Tshechus are religious festivals performed in honour of Guru Padmasambhava-Patron saint of Bhutan, popularly known as "Guru Rimpoche", the Precious Teacher. People celebrate festivals like Tshechus, Dromchoes and many other festivals in communities and Dzongs in different regions of twenty districts annually. One of the highlights of visiting Bhutan is its colorful festivals. During the times of festivals, Dzongs and community lhakhangs/temples come to the life with much colour, music and dancing as people dress in their finest traditional weaves and join together to exorcise evil spirits and also rejoice in new harvests. Festivals being religious in nature it is believed that one gains merit by attending it. Tshechus are also occasions for yearly social gathering where people come together and enjoy the festivals. Mask dances are performed by monks as well as laymen in the courtyard of Dzongs and temples. Most of such dances date back to beyond the medieval period.

Note: Tshechu packages can be on their own or can be combined with other tour packages as convenient.

Proposed Schedule
Day 01: Arrive Paro International Airport – Thimphu
Day 02: Thimphu – Punakha – Thimphu
Day 03: Thimphu – Chukha – Thimphu
Day 04: Thimphu Sightseeing
Day 05: Thimphu – Paro Sightseeing
Day 06: Paro – Excursion to Taktshang Monastery
Day 07: Departure from Paro International Airport

Day 01: Arrive Paro International Airport – Thimphu
If you are flying in from Delhi/Kathmandu, during the flight to Paro, one will experience breathtaking view of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Jomolhari and Mount Jichu-Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be received by representatives of our tour operator, who will take you to Thimphu, the Capital city, 60 Kms from Paro which takes over one two hours normal drive.
The road leads through the Paro valley to the confluence of Pa-chu (Paro river) and Wang-chu (Thimphu river) at Chuzom (confluence). Three different styled chortens adorn the confluence. A short way beyond on the left is Tachogang Lhakhang, the temple of the hill of excellent horse. It is a private temple, built in 15th century, as a result of visitation from Balaha, the excellent horse, a manifestation of Chenrezig, the compassionate Buddha. After the narrow, rock lined section of the road opens up as Thimphu approaches.
Check in at the hotel.
On the way, visit Simtokha Dzong which is located 6 km from Thimphu Town. This is one of the oldest fortresses in Bhutan built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1629 AD. It houses the largest Monastic Schools in the country.
Evening: Reception by tour operator representatives. Over night in Hotel.

Day 02: Thimphu – Punakha – Thimphu (72 Kms, 3 hours drive)
After breakfast drive to Punakha. After about an hour you will reach the Dochula pass (3050m) where you will enjoy the scenic beauty of the pass with 108 stupas at the hilltop and a majestic temple at another hilltop. These were built by Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck in 2004 after the Operation Flush Out in the South of the Indian Militants by His Majesty the Fourth King in December 2003. If the sky is clear one will also be able to see the surrounding beautiful mountain ranges and peaks of the Greater Himalayas.
From Dochungla pass it take about an hour and half to reach Punakha Dzong. Visit the Grand Fortress of Punakha Dzong which houses the winter residence of the monastic body and its Chief Abbot. The massive fortress, built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, is situated between two rivers known as Phochu (male river) and Mochu (female river). The drive takes about two hours one way.
The construction of the Dzong was said to be foretold by Guru Rimpoche, who predicted, "a person named Namgyal will arrive at a hill that looks like an elephant". There was a smaller building here called Dzong Chu (Small Dzong) that housed a statue of Buddha. It is said that Shabdrung ordered the architect Zowe Balep to sleep in front of the statue. While in sleep, the Shabdrung took him in his dreams to the Zangdo-Pelri (Copper colour abode of Guru Padmasambhava) and showed him the palace of Guru Rimpoche. From his vision, the architect conceived the design for the new Dzong, which in keeping with the tradition, was never committed to paper. The Dzong was named the Pungthang Dewa Chenpoi Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness).
The war weaponry captured during the battle with Tibetans are preserved in this great Dzong. Punakha is still the winter residence of the Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck convened the new national Assembly here in 1952.
After lunch visit to Wangdiphodrang Dzong (from outside) built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1639. It houses the civil administration and monastic body for Wangdue district. Legend has it that as the people were searching for the site for the Dzong, four ravens were seen flying away in four directions. This was considered auspicious sign, representing the spread of Buddhism in all directions from this place. The Dzong is situated at the confluence of the Puna-tsang-Chu and Tang-Chu rivers.
In the late afternoon drive back to Thimphu.

