10 Nov 2014 To 24 Nov Package includes:

Transcription

1 Travel Licence Nº Package includes: Government contribution, royalty, surcharges & taxes Accommodations. All Meals inclusive Comfortable 4 WD vehicle English speaking tour guide 10 Nov 2014 To 24 Nov 2014 Twin Share: $3550pp Single Supplements: $4050pp

2 Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11 Day 12 Day 13 Day 14 Day 15 Itinerary Outline Arrive Pora (Bhutan) Quest for Mystical Taktsang Escape to Haa Thimphu Lifestyle & City- Tour Thimphu Cultural Sightseeing Punakha & Wangdue Phodrang Phobjikha Rural Expedition Trongsa & Bumthang Adventure Bumthang Spiritual Sightseeing Mongar Landscape Tour Rural Textile Lhuentse Exploring Trashigang District Trashi Yangtse Geteway Samdrup Jongkhar The Final Voyage Goodbye - Pora Booking Reference UTC Bhutan 15 days Room Type Twin Share / Single Room Preference Non Smoking Travel Date 10 Nov 2014 to 24 Nov 2014 Destination Bhutan

3 Bhutan Trip (Start Paro End Samdrup Jongkhar) 15 days/ 14 nights Bhutan is often referred as the last Shangrila on earth meaning a mythical Himalayan utopia a permanently happy land, isolated from the outside world. The locked mountain terrain not only kept Bhutan isolated from the outside world, it also kept the natives isolated from one place to another until recently. This created the ground for each district to develop their own subtle uniqueness in culture & lifestyle. This nationwide tour is designed to cover all the interesting districts and also venturing into the far eastern Bhutan which is the Road less travelled, just within 15 nights. Districts & places included in this programs ; Paro, Thimphu, Haa, Punakha, Wangdue Phodrang, Phobjikha, Trongsa, Bumthang, Lhuentse, Monggar, Trashi Yangtse, Kanglung, Wamrong, and Samdrup Jongkhar, etc.. Please Note : This is a proposed schedule for your trip to Bhutan. Ours guides are well trained & experienced to enhance the tour program to your best interest and give you one of the fondest memories as you leave our Kingdom. If you want to change or add anything on your itinerary, the management will be more than happy to discuss and create a more suitable program for you. Your program includes; Culture, Photography, Textile, Rural, Nature, Pilgrimage, Adventure, Lifestyle and etc. Bhutan Nationwide Expedition Day 1 (Nov 10, Mon) : Fly from Bangkok (Thailand) Paro (Bhutan) Welcome to Bhutan the land of Thunder Dragon. Your introduction to our enchanting kingdom begins on a flight over the world s highest peaks and the approaching valley of Paro with its primeval alpine forest, monasteries, temples and farmhouse nestled in splendid mountain isolation. Welcome greeting in a Bhutanese style with tashi khada (white scarf) by our representative & your guide at Paro International Airport (Bhutan). You will be escorted to hotel for refreshment and a brief discussion on your tour program. (Please note; your itinerary shall be flexible and your guide shall give you space & options) Paro Sights & Acclimatization Day! Visit the National Museum (Ta-dzong).Once the watch tower for the Rinpung Dzong, it was converted into the national Museum in 1968 (one of the best museums of Asia). The museum stands on a promontory overlooking the Paro valley in all its glory. Visit the Rinpung dzong (fortress of the Heap of Jewels ). A flagstone path rises gradually from a beautiful wooden bridge with shingle roofing and abutted by two guard houses to the Dzong. Today, this massive fortress built in 1645 AD is the seat of the district administration as well as the home for the monastic school. The central tower( Utse) of the dzong, with its superb woodwork, is one of the most beautiful in the nation. Visit the oldest temple of the kingdom, Kichu lhakhang (temple) built in 629 AD by a Tibetan king to pin down a giant demon. There are few orange trees at the courtyard which is said to be more than 500 yrs and it bears fruits on all four seasons. In evening, take a walk around Paro town. Overnight Paro (Alt; 2280m)

4 Day 2 (Nov 11, Tue) : Quest for Mystical Taktsang After a wholesome breakfast, drive to the ruins of Drugyel dzong (fortress) and feel the ancient Bhutan. On the way back, spend the day hiking up the forested path to Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger s Nest, Bhutan s most famous and scenic icon. The climb is steep and takes about 4-5hrs round trip. An important place of pilgrimage and refuge for more than 1200 yrs, Tiger s Nest clings to sheer cliffs of 900m above Paro valley, and from your closest vantage point on a rocky ledge directly across from it, you will still need mm lenses and a steady tripod to get tight photographs. This sacred place got its name when Guru Rimpoche rode there on the back of a flying tigress and meditated in a cave behind the present-day monastery. People who practice meditation says, it s almost magical when you try to be at peace as stillness comes naturally at Tiger s Nest because of the positive energy field left by the great sages of the past. Picnic lunch at the hillside cafeteria. In evening, visit a typical village home for a traditional Bhutanese style dinner accompanied by the local liquor called Ara (tastes somewhat like the Japanese sake). Then luxuriate in the Bhutanese equivalent of a Jacuzzi called a Chu Tse or hot stone bath. River rocks are heated and dunked into a large wooden tub with herbs. This type of bath is considered to have medicinal properties of healing. Overnight Paro.

