Paro Tsechu
Our guests consistently feature this trip as one of our top favourite. And for a reason as this is the most popular festivals held in Bhutan. Paro Tsechu is an annual event held next to the Paro Rinpung Dzong and is celebrated to the glory of Buddhism in Bhutan. Observed with great festivity and joy, this festival is hailed as the most spectacular and deeply symbolic of the Buddhist festivals celebrated in Bhutan, Paro Tsechu, has a stature that has attained a cult position in the national identity of the nation. The festival is observed in three specific parts- the pre-festival rituals on the first day, ceremonies are undertaken on the second day inside the Paro Dzong and the main festivities on the festival ground on the remaining three days. Monks and other common people perform in the festival dances and dramas as an act of meditation. Masked and dressed in elaborate silk brocade costumes, dancers depict the triumph of good over evil and the power of compassion to the haunting sounds of trumpets, cymbals and flutes that resounds the air. Devotees dressed in traditional finery flock to the Paro Dzong to seek divine blessing during these holy days. The trip takes you to the famous Tiger’s nest, witness the festival for two selected days and continue to the capital city Thimphu, Punakha and Wangdue for cultural sightseeing before returning to Paro for departure. Visitors intending to visit this festival are advised to get to us at the earliest as hotels and airline tickets are notoriously overbooked during this time. Recommended travel duration is at least 7-8 days.