It consists of three parts: the "Pre-festival" on the first day, ceremonies inside the Paro Dzong on the second day, and the main festivities on the festival ground on the remaining three days. For the devout, the highlight undoubtedly occurs on the final day when a huge religious picture (thongdrel) is unfurled at dawn. To witness this event is to gain great merit.

Both monks and lay people perform in the festival dances and dramas as an act of meditation, seeking to personify the deity that they portray. Masked and dressed in elaborate costumes of silk brocade, dancers demonstrate the triumph of good over evil and the power of compassion to the haunting sounds of trumpets, cymbals and flutes. Dances are interspersed with folksongs.

Each dance is said to be an exact re-enactment of visions seen by Bhutan's great Buddhist saints, and thus any changes would be sacrilegious. Today this beautiful and sacred festival remains a wonderful presentation of a religious faith that is still a crucial part of Bhutanese daily life.

Festival Dance schedule

Fly to Paro

Transfer for the flight by Druk Air, Bhutan's national airline, to Paro, the country's only airstrip. The flight gives fantastic views of the Himalaya, and particularly exciting is the section through the Bhutanese foothills and the thrilling landing. You will be met on arrival by your Bhutanese guide, from NAT, and then transferred to your hotel.

(Paro Tshechu Day 1)
Dance 1: Shinghe Yab Yum: Dance of the Lord of Death and his consort (Costume: buffalo mask and long brocade dress) the dance is about the role of Jambeyang as the lord of the dead.
Dance 2: Durdag: Dance of the Lords of the Cremation Grounds (Costume: white skull masks, short shirts and boots) this dance portrays how the lords (protectors) of the cremation grounds subjugated the assembly of demonic powers who have violated their oath of not harming the tantric doctrine.
Dance 3: Zshana: Dance of the Black Hats (Costume: large black hat, felt boots and long colorful dress) The Black Hat Dancers represent yogis who have the power to take and recreate life.
Dance 4: Dramitse Nga Cham: Dance of the Drums from Dramitse (Costume: animal masks and knee-length yellow skirt; big drums and curved drum sticks) This dance illustrates a vision seen by nun Chorten Zangmo in the 15th century in which she saw the attendants of Guru Rimpoche performing a dance.
Dance 5: Degye: Dance of the Eight Kinds of Spirits (Costume: animal masks and knee-length yellow skirt) this dance is about the eight types of spirits who are the masters of the three worlds: sky, earth and the underworld.
Dance 6: Chhoshey: Religious Song (Costume: long black skirt, yellow shirt, folded brown coat, felt boots, a circular head-dress and a sword. The song commemorates the opening of Tsangpa Jarey (1161-1211), of the gateway for pilgrimage to Tsari Mountain (eastern Tibet). Tsangpa Jarey was the founder of the Drukpa School.

(Paro Tshechu Day 2)
Dance 1: Shinghe Yab Yum: Dance of the Lord of Death and his consort (Costume: buffalo mask and long brocade dress) the dance is about the role of Jambeyang as the lord of the dead. (Same as Tshechu day 1, Dance 1)
Dance 2: Shana Nga Cham: Dance of the Black Hats with drums. This dance symbolizes the victory of the Black Hat dancers over the malevolent deities who persecuted the beings and Buddhists.
Dance 3: Gingsum: Dance of the three kinds of Ging with sticks (Juging), with swords (Driging), with drums (Ngaging) Costume: knee-length skirts, animal masks for the dance with the sticks, terrifying masks for the dance with swords and drums. The dance of the Ging portrays the subjugation of Jyungpo Nyulema (demons) who obstructed the doctrine of Buddha.
Dance 4: Durdag: Dance of the Lord of Cremation Ground.(Same as Tshechu day 1, Dance 2)
Dance 5: Driging: Dance of the three kinds of Ging with swords. (Same as above Dance 3 only with the sword)
Dance 6: Ngaging: Dance of the Three Kinds of Ging with Drums. (Same as above Dance 3 only with Drums 3)
During Dances that are repeated in whole or in part we take off on a biking trip!
Return towards the evening for Dance 7.
Dance 7: Shawo Sachhi: Dance of the Stag and the Hound. (Costume: dog mask, stag mask and knee-length yellow skirts). The dance portrays compassion over all sentient beings as the great sage, Jetseon Milarepa, brings harmony between the stag (prey) and a dog (the predator).

(Paro Tshechu Day 3)

Dance 1: Dance 1: Durdag: Dance of the Lords of the Cremation Grounds (Same as Day 1, Dance 2)
Dance 2: Tungam; Dance of Terrifying Deities (Costume: beautiful brocade dresses, boots and terrifying masks) this spectacular and dramatic dance symbolizes the liberation by death of those who cannot be led to the path of the Buddha through peaceful means. The core of the dance depicts the sacrificial killing.
Dance 3: Guan Drug Pawos: Dance of the Heroes with six kinds of ornaments. The Pawos or mediums are called the Heroes with six kinds of ornaments because they wear five types of bone ornaments and hold in their hands a tiny drum and bell.
Dance 4: Kyecham: Dance of Noblemen and Ladies (Phole Mole) This dance depicts a part of the love story (a popular folktale of Tibet and Bhutan) of King Norzang of the kingdom of Naden in North India and Queen Yidrogma.
Dance 5: Shawo Sachhi - Lencham: Dance of the Stag and the Hound. (Same as Day 2, Dance 7)
Hike up to visit Ta Dzong, the National Museum of the Kingdom. Originally built as Watch Tower since 1967 it is the National Museum of the country and holding fascinating collection of art, artifacts, thangkha paintings and Bhutan's exquisite postage stamps.

