The festivals listed below are important religious events in Bhutan that commemorate wondrous deeds of Buddha, and auspicious accomplishments by the great masters of the Tibetan Buddhist faith. All festival dates are determined by the lunar calendar, but the most renowned of these events are the “Teschu” celebrations that fall on the “tenth day” of the lunar cycle. The tenth day of every lunar month has particular significance in Bhutan because each one signifies a historical event from the life of the great Buddhist scholar and guru, Padmasambhava. During these exuberant festivals, masked dances called “chams” are performed to bless the onlookers, teach dharmic lessons, and symbolically protect the festival locale from evil and misfortune. The wonderful costumes and masks worn in these chams are stylized representations of heroes, demons, animals and deities. There are also clown figures called Atsaras, with exaggerated red noses and comically long faces. These mischievous beings delight the crowds by mimicking the masked dancers and performing satirical routines.

It is believed by the Bhutanese that special spiritual merit is earned by attending these religious festivals. And, no visit to Bhutan is complete without attending at least one of these unforgettable events.


Punakha Dromche – February 18 to 22

Punakha Tshechu – February 23 to 25

Chorten Kora – February 28 to March 15

Tharpaling Thongdrol – February 28

Tangsibi Mani (Ura, Bumthang) – February 27 to March 3

Bulli Mani (Chummi) – March 1 to 3

Gaden Chodpa (Ura, Bumthang) – March 13 to 15

Gomkora – March 23 to 25

Paro Tshechu – March 26 to 30

Chhukha Tshechu - March 28 to 30

Domkhar Tshechu – April 23 to 25

Ura Yakchoe – April 24 to 28

Padsel-Ling Kuchod – June 2 to 3

Nimalung Tshechu – June 19 to 21

Kurjey Tshechu – June 21

Thimphu Drupchen – September 12 to 16

Wangdi Tshechu – September 15 to 17

Tamshingphala Choepa – September 16 to 18

Thimphu Tshechu – September 17 to 19

Tangbi Mani – September 22 to 24

Shingkhar Rabney (Ura, Bumthang) – October 13 to 17

Jakar Dzong Tshechu – October 15 to 18

Jambay Lhakhang Drup – October 22 to 26

Prakhar Duchhoed – October 23 to 26

Sumdrang Kangsol (Ura, Bumthang) – November 2 to 6

Mongar Tshechu – November 13 to 16

Pemagatshel Tshechu – November 13 to 16

Trashigang Tshechu – November 14 to 17

Tang Namkha Rabney – November 15 to 16

Jambay Lhakhang Singye Cham – November 21

Nalakhar Tshechu – November 21 to 23

Chojam Rabney (Tang, Geog) – November 20 to 24

Trongsa Tshechu – December 15 to 17

Lhuntse Tshechu – December 15 to 17

Shingkhar Metochodpa (Ura, Bumthang) – December 21

Nabji Lhakhang Drup – December 21 to 25

Cultural Crossroads Tours of Bhutan at a Glance

• Back Roads of Bhutan
  

  Cultural Crossroads invites you to participate in a special trip to unexplored Bhutan. The country is landlocked between the Himalayas, India and Tibetan. There are few developed Bhutan has been culturally preserved and is unaltered by the modern global culture that most other nations have influencing them. It is one of the most unique places to visit. It is the only country where Buddhism is the state religion and the country does not measure its success by Gross Domestic Product, but by Gross National Happiness. Bhutan is a small country with very fragile environment, so the government is serious and giving first priority to preserve the natural environment. Bhutan is set to become first nation in the world where the citizens have a constitutional obligation to preserve the environment. Bhutan constitution emphasizes the need for every citizen of the country to protect the environment, conserve its rich biodiversity and prevent ecological degradation including noise, visual and physical pollution through the adoption of environment friendly practices and ethos. Bhutan is committed to keep minimum of 60% of its forest cover forever.

  Cultural Crossroads makes sure our travelers carry out what they carry in, and how they can help conserve water and electricity, and other items in their hotel rooms. Combined with a well preserved ancient culture, this country is truly a fascinating and unique place to visit.

  We will visit many villages, meet with local elders/leaders and farmers and learn about the challenges they face, their daily activities, and ways to improve their living conditions. Our travelers will experience the HAA district, not yet explored by other tour operators. Cultural Crossroads participants will enjoy a special permit to enter the Tigers’s Nest monastery (Taktsang). We will also meet and interact with lamas and monks from the various monasteries and temples and have opportunities to meet with local artisans and crafts people. Traditional handicraft makers and artisans form a big bulk of the Bhutanese population. The sale of their products is being encouraged to visitors helping the local people to benefit from the rich. Visitors can also contribute to locals eating their wonderful local food encouraging farmers to produce more agricultural products for the demanding market for better living. Animal husbandry is still a predominant activity amongst rural population. The purchase of fresh dairy products like cheese, butter, milk, and meat to feed the visitors during their travel to Bhutan is another economic net contributing to triple bottom line.

  The tour is for 8-16 travelers only, so you can enjoy the company of others, or fill the trip with your friends and/or family. Our small group size provides you with special opportunities and private access for unique cultural experiences.

  Cultural Crossroads donates the portion of our profits to sustainable community programs in the countries we travel to. In Bhutan we give to the Tarayana Foundation (http://www.tarayanafoundation.org/) a non-profit organization working to reduce poverty and enhance the lives of people in rural communities in Bhutan.