Paro Tsechu
Watch masked cham dances and the dawn Thongdrel unveiling at Rinpung Dzong.
Paro, Bhutan
Witness the Paro Tsechu in Bhutan.
Once a year, Rinpung Dzong hosts Bhutan's most attended festival, five days of masked cham dances closing with the dawn unveiling of a giant sacred thangka. Join a small group of up to 12 travellers for 8 days across Bhutan, timed for the Paro Tsechu and including a night in a Phobjikha village homestay.
Festival
18-22 Mar 2027
Location
Paro, Bhutan
Duration
8 Days / 7 Nights
Group Size
Max 12 Guests
Guide
Licensed Bhutanese Guide
Limited Places. Small Groups. March 2027.
Why This Tour
Why you will never forget the Paro Tsechu
The Paro Tsechu is Bhutan's most attended festival, five days of masked cham dances at Rinpung Dzong that close with the dawn unveiling of one of the country's largest sacred thangkas.
This departure is timed so your final days in Bhutan fall right as the festival reaches its climax, alongside the rest of this small group journey, including the Tiger's Nest hike, Dochu La Pass and a night in a Phobjikha village homestay.
It is one guaranteed festival window a year, with a maximum of 12 travellers and a Bhutanese guide throughout.
Small Groups
Intimate tours of 2 to 12 guests
Licensed Guide
A certified Bhutanese guide throughout
What You Will See
The Paro Tsechu, Tiger's Nest and the dzongs of Bhutan.
An 8 day loop from Paro through Punakha and Phobjikha to Thimphu and back, timed so your last days land as Bhutan's biggest festival reaches its climax.
Taktsang Monastery
Hike to the Tiger's Nest, perched 800m above the Paro valley floor.
Punakha Dzong
Explore the fortress where the Phochu and Mochu rivers meet.
Dochu La Pass
Cross 108 chortens at 3,050m with Himalayan views on either side.
Gangtey Village Homestay
Share a night with a local family in the Phobjikha Valley.
Plus the unmissable moments
- Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple
- Nado Poizokhang incense factory
- Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten walk
- Thimphu's weekend market and Memorial Chorten
- Ta Dzong and the National Museum of Bhutan
- Optional hot stone bath after the Tiger's Nest hike
The Tour
8 days. 7 nights. One festival, once a year.
Paro to Paro, small group of up to 12 travellers, 3-star hotels plus a village homestay. Tour dates: 15 to 22 March 2027. Paro Tsechu: 18 to 22 March.
Day by day itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Paro
Settle in, then visit Ta Dzong and the National Museum before walking to Paro Dzong.
Day 2
Dochu La Pass, Chimi Lhakhang
Cross the 3,050m pass with its 108 chortens, then walk to the fertility-blessing temple in the Punakha Valley.
Day 3
Punakha Dzong, arrive in Phobjikha Valley
Walk to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten, tour Punakha Dzong, then settle into your Gangtey village homestay.
Day 4
Phobjikha Valley, Gangtey Monastery
A nature walk through the valley, where black-necked cranes may still be present, wintering here from October to March, a visit to Gangtey Monastery, and time with your homestay family.
Day 5
Wangdue Phodrang, travel to Thimphu
Stop at Rinchengang Village opposite Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, then continue on to Bhutan's capital.
Day 6
Thimphu sightseeing, incense making
Visit the Memorial Chorten, Folk Heritage Museum and Takin Research Centre, and watch incense being hand-rolled at Nado Poizokhang.
Day 7
Taktsang Monastery hike, Drukgyel Dzong
Hike to the Tiger's Nest, visit Drukgyel Dzong and Kyichu Lhakhang, with an optional hot stone bath and farewell dinner.
Day 8
Departure
Free time in Paro until your transfer to the airport. Note: this final day, 22 March, is the last day of the Paro Tsechu, when the giant Thongdrel of Guru Rinpoche is unveiled at dawn at Rinpung Dzong. As with all our festival departures the itinerary may be adjusted slightly on the ground, potentially including an early morning visit to see the Thongdrel before your transfer, to make the most of festival time.
An evening of butter tea and stories with your host family in the Phobjikha Valley.
Where You Stay
3-star Bhutanese hotels and a night in a valley homestay
Six nights are spent in carefully licensed 3-star Bhutanese hotels in Paro, Punakha and Thimphu, each with clean en-suite rooms and traditional styling. One night is spent at a village homestay in the Gangtey area of the Phobjikha Valley, where you share meals and stories with a local family.
- 3-star hotels in Paro, Punakha and Thimphu
- A night at a traditional Gangtey village homestay
- Optional hot stone bath after the Tiger's Nest hike
- Small group guarantee, maximum 12 travellers
Traveller Reviews
What travellers say about Bhutan with Encounters Travel
Real reviews from Encounters Travel guests, including travellers who took this Bhutan tour, as posted on TripAdvisor and Feefo.
4.7 out of 5 from over 1,700 traveller reviews of Encounters Travel tours
Bhutan, an amazing trip
“Encounters Travel, you did it again! We had an amazing and very memorable trip to Bhutan. It was very well organized. Our journey through Bhutan was nothing short of magical. The hike to Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest Monastery) was breathtaking and an even more spiritual reward at the top. The trip leaves you with a calmer heart, a clearer mind, and memories that feel timeless!”
Memorable visit to Nepal and Bhutan
“A quite unique and interesting visit to Nepal and Bhutan. The guided visits to key sites were very high quality and informative. But without doubt the highlight was a week in Bhutan. Our guide, Rinzin, personalised the visit in so many memorable ways.”
Wonderful time, great experience
“The booking process was fairly simple. The guide and driver were great, super friendly and accommodating. Dago was full of information and quite knowledgeable. At times the roads were rough, but Yeshee was a great driver, very friendly and kept the truck spotless.”
