Explore Bhutan Tour Packages

Paro • Thimphu • Punakha

• •Punakha Tshechu — sacred Cham dances at Punakha Dzong re-enacting Bhutan's victory over Tibetan invasions
• •Unfurling of the Thongdroel — Bhutan's largest religious scroll, believed to cleanse all sins on sight
• •The arrival of the Layaps — highlanders from Laya who descend to Punakha in distinctive dress for the festival

Best: February, March

Paro • Thimphu • Punakha • Phobjikha

• •Gangtey Tshechu — colourful sacred mask dances at Gangtey Goenpa Monastery, set above the Phobjikha valley
• •Final-day unveiling of the Thongdrel of Guru Rinpoche and the Nguedup Langwa blessing ritual
• •Phobjikha Valley — a protected glacial wetland and winter home to the rare black-necked crane

Best: September, October

Paro • Thimphu • Punakha • Phobjikha

• •Paro Tshechu — two full days at the festival, watching the sacred Cham mask dances in the dzong courtyard
• •Thongdrel pre-dawn viewing — the giant sacred silk thangka unfurled from the dzong before sunrise on the final morning
• •Tiger's Nest Monastery (Paro Taktsang) — cliffside monastery built over Guru Rinpoche's 8th-century meditation cave

Best: March, April

Paro • Thimphu • Punakha • Gasa • Laya

• •Royal Highland Festival in Laya, Gasa District — Bhutan's highland festival at 4,000m elevation
• •Auley (epic oral song traditions) and Buelwa (ritual gift offering) performed by Bhutan's highlanders
• •Highland animal competitions — yaks, horses and mastiffs judged before the gathered community

Best: October

Paro • Thimphu • Punakha • Phobjikha

• •Thimphu Tshechu — sacred Cham mask dances in the courtyard of Tashichho Dzong, introduced in 1670 by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye
• •Insight into Bhutan's rich spiritual heritage through rare Cham dances honouring Guru Rinpoche
• •Memorial Chorten, Buddha Dordenma and the Takin Preserve in Thimphu

Best: September, October