New Trips 2010
Bhutan Itinerary
Being opened for Tourism in 1974, Bhutan is one of the World’s most exclusive tourist destinations. The few tourists who make the rare journey into this extraordinary Kingdom will discover that there no other destination like this land of pure and exotic mysticism. Bhutan is very possible one of the last places on earth that has not been swept by the winds of standardization that globalization has brought. This is because it has been until recently an absolute monarchy, unusually enjoying high approval of its subjects, and the kings have sought to preserve the purity and uniqueness of the culture by limiting the number and type of outside visitors(ie avoiding the fate of being invaded by back-packers as in Nepal) and resisting until relatively recently that all pervasive leveler, television. The father of the present king had decided to give his subjects democracy, and in March 2008 the country went to the polls with much trepidation. Certainly this new era will bring many changes to the country, and so a visit at this time presents an important opportunity to see it in its “before state”. Our various Cultural Tours introduces visitors to the unique aspects of Bhutanese Cultural including visit to sacred festivals and pilgrimage sites and on whichever tours you go, there are fascinating excursions to villages, Temples or scenic spots for a close look at the culture and a land which remains the most unspoiled and most beautiful example of the Himalayan ways of life in existence today. The given sample Cultural Tours Programs can be change/modified as per the situation, specification and other logistics.
Day 01.
16th Sept.
Paro
On a clear day, the flight to Paro is breath taking, with views of major Himalayan Peaks, and on the final approach Bhutan’s own snowy peaks, the sacred Jomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tserimang. You will be met by our representative and after completion of arrival formalities we will check in to our hotel and before lunch we will visit Paro vegetable market and Ringpung Dzong. Afternoon we will visit Drugyel Dzong which is 14km drive from Paro town, and on the way back we will visit Kyichu Lhakhang, which is 18th century temple built by the Tibetan King. In the evening we will cheek out some local shops.
Over night at the hotel in Paro.
Day 02.
17th September
Paro - Thimphu
Before we drive to Thimphu we will visit Paro vegetable market. Drive to Thimphu the capital of Bhutan will take us about 2 hours to cover the distances of 57Km. Stop en route at Chunzom (Confluence) at the entrance to the Paro valley, where the Paro and Thimphu rivers meet. Three Chortens on the riverbank at this place, each in a different style, marks the confluence of the two rivers. We will have lunch in Thimphu and the afternoon sightseeing in Thimphu will include a visit to Nunnery, Handicraft Emporium and Changangkha Lhakhang
Over night at the hotel in Thimphu
Day 03.
18th September
Thimphu - Thimphu
After breakfast we drive for 20 minutes to get to the road head. We will hike to a temple called Wangditshe, from where you can see the great view of the whole Thimphu valley below. It is a nice easy hike in the nature. After lunch we will drive 25 Km from the city and starts another hike to the Cheri Monastery. This is the first monastery built by Zhabdrung after his arrival from Tibet. In the evening will return to our Hotel.
Day 04
19th September
Thimphu – Punakha
Drive about 2 hours to reach Punakha Bhutan’s former Capital. Stop en route at Dochu-La pass (3088m/10,130ft) where we have 108 Chortens built in one place. On the clear day you will enjoy breath taking mountain views from this point. If you think it is worth spending time drawing, and those who are not interested we have hike to a Temple. We will have lunch at the cafeteria at the pass. In the evening we will drive to our hotel.
Day 05
20th September
Punakha – Trongsa
After breakfast we will drive to Trongsa and on our way we will visit the Wangdipgodrang Dzong built in 1638 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel and this Dzong has the pure traditional architectural design without the use of any nails and the roof is made of a wooden shingles. We will continue our drive towards Trongsa and we will be driving through the red Panda country and also we have the best chance to see some wild animals like black face languor monkey, barking deer wild boar. We will stop at the Pelela Pass which is the former boarder between western Bhutan and Eastern Bhutan. We will have lunch near the large stupa where we have a restaurant in the middle of nowhere. After lunch we will drive for about one and half hours to get to our hotel.
Day 06
21st October
Trongsa – Bumthang.