Well organised trip to Bhutan
“I was impressed with their knowledge in the area. They organised hotels, transfers, guides and drivers as well as Bhutanese visas and flights. Everything worked well and despite being a solo traveller I had a driver and guide during all my time. I'd certainly use these guys again, they really know their business.”
The 8-day Bhutan tour was amazing
“The guide and the driver were nice people trying to do everything they could for me. The hotels were very nice and the food was simply great. I visited everything on the itinerary, plus some additions thanks to my guide who wanted to show me as much as possible. Everything was well organized and worth the money. I would take this tour again.”
Quick and easy from the other side of the world
“Very helpful. Quick and easy communications despite being on the other side of the world! Encounters Travel communicated well and managed our Bhutan booking efficiently.”
“This is Bhutan's busiest festival by far, and it lands right at the end of the trip, so I always suggest an early start on the last morning if you want to see the Thongdrel before your flight.”
Mariska Knoesen, Sales Manager at Encounters Travel
Have a question about the festival dates, visa arrangements or flights into Paro? Mariska and the team can talk you through it.
The Thongdrel of Guru Rinpoche, unveiled at dawn at Rinpung Dzong.
Practical Details
Everything you need to know.
- Tour
- Bhutan Encounters: Paro Tsechu
- Duration
- 8 days and 7 nights
- Start and End
- Paro to Paro
- Festival Dates
- Paro Tsechu: 18 to 22 March 2027
- Tour Dates
- 15 to 22 March 2027
- Group Size
- Small group, 2 to 12 travellers
- Accommodation
- 3-star hotels plus 1 village homestay
- Region
- Bhutan: Paro, Punakha, Phobjikha, Thimphu
About the Paro Tsechu
The dances behind the celebration, and why Rinpung Dzong is where Bhutan's biggest festival happens.
The Background
Five days of masked dance
The Paro Tsechu traces its cham dance tradition back to the 17th century, performed by monks in elaborate costume to bring blessings on those who watch.
Over five days, the courtyard of Rinpung Dzong fills with locals in their finest dress and visitors from across Bhutan and further afield.
The festival closes at dawn on its final day with the unveiling of the Thongdrel, a giant sacred thangka believed to cleanse the sins of anyone who sees it.
5 days
length of the Paro Tsechu
Dawn
the Thongdrel is unveiled on the final day
Why Paro
The valley's most visited festival
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Bhutan's most attended festival
Its proximity to Paro International Airport makes this the most visited tsechu in the country, drawing crowds from across the region.
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A dzong that watches the valley
Rinpung Dzong overlooks the Paro Chhu river and has served as the valley's administrative and religious seat for centuries.
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A thangka the size of a building
The Thongdrel of Guru Rinpoche is one of Bhutan's largest sacred thangkas, unveiled at dawn and rolled away before direct sunlight can touch it.
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Dances with meaning
Each masked cham depicts a story from Buddhist mythology or history, performed by monks in elaborate costume over the festival's five days.
Good To Know
Your Bhutan questions, answered
When is the Paro Tsechu?
The Paro Tsechu runs for five days, from 18 to 22 March 2027, in the courtyard of Rinpung Dzong. This departure runs from 15 to 22 March, so your final days in Bhutan fall right as the festival reaches its climax.
Will I see the Thongdrel unveiling?
The giant Thongdrel of Guru Rinpoche is unveiled at dawn on 22 March, the final morning of the festival and the final day of this tour. As with all our festival departures the schedule may be adjusted on the ground, potentially including an early morning visit to see the Thongdrel before your airport transfer.
What is a cham dance?
Cham are masked dances performed by monks in elaborate brocade costume and painted wooden masks, each one depicting a story from Buddhist mythology or Bhutanese history. The tradition at Paro dates back to the 17th century, and watching them is considered to bring blessings.
Do I need a visa for Bhutan?
Yes, every visitor needs a Bhutanese visa, but we arrange it for you as part of the tour. The visa fee is included in the price, and your licensed Bhutanese guide handles the paperwork. You just need a passport with at least six months validity.
What is the Sustainable Development Fee?
Bhutan charges every visitor a Sustainable Development Fee per night, which funds free healthcare, education and conservation in the kingdom. It is already included in this tour price, so there is nothing extra to pay.
How do I get to Paro?
The tour starts and ends at Paro International Airport. Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines fly to Paro from Delhi, Kathmandu, Bangkok, Singapore and other regional hubs. International flights are not included, and our specialists can advise on the best connections for your route.
What is the homestay like?
You spend one night at a village homestay in the Gangtey area of the Phobjikha Valley. It is simple, clean and warm, with meals shared with your Bhutanese host family. It is a highlight of the trip for most travellers, and the other six nights are in licensed 3-star hotels.
How fit do I need to be for the Tiger's Nest hike?
The hike to Taktsang Monastery takes 2 to 3 hours each way on a well-worn trail that climbs about 800 metres above the valley floor. A steady pace with plenty of rest stops gets most reasonably fit travellers to the top. Walking poles help, and there is a cafeteria viewpoint partway up if you prefer to stop there.
What is the weather like in March?
March is spring in Bhutan and one of the most popular times to visit. Days are pleasant, roughly 10 to 20 degrees in the Paro and Punakha valleys, with rhododendrons starting to bloom on the passes. Mornings are cold, especially at Dochu La and in the Phobjikha Valley, so bring warm layers for the dawn Thongdrel and the high passes.
Should I book early?
Yes. The Paro Tsechu is Bhutan's most attended festival and hotel space in the Paro valley during festival week is limited, so this departure fills earlier than a standard Bhutan tour. Places are capped at 12 travellers.
Still have a question? Our travel specialists are happy to help.