There are many interesting and colorful festivals that are held in Ladakh, mostly at Monasteries. Every summer in July, a large festival is held at the Ladakhi home of the 14th Dalai Lama in celebration of his birthday. He sometimes attends this celebration. The Hemis Tse Chu Festival is another one that draws large crowds.
If you wish to attend one of these festivals, you can consult the calendar below to schedule your trip.
Festival Dates 
Name of the Festival |
Venue |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
Spitok Gustor |
Spituk |
JAN 13, 14 |
JAN 31, FEB 01 |
JAN 21, 22 |
Dosmoche |
Leh ,Likir & Deskit Monasteries |
FEB 11,12 |
MAR 2,3 |
FEB 19,20 |
Stok Guru Tse-Cue |
Stok Monastery |
FEB 23, 24 |
MAR 14,15 |
FEB 2,3 |
Matho Nagrang |
Matho Monastery |
FEB 27,28 |
MAR 18,19 |
FEB 7,8 |
Buddha Purnima |
Leh |
MAY 27 |
JUNE 15 |
MAY 4 |
Hemis TSE-CHU |
Hemis Monastery |
JUN 21,22 |
JUL 10,11 |
JUN 29,30 |
Yuru Kabgyat (Lamayuru) |
Lamayuru Monastery |
JUN 10,11 |
JUN 28,29 |
JUN 16,17 |
Zanskar Karsha Gustor |
Karsha Monastery |
JUL 8,9 |
JUL 27,28 |
JUL 16,17 |
Ph-Yang Tsedup (Phyang) |
Phyang Monastery |
JUL 9,10 |
JUL 28,29 |
JUL 16,17 |
Korzok Gustor (Tsomoriri Lake) |
Korzok Monastery |
JUL 14,15 |
AUG 2,3 |
JUL 22,23 |
Dak-Thok Tse-Chu |
Dakthok Monastery |
JUL 20,21 |
AUG 8,9 |
JUL 28,29 |
Sant Naro Nasjal (Zangskar) |
Sani Monastery, Zanskar |
JUL 24,25 |
AUG 12,13 |
AUG 1,2 |
Shachukul Gustor |
Shachukul Monastery |
JUN 28,29 |
JUL 17,18 |
JUL 5,6 |
Thiksay Gustor |
Thiksey Monastery |
OCT 25,26 |
NOV 13,14 |
NOV 1,2 |
Chemrey Angchok |
Chemrey Monastery |
NOV 4,5 |
NOV 23,24 |
NOV 11,12 |
Galdan Namchot |
All Over Ladakh |
NOV 30 |
DEC 20 |
DEC 8 |
Losar |
All over Ladakh |
DEC 06 |
DEC 25 |
DEC 14 |
Bhutan has some of the same festivals as Ladakh, plus a few more. The festival dates and other events dates are as accurate as posiible, and are based on the lunar calemdar.
| Festival | Place | 2010 |
| Nabji Lhakhang Drup | Trongsa | Jan 1-4 |
| Punakha Dromache and Tsechu | Punakha | Feb 18-25 |
| Chorten Kora | Trashiyangtse | Feb 28-Mar 15 |
| Gomkora | Trashigang | Mar 23-25 |
| Paro Festival | Paro | Mar 26-30 |
| Chhukha Tsechu | Chhukha | Mar 28-30 |
| Domkhar Festival | Bumthang | Apr 23-25 |
| Ura Yakchoe | Bumthang | Apr 24-28 |
| Nimalung Tsechu | Bumthang | Jun 19-21 |
| Kurjey Tsechu | Bumthang | Jun 21 |
| Tamshingphala Choepa | Bumthang | Sep 16-18 |
| Thimphu Drupchen | Thimphu | Sep 12-16 |
| Thimphu Tsechu | Thimphu | Sep 17-19 |
| Wangdu Tsechu | Wangdue Phodrang | Sep 15-17 |
| Tangbi Mani | Bumthang | Sep 22-24 |
| Sumdrang Kangsol | Ura Bumthang | Oct 2-6 |
| Shingkhar Rabney | Ura Bumthang | Oct 13-18 |
| Jakar Tsechu | Bumthang | Oct 15-18 |
| Jambay Lhakhang Drup | Bumthang | Oct 22-26 |
| Prakhar Duchoed | Bumthang | Oct 23-25 |
| Birth Anniversary of 4th King of Bhutan | Bhutan | Nov 11 |
| Mongar Tsechu | Mongar | Nov 13-16 |
| Pemagatsel Tsechu | Pemagatsel | Nov 13-16 |
| Trashigang Tsechu | Trashigang | Nov 14-17 |
| Nalakhar Tsechu | Bumthang | Nov 21-23 |
| Coronation of Druk Gyalpo | Thimphu | Dec 6 |
| Trongsa Tsechu | Trongsa | Dec 15-17 |
| Lhuntse Tsechu | Lhuntse | Dec 15-17 |
| National Day | Bhutan | Dec 17 |
| Shingkhar Motochodpa | Ura Bumthang | Dec 21 |
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