Living Culture


In almost every Dzong (fortress that house both the monastic and the government administrative wings) there is an annual traditional festival (tsechus) that normally spans 3-4 days. Colorful and well choreographed mask dances are performed during the tsechus. Due to the nature of the lunar calendar, exact dates for tsechus vary from year to year.

Trekking in Bhutan

Trekking involves walking through routes that pass by some of the highest mountain in the world. These mountains are permanently covered in snow and remain unclimbed mountaineering is forbidden in Bhutan because of the belief that mountains are abodes and representation of holy deities. The most appropriate trekking times are mid-March to mid-May and mid September to the beginning of November. There are however, also trekking routes that are better suited to summer and winter. The Snowman trek is said to be the hardest trek in the world (24 days trek) with 12 passes between 4,500 and 5,300 meters and overnight stays at between 3,700 and 5,100 meters.