Day 03: Thimphu – Chukha – Thimphu
Drive to Chukha and witness the Chukha Tshechu. In the evening drive back to Thimphu. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 04: Thimphu Sightseeing
After breakfast visit Tashichho Dzong. This massive structure houses part of the Government Ministries, the office of the King and the Throne Room. It also houses the State Monastic Body and the living quarters of the senior monks and the Chief Abbot. It is the main Secretariat building. Built in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was reconstructed in 1961 in traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans.
Then visit the National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved; The Institute for Traditional Medicine where centuries old art of healing such as acupuncture and herbal remedies are still practiced; Wood Craft and Painting school where traditional art and craft are still kept alive; the Textile museum where Bhutanese textiles and other arts are displayed and can be purchased. Also visit mask maker workshop and workshop for fine metal craft, weaving, ceramics and paper making. Then visit Folk Heritage Museum, a fascinating testimony of Bhutanese material culture and living traditions.
After lunch visit the Memorial Chorten, a huge Stupa built in memory of the Third King His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, affectionately known as the Father of Modern Bhutan, who reigned the Kingdom from 1952 - 1972.
If time permits visit Changangkha Lhakhang. This Lhakhang lies on top of the knoll that stands out above Thimphu and from where the view of the valley is spectacular. Changangkha Lhakhang being built in the 15th century by a descendent of Phjo Drugom Shigpo, the founder of Drukpa school in Bhutan, is one of the oldest in Thimphu. The main statue here is an image of Avalokiteshwara.
Visit Handicrafts Emporium and local handicraft shops if you like to browse through examples of Bhutan's fine traditional arts. Here you can buy textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings, jewelries, interesting items made from local materials, and all manner of unique objects.
If it falls on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, visit the colorful weekend market, and familiarization tour of the capital. Then, visit Handicrafts Emporium and local handicraft shops if you like to browse through examples of Bhutan's fine traditional arts. Here you can buy textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings, jewelries, interesting items made from local materials, and all manner of unique objects. One may also wish to visit Dechenphodrang monastic school and BBS Tower (Sangay Gang) view point and Mini Zoo. Alternatively an excursion to Tango Monastery can also be arranged after lunch.
In the evening relax at Thimphu's numerous modern health clubs and beauty parlors where sauna, steam, gym, beauty treatment including hair dressing, skin care (with pure herbal products) and body massage services are available. Our guides will show you where these are if you wish.
Over night in Hotel.

Day 05: Paro Sightseeing
After an early breakfast drive to Paro. Visit Ta Dzong, literally means watchtower to safeguard the main structure of the Rinchenpung Dzong below from the Tibetan invaders. It has been converted to house the National Museum in 1968. It has six galleries and a visit to the museum gives us an idea of cultural and ecological richness of Bhutan in a very short time. Enroute to Ta Dzong visit Dungtse Lhakhang, the only temple in the form of a chorten (stupa) built by Duthop Thangthong Gyelpo, popularly known as the Chag Zampa or the builder of iron bridges, in 15th century.
Below the museum is the Rinchenpung Dzong. This massive fortress houses the District Administration office and the Monk Body. It was built in 1645 AD. A short walk takes you to the base of the Dzong and across a traditional cantilevered, covered bridge. This traditional wooden bridge is called the Nyame Zampa, literally means the bridge with no fish. The other version is the bridge without suffering.
After lunch drive to the ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong 16 km up the valley. Built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father and unifier of medieval Bhutan, the Dzong was destroyed by accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. Explore the ramparts and on a clear day experience an unforgettable view of the peak of Mt. Jhomolhari (Mountain of the Goddess 7,314 m). Visit a typical Bhutanese farmhouse around Drugyel Dzong.
On the way back, visit Kichu Lhakhang (temple) that was built in 659 A.D. by the Tibetan King Srongsen Gampo, as one of the 108 such Monasteries which he built in various places to spread Buddhism. It is considered one of the holiest places in Bhutan as it marks the advent of Buddhism in the country. Kyichu Monastery is located between Drugyal Dzong and Paro town.
Evening: Take a stroll through Paro town. Overnight: Hotel in Paro.

Day 06: Excursion to Taktsang Monastery
Early morning drive up to Satsam Chorten (15 km from Paro Town) and hike up to Taktsang Monastery. The name Taktsang means "Tiger’s Nest". The Monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 800 metres (over 2600 ft ). and overlooks the Paro Valley. Taktsang is one of the most venerated pilgrimme sites in the Himalayan world and it has 13 holy places. However, most people can only visit the main site called Taktsang Pelphug. The main Lhakhang was built around Guru Rimpoche's meditation cave by the fourth Desi Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay in 1684.
According to the legend, Taktsang Monastery was founded by Guru Padmasambhava in the eighth century. It is believed that the Guru came to this place on the back of a tigress from Khengpajong in the Kurtoe region and meditated for three months in a cave at Taktsang and converted the people of Paro valley to Buddhism. The legend has it that the tigress was actually his favorite consort, Yeshe Tsogyel, whom he transformed to a flying tigress for the purpose of this journey.
Picnic lunch at the Taktsang cafeteria. The round trip hike takes about 4 hours.
Free afternoon. Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Day 07: Departure from Paro International Airport
Early morning drive to the Airport and Farewell.