(Paro Tshechu Day 4)

Dance 1: Shinghe Yab Yum: Dance of the Lord of Death and his Consort. (Same as Day 1, Dance 1)
Dance 2: Sha cham: Dance of the Four Stags Costume: knee-length skirts and masks of antlers
Dance 3: Raksha Mangcham: Dance of the Judgment of the Dead. This is based on the Bardo Thoedrol (book of the dead), a text hidden by Guru Rimpoche and rediscovered later by Pema Lingpa in the 14th century.
Dance 4: Dramitse Nga Cham: Dance of the Drums from Dramitse.
(Paro Tshechu Day 5)

The great Paro Thongdrel is unfurled very early in the morning and a Shugdrel Ceremony performed (blessing and offering ceremony performed by the monk body in front of the Thongdrel). After the Thongdrel unfurling ceremony and breakfast we move on to start the Druk Path Trek.

The Druk Path Trek

HIGHLIGHTS: This moderate 5-day trek takes you across the mountains separating the Paro and Thimphu valleys. The trail will take you through blue-pine forests, thick alpine forests, and dwarf rhododendrons. The highest point of the trek is Phume La (pass) at 4,210m. From there you can see Gangkar Puensum, the highest mountain in Bhutan. On this trek you can also get amazing views of Jumolhari Mountain and other Himalayan peaks. You will camp near Phajoding Monastery one night and can explore the area. You will also have opportunities to fish in some of Bhutan's most beautiful lakes. There is a good chance you will see yaks and yak herders on this trek.

Paro to Jele Dzong, start of trek. (8 km, 3-4 hours)

Today is a short trekking day. The trek begins above the National Museum. The trek trail is rather gradual up till the camp and if the weather is clear the Paro valley can be seen with snow-capped mountains behind. Above the camp is Jele la (3,400m) and Jele Dzong that is mostly in ruins. Distance approximately 8 Km. Time 3 - 4 hours. Walk through beautiful mixed forest till you reach Jele Dzong. This is a large monastery and contains a huge statue of Padma Sambhava. There are birds nesting in the arrow slits and old Mongol helmets and shields hanging on the walls. The building was until very recently deserted, but has now undergone some renovation and is in use again for monastic school. It sits astride a ridge, which affords dramatic views of the valleys on both sides and the Himalaya to the north. The second highest mountain in Bhutan can be seen, Mt. Jhomolhari, 7,314m/23,997ft. The camp site is just a few hundred feet below Jili Dzong in a clearing. There are plenty of interesting birds, flora and fauna throughout the day. Here we camp for the night. 

Jele Dzong to Camp Jangchulakha (10 km, 4-5 hours)

The trek begins with an hour and half climb and then ascends gradually down. The trail takes us through thick alpine forests and rhododendrons. We may see yak herders around your campsite. There are fascinating views of Jhomolhari and other snow capped peaks and you can also hear some Monal Pheasants during the day. Altitude 3,700m; Distance 10 Km; Time 4 - 5 hours. Here again we camp for the night.

Jangchulakha to Camp Jimilangtso (11km, 5-6 hours)

The trail follows the ridge and on a clear day the views of the mountains and valleys are sensational. Lovely walk to the large beautiful lake, stocked with trout, with a large chorten (religious obelisk) built at one end. From here you zigzag up to the ridge, which is thick with rhododendron and hemmed in by rocky bluffs. The path now follows a ridge for a short while before descending to the camp. It then follows a snake like route on rather magical paths, along mountainsides and through many different types of rhododendron. Occasionally you may meet local yak herdsmen and take in wonderful views of mountains, including another large peak called Kangcheeta (Tiger mountain) You will see this mountain has two peaks and is split by a straight, pronounced gully - locals believe that Kangcheeta is the brother of Jhomolhari (female mountain goddess) who hit him with a stick because he wanted to marry her. To the south, the Dagala range dominates the skyline. Below Mt. Kangcheeta there is a temple, Tshomphu Monastery, where an idol is supposed to float in the air. We believe it was possible to pass a string underneath the statue, thus proving it floated. Altitude 3,800m; Distance approximately 11 Km; Time 5-6 hours. Here put up Camp for the night.

Jimilangtso to Simkota (11 km, 4- 5 hours)

The trail takes us through dwarf rhododendron trees and bypasses the lake of Jaetsho. Today you may come across some yak herder’s camp and get an idea how these people live. Camp is close to Simkota Lake and if we are lucky we can enjoy dinner with lake trout’s. Put up camp for the night.

Simkota to Thimphu (10 km, 5-6 hours)

Today we begin with a gradual climb and if the weather permits, will enjoy a majestic view of Mount Gangkar Puensum and also the other peaks. The trail slowly descends through juniper trees to the valley floor. The hike to Thimphu is all the way downhill through a forested area of mostly blue pine. Taking a leisurely pace you reach Thimphu in about 2 hours from Phajoding. After lunch and good rest, we take care of the afternoon sightseeing in Thimphu. Check in at Hotel Druk in Thimphu.

Thimphu to Paro airport, Fly to Bangkok