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Bhutan
Festival Tours |
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Bhutan-Ura Festival
Tour |
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March 20, to April 2, 2005
13 nights/  14
Days |
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Bhutan-Ura Festival( Tsechu) Tour 9Nights/10
Days ( 18 APRIL - 27 APRIL 2005) This is an extraordinary
journey into Bhutan, the fabled land of the Thunder Dragon.
You will experience week-end bazaars and Bhutanese hospitality
at its finest. The highlight of this trip is the Ura
Valley Tsechu. Tsechus are local festival dances that
are medieval in nature, spiritual in content and laced
with an exotic array of color too breathtaking to behold. |
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18 April: Arrive Paro from KTM, Drive
to Thimphu |
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Fly onboard Druk Air to Paro, Bhutan. On a clear day the panoramic views of the
Himalaya are sensational, including Everest, but particularly exciting is the
approach through the Bhutanese foothills and the landing, including a few steep
turns to land at the tiny airstrip of Paro. On arrival, after completing formalities,
you will be met by windhorse representative and transferred to Thimphu (2 hrs).
Hotel Wangchuk |
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19
April: Thimphu sightseeing |
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There are a good many things to see in the capital which has a very relaxed,
laid-back feel about it. Thimphu is relatively small, no traffic lights and
the streets are wide and tree lined. The most important sights include; the
national library, thangkha painting school, traditional medicine hospital,
nunnery at Zilukha, Memorial stupa, gold and silver smith's workshop, handicraft
centers. Try also a cup of coffee in the Swiss Bakery ! Hotel Wangchuk |
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20 April: Drive
to Jakar (Bumthang) |
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This is a long day's drive of 9-10 hours
but it is a journey you are not likely to forget. The
road winds over high mountain passes and the scenery
is certainly stunning. We make occasional stops in the
course of the journey to take incursion into the roadside
villages, temples, weaving centers and any special events
that may be taking place.
Mountain Lodge |
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 21
April: Jakar - URA FESTIVAL Mountain Lodge |
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22 April: Jakar
( Bumthang ) sightseeing. |
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Bumthang valley is one of the most sacred
in the Kingdom and innumerable legends surround the area.
It is here that the kings are cremated and the present
royal family trace their ancestry back to the famous
saint, Pemalingpa. Visits to; Jambay, Kurjey, Tamshing
temples, castle of the
"White Bird". Also worth seeing are the woodcraft workshop, homopaethic
hospital, and the cheese factory. Mountain Lodge |
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23 April: Drive
to Punakha. |
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Leaving Jakar, we return west for some
7-8 hours, stopping to visit the Chendebje Chorten, a
large white monument said to conceal the remnants of
an evil spirit vanquished here. Continuing across the
spectacular Pele La pass we come to Wangdue where we
take a short break for tea and snacks. From Wangdue,
it's a short drive to your hotel hotel (approx. 25 mins).
Meri Phuensum Resort |
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24 April: Punakha
sightseeing, drive to Thimphu |
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In the morning, we will walk to Chimi Lhakhang,
the temple of Lama Drukpa Kunley, otherwise known as
the divine mad monk who is one of Bhutan's
favourite saints. It is a beautiful walk across paddy fields and pass
a
small village. The temple can be visited and there is a tree outside which
is said to have sprouted up after Drukpa Kunley sent a thunderbolt from an
adjoining valley to kill some evil spirits who had gathered at the site. You
may also be able to visit Punakha Dzong, depending whether or not the monks
are in residence, and if they permit you to enter their monastery. Situated
at the confluence of the Mo (female) and Pho (male) rivers, the large
fortress with its temples, courtyards, hall and towers overlooks the town
and provides excellent views. Built in 1637 it served as the seat of the
government until the mid 20th century. Over the centuries it has suffered
damage from several fires and flooding but still remains one of the most
impressive dzongs in Bhutan. Permission to enter the dzong is not usually
granted to tourist when the monk body moves here from Thimphu in winter, but
it is still worth viewing from the courtyard. Evening drive to Thimphu
(3 hours). Hotel Wangchuk |
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25 April: Drive
to Paro, excursion to Tiger's Nest Monastery
( 4
hrs) |
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In the morning drive to Paro (2hrs). Hike
to the site of the famous Tiger's Nest, the Taktsang
Monastery where the legendary Guru Padmasambhava is believed to have flown
from Tibet on the back of a tiger to defeat the demons who were opposing the
spread of Buddhism in Bhutan. The walk is long, and can be steep in places,
but the views are stunning. Hotel Holiday Home |
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26
April: Paro sightseeing |
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Sightseeing in Paro; includes tour of Bhutan's national
museum, a fascinating place housed in an old watchtower above the huge Paro
Dzong (monastery/fortress). The museum holds a fantastic collection of
Bhutanese national treasures ranging from ancient armour to textiles and
thangkha paintings Then, we drive to the head of the valley and visit Drukgyel
Dzong built in a
location that was chosen for its control over the route to Tibet. A
spectacular view of Mount. Jumolhari (23,996ft /7314m) can be seen. Hotel
Holiday Home |
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27 April: Paro
- Kathmandu |
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Early morning transfer to airport in Paro for
departure flight. |
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March 30: Gangtey
- Thimphu ( 148 KM, 6 hour drive) |
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March 31: Tango
Cheri hike (Local) |
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April 01: Thimphu
- Paro (63 KM, 2 hours drive) |
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Itinerary II Bhutan - Ura Tsechu |
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10 nts/11days (14 APRIL - 24 APRIL 2005) |
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14
April: Kathmandu - Paro |
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Fly onboard Druk Air to Paro, Bhutan. On
a clear day the panoramic views of the Himalaya are sensational,
including Everest, but particularly exciting
is the approach through the Bhutanese foothills and the landing, including a
few steep turns to land at the tiny airstrip of Paro.
