Festival tours

Design a trip around a Buddhist festival 
 

Why not curate your trip to Bhutan around one of our colourful Buddhist festivals. It’s a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the Buddhist culture and local people.

These Buddhist festivals are a tribute to Guru Rinpoche, the revered saint who introduced Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century. Known as Tshechus, these auspicious occasions span up to four days and feature a mesmerising display of highly stylised masked dance rituals.

Beyond the religious significance, these festivals hold deep social and familial importance. People don their finest traditional attire woven with colourful silk, adorned with splendid jewellery crafted from coral and turquoise. Carrying traditional baskets filled with delicious picnic lunches, families gather at the majestic dzongs (fortresses) and monasteries, immersing themselves in the festivities that unfold throughout the day.

While the audience revel in the colourful spectacles, behind the scenes, the dedicated monks engage in weeks of prepping. Through prayer and meditation, they purify their spirits readying themselves for the festival. During the Tshechu, the monks perform mask dances, portraying enlightened beings from the past. The Bhutanese hold the belief that witnessing these mystical dances is not only a visual delight but also a transformational experience, aiding one towards attaining enlightenment.

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The months of March, April, and October are when the major festivals take place. But don’t worry if you can’t make it during those months, as there are also smaller festivals happening throughout the year in different locations (see table below)

If you’re interested in organising a tour centred around a festival:

1. Select the festival you would like to attend from the calendar below.

2. Tell us the number of days you wish to visit Bhutan.

3. Contact us on hello@touchbhutantravel.com and leave the rest to us.