7 Day Druk Wangyel Tshechu | Festival Travel Plan | Druk Asia

7 Day Dochula Pass Festival

Star 4-5 4.9 / 5.0
11 Reviews ( Read Reviews )
Dochula Festival

Dochula Festival
Attend Dochula Pass Festival that is performed by the Royal Bhutan Army

Dochula Festival

Dochula Festival
Celebrate Bhutanese's victory on the Himalaya.

Dochula Festival

Dochula Festival
Dancer in traditional costume

Dochula Festival

Dochula Festival
Dancer in traditional costume


Dochula Pass Festival Trip Itinerary

Dochula Festival, or Tshechu, Druk Wangyel Tshechu, is commissioned by the Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck in 2011. This is a unique festival as the festival is fully performed by the Royal Bhutan Army rather than the monastery. The soldiers have been given three months training in folk and mask dance. 
 
The Dochula Pass Festival, also known as the Druk Wangyel Festival, is an annual event held at Dochula Pass to commemorate Bhutan's victory over Indian insurgents in 2003. It showcases traditional Bhutanese music, dance, and cultural performances.

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Get ready for an unforgettable journey at the 7-Day Dochula Pass Festival with Druk Asia! Immerse yourself in vibrant cultural performances, sacred rituals, and breathtaking views. 
 
Each day promises new discoveries, from traditional mask dances to the stunning beauty of the Himalayan landscape. Curious about what’s in store? This adventure will leave you enchanted and eager for more!

Day 1

Arrival in Paro, Bhutan

Welcome to Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Touching down at Paro International Airport, you will be greeted by your guide upon exiting the arrival hall. Today, we will take it easy to acclimatize to the altitude. Drive to Thimphu, check in to the hotel, and let’s have your first taste of Bhutanese cuisine and some light sightseeing in Thimphu if possible.
 
Buddha Point at Kuensel Phodrang -The 169 feet bronze statue of Buddha Dordenma , Vajra Throne Buddha symbolizing indestructibility will be completed soon. The Buddha statue itself is competed awaiting paintings, but visitors can drive up to the Buddha point and view the tallest statue of Lord Buddha. The view of Thimphu valley from the Buddha point is spectacular and beautiful, especially at night.
 
National Memorial Chorten - Which was built in honor of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk.
Thimphu Dzong - The largest Dzong is also the seat of the office of the King of Bhutan.

Day 2

Tour of Thimphu

Explore Bhutan's capital, Thimphu, and dive into its rich cultural heritage and local traditions. Here’s what you’ll experience:
 
Visit the Heritage Museum – Discover Bhutan’s rural past through a fascinating exhibition of artifacts used in traditional households.
Tour the Textile Museum – Witness the art of traditional weaving, a craft deeply ingrained in Bhutanese culture.
Paper-Making Factory – Learn about the ancient art of papermaking, a unique Bhutanese craft.
Visit the Takin Enclosure – See Bhutan’s national animal, the Takin, a creature with the body of a goat and the head of a cow, at the viewpoint over Thimphu.
 
Centenary Farmers’ Market - Every Saturday and Sunday most of the Thimphu population congregate on the banks of the river where the weekend market is held. Here villagers from the valley and other nearby places come to sell their agriculture products.

Day 3

Thimphu to Punakha

On the third day of your trip, you will embark on a scenic drive from Thimphu to Punakha, where you’ll explore some of Bhutan's most iconic landmarks and breathtaking views. Along the way, you’ll encounter remarkable monuments and architectural wonders that tell the story of Bhutan's rich history and culture:
 
Dochula Pass - the 108 chortens was built by the present Queen Mother of Bhutan, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over Indian militants and to liberate the souls of the souls lost.
 
