Bhutan Festival Tours 2027

A Bhutan festival tour puts you in the middle of the kingdom’s living culture. Monks in silk and masks dance in dzong courtyards, families picnic in their finest clothes, and clowns tease the crowd. These are not shows for tourists, but sacred celebrations that villages have kept for centuries.

There is a festival in almost every season. Below you will find our 2027 calendar, from winter tshechus in Punakha to summer herder festivals and autumn treks to the highlands. Every Bhutan festival tour is private, with your own guide, and we plan the days around the best dances.

Bhutan Festival Calendar 2027

Winter: December to February

• 11–13 Feb: The Lhamoi Dromchhen at Trongsa Dzong, quiet and local.
• 16–18 Feb: The Punakha Tshechu in the most beautiful dzong in Bhutan.
• 13 Dec: The Druk Wangyel festival, danced at Dochula Pass in front of the Himalaya.

Spring: March to May

• 18–22 Mar: The Paro Tshechu, the most famous festival in Bhutan, with a dawn thangka unveiling.
• 18–22 Apr: The Ura Yakchoe in a high Bumthang village.
• 22–23 Apr: Our Rhododendron festival Bhutan tour, with forest walks in Lamperi park.

Summer: June to August

• July: The Haa Summer Festival, with herder food, songs and sports.
• August: The Matsutake mushroom festival in Ura, with forest foraging.

Autumn: September to November

• 10–12 Oct: The Thimphu Tshechu, the biggest festival in the capital.
• 13–15 Oct: The Gangtey Tshechu in the Phobjikha valley.
• 14–15 Oct: The Jomolhari Mountain Festival, reached on a trek.
• 23–24 Oct: The Royal Highland Festival in Laya, also on a trek.
• 11 Nov: The Black-necked crane festival in Phobjikha.
• 14–17 Nov: The Jambay Lhakhang Drup in Bumthang, with a fire blessing.

Looking further ahead? The Trongsa Tshechu opens 2028 from 5 to 9 January. The Black-Necked Crane Festival falls on 11 November 2028, and the Druk Wangyel festival on 13 December 2028. Other 2028 dates follow the lunar calendar and are announced during 2027. Tell us your plans, and we will hold your place.

What to Expect on a Bhutan Festival Tour

Most festivals are tshechus, which honour Guru Rinpoche, who brought Buddhism to Bhutan. Masked dances tell stories of good defeating evil, and watching them is said to bring blessings. Meanwhile, the atsaras, masked clowns, keep everyone laughing.

Other festivals celebrate nature and local life, such as the cranes of Phobjikha or the yak herders of the highlands. In addition, every trip includes the classic sights, from Punakha Dzong to the hike to Tiger’s Nest.

Festival Etiquette

Dress modestly, with long sleeves and long trousers or a skirt. Do not use flash, step into the dance space or climb on walls. Your guide will find you a good spot and explain each dance.

Bhutan Festival Tour Prices

A Bhutan festival tour with us starts from US$300 per person per day, and group discounts are available. Festivals reached on a trek with camping, such as Jomolhari and Laya, start from US$400 per day. Every trip includes the Sustainable Development Fee, hotels or camping, all meals, a licensed guide, taxes and entry fees.

The Sustainable Development Fee is USD 100 per night right now. That is half the standard rate set by Bhutan’s official tourism site. However, this lower rate is confirmed only until 31 August 2027. We have been licensed since 2012 and have welcomed more than 2,000 travellers.

Prefer a trip without crowds? See our Bhutan cultural tour packages. For visas and weather, read our Bhutan travel information guide.

Bhutan Festival Tour FAQ

Which is the best festival to see in Bhutan?

For first-timers, the Paro or Thimphu Tshechu. For a quieter, local feel, try Gangtey, Ura or the Lhamoi Dromchhen.

How early should I book?

Three to six months ahead for Paro and Thimphu, because hotels fill fast. Smaller festivals need less notice.

Can I see two festivals in one trip?

Yes. For example, Thimphu and Gangtey in October, or the crane festival and the Jambay Lhakhang Drup in November.