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Thimphu Tshechu Festival in Bhutan 2025.

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The grand Thimphu Tshechu festival in Bhutan 2025, festival dates: 2nd – 4th October 2025. Venue: Courtyard of Tashichho dzong, Thimphu (The capital city).

The Monks performing religious dance at Thimphu tshechu festival in Bhutan

Thimphu tshechu festival in Bhutan.

Thimphu festival dates corresponds to 10th day of the 8th month of the Bhutanese Lunar calendar. The festival is preceded by prayer and ritual ceremony performed inside the dzong to invoke the deities. The mask dances depicting eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche are performed by the monks. These colorful dances are an integral part of Buddhist culture in Bhutan and are performed to honor Guru Rinpoche. It is also a time for the Bhutanese folks to wear new clothes, drink and enjoy. Bhutan Thimphu festival is one of the most favorite of tourists and is witnessed by thousands of people, both local and tourists.

Thimphu tshechu festival – Highlights:

  • Witness the spectacular Bhutan Thimphu festival.
  • Discover an ancient traditions and culture.
  • Meet local people.
  • Visit ancient dzongs, temples and monasteries.
  • Scenic landscapes.
  • Pristine villages and farm houses.
  • Witness archery matches.

Thimphu Tshechu festival tour itinerary (Sketch):

Below is the Bhutan Thimphu festival tour itinerary combined with cultural tour for 9 days.

  • Day 1. Arrive Paro – Thimphu sightseeing | 54 km | Drive:1 hour | Altitude: 2334 m..
  • Day 2. Thimphu sightseeing | Altitude: 2334 m.
  • Day 3. Thimphu – Punakha sightseeing | 76 Km | Drive:  2 ½ hours | Altitude: 1242 m.
  • Day 4. Punakha – Gangtey sightseeing | 75 km | Drive: 2 hours | Altitude: 3000 m.
  • Day 5. Gangtey – Thimphu festival 2025) | 128 km | Drive: 4 hours | Altitude: 2334 m.
  • Day 6. Thimphu – Thimphu festival Bhutan 2025 | Altitude: 2334 m.
  • Day 7.  Thimphu – Bhutan Thimphu Tshechu festival  – Paro sightseeing | Altitude: 2334 m.
  • Day 8. Paro – Hike to the Tiger’s nest monastery | 7 km | Hike: 4 hours.
  • Day 9. Paro – Departure (End of Bhutan Thimphu festival tour).

Thimphu festival tour cost:

The cost given below is inclusive of sustainable development fee (SDF) of US $ 100 per person per night and Bhutan visa fee US $ 40 per person.

Entrance fees for monuments and festivals visits to be paid separately.

  • Solo travel: US $ 2760 per person.
  • 2 people: US $ 2280 per person.
  • 3 people or more: US $ 2120 per person.

Nature of trip: Privately guided Bhutan trip.

Detailed itinerary for Thimphu tshechu festival.

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Our representative will receive you at Paro Airport and drive to Thimphu.

On the way, view Tamchog lhakhang built in 1420 by the Tibetan lama, Thang Tong Gyalpo. He built 108 bridges across Tibet and Bhutan, out of which 8 were built in Bhutan.

In the evening, visit Tashichho dzong, the royal secretariat and the summer residence of Je Khenpo, the chief abbot of Bhutan.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, visit to:

– National postal museum where you can print your pictures on the official Bhutanese stamps.
– Changangkha lhakhang, the oldest monastery of Thimphu valley built in the 13th century by lama Phajo Drugom Shigpo.
– Takin preserve center, a mini zoo that houses Takins, the national animal of Bhutan. The Bhutanese believe that Takin is created by lama Drukpa Kuenley, the Devine madman of Bhutan.
– Sangaygang view point from from you can see the beautiful views of Thimphu valley below.
– Dupthop lhakhang, one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan.

In the afternoon, hike to Cheri monastery.