Punakha Dzong - Built in 1637, the dzong continues to be the winter home for the clergy, headed by the Chief Abbott, the Je Khenpo. It is a stunning example of Bhutanese architecture, sitting at the fork of two rivers, portraying the image of a medieval city from a distance. The dzong was destroyed by fire and glacial floods over the years but has been carefully restored and is, today, a fine example of Bhutanese craftsmanship. 
 
Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten - Built by the third Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Yangdon wangchuck this Chorten is a splendid example of of the Bhutanese architecture and art and is the only one of its kind in the world. It has been built over eight and a half years and its details have been drawn from religious scripture.

Day 4

Punakha to Paro (Dochu La Festival)

Immerse yourself in the vibrant Dochula Festival at Dochula Pass before heading to Paro, a stunning valley rich in history and culture. Paro is home to some of Bhutan’s oldest monasteries, temples, and the country’s only airport. Here’s what your day will include:

Attend Dochula Festival – Experience the colorful and lively Dochula Festival at Dochula Pass, celebrating Bhutan’s victory and honoring its rich cultural traditions.
 
Paro Valley – Explore the scenic valley, known for its monasteries, temples, and majestic views of Mount Chomolhari (7,300 meters). The glacier waters of the mountain form the Pachu River, which flows through the valley.
 
Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong) – Visit this 15th-century fortress monastery, which also serves as the administrative center of the Paro district.
 
Drukgyal Dzong – Take a morning drive to the ruins of this historic dzong, built in 1647 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate Bhutan’s victories. Walk through the remains and relive the glory of its past.

Day 5

Paro

Spend the day exploring the historical and spiritual landmarks of Paro, a valley steeped in Bhutan's ancient culture and traditions.
The beautiful valley of Paro is home to many of Bhutan's old monasteries and temples. The country's only airport is in Paro. The valley is also home to Mount Jomolhari (7, 300m) situated at the northern end of the valley whose glacier water forms the Pa Chhu flowing through the valley.
 
Kyichu Lhakhang - Visit Bhutan's oldest temple, built in the 7th century by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo to subdue a demoness hindering the spread of Buddhism. This sacred site, known for its peaceful atmosphere, is one of the 108 temples said to have been constructed in a single night. Explore the nearby museum dedicated to the late Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, featuring photographs and artifacts.
 
Dumtse Lhakhang - Built in 1433 by the iron bridge builder Thangton Gyalpo, the temple was built to subdue a demoness and so was chained firmly to the ground. It's three floors represents hell, earth and heaven. To enter Dumtse Lhakhang, you will require a special permit. 

Day 6

Paro

Delve deeper into Paro's rich history and spiritual significance by visiting some of Bhutan's most iconic landmarks. Here's what you'll experience today:
 
Drukgyal Dzong - A morning drive north of Paro Valley brings us to the ruins of Drukgyal Dzong. Built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father and unifier of medieval Bhutan, the Dzong was destroyed by an accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. Explore the ramparts and relive the memories of a glorious past.
 
Taktsang Monastery - A one hour hike to the cafeteria is also a vantage view whereby you can enjoy the stunning view of the monastery. Prayer flags adorn the cliffs and this is also where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in the 8th century.
 
Kyichu Lhakhang - After a sumptuous local lunch, we will retrace our steps to visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan.

Day 7

Depart Paro

We hope by now you would have made some friends and also kept many photos and beautiful memories of Bhutan! And we look forward to seeing you again in this beautiful land of endless Enchantments! Tashi Delek!


We invite you to explore more with our Bhutan Festival Tours. As a trusted Bhutan tour agency, we tailor our tours to provide an in-depth experience of Bhutan's unique festivals and traditions, deepening your understanding and appreciation of this culturally vibrant country. Contact us today!

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✓ What's Included

✓ Suitable Months
  • 13th December
    For Travel during the months of December:
  • USD 1,490 or 1 person traveler
  • USD 1,430 per person for 2 person travelers
  • USD 1,250 per person for group with 3 or more

See our payment options
✖ What's Excluded

✓ Our Guarantee

Guaranteed Visa approval. We have yet to disappoint a single one of our travellers in terms of Visa issuance.

