The highlight of this tour is the Punakha Festival.We
are privileged to be here among Bhutanese locals from
many different areas who gather to pay respect and
to be blessed at this social gathering. Dressed in
their finest clothes and jewelry, all that attend
this celebration of purification receive religious
merit. Here we can truly appreciate the essence of
Bhutanese people and a preserved steadfast culture.
Arrays of colorful brocades whirl through the air
as the dancers spin and dance the "thunderbolt
step". Masks of glorious demonic demons and animals
arouse your senses as you watch the purification take
place. Besides, you will visit the regular tourist
highlights of Thimpu, Paro, Gantey and Bumthang.
Day 01 : Kathmandu-Paro or Direct to Paro from
your place.
Flight to Paro . During the flight we will experience
breathtaking views of Himalayan peaks, including the
sacred Mount Chomolhari and Jitchu Drake in Bhutan.
You are received at the airport and after the processing
of your visa, your guide will escort you to your hotel
for lunch and check-in. After lunch we will visit
the National Museum (Ta-Dzong)-a watchtower converted
into the National Musuem in 1968. On the way back
visit the Paro Rinpung Dzong. In the evening we will
visit quaint Paro town and enjoy dinner at a cozy
restaurant and go over itinerary with your guide.
Day 02 : Paro-Takstang Monastery-Thimpu.
Breakfast at the hotel and a drive to Taktsang
Monastery to view an architectural wonder. Taktsang
means Tiger's Nest" and this spectacular building
perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of 3,000
ft. It is said that in the second half of the 8th
century, Guru Padma Sambhava, the second Buddha, alighted
here upon the back of a tigress. Enjoy picnic lunch
at the Taktsang cafeteria. We now return down our
path to our awaiting van and then drive 2 hours into
Thimphu, capital of Bhutan. We will make a visit to
The Tarkin camp, which houses Bhutans' National animal.
A visit to the Folk Heritage and National Library,
where ancient manuscripts are preserved is a wonderful
educational experience. Tour Tashichho Dzong, which
houses the throne room central monastic body and government
ministries. Overnight hotel.
Day 03 : At Thimpu
After a wholesome breakfast, we prepare for our day
outing. A visit to the house of incense and a wonderful
hand made paper factory, as well as a stop to watch
local archers at play. A tour of the Textile Museum
and back to the hotel to enjoy lunch. In the afternoon
we depart for Tango Monastery. Embark on a vigorous
2- hour hike up the mountain to Tango Goemba Monastery,
one of my favorite experiences in Bhutan. Today Tango
is home to the eight-year-old reincarnate Lama, Gyaltse
Tenzin Rabgye. Meet with monks for discussions. Overnight
hotel
Day 04 : Thimpu-Wangdue Podrang
After breakfast, we depart Thimphu for central Bhutan,
driving to Wangdue Phodrang, across Dochula Pass at
10,500 ft. Prayer flags send prayers on the wind.
Enjoy spectacular views of the Eastern Himalayan Mountains.
Stop for lunch at Lobesa. After lunch we will take
a short hike to Chhi-Med Lhakhang in the picturesque
Lobesa valley. We visit the temple of one of Bhutan's
foremost saints, Lama Drukpa Kunley, also known as
the "Divine Madman", whom you are getting
to know. Continuing our drive to Wangdi and a stop
to visit the Fertility Temple Chimed Lhakhang. Check
in our hotel, relax and enjoy views from our balcony
room overlooking Wangduephodrang and the pristine
river flowing through the valley. Overnight hotel.
Day 05 : Observe Punakha Festival and return to
Wangdue
Breakfast and depart hotel. Today we attend a FULL
day at PUNAKHA FESTIVAL. Your senses will awake upon
entering the impressive courtyard of the Punakha Dzong.
Load your camera and with respect to the religious
festival you witness, capture its essence. We are
privileged to be here among Bhutanese locals from
many different areas who gather to pay respect and
to be blessed at this social gathering. Dressed in
their finest clothes and jewelry, all that attend
this celebration of purification receive religious
merit. Here we can truly appreciate the essence of
Bhutanese people and a preserved steadfast culture.
Arrays of colorful brocades whirl through the air
as the dancers spin and dance the "thunderbolt
step". Masks of glorious demonic demons and animals
arouse your senses as you watch the purification take
place. Return to hotel in Wandue.
Day 06 : Punakha Festival-Gangtey
Breakfast and return to Punakha FESTIVAL in the morning.
One more opportunity to reveal in this glorious festival,
full of color, horns, drums, mystical dance, costumes,
masks and intensity. Festival deities are invoked
through benediction and luck is increased and misfortunate
gone After lunch drive to Gangtey Valley, about a
three-hour drive. Gangtey is the winter habitant of
the famous black-necked-cranes, which migrate from
Tibet and Siberia. Impressive and beautiful these
large and graceful birds migrate each year from Tibet
and Siberia to Gangtey Valley. Punishment imposed
on anyone injuring a Black Neck Crane is lifetime
imprisonment. Overnight at local guest house.