In the evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, drive to Punakha. On the way, visit to:

– The beautiful Dochula pass (3140 m) with its 108 stupas. If the weather is clear, you can enjoy the spectacular view of Himalayan mountain ranges. The annual Druk Wangyel festival is held here on the 13th December.
Chimi Lhakhang or “The temple of fertility” built in 1499 by lama Drukpa Kuenley (The Divine madman). He traveled throughout Tibet and Bhutan using songs and humor to spread his teachings of salvation through sex. Many childless couples from across the country visit the temple to pray and seek blessings. It is also the highlight of our honeymoon tour in Bhutan.

In the afternoon, visit to:

– The magnificent Punakha dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Rinpoche. Punakha is the winter residence of Je Khenpo and the monk body.
– Walk across the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan built across Pho chu river.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, hike to the Imperial Khamsum Yulley Monastery built by Her Majesty the Queen Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck.

Then drive to Gangtey. On the way, view the Wangdue Phodrang dzong.

This majestic dzong was built in 1638 by Shabdrung Rinpoche. It was destroyed by fire in 2012.

In the afternoon, visit to:

– Gangtey Gompa monastery built in 1613 by Gyaltse Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind re-incarnation of Pema Lingpa.
– Crane information center.
In the evening, explore the beautiful Phobjikha valley, the roosting ground of the rare black necked cranes in winter.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, drive to Thimphu. We occasionally stop on the way to take pictures.

Afternoon – witness Bhutan Thimphu festival (Half day).

In the evening, witness archery match at Changlimithang stadium.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

After breakfast, drive to the dzong and witness Bhutan Thimphu festival (Full day).

In the evening, visit to:

– Memorial chorten (1974) built in honor of the third king of Bhutan, late His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
– Tallest statue of Buddha in the world (51.5 m) at Kuensel Phodrang.
In the evening, free to stroll in the town.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, witness the Bhutan Thimphu festival 2025 (Half day).

Then drive to Paro. In the afternoon, visit to:

– Ta dzong built in 1649, an ancient watch tower which now houses the national museum of Bhutan.
Rinpung dzong built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Rinpung literally means “The heap of jewels”. The dzong presently functions as the administrative centre of Paro district.
In the evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, drive to Satsam Chorten and 2 hour hike till the Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Paro Taktsang).

This temple is probably the most photographed monument in Bhutan. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche who brought buddhism in Bhutan flew here on a back of a tigress. The trail is also a part of the beautiful Bumdra trek. This is also the main highlight of the trip.

– The primary temple was built around Guru Rinpoche’s meditation cave in the 1684 by Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche flew here on the back of a flying tigress, Dorji Drolo.

In the afternoon, visit to:

Drugyal dzong built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It served as a defense post against the Tibetan invasion in ancient times. This dzong was destroyed by an accidental fire and is under repair now.
Kyichu lhakhang built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Srongtsen Gampo. He built 108 Temples in a single day to pin the ogress to the earth forever.

In the evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

After breakfast, drive to the airport and farewell (End of Bhutan Thimphu festival tour).
Thimphu festival in the capital is the grandest festival in western Bhutan.

National Memorial chorten.

Thimphu festival Bhutan is held for 3 days at Tashichho Dzong

Tashichho dzong in Thimphu.

FAQs - Thimphu Tshechu festival:

Yes, you can visit inside Tashichho dzong during Thimphu festival 2025 after paying the entry fee of US $ 12 per person per visit.

Yes, you can wear Bhutanese costumes/dress during Thimphu tshechu 2025. You have to inform us in advance and we will arrange them accordingly.

The Thimphu festival in Bhutan is for three days and is held at the courtyard of Tashichho dzong in the capital city, Thimphu.

No, independent travel (without tour guide) is not allowed during Thimphu festival and it is mandatory to have a guide for all Bhutan trips.

Yes, you can photograph mask dances, monks and local people during the Thimphu festival 2025 and your guide will help you seek permission wherever necessary.

Yes, you can stay for a night at Dodeydrak monastery if you book Thimphu festival tour. This monastery 1 hour walk from Sangaygang view point.

You can consult a buddhist astrologer in Paro, Thimphu and Punakha when you book Thimphu tshechu festival tour. However, the most recommended is at Pangri Zampa Buddhist college in Thimphu.

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