Festival Tour in Bhutan

Bhutan is a land of vibrant and colorful festivals. There's a celebration each month in Bhutan where locals worship the Buddhist deities or the passing of a season. Bhutan Festival Tours offer you a unique opportunity to observe and participate in these flamboyant celebrations.

One of the most unique festivals celebrated in Bhutan is Tshechhu. (correct this – Festival and Tshechu is the same. For Festival we say Tshechu in our national language Dzongkha) Every city in Bhutan has its own Tshechhu. Tshechhus or monastic festivals are held in all the monasteries in Bhutan throughout the year. Some of the important Tshechhus are the Punakha Tshechhu, Paro Tshechhu, Thimphu Tshechhu, and Wangdue Phodrang Tshechhu.

Monks and commoners gather together to celebrate these annual events. People dress in their finery and head to the monasteries or Dzongs where most of the celebrations are held. The monks perform lively dances (chams), skits to seek blessings from the gods and entertain the people gathered at the venue. The festival ends with the unfurling of a huge thangka (religious scroll painting depicting the life of Lord Buddha or Padmasambhava.

Jambay Lakhang Drup observed in the Jambay Lakhang Temple is one of the oldest festivals celebrated in Bhutan. The 'Fire Ceremony' where locals walk under a burning grass arch and the 'Dance of Treasure' where monks dance naked at midnight and bless infertile women are the highlights of this festival.

The Black-Necked Crane Festival celebrates the unique wildlife found in Bhutan. Haa Summer Festival and Nomad Festival acquaint you with the lifestyle of the nomadic yak herders and horsemen. You get to meet the reclusive Bhutanese nomads who spend most of their time roaming in the highlands and forests with their herd.

Jomolhari Mountain Festival, held at the foot of Mount Jomolhari, introduces you to the colorful and extraordinary lifestyle of the locals as well as the wildlife found in the area. The Snow Leopard Show is one of the highlights of this festival.

The Sakteng Festival highlights the culture of the Brokpas, a semi-nomadic tribe living in eastern Bhutan. Not many tourists venture to this part of Bhutan. Visiting eastern Bhutan during this festival will give you a glimpse of Bhutan's extraordinary culture.

Bhutan is home to some of the rare mushrooms found on our planet. To celebrate the harvesting of these delicious fungi, the people of the Ura Valley celebrate the Matsutake Festival. During the festival, the mushrooms are picked and feasts are prepared. You can taste some of the mouth-watering local mushroom dishes during this festival. The locals hold a cultural program to entertain the guests.

Ura Yakchoe and Nimalung Festival are some of the other joyous Bhutanese festivals that you should not miss out on.

If you are traveling to Bhutan, timing your holiday around a particular festival will enrich your holiday experience.