Festival
Pemagatshel Tshechu
A festival in a new dzong, in the land of the lotus
- 18–21 October 2026
- Pemagatshel Dzong, Pemagatshel
The festival
What happens
Pemagatshel is a small district of steep ridges in the south-east, off the road between Samdrup Jongkhar and Trashigang. Its name was given by the lama Dudjom Rinpoche and means the blissful land of the lotus: the ridges round the old dzong are said to open like the petals of one.
The district has a new dzong, at Denchi, consecrated on 22 September 2023. The tshechu, the largest gathering of the year here, was held in it for the first time in 2025. People from distant villages who had given up the long journey to the old dzong were able to come again.
What you see
The tshechu runs for four days in the ninth month of the Bhutanese calendar, in October or November. Monks and laymen perform the masked dances, the villages send their dancers and singers, and the atsaras keep everyone laughing. On the last morning a thongdrel is unrolled before sunrise, and people file past to be blessed by it.
Pemagatshel is known across Bhutan for two things: the long trumpets, drums and other instruments of the temples, many of which are made in its villages, and a sweet of molasses that visitors are certain to be given.
Practical notes
- Pemagatshel lies off the highway north from Samdrup Jongkhar, so it comes at the start of a trip that enters Bhutan from Assam. It is about 90 km from the border: allow three and a half hours.
- Accommodation is simple and limited.
- The thongdrel is shown before dawn, so expect a very early start on the last day.
- Jakar Tshechu, in Bumthang, falls on the same days.
See it for yourself
A trip planned around Pemagatshel 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.
- 11 days / 10 nights
- Samdrup Jongkhar to Paro
From US$2,635 per person Enquire about this trip
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Day 1
Arrive at Samdrup Jongkhar
Guwahati, in Assam, is the nearest airport, about three hours by road from the border. Your guide meets you at the gate at Samdrup Jongkhar, and the evening is free in this small, warm border town.
- Travel
- About 3 hours by road from Guwahati
- Overnight
- Samdrup Jongkhar
- Meals
- Dinner
-
Day 2
Samdrup Jongkhar to Pemagatshel
We climb out of the plains on the highway north and turn off along the ridges to Pemagatshel, arriving for the afternoon's dances at the dzong.
- Travel
- About 90 km, about 3½ hours
- Altitude
- Pemagatshel
- Overnight
- Pemagatshel
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
-
Day 3
Pemagatshel Tshechu
A day at the festival. If this is its last day, we are at the dzong before dawn to see the thongdrel. In the afternoon we visit a village where the trumpets and drums of the temples are made.
- Altitude
- Pemagatshel
- Overnight
- Pemagatshel
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
-
Day 4
Pemagatshel to Trashigang
Back to the highway and north, with stops at the weaving centre at Khaling and at Sherubtse College in Kanglung, before the road drops to Trashigang.
- Travel
- About 130 km, about 5 hours
- Altitude
- Trashigang, 1,160 m
- Overnight
- Trashigang
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
-
Day 5
Gom Kora and Trashi Yangtse
We follow the river north to Gom Kora, the temple and black rock where Guru Rinpoche is said to have meditated, and on to Trashi Yangtse for Chorten Kora, the great white stupa, and the school of traditional arts.
- Travel
- 112 km there and back, about 4 hours of driving
- Altitude
- Trashi Yangtse, 1,750 m
- Overnight
- Trashigang
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
-
Day 6
Trashigang to Mongar
We drive west over Kori La to Mongar, stopping on the way at the turning for Drametse, the monastery where the drum dance seen at every tshechu was first performed.
- Travel
- 90 km, 3 to 4 hours
- Altitude
- Mongar, 1,600 m
- Overnight
- Mongar
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
-
Day 7
Over Thrumshing La to Bumthang
The longest drive of the trip and the finest: down to the Kuri Chhu, then up through cliffs and forest to Thrumshing La, the highest road pass on the highway, and down past Ura into Bumthang.
- Travel
- 198 km, 7 to 8 hours
- Altitude
- Bumthang, 2,600 m
- Overnight
- Bumthang
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
-
Day 8
The temples of Bumthang
We visit Jambay Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in the country, walk on to Kurjey Lhakhang and cross the river to Tamshing Lhakhang.
- Altitude
- Bumthang, 2,600 m
- Overnight
- Bumthang
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
-
Day 9
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 10
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 11
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$3,505 |
| 2 travellers | US$2,835 per person |
| 3 or more travellers | US$2,635 per person |
Prices are per person in US dollars and include the Sustainable Development Fee and the visa fee. The domestic flight from Bumthang to Paro is not included: it is charged at the airline's fare.
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.
Cultural tour
Bhutan from East to West
Trashigang and the east, Bumthang, Trongsa and 1 more
Seventeen days across the whole country, out to Trashigang and the weaving villages of the east and back to Paro.
Where
Pemagatshel Dzong, Pemagatshel
- Pemagatshel Festival ground
Pemagatshel
Two old monasteries in the south-eastern hills
Samdrup Jongkhar
The border with Assam, and the road out of the east
Trashigang and the east
Weaving villages, pilgrim sites and long roads
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 Pemagatshel Tshechu
Hotels near festival grounds fill early. Tell us your dates and we will check what is still available.