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Bhutan
Festival Tours |
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Paro Tsechu
2005 |
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March 20, to April 2, 2005
13 nights/  14
Days |
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The biggest and best festival In Bhutan and definitely
the most popular.. Don't miss the annual unfurling of
the world's largest religious scroll, the Paro Thangka.
The pageantry is like nothing you have every seen. Performed
by monk, lay monks and citizens, a Bhutanese Tsechu is
also performed for Bhutanese to recount the history of
Bhutan and the Buddha. Performing and Watching a Tsechu
is an act of merit building honor. Don't ever think this
performance is for tourists. You may get the attention
of the clowns but people won't stare at you in Bhutan
like other parts of Asia. |
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March 20: Arrive Paro |
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The flight to Paro offers good view of the mighty Himalayas. On the arrival at
Paro international airport, your tour guide will receive you and escort you
to the hotel. After a brief refreshment/ lunch in the hotel visit the National
Museum located on a promontory overlooking the valley. The museum is a good
introduction to the Bhutanese culture and history. In the evening explore the
Paro village town.
Overnight Hotel |
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 March
21: Paro festival |
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After breakfast, walk to Paro Ringpung Dzong to witness the first day of the
festival held inside the Dzong's courtyard. Lots of people from Paro valley will
come to see the festival wearing the best dresses. The festival will last till
3 PM in the afternoon. In the late afternoon, visit the 7th century Kychu temple
built by Songtsen Gambo, the first Tibetan Buddhist king to spread Buddhism across
the Himalayas.
Overnight Hotel. |
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March 22: Paro
festival |
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After
breakfast walk to the ground above the Dzong the witness
the second day of the festival. Today, the festival will
be held outside the dzong in the open air and you will
get much better view of the festival from the slopes
and you will get to interact more with the local people.
The festival will last about 3 PM in the evening drive
to Drukgyal Dzong to see the ruins of the Dzong. The
Dzong though in ruins played a very important role in
defending the valley from Tibetan invasion.
Overnight Hotel. |
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 March
23: Paro - Thimphu (63 KM, 3 hour drive) |
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After breakfast drive to Thimphu. The drive would take about 2 hours, on the
way, visit the Simtokha Dzong built in 1629 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the
unifier of Bhutan in the 17th century. Now the Dzong now houses a Buddhist College
for the monks. On the arrival at Hotel in Thimphu check in the hotel and have
lunch. After lunch, visit the Institute of Arts & Crafts where they train
young students in the traditional arts. Visit the National Library where old
manuscripts are preserved. Visit the Folk Heritage museum. In the late afternoon,
drive to Viewpoint and enjoy the view of Thimphu city. On the way back visit
the strange looking animal, Tarkin (national Animal) in the sanctuary. In the
evening explore the Thimphu city.
Overnight Hotel |
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March 24: Thimphu
- sightseeing |
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 After
breakfast, visit the National Memorial Chorten built
in memory of the late King in 1974 by Late Ashi Phuntsho
Choden. Visit the Institute of Traditional Medicines,
Textile Museum and Government Handicrafts store. Lunch
in the town. After lunch, visit the traditional handmade
paper factory and gold & silversmiths workshop. In
the evening after office hours, visit the Tashicho Dzong.
The Dzong  houses
the office of His Majesty the King and is the summer
residence of His Holiness, the Je Kheno's (Lord Abbot)
and the central monk body. In the evening, you can explore
the various handicrafts stores in the town.
Overnight Hotel. |
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March 25: Thimphu
-Punakha (77 KM, 3 hour drive) |
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After breakfast drive to Punakha On the way at Dochula pass (3100 KM) visit the
only 108 stupa built in one spot. If the sky is clear you can see the breathtaking
view of the whole Eastern Himalayan Mountain Ranges. In Punakha visit the Punakha
Dzong, which houses the Central Monk body in winter. In the late afternoon drive
to Kabisa and take a short hike to Khamsung Yuelley Namgyal Stupa. The round
trip hike would take about 2 hours.
Overnight Hotel. |
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March 26: Punakha
- Bumthang
( 208 KM, 8 hour drive) |
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 After breakfast
drive to Bumthang via Wangdi village town. While passing through Wangdi, you
can also visit the Wnagdi Phodrang Dzong and continue driving to Bumthang. Have
the pack lunch around the Pelela Pass (3300 Mts) or you have the option to continue
to Chendebji Stupa. Chendebji Stupa is a massive stupa built in Sherpa style.
After lunch, drive onto Bumthang via Trongsa. At Trongsa, stop to visit the Trongsa
Dzong which is one of the most magnificent Dzongs in Bhutan with many old and
holy temples inside the Dzong. Also visit the ancient WatchTower which has a
temple dedicated to Ling Geyser (Alexandra the Great) and have your evening tea
and continue to the Bumthang for the night |
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March 27: Bumthang
- sightseeing |
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After breakfast visit the Jampey Lhakhang temple ; visit the Kurjey lhakhang
and also the new temple which is under construction near it, it has one of the
best woodworks on the windows and joints. Drive to Thangbi Bridge and walk across
the bridge to the Thangbi village and explore the village and the Thangbi Temple. In
the evening, visit the Tamshing temple, Kharsumpey temple, Kenchosum temple,
and the Jakar town. |
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March 28: Bumthang
- Ura - Bumthang
( 54 KM, 2½ hour drive one way) |
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After breakfast, Visit the Jakar Dzong and the many temples inside the Dzong.
Drive to Ura village which is 54 KM away. On the way, visit the Mebar Tso known
as the " Flaming Lake" which is considered as one of the most sacred pilgrimage
spots in Bhutan. In Ura visit the Ura Temple and explore the village and drive
back to Bumthang for the night. |
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March 29: Bumthang
- Gangtey
( 143 KM, 7 hour drive) |
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After breakfast visit the Jakar Dzong and drive to Gangtey. On the way, stop
at Trongsa for lunch and continue to Gangtey. In Gangtey visit the Gangtey Gompa
Dzong which is currently under renovation and you can see local carpenters and
wood carvers at work. From Gangtey, you can closely view the picturesque Black
Mountain ranges as well as the beautiful Phobjikha valley. Gangtey Gompa ( Gangtey
monastery)-the only Nyingmapa (the older Buddhist sect) monastery is perched
atop a small hill that rises from the valley floor. Overnight Phuntshocholing
lodge. |
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March 30: Gangtey
- Thimphu ( 148 KM, 6 hour drive) |
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Early in the morning try your luck with the rare Black Necked cranes and take
a walk in the beautiful Phubjikha valley. Drive to Wangdi for lunch and to Dochula
pass for the evening tea for one more try with the mountain view. Drive to Thimphu
for the night. The total drive time would take about 6 hours.
Overnight Hotel |
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March 31: Tango
Cheri hike (Local) |
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After breakfast, take pack lunch and drive 18 KM north of Thimphu to Dodena.
Hike to the Tango Buddhist College and visit the monastery. The round trip hike
would take about 3 hours. On the return, if time permits hike to Cheri Monastery.
Otherwise, on the way back to Thimphu, visit the Pangri Zampa astrology school.
Overnight |
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April 01: Thimphu
- Paro (63 KM, 2 hours drive) |
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After breakfast visit the few shopping places in Thimphu and drive to Paro. In
the afternoon, visit the Dzong Drakha retreat center for the villagers. It is
a beautiful walk of about 1 hours walk for the round trip. The walk also offers
good view of the Bondey village.
Overnight Hotel. |
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