5 Day 3 (Nov 12, Wed) : Escape to Haa (65km/ 2.5hr) Drive to Chelela pass (3,810m) which offers bird s eye view of the Mt. Chomolhari (7134m) and the distand Tiger s Nest. Drive further to Haa valley. This is a scenic drive and you will spot few yaks along the way. The pristine Haa Valley, ancestral home of Bhutan s Queen Mother was closed to outsiders till It is surrounded by forested hillsides full of ancient shrines, while the narrow valley floor is dotted with fields of millet, barley, and potatoes. Its farmhouses are adorned with intricately painted wooden cornices and ornately carved window frames. You will walk through the serene hamlets and remote monasteries below mountain peaks like the temple of Black & White Dove. In evening, enjoy the drive to the Damthang valley with traditional houses nestled on the hill slope. On the way back, stroll around the remote town of Haa. Overnight Haa. (Alt; 2670m) Day 4 (Nov 13, Thu) : Thimphu Lifestyle & City-Tour (106km/ 4.5hr) Drive to Thimphu stopping for view of the 3 holy Mountains as you leave Haa valley. Thimphu is a small, charming capital city nestled in the heart of the Himalayas.. Drive to Buddha Gang to enjoy the first glance of Thimphu city. This massive Buddha statue is one of the biggest statues of sitting Buddha in the world. On the way down, circumambulate around Memorial chorten (huge stupa). This is the favorite spot for the locals of all age to chant mantras, prostrate, pray and practice their devotion. Witness/ participate in an archery match played by the locals with lots of hue & cry. Archery is the national game of Bhutan and it is also one of the best way to expand your social network. In evening, explore the bustling city of Thimphu on foot; Hongkong market, Norzin lam, Main traffic area, Wogzin lam, Clock tower etc. There are many handicraft stores & souvenir shops you can drop by as you stroll. Overnight Thimphu (Alt; 2320m)

6 Day 5 (Nov 14, Fri) : Thimphu Cultural Sightseeing Drive to Sangay Gang which is also known as the romantic point and lovers often come here to look at the panoramic view of the Thimphu valley. En route visit the Zoo, where Takin the national animal of Bhutan is found in captivity. Visit the National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved. They also have on display the largest Picture Book on Bhutan in the world. Visit the Traditional Medicine Centre which includes hospital and herbal medicine manufacturing unit based on the Tibetan system of medicine. The centre also trains indigenous medicine doctors known as Dungtso. Visit the Zorig Chusum School for Thirteen Traditional Arts and Crafts followed by a visit to Textile Museum, Handicraft Emporium and some local shops for antiques. Visit the Tashichhoe Dzong, the main secretariat building, the office of the King and Throne room and also the house of the State Monastic Body. After dinner, Night club and Drayang (traditional Bhutanese pub with live singers), Optional. Overnight Thimphu.

7 Day 6 (Nov 15, Sat) : Discovering Punakha & Wangdue Phodrang (78km/ 3hr) Drive to Punakha, stopping at Dochula pass ( 3150m) to enjoy spectacular views of the eastern Himalayan mountain range. Stroll around 108 stupas and enter Drukwangyel temple built by the Royal Family. After lunch, visit Punakha Dzong, "Palace of Great Happiness". Punakha is the former winter capital and at present day the dzong hosts the administrative seat of the district. This beautiful fortress lies between two rivers, the Pochu and Mochu, male and female river. In evening, take a short walk through the Himalayan paddy field of Lobesa village to a solitary temple called Chimi lhakhang. It is believed a childless couple who come to this fertility temple and pray is usually blessed with a child. Overnight Punakha & Wangdue Phodrang. (Alt; 1240m) Day 7 (Nov 16, Sun) : Phobjikha Rural Expedition (65km/ 3hr) Drive to the glacial valley of Phobjikha stopping at Nobding village for a hot cup of coffee & tea. Phobjikha is situated at the north western tip of the Black Mountain. People sometimes refer to the entire region as Gangtey after the name of the Gangtey gomba (monastery) which is on a ridge overlooking the valley. This beautiful valley is one of the roosting grounds of the Black-necked cranes that migrate each year in winter from its northern habitats in Tibet and Siberia. On arrival, visit the Gangtey gomba which is one of the largest Nyingma monastery of the country. Drive to the Crance Info Centre and observe the beautiful cranes in the valley. In evening, you are free to walk around the village and interact with the villagers. Overnight Phobjikha (2900m)

