TOUR OVERVIEW:
The 4 valleys of Bumthang, in central Bhutan, is the cultural and religious heartland of Bhutan and revered as the sacred valleys of this Buddhist kingdom. The area was converted to Buddhism by Padmasambhava in the eighth century and was the home of many saints of the Nyingmapa school including the great Pema Lingpa. The four valleys of Bumthang is dotted with many temples, monasteries, historical and religious sites and it would be difficult to find so many places revered by the people of Bhutan in such a small area anywhere.
Bhutan’s wonderful religious festivals are celebrated at several monasteries and Dzongs of Bumthang and this makes a good time to visit this interesting area.
We offer customized private tours for small groups during many of these festivals. All land transport, first class accommodation, all meals and sightseeing tours are included. Tour itineraries and dates can be customized depending on preferences and weather you want to travel through Bangkok, Delhi or Kathmandu, from where flights are available to Bhutan. Please contact us for details of any of these festival tours.
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Below are the suggested Bumthang Festival Tour dates for the year 2003.
JAMBAY LAKHANG TSECHU - BUMTHANG - CENTRAL BHUTAN - 8-12 Nov, 2003.
1) 07-Day Tour: 09-15 November, 2003 (ex Bangkok or Calcutta).
2) 09-Day Tour: 07-15 November, 2003 (ex Bangkok or Calcutta).
3) 10-Day Tour: 06-15 November, 2003 (ex Kathmandu or Delhi).
NGALAKHANG TSECHU - BUMTHANG - CENTRAL BHUTAN - 8-10 Dec, 2003.
1) 11-Day Tour: 04-14 November, 2003 (ex Kathmandu or Delhi).
2) 09-Day Tour: 05-13 November, 2003 (ex Bangkok or Calcutta).
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TREK OPTION:
4-Day BUMTHANG CULTURE TREK Trek.
The above tour can be combined with a 4-day Bumthang Cultural trek. Relatively easy trekking and camping below 3,500m (11,500ft). Visit rural Bhutanese villages including the main temples, dzongs and monasteries of the two main valleys of Bumthang. Customized itineraries including this trek is available on request.
Your Itinerary
Day 1:
ARRIVE PARO - BHUTAN:
Arrive Paro, Bhutan, by Druk Air from Kathmandu, Nepal or New Delhi, India. After completing your disembarkation formalities, you will be greeted by your Bhutanese guide.Tme permitting, vsit the Paro Museum housed at the graceful Ta Dzong which was once a watch tower, situated strategically, overlooking the Paro valley. The museum houses a rare collection of Bhutan’s historical, religious, cultural and artistic heritage, all beautifully preserved and displayed in a unique setting – a museum lover’s heaven!!Afterwardfs start drive to Thimphu – a pleasant 2 hour’s drive through picturesque river valleys and mountain slopes dotted with typical Bhutanese villages. On arrival in Thimpu check-in at the hotel. Rest of the evening free to relax or take a short walk through the streets of Thimphu. Dinner and overnight Hotel in Thimphu.
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Day 2:
THIMPHU SIGHTSEEING:
Today we go on a guided sightseeing tour of Thimphu and visit the Tashicho Dzong, the National Memorial Stupa, Zelukha Nunnery, Bhutanese Paper Factory, Handicrafts Emporium, Thimphu town, etc., as time permits. Meals and overnight at hotel in Thimphu.
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Day 3:
THIMPHU TO TRONGSA:
After breakfast start drive from Thimphu to Punakha – a 5-hour drive through picturesque valleys and mountain slopes dotted with typical Bhutanese villages. From the Dochu La pass at over 10-thousand feet vast panoramic views of the high snowcapped peaks of the Bhutanese Himalaya can be enjoyed on a clear day. Continue drive down into the Punakha valley to Wangdu Phodrang town. Lunch enroute. Dinner and overnight at Guest House in Trongsa.
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Day 4:
TRONGSA to BUMTHANG:
Early morning start the 8 hour drive over the Pele La pass to Trongsa valley and then to Jakar in Bumthang. The four valleys of Bumthang is the cultural heart of Bhutan. The colourful woolen homespun woven material known as yata is woven in this area. Yata weaving is indigenous to Bumthang and is woven and embroidered woolen material made into traditional coats. Lunch, dinner and overnight at Guest House in Bumthang.
