Bhutan Festival Tours

Most Common Questions about Bhutan Festival Tours

1. What are the top festivals in Bhutan?

As a country rich in cultural activities, Bhutan holds at least one festival celebration every month. For tourists planning to take a Bhutan festival tour and witness the living culture of this ancient kingdom, here are the top five festivals in Bhutan for you to enjoy an unforgettable trip.

Thimphu Tshechu: it is the biggest and the most popular festival of Bhutan. Thousands of people flock to the capital city in their finest garments to be part of this grand gala. There are colorful mask dances performed by monks at the courtyard of the Tashichho dzong (fortress). The festival is held in the 10th day of 8th month of Lunar calendar.

Paro Tshechu, which is the biggest spring festival event in Bhutan, also draw thousands of people to gather in the city. Monks and laymen dress up in dazzling brocade costumes and re-enact the mythological stories of Buddhism, while wearing masks that present demons and Gods. During the festival, tourists can probably also see the amazing unfolding of a giant Thangka, which is said to be over 350 years old, being one of the oldest Buddhist religious scrolls.

Jambay Lhakhang Drup Festival: the festival normally falls on the dates during October to November, and will be celebrated for 5 days. There is naked dancing, fire dancing and mask dancing to perform. The fire ceremony, also called Mewang, is the highlight of the event, when locals dances under large flaming gates in the middle of the night. It will be a truly unforgettable experience if you attend this festival.

Haa Summer Festival: set in the beautiful valley with views of the Himalayan landscape, the Haa Summer Festivals is a great event to celebrate the nomadic and traditional lifestyles of the Bhutanese. Tourists can take part in some of the local sports, such as yak riding, try local cuisine, and dance to the local folk songs, to experience a lively and wonderful celebration here.

Punakha Drubchen: in celebration of the famous victory of Bhutan against the invading Tibetan forces in 17th century. Local military and village volunteers will recreate the battle scene, dressed in glorious costumes. The festival offers an array of mask dances for tourists to enjoy, and is held in one of the most fascinating Dzongs, Punakha Dzong.

2. Why celebrate the Tshechu?

Tshechu are the annual religious festivals held in each district of Bhutan. It is celebrated on the tenth day of a month of the Lunar Calendar, to honor Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), who brought a Tantric form of Buddhism to Bhutan in 8th century. It is believed that those who attend a Tshechu and witness the mask dance will earn merits, get luck and have their wishes come true. It is also an occasion to socialize and be merry.

3. When is the best time to enjoy a Bhutan festival tour?

There are an overwhelming number of festivals held in Bhutan all the year round, so you can always attend a cultural event at any time when you visit Bhutan. However, if you have some certain festivals to attend, like Paro Tsechu, Nimalung Festival, which will fall on different dates of each year, it is recommended to check the latest Bhutan festival calendar before you go. But generally, the best time to visit Bhutan is spring and autumn, namely, from March to May and September to November. The major Bhutan festivals are held during the seasons and the weather is rather mild during these months.

4. Do I need a Visa to visit Bhutan?

Except for the residents from India, Bangladesh and Maldives, the rest visitors are required to obtain a visa to enter Butuan. Your Bhutan Visa is arranged by your tour company and issued on arrival when you have booked a prepaid all-inclusive tour. You need to send the photo-page of your passport to your tour operator who will help to handle all the troublesome procedures. After the visa clearance is issued, it will be emailed to you by your tour company. Then you can show it and get official visa stamps on your passport when cross the border.

5. Any tips on attending the festivals in Bhutan for tourists?

1) During the larger festivals in Bhutan, there will always be large number of tourists. If you are looking for a more intimate experience to activities, you are advised to go for a lesser known festival.
2) If possible, you can friendly tip those who tend to provide better opportunities for taking photos.
3) Even though your tour guide will warmly introduce the religion, culture and other things you want to know about Bhutan, do not go into taboo subjects or some controversial topics.
4) Don’t disrespect the royals. Since Bhutan is a constitutional monarchy, criticize the royal family will be considered as blasphemy.

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