechus can be traced back to the 8th century, where Guru Padma Sambhava and the Abbot Shanti Rakshita, introduced the dances and performed it when the first Buddhist temple was constructed at Samye in Tibet. It is said that through the performance of the dances, spirits living in the vicinity of the temple were subdued.
Tsechus became diverse and the number of Chhams (mask dances) increased as followers of Guru Rimpoche, especially treasure revealers (Tertons) and other enlightened masters, discovered instructions for such sacred dances, believed to be written by Guru Rimpoche and concealed in different places.
Every dance has a meaning and is a story narrated as the dance progresses. Tsechus is in part a celebration Guru Padma Sambhava’s life and is also public teachings on how to live our life as an individual and a member of society for the benefit of all beings.
The Tsechus is also a time of celebration for people who had to work for days on end in the fields, a moment for members of families to come together and celebrate their success. It has social significances as it brings communities together, partaking in merrymaking, and wearing their best clothes. While there are several Tsechus performed, we provide you with an insight into some of the most popular ones on this cultural tour in Bhutan.
The origin of Tsechus can be traced back to the 8th century, where Guru Padma Sambhava and the Abbot Shanti Rakshita, introduced the dances and performed it when the first Buddhist temple was constructed at Samye in Tibet. It is said that through the performance of the dances, spirits living in the vicinity of the temple were subdued.
Tsechus became diverse and the number of Chhams (mask dances) increased as followers of Guru Rimpoche, especially treasure revealers (Tertons) and other enlightened masters, discovered instructions for such sacred dances, believed to be written by Guru Rimpoche and concealed in different places.
Every dance has a meaning and is a story narrated as the dance progresses. Tsechus is in part a celebration Guru Padma Sambhava’s life and is also public teachings on how to live our life as an individual and a member of society for the benefit of all beings.
The Tsechus is also a time of celebration for people who had to work for days on end in the fields, a moment for members of families to come together and celebrate their success. It has social significances as it brings communities together, partaking in merrymaking, and wearing their best clothes. While there are several Tsechus performed, we provide you with an insight into some of the most popular ones on this cultural tour in Bhutan.
Itinerary
Day 1
Paro Sightseeing and Drive to Thimphu
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Your flight to Paro will be very memorable with the dramatic view of the Himalayas. Our staff will meet and we will do some so local sightseeing and lunch. After lunch, we will visit Paro Dzong and the Museum and drive late afternoon to Thimphu where you will stay the night. You will have the evening to walk around Thimphu if you wish.
Accommodation
Peaceful Resort★3 star
Activities
Rinpung Dzong
Paro Ta Dzong National Museum
Transportations
Private Driver from Paro International Airport to Paro
Private Driver from Paro to Thimphu
Meals
Dinner
Destinations
Paro
Thimphu
Day 2
Thimphu Festival and Sightseeing
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After breakfast, you will attend the first day of the Thimphu Tsechu Festival. After lunchtime, you will head out sightseeing to visit Kuenselphodrang, the tallest Buddha in the world. Then the Memorial Chorten, a whitewashed structure with a gold spire which is a highly revered Buddhist shrine, dedicated to Bhutan’s third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
Accommodation
Peaceful Resort★3 star
Activities
Thimphu Tshechu
Kuensel Phodrang
Memorial Chorten
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Thimphu
Day 3
Thimphu Sightseeing
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Today, you'll head out sightseeing will include Changangkha Lhakhang, the oldest religious temple and the Motithang Takin Preserve. You'll then visit a museum that follows Bhutan's progress and development through the lens of the evolution of communications and postal system in the country. After lunch, visit the first dzong fortress built by Zhanbdrung, the founder of Bhutan, in 1629.
Accommodation
Peaceful Resort★3 star
Activities
Changangkha Lhakhang
Motithang Takin Preserve
Bhutan Postal Museum
Simtokha Dzong
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Thimphu
Motithang
Semtokha
Day 4
Tsechu Festival and Drive to Punakha
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In the morning, attend your last day of the Thimpu Tsechu festival, then visit the farmers market and after lunch there to sample some of the local delicacies at their finest. In the afternoon, you'll drive to Punakha with a stop at the Dochula pass, offering you the first glimpse of the eastern Himalayan Ranges with their snow-capped mountain peaks. You'll arrive in Punakha later in the afternoon.
Accommodation
Meri Puensum Resort★3 star
Activities
Thimphu Tshechu
Centenary Farmers Market
Dochula Pass
Punakha Dzong
Transportations
Private Driver from Thimphu to Punakha
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Thimphu
Dochula
Punakha
Walakha
Day 5
Punakha to Paro
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In the morning, you'll go on a short sightseeing tour around Punakha. Later on, you'll will go to Paro, on the way visit Chimi Lhakhang, a temple where the phallus is worshipped and associated with Lam Drukpa Kuenley, the “Divine Madmonk”, the temple is dedicated to fertility. After lunch there and drive to Paro, which is a six-hour drive away, you'll arrive mid-evening and have dinner at your hotel.
Accommodation
Tashi Namgay Resort★4 star
Activities
Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
Chimi Lhakhang
Transportations
Private Driver from Punakha to Paro
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Walakha
Punakha
Paro
Day 6
Taktsang Monastery Hike
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After breakfast, you'll go to the starting point of the Taktsang Monastery hiking trail. The trail is along an ancient path marked by river powered prayer wheels. This hike will take 5 hours round trip. In the afternoon visit Drugyel Dzong, solely served as the country's defence point, the architecture shows the practice of defence of that time. You may want to experience the hot stone bath with locally sourced organic herbal plants instead.
Accommodation
Tashi Namgay Resort★4 star
Activities
Hike to Tiger's Nest
Drukgyel Dzong
Hot Stone BathsOptional Activity
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Paro
Wangdue Phodrang
Day 7
Departure Day
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We take you to the airport for your onward journey. We hope you enjoyed yourself on your cultural tour in Bhutan.
Transportations
Private Driver from Tashi Namgay Resort to Paro International Airport
Paro Airport Drop Off from Tashi Namgay Resort to Paro International Airport
Destinations
Paro
Included in Price
- 6 nights accommodation
- 17 activities
- 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 6 dinners
- Airport transfer
- Entrance fees
- Ground transportation
- Licensed English speaking guides
Not Included in Price
- Alcohol beverages
- Domestic flights
- Entry visas / airport departure tax
- Gratuities
- International flights
- Laundry
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Trekking permits
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Low season price starting fromAU$3,209
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