It is a single sacred day centred on the Singye Cham, or Lion Dance, honouring the legendary lion said to have protected the Jowo statue on its journey from Lhasa to Bhutan. It is held at one of Bhutan’s oldest temples but is a genuinely separate, far less internationally known event from the larger four-day Jambay Lhakhang Drup festival, which features the famous naked dance and fire ritual. The Singye Cham offers an intimate, community-centred festival experience without the large crowds.

No, and this is an important distinction. The naked dance (Tercham) and fire ritual (Mewang) belong to the Jambay Lhakhang Drup, a separate four-day festival held in late October or early November. This tour is built around the Singye Cham specifically, a different one-day festival held weeks later in the lunar calendar. Both are held at the same temple, but they are distinct events with different rituals and different legends behind them. If you specifically want the naked dance festival, please let us know and we will quote that itinerary instead.

Yes — this tour combines the full western Bhutan circuit (Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey) that most first-time visitors want to see, with the addition of Bumthang and this specific festival. It’s an excellent way to experience both the standard highlights and a genuinely uncommon cultural event in a single trip.

Yes — we can adjust the days before or after the festival, choose between the domestic flight or overland return route from Bumthang, add the Tang Valley or Ura Valley as extensions, or rearrange the western Bhutan portion to suit your interests. Please tell us your priorities when you enquire.

Photography of the mask dances and general festival atmosphere is generally welcomed, as is typical for most Bhutanese Tshechus. As always at religious events, we ask guests to remain respectful and follow your guide’s specific guidance on any moments where particular customs apply.