Paro Spring Festival Tour

0 reviews
Thimphu, Paro, Punakha, Phobjikha Valley, Trongsa, Bumthang

Tour snapshot

Duration:
13 days
Tour Type:
Tailored Tours
Language(s):
English
Highlight:
Top-rated experience

Overview

Experience the Paro Spring Festival and witness sacred mask dances and the unfurling of the 400-year-old Thongdrel. Book your Bhutan spring festival now!

Included Services
Hotel, Meals, Transport, Guide
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
Description

Paro Tshechu, held each spring in the charming town of Paro, is one of Bhutan’s most vibrant and culturally rich festivals. Celebrated over several days, this festival honors Guru Rinpoche with a series of mesmerizing mask dances called Cham, performed by monks in intricate costumes and symbolic masks. The event takes place against the stunning backdrop of Paro Dzong, the fortress-monastery overlooking the valley, adding to its magical atmosphere. Paro Tshechu is not only a spiritual event but also a lively social gathering where locals and visitors don their finest traditional attire to celebrate together. The festival showcases Bhutan’s deep-rooted Buddhist traditions, with prayers, rituals, and music filling the air. Paro Tshechu is also a time for community bonding, vibrant markets, and sharing Bhutanese hospitality. Its blend of sacred ceremonies and joyful festivities offers an unforgettable glimpse into Bhutan’s cultural heart each spring.

What's Included

Inclusions

✓ Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
✓ VISA Fee
✓ Accommodation
✓ All meals
✓ Transport
✓ All internal taxes & charges
✓ Licensed Bhutanese Tour Guide
✓ Tourist Sim Card 
✓Bhutanese costume experiences
✓Bottled water in the car

Exclusions

✗ Flight tickets
✗ Insurance
✗ Drinks and Beverages
✗ Tips for the guide and driver
✗ Internet and Phone bills
✗ Other bills of personal nature

Additional information

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Departs at specified time from main station
  • Some sites may close at short notice
  • Itinerary may change based on conditions

Itinerary

1
Day 1 (19 March, Friday): Arrive Paro
Activities planned for Day 1

During the flight, on a clear day, you can see breathtaking views of the Himalaya Mountains, including the sacred Jumolhari and Jichu Drake peaks in Bhutan. On arrival you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Afternoon is the free time to explore Paro town. Overnight Paro.

2
Day 2 (20 March, Saturday): Paro Festival
Activities planned for Day 2

Attend full day of the Paro festival, which is performed by local people and monks. This is the only time of the year that the families get together and come out with their best dress to witness the festival. Overnight Paro.

3
Day 3 (21 March, Sunday): Paro - Thimphu
Activities planned for Day 3

Attend full day of the Paro festival. If you get up at 3:00 a.m. and head to Paro Dzong, you will be able to see the unfurling of the Thongdrol (a giant appliqué art) with the procession by monks and lamas. It is believed that the onlookers will be relived from sins and misfortunes and accumulate good fortune and Karma. Overnigh Paro.

4
Day 3 (21 March, Sunday): Paro - Thimphu
Activities planned for Day 4

After breakfast you will visit National Museum (former watchtower) and the Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the country. From there you will proceed to the Drugyal Dzong (Bhutan Victory Fort), which was built in 1646 to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over Tibetan invaders during the 1600s. On a clear day you can see Mount Jumolhari, Bhutan’s second-highest mountain at 23,996 feet. After lunch, you will drive to Thimphu, tha capital city of Bhutan. In the evening, you can stroll through Thimphu city. Overnight hotel in Thimphu.

5
Day 5 (23 March, Tuesday ): Thimphu
Activities planned for Day 5

After breakfast, visit the King's Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan); Changgangkha Monastery; Nunnery Temple; National Library (which houses ancient manuscripts); School of Arts and Crafts (also known as the painting school); Traditional Medicine and majestic Tashichhodzong. After lunch, you can visist the Folk Heritage Museum, Buddha Statue and the majestic Tashichhodzong. Overnight hotel in Thimphu.