8 Day 8 (Nov 17, Mon) : Trongsa & Bumthang Adventure (140km/ 5.5hr) Drive to Trongsa stopping for mountain-view at Pele La pass (3,300m). It s quite common to spot some yaks and yak herders. Beyond Pele la you ll come to the village of Rukubji Valley, Circummabulate Chendebji chorten in Chendebji village, a large white structure beside a stream. The last village before you reach Trongsa is Tangsibji, which provides full view of Trongsa Dzong. Trongsa Dzong, built in 1645, is a vast, white fortress that appears to grow directly up from the narrow green ridge on which it is constructed. Visit Trongsa Dzong and the ancient watch tower which has been now turned into a historical museum. Head on to Bumthang and visit the Kharchu Draktsang, a monastery on the western slope. This monastery is one of the biggest Buddhist colleges of the kingdom. This point offers great view of the Bumthang valley and its town. (Bumthang had been named the little Switzerland of Asia by many travellers. Wait here to catch the golden hour while the sun sets gently. In evening, stroll down from the monastery to the river bank and walk around Bumthang s peaceful town. Overnight Bumthang. (Alt; 2580m) Day 9 (Nov 18, Tue) : Bumthang Spiritual Sightseeing Visit the historical Jakar Dzong (fortress of the White-bird). It is probably one of the biggest Dzongs in Bhutan with the surrounding walls about 1 km in circumference. Visit the ancient and important monasteries such as, Kurjey lhakhang, Pema Sambha lhakhang & Tamshing lhakhang. (These temple have many mythical stories linked to its origin and some of them dates back as early as 7th century. Your guide will unfold its mystery as you visit these holy sites. Visit the Menbar tsho (the burning lake). This lake is the holiest of lakes in the country and when a local visits this lake they tie a coin inside a white scarf, make a wish and offer it to the lake. It is believed someday your wish will be fulfilled. Visit the extensive palace of Wangdichholing, the early home of the third king of Bhutan, which was built in 1857 on the site of the battle field. It is the first palace of the present Wangchuk dynasty and also the first palace that was not designed as a fortress. Overnight Bumthang

9 Day 10 (Nov 19, Wed) : Mongar Landscape Tour (196km/ 7-8hr) After breakfast, gear up for a fantastic drive to Monggar. This journey will take you across the most scenically beautiful routes of Bhutan. You will be able to see the rivers, landscapes, cliffs, different types of forest, water fall and the distant glacial peaks. Picnic lunch will be arranged at the tip of the waterfall near Namling s rocky cliff. The journey takes you through mist-covered Thrumshingla pass (3800m), from where you can see Mt. Gangkhar Puensum (7541m), the highest peak of the kingdom and the highest unclimbed peak in the world. On the eastern side of the pass the three-hour drive plunges down through a sunless forest almost 1500m to the village of Sengor. Then after a few miles of level road it plunge again through what is considered by many to be the most white knuckle 20kms of national highway in the country. After crossing the bridge over the Kuru River, 10 km further on the climbing twisting road, there is an ancient trade route stop of Monggar. Since the area is very mountainous with few valleys, Monggar is built on the side of a mountain. The true homeland of the Eastern People, the Sharchops, begins from Mongar. People from the east are shy yet friendly. In evening, explore the Mongar town and interact with the locals. Overnight Monggar. (Alt; 1600m) Day 11 (Nov 20, Thu) : Rural Textile - Lhuentse (154km/ 6hr) Lhuentse is one of the most isolated districts of the kingdom. The landscape is spectacular, with stark cliffs towering above river gorges and dense coniferous forests. The region is famous for its weavers, and their distinctive textiles are generally considered to be the best in the country. The Kurtoe region of Lhuentse is the ancestral home of the present monarchy. Visit the higher secondary school en route in Tangmachu village. Meet some of the teachers & visit few classes. Talk to the students and observe what they learn. The students of Bhutan are one of the most well behaved students in Asia. As they are very curious about the outside world they might ask you few questions though they may be shy. Picnic lunch along the way. On arrival, explore the remote lifestule & culture of these talented villagers. Drive further to Khoma village, ancestral home of the present Wangchuck Dynasty. Visit some homes and enjoy the art of traditional weaving. In evening, drive back to Monggar. Overnight Mongar.

