Punakha Tshechu Tour (26th Feb - 03rd March 2026)
5 Nights / 6 Days
Pick/Drop: Paro Airport
Private Tour
Overview
Punakha Tshechu is a traditional religious festival held annually in Punakha, Bhutan. Tshechus are important events in Bhutanese culture, typically featuring masked dances, religious rituals, and vibrant celebrations. The Punakha Tshechu specifically commemorates the founding of the Punakha Dzong (fortress-monastery) and pays homage to Guru Rinpoche, who introduced Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century.
Tour Highlights
- Witness colorful masked dances, folk songs, and traditional music performed by monks and
local dancers at Punakha Tshechu. - Hike the Taktsang ‘tiger’s nest’ monastery, one of Bhutan’s architectural highlights
- Visit the 300-year old Punakha Dzong which is located between Pho chu (male river) and Mo
chu (female river). - Explore the bustling capital Thimphu, including sights like the Buddha Dordenma, the
National Memorial Chorten and more. - Enjoy spectacular views of the himalayas from the Dochu la mountain pass.
- Walk across Farm Houses to reach Chimi Lhakhang, a 15th-century fertility temple.
- Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten situated on a ridge above the Punakha valley,
offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and rice fields.
What's Included & Excluded
Inclusions:
- A minimum of 3-star accommodation
- Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
- Bottle of water in the car.
- A licensed Bhutanese tour guide.
- Private transport (transfer & sightseeing)
- Monument (Dzongs & Temples) and Museum Fees
- Sustainable Development Fee & Visa Fee
Exclusions:
- Air Transport/Flight
- Personal Expenses such as Laundry, Tips, etc
- Drinks & beverages.
- Travel Insurance
- Bank Charges
Itinerary
The early morning flight to Paro reveals scenic and breathtaking views of Himalayan Mountains of the world. If weather permits you will be able to see Mt. Everest (8848 m, 29,198ft) and other Himalayan Mountain Ranges. Once you arrive at the Paro International Airport, you will be greeted by our representative (Guide) and then drive to Thimphu (50km) which takes approximately an hour. On the way visit;
Tachogang Iron Chain Bridge, located along Paro-Thimphu highway, before Chhuzom. It is just a 10 minutes walk from the highway. It is a great spot for photography with a stunning view and peaceful ambience.
After arriving in Thimphu,visit; National Memorial Chorten: Probably one of the most popular Thimphu points of interest.
Lunch at Zombala 2 Restaurant, a popular eatery for both locals and tourists seeking authentic flavors. Try Momos (dumplings), Thukpa: A comforting noodle soup and Ema Datshi: Bhutan’s national dish made with chilies and cheese.
The Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory is reputedly the best place that manufactures traditional paper. You can buy this unique paper here which will make for interesting souvenir gifts.
Changlimithang Archery Ground to see local folks playing their tradition game archery.
The Centenary Farmers Market (Now Kaja Throm) is a vibrant and dynamic space, offering a diverse range of products and experiences. Walk through Bhutan’s capital city exploring Clock Tower Square, a prominent landmark adorned with intricate Bhutanese motifs and stroll towards Thimphu’s iconic traffic junction, famously known as the main traffic circle as it has no traffic lights. Instead, you’ll witness a white-gloved traffic officer gracefully directing vehicles in a choreographed style that has become a tourist attraction in its own right.
Lastly Tashichhodzong visit. This magnificent structure stands proudly on the banks of the Wang Chhu River and serves as both a religious and administrative hub of Bhutan. Now it houses the secretariat building, the throne room and the office of the King and central monk body.
Overnight in Thimphu
After breakfast, visit Buddha Dordenma Statue, also known as the “Buddha Point,” a massive statue of Buddha Shakyamuni in the Kingdom of Bhutan. Royal Takin Preserve also known as the Mini Zoo by many is a small natural preserve for the Takin – Bhutan’s national animal.
Drive to Punakha (2 and half hrs). On the way, stop at Dochula Pass.
Dochula Pass is a mountain pass located in the Kingdom of Bhutan, a landlocked country in the Eastern Himalayas. It sits at an elevation of around 3,100 meters (10,200 feet) above sea level. The pass is renowned for its breathtaking panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges, including the majestic peaks of the snow-capped Himalayas. Once here, you will witness 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens.
Optional: Lungchutse Hike (2 hours): The trail to Lungchutse winds through pristine forests of rhododendron, oak, and pine trees, offering a tranquil and immersive experience in nature.
On rrival, walk across farmhouses to reach Chimi Lhakhang, A 15th-century fertility temple, blessed by Lam Drukpa Kuenley, who is known as the Divine Madman for his eccentric behaviors. He is also considered a symbol of fertility and many childless couples go to his temple for blessing.
