Festival
Jakar Tshechu
Masked dances at the dzong of the white bird
- 18–21 October 2026
- Jakar Dzong, Bumthang
The festival
What happens
Jakar Dzong stands on a ridge above the town of Jakar, looking down the Chokhor valley, the widest of the four valleys of Bumthang. Its name is usually explained as the dzong of the white bird: the story is that a white bird rose and settled on this ridge while lamas were looking for a place to build, and they took it as a sign. The first building here dates from the middle of the 16th century, and the dzong grew into the seat from which the east of the country was governed.
The tshechu is held in the dzong’s courtyard over four days in the ninth month of the Bhutanese calendar, which falls in October or November. It is the festival of the dzong and its monks, as distinct from the older festivals of the village temples around it.
What you see
The days are filled with cham, the masked dances that are the centre of every tshechu, performed by monks and by laymen. Accounts of the festival name the Guru Tshengye, in which the eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche appear one after another, and the drum dance of Drametse among them. Between the dances the atsaras, masked clowns with a licence to mock anyone, work the crowd, and women from the valley sing and dance in a line. On the last day a thongdrel of the Guru is shown, for people to be blessed by.
Because the courtyard is small, you sit close to the dancers, and most of the audience are families from the valley who have come in their best clothes with a picnic.
Other festivals close by
Bumthang has more festivals than any other district, and several fall near this one. In 2026 Jambay Lhakhang Drup begins five days after Jakar Tshechu ends, and Prakhar Duchhoed a day later, so a longer stay can take in two.
Practical notes
- Bumthang lies at 2,600 m. Days in late autumn are bright and mild, and nights fall to freezing.
- Dress as you would for a temple: long sleeves, long trousers or a long skirt, and no hat inside the dzong.
- Arrive early for a place at the edge of the courtyard, and do not step onto the dance ground.
- Bumthang has a limited number of hotel rooms, and they fill when a festival is on.
See it for yourself
A trip planned around Jakar Tshechu
A private trip, with your own guide and driver, timed so that you are there for the festival. Every day of it can be changed.
- 9 days / 8 nights
- Starts and ends in Paro
From US$2,195 per person Enquire about this trip
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Day 1
Arrive in Paro and drive to Thimphu
Your guide meets you at the airport and we drive to Thimphu. In the afternoon we visit the National Memorial Chorten and the Buddha Dordenma.
- Travel
- 54 km, about 1 hour
- Altitude
- Thimphu, 2,334 m
- Overnight
- Thimphu
- Meals
- Lunch, dinner
-
Day 2
Over Dochu La to Punakha
We cross Dochu La, where 108 chortens stand on the pass and the Himalaya shows on a clear morning, and come down to Punakha. In the afternoon we walk through the fields to Chimi Lhakhang and visit Punakha Dzong.
- Travel
- 76 km, 2 to 3 hours
- Altitude
- Punakha, 1,242 m
- Overnight
- Punakha
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
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Day 3
Punakha to the Phobjikha valley
We drive up through Wangdue Phodrang to the wide glacial valley of Phobjikha, visit Gangtey Goenpa on its rise above the marsh, and walk the nature trail down through the pines.
- Travel
- 75 km, 2 to 3 hours
- Altitude
- Phobjikha, 3,000 m
- Overnight
- Phobjikha
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
-
Day 4
Phobjikha to Bumthang, by Trongsa
We cross Pele La into central Bhutan, stop at Trongsa for the dzong and lunch, and reach Bumthang in the late afternoon.
- Travel
- About 5 hours of driving, plus stops
- Altitude
- Bumthang, 2,600 m
- Overnight
- Bumthang
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
-
Day 5
Jakar Tshechu
We walk up to the dzong in the morning and spend the day at the festival, coming and going as you please. Your guide explains each dance as it begins. In the late afternoon we visit a workshop in the town where Bumthang's cheese and honey are sold.
- Altitude
- Bumthang, 2,600 m
- Overnight
- Bumthang
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
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Day 6
The festival again, and the temples of the valley
A second morning at the dzong for the dances you have not yet seen. After lunch we visit Jambay Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in the country, and walk on to Kurjey Lhakhang.
- Altitude
- Bumthang, 2,600 m
- Overnight
- Bumthang
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
-
Day 7
Fly to Paro
The flight to Paro takes about 25 minutes. In the afternoon we visit the National Museum and Rinpung Dzong.
- Travel
- Flight of about 25 minutes
- Altitude
- Paro, 2,200 m
- Overnight
- Paro
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
-
Day 8
Hike to Tiger's Nest
We walk up to Taktsang in the morning, with a rest at the teahouse on the way, and visit Kyichu Lhakhang in the afternoon.
- Travel
- About 7 km on foot, 4 to 5 hours
- Altitude
- Tiger's Nest, 3,120 m
- Overnight
- Paro
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
-
Day 9
Depart from Paro
Your guide and driver take you to the airport after breakfast.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Prices
What the trip costs
| Group size | Price in US dollars |
|---|---|
| Solo traveller | US$2,805 |
| 2 travellers | US$2,275 per person |
| 3 or more travellers | US$2,195 per person |
Prices are per person in US dollars and include the Sustainable Development Fee and the visa fee.
This trip runs privately, on the dates of the festival. Festival dates are tentative until the year itself, so confirm them with us before you book flights.
Included
- Sustainable Development Fee (US$100 per person per night)
- Bhutan visa fee (US$40) and visa processing
- 3-star hotels, in a twin or double room
- All meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Licensed English-speaking guide throughout
- Private vehicle and driver, including airport transfers
- Bottled water in the vehicle
Not included
- Entry fees for monuments and museums, about US$90 per person
- Flights to and from Paro
- Domestic flight from Bumthang to Paro
- Travel insurance
- Tips for your guide and driver
- Drinks, laundry and personal spending
- Single room supplement, US$35 per room per night
See it for yourself
Other trips that fit this festival
Any of these can be timed to the festival dates. Tell us which days you want to be there.
Festival tour
Jambay Lhakhang Drup Festival Tour
Bumthang, Trongsa, Phobjikha and 1 more
Ten days to central Bhutan for the late-autumn festival at Jambay Lhakhang, known for its fire blessing and midnight dance.
Cultural tour
Heart of the Himalayas
Punakha, Phobjikha, Trongsa and 1 more
Nine days from Paro to Bumthang by road, through Punakha, Phobjikha and Trongsa, with a short flight back.
Questions
Asked about this festival
Are festival dates fixed?
Most are not. Bhutan’s festivals follow the lunar calendar, so they fall on different dates each year. The Department of Tourism and the Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators publish a list for each year and label it tentative, because dates can still move.
Our festival calendar shows the official dates and the day we last checked them. Confirm with us before you book flights. The Black-Necked Crane Festival is the exception: it is held on 11 November every year. If you are deciding between festivals, read how to choose a Bhutan festival.
Can I take photographs at a festival?
Yes, in the courtyard or festival ground, from where you are sitting. Do not step into the dance area or block other people’s view, and ask before photographing anyone at close range. Photography is never allowed inside temples and shrines.
A few rituals may not be photographed at all, among them the midnight Tercham at Jambay Lhakhang. Your guide will tell you. Drones are not permitted.
What should I wear to a festival?
A festival is a religious occasion and Bhutanese come in their best clothes. Wear long sleeves and full-length trousers or a long skirt, and take off your hat inside a dzong. You will be sitting on stone for hours, often in strong sun, so bring a cushion, a sun hat for outside the dzong, water and a warm layer for the early morning.
Enquire
Plan a trip around Jakar Tshechu
Hotels near festival grounds fill early. Tell us your dates and we will check what is still available.