Festival
Tangsibi Mani
Three dances seen in one village only
- 22–24 February 2027
- Dechenling Lhakhang, Tangsibi, Bumthang
The festival
What happens
Tangsibi is a village of about 350 people on the road east from Jakar towards Ura, a little over half an hour’s drive. Its festival is held at its temple, Dechenling Lhakhang, a building of three storeys.
The village traces the festival to Sherab Mebar, a finder of hidden teachings who came to Bhutan from Kham, in eastern Tibet, in the 14th century and is held to have recognised this as a holy place. People here say it has been held for more than seven hundred years, which would make it one of the oldest in Bumthang.
What you see
The festival runs for three days in the first month of the Bhutanese calendar, in February or March. The dances were composed by Sherab Mebar, the villagers say, and three of the masked dances are theirs alone: they have not heard of them being performed in any other district.
Everyone takes part, young and old, in the masked dances and in the folk dances between them, and the village eats together. Many of its young people have stayed on after finishing school, and there is no shortage of dancers.
Practical notes
- It is the end of winter. Bumthang lies at 2,600 m and Tangsibi is higher: expect frost, and perhaps snow.
- Tharpaling Thongdrol is two days before, on 20 February in 2027. One stay in Bumthang takes in both.
- This is a village festival. There is no seating: bring something to sit on, and something warm to drink.
- Stay in Jakar.
See it for yourself
A trip planned around Tangsibi Mani
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
Tangsibi Mani
We drive east from Jakar to Tangsibi for a day at the festival, and go on to Ura, the highest village in Bumthang, in the afternoon if you wish.
- Travel
- About 100 km there and back, 3 hours of driving
- 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, 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.
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.
Cultural tour
Bhutan Grand Cultural Tour
Bumthang, Trongsa, Phobjikha and 1 more
Ten days from Paro to Bumthang, with three nights in central Bhutan and a day in the Tang valley.
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 Tangsibi Mani
Hotels near festival grounds fill early. Tell us your dates and we will check what is still available.