Tshechu Festival Day with a Local Guide
Overview
A tshechu is Bhutan's great religious festival, held every year in the courtyard of a district's dzong or temple to honour Guru Rinpoche. For several days, monks and lay dancers in silk costumes and carved wooden masks perform the cham, sacred dances that tell stories of gods, demons and the judgement of the dead. Masked clowns, the atsara, tease the crowd, and whole families come in their finest gho and kira, with picnics.
With your guide you find a good spot, learn what each dance means and spend the day among the locals. At the Paro Tshechu in spring, the last day begins before dawn with the unveiling of a giant thongdrel, an embroidered thangka of Guru Rinpoche, shown only for a few hours. The Thimphu Tshechu in autumn draws the biggest crowds, while the festivals in Bumthang and at Trashigang Dzong feel more local.
Dates follow the lunar calendar and change every year, so tell us when you'd like to travel and we'll match your trip to a festival.
Highlights
- Masked cham dances in a dzong courtyard
- Your guide explains the stories behind each dance
- Atsara clowns and families in their festival best
- Dawn thongdrel unveiling on Paro's final day
- Spring, autumn and winter festivals to choose from
What's included
- English-speaking guide
- Transport to and from the festival ground
- Meals, unless stated
- Tips
Location
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Send us your dates and a SkyRay advisor will confirm availability and price.
Itinerary
Frequently asked questions
Dates follow the Bhutanese lunar calendar. Paro is usually in March or April, Thimphu in September or October, and festivals in Bumthang and the east from October to December. We confirm the exact dates when you book.
Usually yes, in the open courtyard, but be discreet, don't walk into the dance area and follow your guide's advice. Dress modestly, with long sleeves.
