Tshechu · Drubchen · Thongdrel · 2026–2027
Bhutan Festival Tours 2027
Plan your trip around a tshechu: sacred mask dances, dawn thongdrel unveilings and whole valleys in their finest clothes. Dates below come from the Department of Tourism’s tentative festival lists for 2026 and 2027.
Licensed by Bhutan's Department of Tourism · Licence No. 1052914
Still to come in 2026
Festivals you can still catch this year
From the Department of Tourism’s tentative 2026 list. A visa takes up to five working days, so festivals later in October and beyond are realistic if you book now.
18–21 Oct
Pemagatshel Tshechu
Pemagatshel Dzong · thongdrel on the last day
18–21 Oct
Jakar Tshechu
Jakar Dzong, Bumthang
19–21 Oct
Chhukha Tshechu
Chhukha Dzong, Chhukha
19–21 Oct
Haa Tshechu
Lhakhang Karpo, Haa
26–29 Oct
Jambay Lhakhang Drup
Jambay Lhakhang, Bumthang
27–29 Oct
Prakhar Duchhoed
Prakar Lhakhang, Chhumey, Bumthang
11 Nov
Black-Necked Crane Festival
Gangtey Goenpa, Phobjikha
17–19 Nov
Mongar Tshechu
Mongar Dzong, Mongar
18–20 Nov
Trashigang Tshechu
Trashigang Dzong, Trashigang
24 Nov
Jambay Lhakhang Singye Cham
Jambay Lhakhang, Bumthang
13 Dec
Dochula Pass, Thimphu
17–21 Dec
Trongsa & Lhuentse Tshechus
Trongsa and Lhuentse Dzongs · thongdrel on the last day
Bhutan festival tour packages
Our festival tours for 2026 and 2027
Each tour is timed around the festival, with hotels close to the dzong and the rest of your trip built around it. Prices are per person; the SDF (US$100 per night until 31 August 2027) and US$40 visa fee are added separately.
8 Days / 7 Nights
Next: 13–18 Feb 2027
A re-enactment of a 17th-century battle followed by sacred mask dances at Punakha Dzong.
- Paro · Thimphu · Dochula · Punakha
From USD 2,250
8 Days / 7 Nights
Next: 18–22 Mar 2027
Bhutan’s best-loved spring festival, ending with the dawn unveiling of the giant thongdrel.
- Paro · Thimphu · Punakha
From USD 2,150
8 Days / 7 Nights
Next: 10–12 Oct 2027
The capital’s great autumn festival at Tashichho Dzong, combined with Paro, Dochula and Punakha.
- Thimphu · Dochula · Punakha · Paro
From USD 2,050
8 Days / 7 Nights
19–21 Oct 2026 · 6–8 Nov 2027
A local festival in Chhukha district, paired with the classic sights of western Bhutan.
- Chhukha · Paro · Thimphu
From USD 1,860
11 Days / 10 Nights
18–21 Oct 2026 · 6–9 Nov 2027
A festival at Jakar Dzong in Bumthang, one of Bhutan’s most historic valleys.
- Paro · Thimphu · Punakha · Bumthang
From USD 2,280
12 Days / 11 Nights
18–21 Oct 2026 · 6–9 Nov 2027
Travel east to a festival few visitors see, with a thongdrel on the final morning.
- Paro · Thimphu · Punakha · Trongsa · Bumthang
From USD 2,950
10 Days / 9 Nights
27–29 Oct 2026
A village temple festival in Bumthang’s Chhumey valley, with a real community atmosphere.
- Paro · Thimphu · Dochula · Punakha · Bumthang
From USD 2,150
12 Days / 11 Nights
17–19 Nov 2026 · 6–8 Dec 2027
Discover eastern Bhutan and its traditions at the Mongar Dzong festival.
- Western Bhutan to Mongar
From USD 2,650
9 Days / 8 Nights
24 Nov 2026 · 13 Dec 2027
Lion dances at Jambay Lhakhang in Bumthang, one of Bhutan’s oldest temples.
- Paro · Thimphu · Dochula · Punakha · Bumthang
From USD 2,180
Understanding the festivals
Tshechu, drubchen and thongdrel explained
Tshechu
Means “tenth day”. Held around the tenth day of a lunar month to honour Guru Rinpoche, who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century. Each district holds its own, with cham mask dances in the dzong courtyard.
