Domkhar Festival | Exotic Vacations Bhutan

Bhutan Festival

Domkhar Festival - 10 Days

Bhutan Festival

The Domkhar Festival is a traditional tshechu (religious festival) celebrated in Domkhar, a village in the Chhume valley of Bumthang District, Bhutan. Like other tshechus in the country, it's an important cultural and spiritual event that involves mask dances (cham), folk songs, traditional attire, and religious rituals performed by monks and laypeople.

Key Features of Domkhar Festival:

Held annually, typically around April or May, though the exact dates vary according to the Bhutanese lunar calendar.
Conducted in the Domkhar Lhakhang (temple), which was built by Ngawang Chhogyel, the great grandfather of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel.
The festival is a way for the local community to accumulate merit, seek blessings, and honor Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), who brought Buddhism to Bhutan.
It includes the display of Thongdrel, a large religious tapestry (often on the final day).
Offers a deep insight into Bhutanese culture, beliefs, and traditions.

Tour Costing:

1 Pax: $3300 per person
2 Pax: $2760 per person
3 Pax and More: $2480 per person

Note: The above tour cost is inclusive of the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of US$100 per day (per adult, with concessionary rates for children). A non-refundable, one-time visa application fee of US$40 is also payable.

Entrance fees for monuments and festivals visits to be paid separately.

Included:

Accommodation (usually 3-star hotels, can upgrade at additional cost)
All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Transport within Bhutan including airport transfers.
Sustainable development fee (SDF).
Bhutan visa fee.
English speaking guide.
Sightseeing.
Bottled water.

Not Included:

International airfare to/from Bhutan.
Entrance fees for museums and monuments.
Insurance premiums.
Payments for service provided on a personal basis.
Cost for any services not mentioned in the “Cost Include head”.
Cost incurred due to mishaps, strikes, political unrest etc.
Personal expenses (souvenirs, tips, additional beverages, etc.)

Detailed Itinerary

Your guide and driver will receive you at the Paro airport and drive to the Hotel.

After lunch, visit Ta dzong, the national museum of Bhutan. Then visit Rinpung dzong built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the administrative centre of Paro district.

In the evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, drive to the airport and fly to Bumthang.

Meet & greet at the Badbalathang airport and drive to the hotel.

After lunch, visit Jakar dzong built in 1667. Then visit Jambay lhakhang built in 659 AD by the Tibetan king Srongtsen Gampo. Few kilometers away is Kurjey lhakhang where you can see the body print of Guru Padma Sambhava.

Then visit Tamshing lhakhang established in 1501 by Pema Lingpa and Kencho Sum lhakhang.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Morning – drive to the Domkhar monastery and witness Domkhar tshechu festival 2025 (Full day).

In the evening, drive back to Bumthang.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, witness Domkhar tshechu festival 2025.

Afternoon – visit to Mebar tsho or “The burning lake” where Pema Lingpa discovered the treasures hidden by Guru Rinpoche in the 14th century.

In the evening, free to stroll in the town.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Gangtey. On the way, visit Trongsa dzong built in 1648 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa. It was the seat of power over central and eastern Bhutan. The first two kings of Bhutan ruled the country from this ancient seat. Then visit the Ta dzong, the royal heritage museum.

After lunch, drive further to the beautiful valley of Gangtey. Visit Gangtey Gompa monastery founded in 1613 by Gyaltse Pema Thinley.

Explore Phobjikha valley, the roosting ground of the rare black necked cranes in winter.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Punakha. On the way, visit Wangdue Phodrang dzong built in 1638 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

It was destroyed by fire in 2012.

Visit Chimi lhakhang, the “Temple of fertility” built in 1499 by lama Drukpa Kuenley (The divine madman). He travelled throughout Bhutan and Tibet using songs and humor to dramatize his teachings of salvation through sex.

After lunch, visit to Punakha dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Punakha is the winter residence of Je Khenpo, the chief abbot of Bhutan. King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck convened the first national assembly here in 1952.

In the evening, hike to the beautiful Khamsum Yulley monastery.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Thimphu.

On the way, visit to the royal botanical garden at Lam Pelri. Then visit 108 stupas at Dochula pass and view higher Himalayas.

In the afternoon, visit to:

National postal museum where you can print your photos on the official Bhutanese stamps.
Royal textile museum.
Craft bazaar.
Tashichho dzong, the royal secretariat and the summer residence of the chief abbot of Bhutan.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

After breakfast, visit to national memorial chorten (1974) built in honor of Late His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.

Then visit the tallest statue of Buddha in the world (51.5 m) at Kuensel Phodrang. Then visit Changangkha lhakhang, the oldest temple of Thimphu valley built in the 12th century by Phajo Drugom Shigpo.

Later visit Takin preserve center, Sangay gang view point and Dupthop lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan.

After lunch at Simply Bhutan museum restaurant, visit to painting school (The school of 13 arts and crafts).

In the evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

After early breakfast, drive to Paro.

On the way, visit to Tamchog monastery built by Thang Tong Gyalpo in 1420. He built 108 bridges across Tibet and Bhutan, out of which 8 were built in Bhutan. His only surviving bridge is in Duksum, eastern Bhutan.

Then hike to the spectacular Tiger’s nest monastery (Paro Taktsang) and it takes approximately 4 hours for round trip.

After lunch, visit to Drugyal dzong built in 1647 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Then visit Kichu lhakhang built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan King Srongtsen Gampo.

In the evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

A representative of our company and the tour guide will see you off at the exit gate. Wishing you a safe and pleasant journey. See you next time!