6
Day 6 (24, March, Wednesday): Thimphu - Punakha
Activities planned for Day 6

After breakfast, drive to Punakha, with a stop en route for lunch at Dochu La (3,100 meters), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas. Continue drive to Punakha. On the way, you will stop at Metsina village and take a 20 minute walk through the rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, which is a fertility temple. Also visit the Punakha Dzong, which is noteworthy both for being one of the most beautiful dzongs in Bhutan and also for having been built by the first Zhabdrung in 1637. Overnight hotel in Punakha.

7
Day 7 (25, March, Thursday): Punakha - Bumthang
Activities planned for Day 7

After breakfast, you will proceed to Bumthang via Trongsa , the ancestral home of the royal family. The route is along a spectacular winding road, crossing 3,300-meter-high Pele La Pass. On the way, you will stop to see a cave where the Film Travelers and Magician were shot. Stop for lunch in Trongsa. After lunch, visit Trongsa Dzong, the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture. Then continue drive to Bumthang , the religious heartland of the nation, with lush valleys and hilly forests. Along the way you will stop at Yathra (textile weaving) factory, where the yathras are designed with patterns unique to Bumthang, and you can even watch some of the weavers at their looms. Overnight hotel in Bumthang.

8
Day 8 (26 March, Friday): Bumthang
Activities planned for Day 8

After breakfast, you will visit Jakar Dzong, the administrative center of the valley, Jambey Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan, dating from the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan and Kurjey Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places, because Guru Rinpoche left his body imprint on the cave when he was meditating. In the afternoon, you can stroll freely in Bumthang town. Overnight hotel in Bumthang.

9
Day 9 (27 March, Saturday): Day excursion to Tang Valley
Activities planned for Day 9

Today, you will make an enjoyable excursion to the Tang valley, which is the most remote valley in Bumthang. While is the Tang, you will visit 16th century Ugyen Chholing Palace or the country manor, which is now turned into a museum. The well-captioned exhibits offer insights into lifestyle of a Bhutanese noble family. You will also explore nearby villages. On the way back to town, you will see Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake), where some of Guru Rinpoche's treasures were found in the 15th century by the famous treasure discoverer Pema Lingpa. Overnight hotel in Bumthang.

10
Day 10 (28 March, Sunday): Bumthang - Phobjikha
Activities planned for Day 10

After early breakfast you will be driving to Phobjekha valley which is a famous for winter roosting place for Black necked crane. In Phobjikha valley you will be hiking Gangtey Natural Trail.
The most beautiful and shortest of the existing nature trails in Bhutan. The trail hike starts from the mani (like Chhorten) stone wall to the north of the Ganagtey Gonpa and ends in Khewa Lhakhang. The hike takes about 1hr 30minutes through the pine forest and small bamboo plants. You can see the Phobjkha valley so beautifully from this hike. It is one of the best hike places for the Nature lovers. During the winter months, we can see the endangered species of birds Black Neck Cranes. . Overnight hotel in Phobjokha

11
Day 11 (29 March, Monday): phobjikha - Paro
Activities planned for Day 11

Drive to Paro with stop at Dochula for lunch. You will visit the new Druk Wangyel Monastery, which is the only of its kind in the country with elaborate paintings depicting the lineage of the present monarchy and their visionary works. Continue drive to Paro. Evening is the free time to stroll in Paro town. Overnight hotel in Paro.

12
Day 12 (30 March, Tuesday ): Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery
Activities planned for Day 12

In the morning you will hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan's most famous monastery situated at 3180 meters. Guru Rinpoche (spiritual master) is said to have flown on the back of a tigress from Singye Dzong in Lhuntse to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands. Lunch will be served in the Cafeteria Restaurant. The Moanstery is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. Explore the monastery and hike to valley in the afternoon. In the evening visit a traditional farmhouse and, if you wish, enjoy a typical Bhutanese dinner. Overnight hotel in Paro.

13
Day 13 (31 March, Wednesday): Depart Paro
Activities planned for Day 13

Drive to the airport for departure. Our representative will bid you farewell.

From Nu. 3,160.00/person

Date

Number of travelers

2 adults - 0 childeren
Adults
2
Children
Ages 0 - 17
0
94% of travelers recommend this experience
Tour Operator
Bhutan Holiday Trips
Verified Local Operator
Chat on WhatsApp
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Traveler Reviews

0.0 / 5 (0 reviews)

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!

Write a Review
;