AUTUMN FESTIVAL IN THE DRAGON KINGDOM OF BHUTAN
October 11 – 21, 2016
Join us for an enchanting Journey to kingdom of Bhutan, quite possibly the most beautiful country in the world. The Kingdom of Bhutan situated in the middle of the Himalayas between India and Tibet, is truly a unique and utterly fascinating country. Far from mainstream westernization and modernization, Bhutan has guarded its traditional way of life in all ways. The moment you arrive in the Kingdom you are surrounded by people, who dress in traditional hand-woven robes, called Kiras for women and Khos for men. While in the country you see traditional three story houses with brightly colored windows, magnificent landscape, rice paddies cascading down the mountainsides, pristine rivers slicing through the valleys, magnificent Dzongs or monasteries on the mountain tops and magnificent first growth forests.
In the first part of the tour you’ll witness the Thimphu Tshechu (festival) which takes place from Oct 11 – 13. However you will be seeing the last day, the most interesting and beautiful dances of the three days. It’s a total culture immersion for you all coming from Europe. Apart from these festivities you’ll have the time to enjoy the sceneries of Bhutan, culture, people and it’s life style, farming style, walk through nature and countryside.
DELHI – PARO, BHUTAN. Oct 11
DAY 01: This morning you depart on Royal Bhutan Airlines KB 133 from Bangkok at 06:50 am, arriving Paro at 10:00 am. We suggest that you arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to departure. After checking in with Druk Airlines, proceed to immigration. After immigrations, proceed to the departure gates. On board Druk Airlines flight, you will receive your immigration & customs forms for Bhutan. Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, proceed to immigrations; surrender your passport, forms. The agent will stamp your visa into your passport, and then proceed to baggage area. While you are waiting for your luggage, you may wish to change some money into local currency (Ngultrum, about Nu 60 to $1.00 Dollar) at the bank opposite the baggage carousel. After collecting bags, proceed to customs where you surrender your customs form, then exit and meet our local representative.
After arrival formalities, you’ll be served welcome lunch at the hotel in Paro.
After lunch visit the National Museum housed in the ancient watch tower and the Dzong (fort) of Paro.
Overnight: Paro, hotel Drukchen
PARO – THIMPHU. Oct 12. 1 and half hour drive
DAY 02: Today you will make a day hike to Taktshang or Tiger’s Nest. On this trip we provide riding ponies for those who do not wish to walk up the 1 hour 45 minutes. We suggest 4hours for the roundtrip visit. Using the new access road, you drive up the hamlet of Shari, a peaceful place marked by water-powered prayer wheel and few farm houses. Our walk starts just after this village. Passing a wide meadow, we begin our steep switchback ascent through the Rhododendron filled forests for about an hour to a small Chorten surrounded by prayer flags. From here a short hike to the teahouse where we can sit and look across the deep chasm to view Tiger’s Nest. After some refreshment and rest the active and mobile can hike up to the best viewpoint of the Tiger’s Nest. Late afternoon back in the valley you’ll drive to Thimphu along the Paro and Thimphu rivers.
Overnight: Wangchuk Hotel in Thimphu.
THIMPHU Oct 13
DAY 03: Today you will drive and walk to Tendrel Thang the arena where Thimphu festival is held, with the locals you will watch the mask and folk dances. The Bhutanese will be dressed in their finest clothes made from raw Silk, colors of all kinds. In the afternoon you will be given free time to walk through the city to shop on your own.
Overnight: Wangchuk Hotel in Thimphu.
THIMPHU Oct 14
DAY 04: Own your own in the Thimphu city in the first half of the day. Afternoon visit to big Buddha statue, textile museum, visit aschool, watch Archery match in Thimphu, , visit to your friend Neten and his familyt, talk with GNH people, talk on education in Bhutan followed by dinner.
Overnight: Wangchuk Hotel in Thimphu.
THIMPHU – PUNAKHA Oct 15 -16. 3 and half hour drive.
DAY 05 -6 : In the morning after leaving Thimphu you will start to climb the first series of pass on west to east highway. After an hour you arrive at Dochula pass 3050m above sea level, you will be presented by 108 stupas and stunning veiws of eastern Himalayas. Having streched your legs and good veiws of the sourrounding you drive down to Punakah and Wangdue valley where climate is mild and pleasnt to spend 2 night in the valley. It is an option to rest and enjoy the warm and cozy hotel in Lobesa for the rest of the afternoon as you have one full day to visit the magnificient Dzong of Punakha and make a nature walk.
Overnight: Overnight Zangdopelri hotel
PUNAKHA – PHOBJIKHA VALLEY –Oct 17 – 18. 4 hours drive
Day 07: The Phobjikha valley is situated in the Black mountains the official boundry between west and central Bhutan. As you reach the head of the valley you will notice the Gangtey monastry, the biggest Paling monastry in Bhutan headed by the 9th recarnation of Pema Lingpa, the religious treasure reaveler of Bhutan. You will head down to the bottom of the valley for your 2 nights stay. In the olden times people in this valley migrated in the winter to warmer region of Sha. Life having become easier with road connectivity and electricity they don’t migrate to their winter homes further lower. Potatoe and Turnip is the staple crop grown in the valley.
The next day can be used exploring the valley and farm houses.
Overnight: Yue-Loki guesthouse, Phobjikha
PHOBJIKHA – PARO Oct 19. 7 and half hour drive
DAY 09: Depart to Paro using the same highway back that was built in the early 70’s which was much needed link between west, central and east Bhutan. On this drive you have opportunities to stop, walk and take pictures.
Overnight: Hotel Drukchen in Paro.
PARO Oct 20
DAY 10: Exploration of Paro valley and meeting with the National Museum Director. Farewell dinner at the Hotel Drukchen
PARO – DELHI Oct 21
DAY 11: Fare well and end of the trip.