+975 16100009
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Upper Babesa,Thimphu Bhutan
11001
Mon - Fri: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sat - Sun: 10:00 AM - 4:00
PM
The Jambay Lhakhang Drup is one of Bhutan's most sacred and mystical festivals, held each October–November at the 7th-century Jambay Lhakhang temple in the Bumthang valley — one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Bhutan, traditionally attributed to the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. The word "Drup" means ritual accomplishment, and this three-day festival is filled with an extraordinary depth of sacred ceremony.
The festival is renowned throughout the Himalayan world for the rare Tercham — the "fire dance" performed only at midnight. This ritual involves performers dancing through a ring of fire in a state of trance, believed to purify the earth and invite blessings from the enlightened masters. The atmosphere — flickering torchlight, the smell of incense and juniper smoke, the deep beat of ceremonial drums — is otherworldly and profoundly moving.
Beyond the midnight fire dance, the Jambay Lhakhang Drup features a rich programme of Cham masked dances, the burning of tormas (ritual offering sculptures), and the dramatic Mewang (fire blessing ceremony), in which the faithful pass between burning torches to receive purification. This is the Bhutan that most visitors never see — ancient, mystical, and entirely alive.
Arrive at Paro International Airport. Begin the scenic drive east to Bumthang, passing through Thimphu and Trongsa. Stop at Trongsa Dzong — the ancestral home of Bhutan's royal family — for a brief visit. Arrive in Bumthang in the evening. Welcome dinner with traditional Bumthangpa cuisine. Overnight in Bumthang.
Morning visit to Jambay Lhakhang temple — explore its sacred interior, ancient murals, and the remarkable 7th-century central chamber. Your guide will explain the temple's history, its connection to the first spreading of Buddhism across the Himalayas, and the significance of the Drup festival. Afternoon visit to Kurjey Lhakhang and Tamshing Monastery to understand the broader spiritual tapestry of Bumthang. Overnight in Bumthang.
The festival begins with the opening rituals — elaborate offering ceremonies conducted by senior monks inside the main temple. In the afternoon, the first Cham dances begin in the temple courtyard, beginning with the Black Hat Dance (Sha Nag), which purifies the performance space of negative energies. In the evening, witness the Mewang — a powerful fire blessing ceremony where devotees walk between burning torches to receive purification and good fortune. Overnight in Bumthang.
A full day of sacred Cham mask dances — including the Dance of the Lords of the Cremation Grounds (Dur Dag), the Dance of Terrifying Deities, and the beloved Atsara (clown) performances that provide comic relief between sacred dances. In the late evening, prepare for the extraordinary Tercham — the midnight fire dance. Performers, some in states of meditative trance, dance through rings of fire in a ceremony that has been performed uninterrupted at this site for over 1,000 years. This is one of the rarest rituals in the Himalayan Buddhist world. Overnight in Bumthang.
Morning at the closing ceremony of the Jambay Lhakhang Drup — the Torma (ritual offering) burning ceremony and final blessing dances. Receive the sacred red string blessing from the resident monk. Afternoon drive to the Tang valley — visit Membar Tsho (Burning Lake), the sacred lake where the treasure revealer Pema Lingpa discovered hidden Buddhist texts. Farewell dinner in Bumthang with local traditional song and dance performance. Overnight in Bumthang.
Morning drive from Bumthang to Paro via Thimphu. Stop at the Handicraft Emporium in Thimphu — purchase handwoven textiles, thangka paintings, and traditional crafts as souvenirs. Visit the Buddha Dordenma statue for final panoramic views. Transfer to Paro airport for your international departure.