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Day 5:
BUMTHANG SIGHTSEEING:
Bumthang is the cultural and religious center of Bhutan. Places to visit in Bumthang include Mebartso (the burning lake where the treasure revealer Pema Lingpa discovered Buddhist treasures), Tamshing Monastery - one of the most sacred Nyingmapa monasteries, Kurjey Lhakhang - built on the site of Guru Rimpoche’s meditation site, Jambay Lhakhang, etc. Meals and overnight at guest house in Bumthang.
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Day 6:
URA FESTIVAL:
This morning we drive across the Ura La pass which affords fine views of Mount Gankar Punkar Punsum to the highest of the Bumthang valleys. Ura village (3100m/11,70ft) consists of closely built shingled houses, where the community subsits of the basis of pastoral farming and the potato crop. The Ura Lhakang, built in 1986 and dedicated to Padmambhava, contains beautiful paintings of the Nyingma school. The Shinkar monastery, is a half hour’s drive further on.
On arrival visit the Ura Tshechu festival where the masked dance-dramas of this typical festival are going on. Be amongst throngs of Bhutanese from the Bumthang villages and Ura, in particular, all dressed in their traditional finery. Witness the wonderfully colourful and esoteric religious masked dances performed by specially trained groups of Buddhist monks and laymen dressed in special costumes and adorned with very impressive masks. Lunch, dinner and overnight at Guest House in Ura.
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Day 7:
URA FESTIVAL - TRONGSA:
Spend the morning at the Ura Tshechu Festival or take optional village hike/walk in Ura valley. After lunch start return drive to Trongsa. Dinner and overnight at Guest House in Trongsa.
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Day 8:
TRONGSA - PUNAHKA:
This little town of Trongsa is historically significant as the ancestral home of the present day Kings of Bhutan. This morning visit the very impressive Trongsa Dzong, if open. Today drive from Trongsa to Wangdu or Punakha. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Wangdu or Punakha.
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Day 9:
PUNAKHA – PARO:
This morning we will visit the Punakha Dzong located at the scenic confluence of the Po Chu and Mo Chu (the Father River and the Mother River). This massive Dzong was the old capital of Bhutan and is still the winter home of the Je Khenpo, (the spiritual head of Bhutan) and his council of monks. Afterwards drive over the Dochu La to Thimpu for lunch. After lunch drive to Paro. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Paro.
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Day 10:
EXCURSION TO TIGER’S NEST MONASTERY:
Today there will be a chance to go on an excursion to the Bhutan’s most revered and certainly the most famous site, Taktsang Monastery or the ‘Tiger’s Nest”. Hike or ride a surefooted pony through a forested pathway ascending steeply toward the towering vertical cliffs two-thousand feet above the valley floor. On this cliff face, overlooking a dizzying precipice, is the historic cave where the Buddhist teacher Padmasambava or Guru Rimpoche meditated, who, it is believed, rode on the back of a flying Tiger. Hence this holy place is also called the Tiger’s Nest.Foreigners are not allowed inside the monastery but can enjoy the view from the cafeteria. The more intrepid hiker can continue further up the trail to get a closer and dramatic spot directly opposite the temple. Sadly, a few years ago, the main temple was destroyed by fire and is being rebuilt at the moment but this does not subtract from the rewards of the days excursion. Lunch at the Taksang View Cafeteria or at hotel. In the afternoon, time permitting, visit a Bhutanese Family home. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Paro.
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Day 11:
KATHMANDU or DELHI:
In the morning transfer to Paro airport for flight to Kathmandu, Nepal.End of Bhutan tour.
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Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
ABOVE TOUR INCLUDES:
- Accommodation in twin-share rooms;
- All meals (fixed breakfast, lunch & dinner);
- English speaking guide;
- Transfers and transport as per itinerary;
- Sightseeing tours and entrance fees;
DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Airport tax;
- Bhutan visa cost (US$20);
- Tips; bottled/alcoholic;
- photography charges (where applicable).
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Bhutan
Festival Tours
Cultural Journey
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