Drubchen (Dromchoe)
A ritual festival held before some tshechus. The best known is at Punakha, where the Department of Tourism lists the 2027 Punakha Dromchoe on 13–15 February, re-enacting a 17th-century victory, before the tshechu on 16–18 February.
Thongdrel
A giant embroidered thangka unveiled before sunrise on the last day of some festivals, such as Paro, Pemagatshel, Trongsa and Lhuentse. Seeing it is believed to bring blessings.
Bhutan festivals 2027
Major festival dates for 2027
From the Department of Tourism’s tentative 2027 list. Dates follow the lunar calendar and can change, so we confirm them before you book flights. See every festival in our Bhutan festivals calendar 2027.
February
- 11–13 · Lhamoi Dromchhen, Trongsa
- 13–15 · Punakha Dromchoe
- 16–18 · Punakha Tshechu
March – April
- 18–22 Mar · Paro Tshechu
- 18–22 Apr · Ura Yakchoe, Bumthang
- 22–23 Apr · Rhododendron Festival, Lamperi
June
- 12–14 · Nimalung Tshechu, Bumthang
- 14 · Kurjey Tshechu, Bumthang
October
- 8–10 · Wangdue Tshechu
- 10–12 · Thimphu Tshechu
- 13–15 · Gangtey Tshechu, Phobjikha
November
- 6–8 · Chhukha and Haa Tshechus
- 6–9 · Jakar and Pemagatshel Tshechus
- 11 · Black-Necked Crane Festival
- 14–17 · Jambay Lhakhang Drup
December
- 6–8 · Mongar Tshechu
- 7–9 · Trashigang Tshechu
- 13 · Druk Wangyel Tshechu, Dochula
- 13 · Jambay Lhakhang Singye Cham
Planning tips
How to plan a Bhutan festival trip
Book early
For Paro, Thimphu and Punakha, book 4–6 months ahead; hotels near the dzongs fill first.
Arrive a day early
Plan to reach Bhutan at least a day before the festival, so a delayed flight does not cost you the dances.
Allow for the visa
Your visa takes up to five working days. Apply once the festival dates and your itinerary are confirmed.
Dress respectfully
Long sleeves and long trousers or skirts. Many guests enjoy wearing a gho or kira; your guide can help.
Photograph with care
No flash, never step into the dance ground, and ask before close-up portraits. Drones need special permission.
Be there for the thongdrel
At Paro and other thongdrel festivals, the unveiling is before sunrise on the last day. Plan an early start.
FAQ
Festival tour questions
When is Chhukha Tshechu in 2026 and 2027?
The Department of Tourism’s tentative lists give 19–21 October 2026 and 6–8 November 2027, at Chhukha Dzong.
When is Pemagatshel Tshechu?
18–21 October 2026 and 6–9 November 2027 (tentative), at Pemagatshel Dzong, with a thongdrel unveiled on the last day.
What is a drubchen in Bhutan?
A drubchen (or dromchoe) is a ritual festival held before some tshechus. The Punakha Dromchoe re-enacts a 17th-century victory and in 2027 is listed for 13–15 February, just before the Punakha Tshechu.
What is a thongdrel?
A huge religious tapestry unveiled at dawn on the final day of some festivals, including Paro, Pemagatshel, Trongsa and Lhuentse. Seeing it is believed to bring blessings.
Are Bhutan festival dates confirmed?
No. The Department of Tourism publishes tentative dates based on the lunar calendar, and they can shift. We confirm the final dates before you book flights.
Can tourists attend Bhutan festivals?
Yes. Public tshechus welcome visitors, who attend with their licensed guide. Dress modestly and be respectful when taking photographs.
Which is the best festival to visit in Bhutan?
For a first trip, Paro Tshechu (18–22 March 2027) or Thimphu Tshechu (10–12 October 2027). For a quieter, more local feel, try Chhukha, Pemagatshel or the Bumthang festivals.
How much does a Bhutan festival tour cost?
Our festival tours start from USD 1,860 per person (Chhukha Tshechu, 8 days). International travellers also pay the SDF of US$100 per night until 31 August 2027 and a US$40 visa fee.
Plan your festival trip
Build your trip around a Bhutan festival
Tell us which festival you would like to see. We will confirm the dates, reserve hotels close to the dzong and send a free itinerary with an itemised quote.
- Licensed operator, licence No. 1052914
- Festival dates confirmed before you book flights
- Hotels near the dzong reserved early
Plan my trip to Bhutan
Free itinerary and itemised quote