Overnight in Punakha
After breakfast drive to Punakha Dzong and attend Punakha Tshechu-a traditional religious festival held annually in Punakha, Bhutan. Tshechus are important events in Bhutanese culture, typically featuring masked dances, religious rituals, and vibrant celebrations. The Punakha Tshechu specifically commemorates the founding of the Punakha Dzong (fortress-monastery) and pays homage to Guru Rinpoche, who introduced Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century.
During the festival, monks and laypeople come together to witness masked dances known as cham, which depict stories from Buddhist mythology and history. The highlight is often the unfurling of a gigantic thangka (religious painting) of Guru Rinpoche, believed to confer blessings upon those who view it.
Punakha Tshechu is not only a religious occasion but also a social gathering where communities unite, and people dress in their finest traditional attire. It’s a time for prayer, contemplation, and joyous festivities that reaffirm Bhutanese cultural identity and spiritual beliefs.
After lunch attend Punakha Tshechu or drive to Talo Village. Take a Talo village walk offering a chance to explore the serene rural life and cultural heritage of the country.
After breakfast, 45 minutes hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel chorten with the picturesque view of the rice terraces along the river. It is a beautiful chorten located on a ridge at Kabesa Gewog in Punakha overlooking several villages. It is a 30-minute drive from the Khuruthang Town and a 45-minute uphill hike from the base of the hill through suspension bridge and rice fields.
Then drive to Paro (3 and half hrs). After lunch visit Paro Kyichu Lhakhang is one of the oldest and most revered temples in Bhutan, steeped in history and spiritual significance and visit Chencho Weaving Center in Paro Town, a locally-run weaving center showcases the intricate art of traditional Bhutanese weaving, offering visitors a chance to witness skilled artisans at work.
Later, stroll around Paro downtown for shopping or a cup of coffee.
Namgay Artisanal Brewery: Did you know Bhutan has some of the most reputed and highly enjoyed brews? Well, if you are a beer lover and want to taste some of the finest brews, you must visit the Namgay Artisanal Brewery in Paro Valley.
Overnight in Paro
Taktsang Monastery: The wooden structure built amazingly, stands bravely on a cliff. It is said that the great Guru Rinpoche flew here on the back of a tigress and set up this monastery when he brought the teachings of the Buddhist Dharma to Bhutan in the 8th Century. From the road, the hike toward Taktsang follows an uphill route and returning back takes approximately 5-6 hours at an average walking pace on a clear, sunny day.
Later we welcome you to visit Bhutanese homes for Hot Stone Bath. A Bhutanese hot stone bath is the perfect way to relax and wind down after a long day of sightseeing and is also believed to have numerous health benefits and practice Archery is the national sport of Bhutan. With our archery lessons, your guide will set up the targets and teach you the rules, as well as how to correctly hold the bow.
Darts are another popular pastime in Bhutan, with a different scoring system to the western tradition, and a target low to the ground. Both sports are a fun way to spend an afternoon, enjoying some healthy competition. Later dinner with them and experience their hospitality. A visit gives you an interesting glimpse into the lifestyle of Bhutan.
In the morning drive to Paro airport for departure to your onward destination.
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs
Yes, the itinerary can be tailored to your preferences. Discuss your interests with your tour operator to customize your experience.
We offer a minimum of 3-star rated accommodations to Luxury Resorts, certified by the Department of Tourism, Bhutan.
Our selection of 3-star accommodations has been carefully curated based on top ratings and consistent positive feedback from our past clients. These hotels offer a blend of comfort, convenience, and authentic Bhutanese hospitality.
We also offer Homestays with a local family that can give you an authentic Bhutanese experience. Rooms are typically modest but comfortable, often featuring traditional Bhutanese décor.
Send us the scan copy of your passport and passport sized photos, we will apply on your behalf. Read more about the visa here.
A correctly input visa application can take up to five days to process.
There is a one-off fee of US$40 for the processing of your application. This is payable at the same time as your Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), as part of the process of submitting your visa application.