Authentic, Safe, And Comfortable Accommodations. Your choice of hotels will be confirmed for your inspection before your arrival. We only book you on hotels which we love and would love again.

Expert English-Speaking Guides. Our expert local guides ensure a safe journey all throughout your adventure. We will be happy to change your guide, driver or vehicle on the first two days of arrival in Thimphu if you are not satisfied with our selection. Drop us a note, and our hospitality team will be on the spot to assist you.

We're always ready to assist you. Our world-class member services team is available by phone or email. There's no automated system or call center; you'll communicate with a real person.

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Here is what you can expect from us

  • Let us guarantee your visa or all your money returned
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Recent Customer Reviews

Star 4-5 4.9 / 5.0 ( Read Reviews )


 
AS
Alvin Teow B S
Singapore, Mar 2018
Star 5

Excellent one stop services for the Bhutan's trip and I never regretted choosing to go with Druk Asia. The 7D6N trip have given me and my wife an understanding of the rich Buddhist culture and lifestyle of Bhutan.

From the pick up at Paro International Airport on the first day to the sending off on the last day by the Guide and Driver were seamlessly perfect. The hotels are great but the free WIFI have rooms for improvement for the 3 stars hotel/resort that we had stayed in.

Every meal is fantastic especially the vegetable dishes.

The climb to Tiger's nest was most memorable especially when rookies like us were struggling to climb up the path and you see elderly locals walked past us effortlessly.

Definitely will go to Bhutan again with Druk Asia!

+Read Full Review


SS
Sandra Sandu
Singapore, Dec 2017
Star 5

I had a fantastic time in Bhutan and enjoyed every minute.

My dedicated guide Ms Tashi Dema and my driver Dorji Dago were excellent in every way and very professional.
I would like to thank them from the bottom of my heart. The new Hyundai Santa Fe car 2200 cc was excellent with good road holding. Im glad i went alone and did not join the tour because it gave me more flexibility.
Will certainly return to Bhutan in April.

+Read Full Review


CK
Cheryl Koh
Singapore, Dec 2017
Star 5

We had a wonderful and magical time in Bhutan. You have an amazing country and we left in awe.
About the trip - we feel privileged to have been amongst the few travellers to have visited Bhutan.
The itinerary was fine, as per what was described in your travel notes. So we were well prepared. We were lucky to have encountered National Day and saw some of the festivities. We also enjoyed the traditional festival (sorry forgot the name for that). I think besides the amazing scenery, the other most interesting aspect of the tour is understanding the culture of Bhutan.
For this, the guide plays a very important role. He/She is almost the only touchpoint we have to understanding the culture better. We felt Kunzang was good with children and willing to be patient with them. Perhaps she could

+Read Full Review


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Frequently Asked Questions About Dochula Pass Festival

How Physically Demanding Is The Tour, Especially The Hike To Taktsang Monastery?

The tour includes a moderate one-hour hike to the Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest). While it can be challenging, there are rest stops along the way, and the pace can be adjusted to suit individual needs. The rest of the tour involves sightseeing, which is less physically demanding.

Do I Need Any Special Permits To Visit Certain Sites On The Itinerary?

Yes, a special permit is required to enter Dumtse Lhakhang. Druk Asia will handle all necessary permits for the tour, ensuring a hassle-free experience for visitors.

What Should I Pack For The Tour, Especially For The Festival?

Pack comfortable walking shoes, warm clothing (especially for the early morning Dochula Pass visit), and a camera to capture the stunning landscapes and vibrant festival scenes. Don't forget sunscreen, as the high altitude can intensify sun exposure.

How Can I Book The Dochula Pass Festival Tour?

ou can book the Dochula Pass Festival tour through Druk Asia, a trusted Bhutan travel agency, which will handle all arrangements from flights to accommodation and festival access.

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