Festival
Nalakhar Tshechu
A village festival at the Swan Temple
- 24–26 November 2026
- Ngang Lhakhang, Nalakhar, Bumthang
The festival
What happens
Ngang Lhakhang, the Swan Temple, stands in the village of Nalakhar at the head of the Chokhor valley, about an hour north of Jakar by a farm road. It was founded in the 15th century by a lama from Tibet, Namkha Samdrup. The story is that when he reached this place he saw two swans circling, and took it as the sign he had been told to look for. The temple burnt down in the 19th century and was rebuilt in the 1970s.
The tshechu is held for three days from the 15th day of the tenth month of the Bhutanese calendar, in November or December. It is said to have been started by the founder when his temple was consecrated, and it is held in his honour, with prayers for the harvest and for the valley.
What you see
The masked dances are performed in the courtyard by the men of the village, who learn them from their fathers, and the women sing and dance between them. A few hundred people come, from the farms higher up the valley. There are no stalls and no seating, and a visitor is likely to be given tea.
Practical notes
- Bumthang lies at 2,600 m, and Nalakhar is higher. Late November is cold all day and well below freezing at night.
- You can drive, or walk up the river from Thangbi Lhakhang in about two hours.
- Stay in Jakar.
- On the first day of the tshechu the Singye Cham is performed at Jambay Lhakhang, lower down the valley.
See it for yourself
A trip planned around Nalakhar 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
-
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
-
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
Nalakhar Tshechu
We drive up the valley to Thangbi and walk on along the river to Nalakhar, two hours on a level path, arriving for the dances. The vehicle meets us there for the drive back.
- Travel
- About 2 hours of driving in all, and 2 hours on foot
- Altitude
- Bumthang, 2,600 m
- Overnight
- Bumthang
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
-
Day 6
The temples of Bumthang
We visit Jambay Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in the country, where another small festival is held at this season, then walk on to Kurjey Lhakhang and cross the river to Tamshing 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 Nalakhar Tshechu
Hotels near festival grounds fill early. Tell us your dates and we will check what is still available.