EXCELLENT Based on 81 reviews Posted on Kari L11 October 2025Verified Beautiful Bhutan Great experience! Fast and responsive communication right from the first WhatsApp message. Visa was sorted very smoothly and everything worked out as planned. I had a very kind and respectful tour guide (Lhazin Dorji) and a reliable driver who ensured a memorable stay. I really enjoyed my short stay in the land of the thunder dragon.Posted on Tourist6852396541110 October 2025Verified Bhutan Tour OMSHA Travel I had wonderful experience during our tour in Bhutan with OMSHA travel, our tour guide Tashi Tenzin and driver Sun-Zu were exemplerary, very friendly and accommodating in our tour. They guide us in every tourist spots we go and make sure we are safe, and enjoy every moment during our tour. One of the best tour guide and driver I've had. I will highly recommend them wheh you visit Bhutan. I will give them ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Posted on Sheila Tabernilla7 October 2025Verified Extraordinary! ❤️ The experience is superb! Plus having one of the bests tour guides- nothing can be asked for! It wasn’t an awkward experience day by day, I get or rather we felt comfortable with them. Total happiness and very good experience..🫶🏻 we were taken cared well by Tashi Tenzin and Sanju!Kudos to them! It was also a hassle free experience and no hints of no can be given to the services provided! It was seamless even though our flight was delayed..Really this country has a lot to offer so the only regret is not having more days to stay and explore more..❤️👍🏻👏🏻All the bestPosted on Xiang Yee28 September 2025Verified Eyeopening Experience We booked our Bhutan trip with OMSHA Travel and couldn’t be happier with the experience. We entered Bhutan via the India–Bhutan land border and OMSHA arranged everything seamlessly from the airport pickup in India to ensuring our safe entry into Bhutan. As two young ladies traveling together we truly appreciated the sense of security and care they provided throughout.Our 4D3N itinerary was packed and while we enjoyed every moment I would recommend staying longer if possible. Bhutan has so much to offer and travel time between destinations can take up a fair portion of the day. Sharing a general idea of what you would like to see beforehand also helps OMSHA customize the trip perfectly.A highlight was definitely the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. The hike is breathtaking but also steep and challenging so being reasonably fit is important to fully experience it.Overall OMSHA Travel made our Bhutan journey smooth, safe and unforgettable. Their attention to detail and hospitality left us with lasting memories. Highly recommended.Posted on Jia Yi C28 September 2025Verified Good Experience With Sonam and Sunzu We found Omsha Travel as we were sourcing how to get from India to Bhutan overland and his website was very informative. He was also very quick with his replies on Whatsapp which we appreciated a lot. We had a 4D3N tour in Bhutan and the tour was very flexible and customisable, allowing us to choose wherever we wanted to go. Our guide and driver was Sonam and Sunzu (Soju) who were so friendly and we hit it off so well~ they treated us like friends and the conversations with them made us learnt so much about Bhutan. Sonam is very knowledgable with all the history and Sunzu drives very smoothly. Also, the hotels were top notch with very good views👍 We enjoyed the stay and could rest properly after a long day.If I could change anything about the trip, I would stay for more days to fully appreciate the beauty of Bhutan.Posted on Elijah26 September 2025Verified A smooth trip The tour was well organised and went smoothly. Appreciate the flexibility of the arrangements in taking into account our energy levels. The guide Sonam was fun and engaging, giving us many stories on Bhutanese culture. The drive was smooth too, thanks to our driver Tewang. All in all, a great trip.Posted on Kavya Pinto27 August 2025Verified Adventure, culture and a personalised tour of beautiful Bhutan Wondering how to put into words the experience we’ve had these past 6 days. Bhutan is a truly spectacular country and the people made the experience all the more special Organising the trip with Nawang was effortless. He understood immediately what we required and customised the trip according to our interests. Sonam, our guide is an absolute gem. He was so eager to share his knowledge and love for his country. He was friendly and extremely accommodating. His answer was always yes and it made our trip all the more special. We will always remember this trip and it’s because of him Our driver Tashi- quiet, respectful and extremely kind. Always greeted us with a smile. The hotels were clean and check in/out was seamless. We requested for a bike for 3 days and absolutely loved riding it. Both the guide and driver were very comfortable with handling both bike and car which made us feel very safe. We cannot recommend Omsha travels enough. If you are looking for a travel agent, don’t look any further.Posted on OnAir3893952481020 August 2025Verified Best experience ever! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Our trip to Bhutan has been one of the most memorable journeys of our lives, and a big reason for that is the incredible support we received from our travel agent Nawang, Omsha travels, guide, and chauffeur. From the very beginning, the process was made effortless—right from handling our visas and e-permits to ensuring every detail of our itinerary was perfectly organized.Our guide Sonaam was knowledgeable, patient, and always eager to share the deep cultural values and traditions of Bhutan in a way that truly touched us. Our chauffeur Tashi was equally wonderful—safe, courteous, and always with a smile, making long drives across the mountains not just comfortable but genuinely enjoyable.Most importantly, our travel agent took care of everything with great attention, leaving us free to simply enjoy the beauty of Bhutan without a single worry. The coordination between all three of them made us feel like we were traveling with family rather than professionals.Thanks to them, what could have been a complicated trip in a foreign country turned into the smoothest, happiest experience. We are returning with unforgettable memories, immense gratitude, and new friendships that we hope will last a lifetime.Highly recommend them to anyone planning a Bhutan trip—if you want hassle-free travel with warmth and genuine care, this is the team to go with!Posted on Explorer5203305963429 June 2025Verified Excellently organised Trip with Excellent Hotels and locations. Amazingly beautiful Country with amazing people- Beautifully designed trip covering all major spots. Plan min 7 daysPosted on FarAway1532908028624 June 2025Verified Amazing experience Our 3-day trip in Bhutan was an enrichment.Our guide Namgay and the driver were super nice and patient. They had arranged nice stays for us and let us taste the Bhutanese culture.I'm grateful that I got to do this trip with these beautiful people. I would recommend anyone such a trip!
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