On arrival, once you
have cleared formalities, you will be met and transferred to
your hotel. accommodation.
After lunch, visit to the National Museum, a fascinating place housed in an
old watchtower above the huge Paro Dzong (monastery/fortress). The useum
holds a fantastic collection of
Bhutanese national treasures ranging from ancient armour to textiles and
thangkha paintings. Hotel Holiday Home. |
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15 April: Paro Sightseeing. |
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Morning we drive to the head of the valley
and visit Drukgyel Dzong (ruins) built in a location
that was chosen for its control over the route to
Tibet. Also visit the impressive Rinpung Dzong, Kyichu Lhakhang (till the
courtyard).
En route visit a typical Bhutanese farm house including paintings) and
stroll around the small town. Hotel Holiday Home
Option: Excursion to Taktsang |
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16 April: Drive to Thimphu, sightseeing |
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Morning drive for 2 hours to the least
visited of all the Himalayan capitals, Thimphu, en route
visit Simtokha Dzong- the oldest
monastery/fortress of the Kingdom.
Afternoon sightseeing includes; visits to the Memorial Chorten, folk
heritage museum, Drubthob Nunnery at Zilukha, the handmade paper factory,
mini zoo to see the Golden Takins (national animal of Bhutan), Zangtopelri
Lhakhang and the local handicraft center for varieties of textiles,
thangkha paintings, masks, jewellery etc. on display.
Overnight at Hotel Wangchuk, Thimphu. |
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17 April. Thimphu sightseeing. |
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In the morning make a excursion to
Cheri Gompa. The name of this monastery is Cheri Dorji
Dhen. The Shabdrung (first ruler of Bhutan) built this
Gompa in 1620 and
established its first order of monks here. It is usually possible to enter
Cheri courtyard and the temples. It takes almost 2 hours to reach the
gompa from where there are wonderful views. This is a gentle leg stretching
day that also allows us to see the countryside and villages of the Thimphu
Valley.
After lunch, visit the colorful weekend vegetable market. Overnight at Hotel
Wangchuk. |
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18 April. Drive to Punakha sightseeing |
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Today we drive to Punakha, the old winter
capital. The drive takes about 3 hours and crosses the
3100m high Dochu La. If the weather is clear there are
wonderful Himalayan views from the pass. On the way to
Punakha, we will stop
for the short walk to Chimi Lakhang. It is a pleasant 20min stroll through
fields to the temple that occupies a commanding position in the centre of
the valley. The temple has special significance due to its association with
Lama Drukpa Kunley, one of the most popular saints in Bhutan.
From here, we proceed to Punakha and the imposing dzong which lies at the
confluence of the Mo and Pho rivers. The large fortress with its temples,
hall and towers overlooks the town and provides excellent views.
Overnight at Meri Puensum Resort. |
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19 April. Drive to Bumthang. |
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This is a long day's drive of 8-9 hours
depending on road conditions, but it
is a journey you are not likely to forget. The road drops down through
varied forest finally emerging into the highly-cultivated Wangdi valley and
from here, the road winds up through varied forest up to the Pele La pass
from where the views are spectacular. The journey then continues along
a
road in places literally carved out of impressive cliffsides,
to Tongsa.
In Tongsa, we have chance to wander around this pleasant township and
explore Ta Dzong and the courtyard of Trongsa Dzong.
From Tongsa, we drive across the Yotung La (3425m) and descend
eventually
into the valley of Bumthang, the heart of the Bhutanese weaving industry.
The area, centered around the town of Jakar, is of great
spiritual
significance and encompasses four valleys.
Overnight at Mountain Lodge |
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20 April. URA FESTIVAL . Mountain Lodge |
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21 April. Bumthang Sightseeing |
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A full day in Bumthang to explore the valley;
hike to Tamshing Gomba, the most important Nyigma Gomba
with a visit to the Yatha weaving center. It may
also be possible to take some of the local village walks - a visit to the
homeopathic hospital, the cheese factory, the castle of the 'White Bird',
one or two local temples and a walk around Jakar township
Also worth seeing in Jakar are the woodcraft workshop, dying workshop, and
the five water-wheels behind Wangdicholing Old Palace.
Overnight Mountain Lodge, Jakar. |
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22 April. Drive to Thimphu ( 10 hours
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Leaving Jakar, we return west, stopping
for lunch at the Chendebje Chorten,
a large white monument said to conceal the remnants of an evil spirit
vanquished here. Continuing across the spectacular Pele La Pass we come to
Wangdi. Take some time to stroll the little town of Wangdi and continue to
Thimphu.
Overnight Hotel Wangchuk. |
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23 April. Drive
to Paro via Haa (a town in the west newly opened to
the tourists) |
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Explore Haa valley, one of the oldest and
historical place of Bhutan. Farewell dinner at Hotel
in Paro.
Overnight at Hotel Holiday Home, Paro. |
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24
April: Paro - Kathmandu |
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Early morning departure flight to Kathmandu |
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