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Bhutan
Festival Tours |
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Punakha Festival Tours |
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February 9 - February 21, 2005
12 Nights/13 Days |
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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. |
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Day 1: Kathmandu-Paro |
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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. |
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Day 2: Paro-Takstang
Monastery-Thimpu. |
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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 cnetral monastic body and government ministries. Overnight
hotel. |
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Day 3: At Thimpu |
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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 |
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Day 4: Thimpu-Wangdue
Podrang |
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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 |
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Day 5: Observe Punakha
Festival and return to Wangdue |
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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.
Lload 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 |
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Day 6: Punakha Festival-Gangtey |
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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 guesthouse. |
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Day 7: Gangtey-Trongsa |
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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. |
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Day 8: Trongsa-Bumthang |
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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 colourful 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 |
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Day 9: At Bumthang |
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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 |
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Day 10: Bumthang-Ura Valley |
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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. |
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Day 11: Ura- Wangdue-
phodrang. |
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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 |
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Day 12: Wangdue-Thimpu-Paro |
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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. |
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Day 13: Paro-Departure |
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Early breakfast and depart Bhutan for your return flight. |
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14 Days 