10 Day 12 (Nov 21, Fri) : Exploring Trashigang District (91km/3.5hr) Your visit to Mongar high school will be arranged in the morning during assembly. The students will recite prayer in unison to the God of intelligence; there will be a short speech by two students one in English and one in the national language (dzongkha) and a briefing by a principal. This session will be followed by a national anthem. The road will take you across KoriLa pass (2400m), stop offer butter lamps, and for tea and cookies as we have all along most of the passes. Beyond the pass, driving through corn fields and patches of banana trees, we come to the village of Yadi where we will stop at a farm house and photograph weavers making natural dyes from native plants. After Yadi the road zigs and zags in what seems like never ending switchbacks descending to SheriChu village at the Sheri River. After SheriChu we come across roadside sheds where oil is extracted from lemon grass. After crossing two more rivers the road climbs up to Trashigang town which situated at the slope of a rocky mountain. Trashigang is the biggest and the second most populated district of the country. It is surrounded by several villages from all the corners. Villagers often come here to shop and sometimes just to get the feeling of being in the city. You might spot some nomadic people who d have come down for shopping. In evening, visit Trashigang Dzong located on a cliff. The entire eastern Bhutan was ruled from this fortress in the early history. Take a walk around Trashigang s unique town and visit some local shops & some friendly bars. Overnight Trashigang. (Alt; 1070m) Day 13 (Nov 22, Sat) : Trashi Yangtse Geteway (106km/ 5hr) Trashi Yangtse is situated in a small river valley, and it is a lovely spot from which to take walk in the surrounding countryside. This district is very near to the Tibetan border and in the olden days of Bhutan this village was popular place for trade. Trashiyangtse is famous for its wooden containers and bowls, which makes inexpensive, attractive and useful mementos of the visit to this remote region.

11 En route visit the Gom Kora. This temple is near the Drangmechu river. The myth says in the 7th century there was a demon living in the river who used to attack the villagers. When Guru Rimpoche came to save the villagers the demon disappeared into the river. Guru meditated under the rock cave near the river bank and subdued the demon. This cave still contains the body print of the second Buddha hence it is worshiped by the Bhutanese. It is said that if anyone can climb below the rock cave and emerge from the summit, he will be forgiven of all his sins. A few kilometers from Gom Kora you will arrive Doksum village. Take a look around the village. The people from here are said to have great talents in weaving. As you enter Trashiyangtse, drop by Chorten Kora (a huge stupa). Chorten Kora is one of the only two such stupas in the kingdom with styles similar to those found in Nepal and it host to a great festival which attract all of east residents. The stupa is entirely whitewashed and is ideally situated next to the running brook where your picnic lunch will be arranged. Visit the Zorig Chuksum School for Thirteen Traditional Arts and Crafts followed by 10km drive on the recently opened farm road to Bomdeling village famous for the rare Black-necked cranes and the peaceful valley. On the way back take a walk around the Trashiyangtse town and drive back to Trashigang. Overnight Trashigang. Day 14 (Nov 23, Sun) : Samdrup Jongkhar The Final Voyage (180km/ 6-7hr) After breakfast drive to Kanglung. Have homemade tea & snacks at Aum Chimi s home. After a farewell from this family. Walk around Kanglung s small town and visit the nearby college & interact with the students. This was the only college in the whole of country till 2005 and it was rated as the 7th best college in Asia at one point of time. It s is a dream of many Bhutanese students to get a scholarship to this college. Visit the Zangtopelri. This temple is a replica of the celestial abode of the second Buddha in heaven. Stop in Khaling and visit the post office for stamp collection. Take a short walk in Khaling town followed by Wamrong town. Picnic lunch will be arranged next to the Melong brak (a narrow mirror like cliff). After lunch, your guide will assist you in putting the wind-horse flags on the trees & cliff. Wind-horse flag brings blessing and protection to sentient beings. Since this is your last day in the country. We believe this will bring you safety & happiness on your return trip to hometown. On arrival, check in hotel and free to shop or walk around. Farewell dinner and overnight in Samdrup Jongkhar. (Alt; 233m)

12 Day 15 (Nov 24, Mon) : Departure Transport will be arranged for your drop to Guwahati. Our representative will bid you farewell at the Indo-Bhutan Gate. Travel through the plains of Assam toward Guwahati Airport (India). Tashi Delek! Package includes; Government contribution, royalty, surcharges, taxes Accommodation in 3 & 4 star hotels & resorts All meals inclusive (Continental, American, Chinese, Indian, Tibetan, Nepalese, Bhutanese & etc) Comfortable vehicle (4WD SUV for couples, Toyota & Hyundai hi-ace bus and coaster for group) Entrance fee to various museums & temples Professional English speaking guide & experienced driver Package does not include; Air Tickets Travel Insurance Beverages Personal shopping Tips Complimentary from our Company; Tea, coffee & snacks Mineral water all round the trip Free cultural shows for group Personal services Travel Month: Twin Share: Single Supplements: 10 Nov 2014 to 24 Nov 2014 $3550 Per Person $4050/PP Disclaimer These prices are LAND-ONLY and subject to confirmation at the time of booking. All trip information is correct at time of trips going live, however prices and itineraries are subject to change, please confirm all details and final cost at time of booking. Hotels are subject to change.