Punakha Tsechu
Watch masked cham dances and a giant thangka unveiling at Punakha Dzong.
Punakha, Bhutan
Witness the Punakha Tsechu in Bhutan.
Once a year, the courtyard of Punakha Dzong fills with monks in painted masks re-enacting a 17th century battle, and valley families in their finest silk. Join a small group of up to 12 travellers for 8 days across Bhutan, timed for the Punakha Tsechu and including a night in a Phobjikha village homestay.
Festival
16-18 Feb 2027
Location
Punakha, Bhutan
Duration
8 Days / 7 Nights
Group Size
Max 12 Guests
Guide
Licensed Bhutanese Guide
Limited Places. Small Groups. February 2027.
Why This Tour
Why you will never forget Punakha's Tsechu
Most Bhutan itineraries visit Punakha Dzong on an ordinary afternoon.
This departure is timed for the Punakha Tsechu, the three day festival that fills the fortress courtyard with masked cham dances, a re-enactment of a 17th century battle, and the dawn unveiling of a giant sacred thangka.
Alongside it you still get 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 Punakha 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 Punakha Dzong day falls inside the festival.
Punakha Dzong
Explore the fortress where the Phochu and Mochu rivers meet.
Taktsang Monastery
Hike to the Tiger's Nest, perched 800m above the Paro valley floor.
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: 16 to 23 February 2027. Punakha Tsechu: 16 to 18 February.
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 during the Tsechu, 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 for your departure flight. Note: Day 3's visit to Punakha Dzong falls during the Punakha Tsechu, 16 to 18 February, including the dawn unveiling of the sacred thangka on the festival's final day. As with all our festival departures the itinerary may be adjusted slightly on the ground to make the most of festival time and account for local accommodation availability.
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 one of the most photogenic festivals in the country, and the courtyard at Punakha Dzong gets busy during Tsechu week, so I always tell people to book this departure a little further ahead than usual.”
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.
Valley families in their finest kira and gho at the Punakha Tsechu.
Practical Details
Everything you need to know.
- Tour
- Bhutan Encounters: Punakha Tsechu
- Duration
- 8 days and 7 nights
- Start and End
- Paro to Paro
- Festival Dates
- Punakha Tsechu: 16 to 18 February 2027
- Tour Dates
- 16 to 23 February 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 Punakha Tsechu
The 17th century battle behind the dances, and why Punakha Dzong is where it is remembered.
The Background
A festival with a battle at its heart
The Punakha Tsechu commemorates Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal's 1639 victory over invading Tibetan forces, a defining moment in Bhutan's unification as a nation.
Over three days, monks perform masked cham dances depicting deities and historical scenes in the dzong's courtyard, drawing crowds from across the valley.
The festival culminates in the serda, a re-enactment of the battle itself, and the dawn unveiling of a giant sacred thangka on the final morning.
1639
the battle victory the festival commemorates
3 days
length of the Punakha Tsechu
Why Punakha
A fortress that has hosted history twice
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A battle re-enacted
The Punakha Tsechu is one of the few festivals with a serda, a re-enactment of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal's 1639 victory over invading forces, performed by local militia in traditional armour.
◎
A fortress built for the moment
Punakha Dzong sits at the confluence of the Phochu and Mochu rivers and served as Bhutan's capital, giving the festival a genuinely historic stage.
☁
A thangka unveiled once a year
On the festival's final morning, a giant sacred thangka depicting Guru Rinpoche is unveiled at dawn and rolled away again before sunlight can fade its colours.
✓
A community occasion
Families from across the Punakha Valley attend in their finest traditional dress, making this one of the most visually striking tsechus in the country.
Good To Know
Your Bhutan questions, answered
When is the Punakha Tsechu?
The Punakha Tsechu runs for three days, from 16 to 18 February 2027, in the courtyard of Punakha Dzong. This departure runs from 16 to 23 February, and Day 3's visit to the dzong falls inside the festival.
What is the serda?
The serda is a re-enactment of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal's 1639 victory over invading Tibetan forces, performed by local militia in traditional armour. It is one of the things that sets Punakha apart from Bhutan's other tsechus, which do not include a battle re-enactment.
Will I see the thangka unveiling?
A giant sacred thangka depicting Guru Rinpoche is unveiled at dawn on 18 February, the festival's final morning, then rolled away again before sunlight can fade its colours. As with all our festival departures, the day order may be adjusted on the ground to make the most of festival time.
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 February?
February is dry and clear in Bhutan, with excellent Himalayan views from Dochu La. The Punakha Valley sits low at around 1,200 metres and is pleasantly mild by day, which is exactly why the winter capital and its tsechu are held there. Nights are cold, particularly in the Phobjikha Valley, so pack warm layers.
Is this tour suitable for solo travellers?
Yes. Groups are small, from 2 to 12 travellers, and you are accompanied throughout by a licensed local guide and driver. Solo travellers regularly join and quickly become part of the group.
Still have a question? Our travel specialists are happy to help.