Paro Tshechu Festival Tour

1

Day 1Arrival

Flight Into the Himalayas

Your descent into Paro sweeps past forested ridges and white-walled farmhouses — one of the world's most dramatic landings. Meet your guide with a silk khadar welcome scarf, then ease into Bhutan with an evening stroll through Paro's painted shopfronts and a first butter-lamp offering at 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang.

Day 1Paro · 2,250 m

Your descent into Paro sweeps past forested ridges and white-walled farmhouses — one of the world's most dramatic landings. Meet your guide with a silk khadar welcome scarf, then ease into Bhutan with an evening stroll through Paro's painted shopfronts and a first butter-lamp offering at 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang.

Stay: Paro hotelMeals: DinnerGuide: Private, licensed

2

Day 2Festival day

Paro Tshechu — Dances of the Guru

Join thousands of Bhutanese in their finest gho and kira as masked cham dancers whirl in the courtyard beside Rinpung Dzong — each dance a centuries-old teaching in motion. Between performances, atsara jesters work the crowd while you picnic festival-style among local families.

Day 2Paro Dzong festival grounds

Join thousands of Bhutanese in their finest gho and kira as masked cham dancers whirl in the courtyard beside Rinpung Dzong — each dance a centuries-old teaching in motion. Between performances, atsara jesters work the crowd while you picnic festival-style among local families.

Stay: Paro hotelMeals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerGuide: Private, licensed

3

Day 3Discover

Fortress, Farmhouse & Craft

Climb through Rinpung Dzong's great whitewashed galleries, then wind down to the medieval cantilever bridge below. After lunch in a working farmhouse — with a taste of home-distilled ara if you dare — watch weavers and woodcarvers at their benches in Paro's artisan workshops.

Day 3Paro Valley

Climb through Rinpung Dzong's great whitewashed galleries, then wind down to the medieval cantilever bridge below. After lunch in a working farmhouse — with a taste of home-distilled ara if you dare — watch weavers and woodcarvers at their benches in Paro's artisan workshops.

Stay: Paro hotelMeals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerGuide: Private, licensed

4

Day 4Sacred

Thimphu — The Capital in Motion

Follow the river road to Thimphu, where golden Buddha Dordenma gazes over the valley from 51 metres up. Circle the Memorial Chorten with murmuring pilgrims, meet the national animal at the takin preserve, and browse the weekend market's chillies, cheeses, and incense.

Day 4Thimphu · 2,320 m

Follow the river road to Thimphu, where golden Buddha Dordenma gazes over the valley from 51 metres up. Circle the Memorial Chorten with murmuring pilgrims, meet the national animal at the takin preserve, and browse the weekend market's chillies, cheeses, and incense.

Stay: Thimphu hotelMeals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerGuide: Private, licensed

5

Day 5On the trail

Over Dochula to Punakha

Crest Dochula Pass at 3,100 metres, where 108 memorial chortens stand against a wall of Himalayan snow peaks. Descend through blooming rhododendron forest to subtropical Punakha and walk the great dzong at the meeting of the Mother and Father rivers — Bhutan's most beautiful fortress.

Day 5Punakha · 1,250 m

Crest Dochula Pass at 3,100 metres, where 108 memorial chortens stand against a wall of Himalayan snow peaks. Descend through blooming rhododendron forest to subtropical Punakha and walk the great dzong at the meeting of the Mother and Father rivers — Bhutan's most beautiful fortress.

Stay: Punakha hotelMeals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerGuide: Private, licensed

6

Day 6Arrival

The Tiger's Nest Pilgrimage

Set out at first light through blue pine forest, climbing switchbacks to the cliff-hung monastery of Taktsang — perched 900 metres above the valley floor where Guru Rinpoche is said to have arrived on a flying tigress. Celebrate the descent with a traditional hot-stone bath at a village farmhouse.

Day 6Taktsang · 3,120 m

Set out at first light through blue pine forest, climbing switchbacks to the cliff-hung monastery of Taktsang — perched 900 metres above the valley floor where Guru Rinpoche is said to have arrived on a flying tigress. Celebrate the descent with a traditional hot-stone bath at a village farmhouse.

Stay: Paro hotelMeals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerGuide: Private, licensed

7

Day 7Farewell

Farewell, Land of the Thunder Dragon

One last butter tea at breakfast before your guide walks you to the departure gate with a khadar and an open invitation to return. On a clear morning, watch for sacred Jomolhari off the wingtip as you climb out of the valley.

Day 7Paro International Airport

One last butter tea at breakfast before your guide walks you to the departure gate with a khadar and an open invitation to return. On a clear morning, watch for sacred Jomolhari off the wingtip as you climb out of the valley.

Stay: —Meals: BreakfastGuide: Private, licensed