Friday
Our drive today will take about 3 hours and we will cross one pass called yotola pass which marks the border between Bumthang and Trongsa. Bumthang has four major valleys. We will enter the first valley called chumme valley and on the way we will stop to visit the product made out of yak and sheep wool. The other three valleys are Chamkhar valley, Tang valley and ura valley. Our hotel for next three days is in Chamkhar valley.
Day 07
22nd September
Bumthang – Bumthang
To day is the first day of Tangbi mani or the festival which is known as Tsechu in local terms.
Tsechu: Most Dzongs and many monasteries have an annual festival. This is a series of dances in honor of Guru Rinpoche. The biography of the Guru is highlighted by a 12-episode dance drama. The dates and the duration of the festivals very from one district to another, but they always take place on or around 10th day of the month in the Bhutanese calendar. The dances are performed by monks and as well as lay people. Many of the dances were established by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel or by Pema Lingpa. The dancers take on the aspects of wrathful and compassionate deities, heroes, demons and animals. The dances, known as cham, bring blessings upon the on lookers, instruct them in the dharma (Buddhist teaching), protect them from misfortune, and exorcise evil influences. The Tsechu is a religious festival and people believe they gain merit by attending it. Deities are invoking during the dances; through their power and benediction, misfortune may be annihilated, luck increased and wishes realized. The tsechu is also a yearly social gathering where people rejoice together, dressed in their finest clothing and jewelers.
Day 08
23rd October
Bumthang – Bumthang
Drive to witness the second day of the festival. In the afternoon we will include Jakar Dzong, Kurjey Lahkhang where Guru Rimpoche had meditated and left his body print on the rock in 8 century, and next we will visit Tamshing lhakhang, the 15 century temple and in this temple we have the original wall paintings done by Pemalingpa himself.
Day 09
24th Setpember
Bumthang – Bumthang
Today we have the option either to witness the last day of the festival or take a picnic lunch and drive to the last valley of Bumthang called Ura valley. In the evening we will drive back to our hotel.
Day 10
25th September
Bumthang - Trongsa
Drive back to Trongsa and stop at Yotola pass and we will have lunch in the hotel at Trongsa. Free afternoon in Trongsa.
Day 11
26th September
Trongsa – Trongsa
After breakfast we will drive back 30 minutes to start our hike. This is the original trail used by the Bhutanese traders before the roads were built. The hike is almost 2 and half hours and on the way we will cross the traditional bridge and climb up to the Dzong. We will visit the Dzong and your guide will explain the importance of this great Dzong in the making of Bhutanese History. After lunch we will drive 23Km south and visit the winter palace of our 2nd King. This palace is now used as the monastery and almost empty, we can go up to the courtyard. After that we will hike up to visit a nunnery which is a 15 minutes gradual climb and drive back to our hotel.
Day 12
27thSeptember
Trongsa – Punakha
On the way back to Punakha, we will take a side road to Phobjikha valley and visit the newly renovated Temple. It is the largest glacial valley in Bhutan. Continue our drive to Punakha
Day 13
28thth September
Punakha – Punakha
After breakfast we will drive towards the Dzong and visit the former Capital of Bhutan located between the two rivers called mo chu and pho chu in the right and left hand side of the Dzong respectively. Those of us who want to spend time here drawing can stay and the rest of the group will go on a hike. It is a lovely walk through the paddy fields and then gradually climbs up to the chorten from where we have the great view of the valley below. In the afternoon we will visit the famous temple of fertility called Chhimi Lhakhang. We will walk through the paddy field and this temple is also a monastery, whereby we have few monks from the locality studying the Mahayana Buddism and its practices
Day 14
29thSeptember
Punakha - Paro
After breakfast we will drive to Thimphu and we have one more chance to see the eastern Himalayan ranges from the Dochula pass. We will have lunch in Thimphu and continue our drive to Paro.
Day 15
30thSeptember
Paro – Paro
In the morning we will hike up to the Tiger’s Nest. The hike is uphill and with little shad, we suggest to bring your sun cream and sun cap and also your walking sticks. And in the afternoon we will leisurely walking in the town in a last minutes shopping. Over night at the hotel at Paro.
Day 16
1st October
Paro – BKK
After early breakfast drive to the airport for flight to Bangkok. Your escort from our agent will help you with your exit formalities and bid you farewell…..TASHI DELEK.
