Bhutan's culture is rich and diverse, preserved through years of isolation and a very active spirit to maintain 'the Bhutanese way of life'. The best place to experience Bhutanese culture is undoubtedly a trip through its rural heartland. Bhutan Trails offers a unique opportunity to experience the Bhutanese rural lifestyle with a community tour - a chance to travel through, meet and experience a way of living relatively unchanged for hundreds of years. Another often quoted cultural highlight of our guests visits to Bhutan are undoubtedly its rich and colorful religious festivals (Tshechus).
Festivals
At Bhutan's heart are its festivals. The most important are the religious dance festivals, known as Tshechus held in different districts at specific dates during the year. Festivals attract local communities who travel from the remotest of villages to celebrate. They are not somber formal religious affairs but occasions to get together, renew old acquaintances and dress up in your best clothes. They are riots of colors, smells and noise. Visitors can either attend the full proceedings or dip in and out when they wish. 
The Tshechus are celebrated for three to five days and commemorate the great deeds of Guru Rimpoche, the founding saint of Buddhism in Bhutan. Some Dzongs (Temple fortresses) also have local festivals called Dromche, held in honor of Yeshi Gompo (Mahakala) or Pledon Lhamo (Mahakali) the two main protective deities of the nation. Masked dances and other rituals are performed in the courtyard and temples.
The origin of most of the mask dances that can be seen at the festivals can be traced to before the Middle Ages with each dance having a deep religious significance. Performed by monks and villagers, in a swirl of colors and noise the gods and demons of Buddhist mythology come to life. The proceedings are lightened by the presence of the masked Atsaras (Jesters) who amuse the audience with their antics.
Community Tours
Exploring and experiencing Bhutan's rural life style.
In Bhutan, every district, community and village has developed their own uniqueness including festivals that are little known, even to the urban Bhutanese. The community tours Bhutan Trails offers are a rare opportunity to travel to a distant community/village and not only witness a local festival but also become completely immersed into the life of the people there.
This is a very good opportunity for those interested in indigenous communities, anthropological studies and in general those who really want to wander off the beaten track. For detailed itinerary Contact us at email: bhutantrails@druknet.bt We can customize the community tour to suit your interests
Other Itinerary Ideas:
Visit a traditional farmhouse & lunch with the farmers!
Experience and have lunch in a traditional manner and be shown round the farm by the farmer himself. The farm has been in the same family for over 300 yrs.
Experience Bhutanese traditional dance
We can arrange a private Cultural Dance Performance (and tutorial if you wish!) for groups of six or more
Explore the weekend market 
Wander round the vibrant Thimpu Weekend Market - where buyers and sellers from all over Bhutan come to exchange their wears.
Learn Archery
Learn the ancient art of Archery in the traditional manner from your own personal tutor, and visit an archery competition to see the how the locals compete.
Visit the National Museum
Visit a Watchtower Museum where you can come face to face with ancient weaponry, artifacts, and view religious relics re-discovered through spiritual insight.
Learn Bhutanese Cooking or papermaking
We can provide you with an experienced tutor in Bhutanese cooking or traditional papermaking.
Visit a traditional Village
Visit Ura Village a traditional village set in Bhutan's central district and has become well known for its arresting beauty and charm. It is believed to be the home of the earliest inhabitants of Bhutan. The town's houses are packed into cobblestone winding streets leading to the central town temple - a truly medieval atmosphere. 
Day hike to a Palace Museum
Take a day hike to a 16 th century palace (Ugyen Chholing Palace) recently turned into a very extensive and informative museum. The visitor is taken on a journey into the lives of a Bhutanese Royal family several hundred years ago. If you wish we could even arrange for you to stay a night within the palace grounds!
Explore the East, the most unique and least explored corner of Bhutan's Culture!
Explore Eastern Bhutan, remote, and often left of visitor's itineraries. Bhutanese see this area of the country as the traditional center of Bhutanese culture. It is a home to minority ethnic groups -some of which total less than a 1000 people, and a center for many unique handicrafts. If you wish we can arrange for you to spend several days discovering this far-flung corner of the Kingdom.
Learn about Himalayan traditional medicine from the experts
Learn about the traditional Bhutanese system of medicine called 'So-ba Rig-pa' from a traditional medicine Doctor. Visit the international recognized National Institute for Traditional Medicine and learn about how natural plants are used to treat illnesses. Diagnosis is made predominately through measuring a patients pulse!
