Detailed Itinerary - May 5th -18th 2006 for Ura Festival
5th May – Day 1 Drive to Paro from Phuentsholing to your hotel in Paro. After lunch or light refeshments (all subject to your start time at the border) at the hotel, you will visit the National Museum of Bhutan (Ta-Dzong) and the Paro Rinpung Dzong. Although in ruins this fortress is historically very important for Bhutan since it was from this fortress that the Bhutanese people managed to repel many attempts of invasion by the Tibetans in the old days. From this point you can also view the tip of Mount Jomulhari (7329m) clearly. Also visit the Kichu Monastery and the Dungtse Lhakhang on your way back to Paro. O/n at Hotel Dechen Cottages / Gangtey Palace.
6th May – Day 2 After an early breakfast, drive to Thimphu (2 hours drive) the capital city of Bhutan. At Thimphu, visit the Memorial Chorten, a huge stupa built in memory of the late King of Bhutan, the National Library which has a vast collection of ancient manuscripts and religious artifacts and Thankhas, visit the Institute of Arts and Crafts, the Folk Heritage Museum, the Institute of Traditional Medicine, the National Textile Museum. In the late afternoon, visit the Sangye view point and the Takin Sanctuary (the takin is the national animal of Bhutan). Also visit the Tashicho Dzong, the main secretariat building. O/n Hotel River View or similar.
7th May – Day 3 After an early breakfast drive to Trongsa (199 km - about 7 hours drive). Check in at Yangkhil Resort / Puenzhie Guest House.
8th May – Day 4 After an early breakfast, visit the Trongsa Dzong and its ancient Watch tower and drive to Ura (133 km - about 4/5 hours drive). Stay overnight at a farm house (this is a homestay – the family welcomes you to stay with them).
9th May – Day 5 Full day at the Ura Festival. Stay overnight at a farm house.
10th May – Day 6 Full day Ura Valley hiking. After breakfast, drive to Shartangla (20 minutes drive) and from Shartangla, hike down to Ura Monastery, then to the Ura community school, then hike uphill to Shingkhar village (it is a gradual climb). On the way you can visit a number of farm houses and meet the local people of Ura. At Shingkhar, you will visit the beautiful Shingkhar Monastery and drive back to your farm house. This hike will take about 4 hours with picnic lunch on the way. Stay overnight at a farm house.
11th May – Day 7 Morning, watch the final day of the festival and drive back to Bumthang (68 kms - about 2 hours). On the way, visit the Mebar Tso
(known as the Flaming Lake). Check in at the Swiss Guest House /Gongkhar Lodge. Afternoon, visit the historical Jakar Dzong, and the Jambay Lhakhang.
12th May – Day 8 Full day excursion of the monasteries in Bumthang (hiking).
After an early breakfast, drive to Kurjey Lhakhang and visit this ancient Guru Rimpoche temple and then start the day’s hike. From here you will hike to Thangbi Monastery and visit this interesting temple and from there hike down on the other side of the Chamkhar River to Padma Sambhava monastery then to Tamshing Monastery, then to Kenchosum Monastery and then to Bumthang Swiss Farm where you can visit the manufacturing units of Fruit processing, Bumthang cheese processing and Red Panda beer etc.
The hike will take about 4-5 hours with picnic lunch on the way). From this point, you will drive in the car to Bumthang town to do some local shopping/visit the Bumthang town. Overnight in a hotel.
13th May – Day 9 Drive top Punakha (210 km - about 7-8 hours). Check in at Hotel Meri Phuensum /Zangtok Pelri. Overnight in a hotel.
14th May – Day 10 After breakfast, visit the Punakha Dzong, and the Khamsum Yule Namgye temple (30 minute hike round trip from the road). Afternoon, hike to Chimi Lhakhang, known as the temple of fertility. (1 hour hike for the round trip from the road). Also drive to Wangdi Phodrang (13 kms away) and visit the Wangdi Phodrang Dzong. Evening, take a leisurely stroll in the Punakha town. Overnight in a hotel.
15th May – Day 11 After an early breakfast drive upto Nobgang ( 40 minutes drive) visit the Nobgang Monastery which has about 20 monks studying there. If the weather is clear, you can also view the Tiger Mountain from Nobgang. From Nobgang, you can hike back to Punakha.with picnic lunch. The hike back will take about 2 hours of easy hike. Afternoon, drive to Thimphu. Overnight in Hotel Riverview /Pedling.
16th May – Day 12 Morning, drive to Dechencholing (6 kms way from Thimphu) and view the Dechencholing Palace and also visit the Pangrizampa temple. Drive back to Thimphu and have lunch in an exclusive local tourist restaurant and drive to Paro. On the way, visit the Simtokha Dzong, the oldest Dzong in Bhutan built in1629. Today this Dzong houses the school for language and culture. At Paro check in at Hotel Dechen Cottages / Gangtey Palace.
17th May – Day 13 After an early breakfast hike to Taktsang Monastrey. The round trip hike takes about 4 hours with lunch at the Taktsang cafeteria. Afternoon, free to take a leisurely stroll in Paro town or do your last day shopping.
18th May – Day 14 After an early breakfast, drive to Phuentsholing (174kms). Overnight in India.
There is an option to fly in and out of Bhutan.
Price Per Person: USD2956.00 based on two people only in your group. We will advertise the tour and if others join you there will be a reduction in the price, unless you prefer to keep it private.
What is included
Fully supported tented camping by our Bhutanese crew or hotel or homestay as desribed in the itinerary, which includes 3 meals a day and drinks served as part of the meal. All local transport as required. Ponies or yaks to carry our main baggage if multi day hiking. Hotels on a full board basis. Bhutan visa fees.
What is not included
The price allows for joining in Bhutan and does not include international airfare and departure taxes. Personal insurance, visa fees for gateway cities in adjoining countries, vaccination costs, personal clothing and equipment, all items of a personal nature and all bottled and canned drinks be it alcohol or soft drink.
Regards, Mo.
Maurice (Mo) Adshead FRGS
Manager Operations
Muir's Tours (NKF Trading Ltd)
Office - +44 (0)118 950 2281
Office Location: Nepal House, 97a, Swansea Road, Reading, RG1 8HA. UK.
Email : mo@nkf-mt.org.uk
Website: www.nkf-mt.org.uk (main) or www.muirstours.org.uk (duplicate)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
What is included
Fully supported tented camping by our Bhutanese crew or hotel or homestay as desribed in the itinerary, which includes 3 meals a day and drinks served as part of the meal. All local transport as required. Ponies or yaks to carry our main baggage if multi day hiking. Hotels on a full board basis. Bhutan visa fees.
What is not included
The price allows for joining in Bhutan and does not include international airfare and departure taxes. Personal insurance, visa fees for gateway cities in adjoining countries, vaccination costs, personal clothing and equipment, all items of a personal nature and all bottled and canned drinks be it alcohol or soft drink.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Bhutan
Hiking & Trekking
Self Drive
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