Day 07 : Gangtey-Trongsa
Early breakfast and depart for our visit to the roosting
place of the black neck cranes and the famous Gangtey
Monastery. We stop as well at a local handcrafted
carpet factory and visit a farmhouse for local hospitality.
Extremely enjoyable and fun. Continue our drive to
Trongsa, about 5 to 6 hours drive. Overnight Guest
house.
Day 08 : Trongsa-Bumthang
After breakfast we visit the Trongsa Dzong-the ancestral
home of Bhutan monarch. After lunch we leave Trongsa
and head to Jakar, in the central district of Bumthang,
a 4-to 5 hour drive eastward. We cross over Yotongla
Pass at 11,300 ft. Here you get your first glimpse
of the Black Mountains. This drive between Trongsa
and Bumthang is the most scenic and exciting leg of
the journey into the clouds, as you cross-rivers and
streams and pass a chorten with water-driven prayer
wheels and colorful rock carvings. An hour outside
of Bumthang, just after crossing the Yotongla pass,
you make the first sighting of the golden-roofed Jakar
Dzong, the Castle of the White Bird, with the Chamkar
river cascading in one continuous waterfall down through
the valley beneath. Overnight: River Lodge
Day 09 : At Bumthang
Today we enjoy Bumthang sightseeing. We will drive
to Tang Valley and hike to visit the Ugyenchholing
Dzong- the former palace of Trongsa Penlop Tsokey
Dorji. You will visit the Ugyenchholing Palace, now
housing the Family Museum, a place that will transport
you to another world and time. You will view permanent
exhibits recreated to capture the ambience of the
lifestyle of the Trongsa Penelop (Governor) Tshokey
Dorji and his household.Continuing from Ugyenchholing,
we reach the Rimochen Lhakhang, a temple dedicated
to Guru Rimpoche, the Patron Saint of Bhutan. We also
visit Rimochen Temple, another temple blessed by Guru
Rimpoche and where imprints of the Saint's foot and
body can be seen on the rock. In the evening we visit
a farmhouse for local hospitality and conversation.
Overnight at the River Lodge Guest House
Day 10 : Bumthang-Ura Valley
After buckwheat breakfast, we depart Bumthang, but
not until we stop at the local merchant shops for
fabulous textile and handmade items. Watch local weaver,
experts with wooden looms, weave their magic fabric.
We now depart for a day excursion to Ura Valley, one
of the most beautiful of all valleys in central Bhutan.
Medieval in its cobblestone streets and quaint farmhouses,
Ura Valley is mystical. We explore Ura and meet with
some of friendly locals, perhaps view the temple.
Overnight local lodge, in the evening enjoy local
dance and music and wine around bon-fire.
Day 11 : Ura- Wangdue- phodrang
En route visit the Yatha Textile Centre in Chumey
Valley; exquisite fabric and textile. Tonight after
a relaxing dinner, we will enjoy a drive and evening
tour of the Wangdu Dzong courtyard. Overnight at Dragon's
Nest.
Day 12 : Wangdue-Thimpu-Paro
Breakfast and continue on westward toward Thimphu.
Check in our hotel and enjoy lunch. We then visit
the famous weekend market, a must in Bhutan. The marketplace
is alive with fresh and organic fruits, rice, chilies,
wonderful textiles, handicrafts, art, and jewelry
and so much fun! There are many kodak moments here.
After the marketplace we experience shopping in Thimphu.
This is your time to purchase special items you may
want to bring home for your Bhutan treasure. Thankgas,
fabric, masks and so much more. Your guide will assist
you. We depart for our drive to Paro, check in our
hotel and enjoy our farewell dinner at a local Paro
restaurant. Overnight Hotel.
Day 13 : Paro-Departure
Early breakfast and depart Bhutan for your return
flight.
Tour
Cost & Inquiry
askinfo@enet.com.np
info@nepaltravels.com
Price Feature:
Individual Prices: High Season US$190.00 Each
Day, Low Season US$ 180.00 pp Each Day
COST INCLUDES :
- All Land transports (Toyota luxury coach, ac/non
ac cars)
- Ponies, Riding horses and yaks( on request) for
Trekking
- Twin Sharing Accommodation in the best available
mode(Hotels or Tourist Cottage) with Full board
meals (catered to Personal orders and tastes)
- English Speaking guide
- Temple and Monasteries Entrance fees and Permit,
- During Trek accommodation in tents with therm
rest mattresses with freshly cooked full board Meals,
required porters, Cook, Kitchen Boy, Sherpa Staff
, Dinning Tent, First Aid Kid
- Hot drinks; Like Tea, Coffee, Hot Chocolate,
Kitchen Tent, Toilet Tent, Chair and Table, Cutlery
Set, twin sharing basis,
COST EXCLUDES :
- Flight Ticket: Delhi/Bangkok/Kathmandu-Paro via
Versa flight ticket costs,
- visa fees (US$ 20),
- airport departure tax (US$ 10),
- Bar drinks, personal expenses, laundry and Tipping
