Dragon Culturetour 1 - The Punakha festival

Cultural Tour with Punakha Festival. 2007.

Dates 2007

15Feb-28 Feb. (21-25Feb Punakha festival)

There isn’t a better way to experience the rich culture and traditions of Bhutan without attending one of the Tsechus or Festivals that takes place every year in every district of Bhutan. A cultural tour witnessing one of the major festivals of Bhutan is a perfect way to tour Bhutan. The Festival at Punakha begins on 21-25 Feb 2007. Our Tour will take you though the various districts of Western and Central Bhutan along with attending the Punakha festival. During the ‘tsechu’ locals come out in their best attire of silk and women display their jewelry and expensive silk ‘kiras’. This is also an occasion to meet family and friends have picnic lunch and Enjoy!

Day01. 15.2. Thu. Arrival at Bhutan from Bangkok, Kathmandu, Kolkata or Bangkok.

The Druk air flight into Paro is an exciting one as you land into the Paro airport. There are great views of mostly all great Himalayan peaks including Everest. Upon arrival our representative will be there at the airport to receive. Check into your hotel, can be at leisure or start exploring Paro town. o/n Paro.

Day02. 16.2 Paro Sightseeing.

Visit the Paro Dzong and national muesuem. The Muesuem is housed in the ancient watchtower of the Dzong and has many artifacts and history of Bhutan which is the best way to get orientated before starting your Tour. Visit the Dzong. Later tour the oldest monastery in Bhutan, the Kichu monastery which was built by King Songston Gonpo from Tibet in the 8th century.

Day03. 17.2 Paro Taktsang Hike.

Visit the famous Taktsang monastery, this is a hike of about 2 hrs back and forth from the viewpoint. Later visit the ruined Drugyal Dzong and weather permitting you have perfect views of the holy Mt. Jomolhari.

Day04. 18.2 Drive to Thimphu, Thimphu SS. 2hrs

Drive to Thimphu the capital city of Bhutan. This is a beautiful drive through the villages and rice fields of Paro, beautiful and colorful farmhouse complement the drive as you cruise along the Paro River amidst willow trees. On reaching Thimphu check into your Hotel and be at ease to explore the Thimphu city with its many curio stores. Visit the National memorial Chorten/Stupa which is the Memorial of the late His Majesty the 3rd King of Bhutan.

Day05. 19.2 Thimphu sightseeing.

Visit Sangaygang or the BBS watchtower the highest point in Thimphu to get great views of the whole valley. Can see the Takin, the national animal of Bhutan, visit Zilukha nunnery, the painting school and the folk heritage muesuem. There is also the Institute of 13 Arts and Crafts, you can see students at work. Later can be at leisure to explore the city.

Day06. 20.2 Drive to Punakha, sightsee Chimey Lhakhang.

Leave for Punakha, visit the Chimey Lhakhang monastery enroute. You will be driving across Dochula pass at 3000m, there are great views of the eastern Himalayas weather permitting. The drive to Punakha is 3hrs from Thimphu. Can stroll around the Druk Wangyal Chortens there are 108 beautiful stupas built for the protection of the country. Before reaching Punakha visit Chimey Lhakhang monastery, this is the Temple of the Devine man who is a greatly loved saint of Bhutan. Walk 15 minutes to this temple through the village. The monastery is built strategically on a hill top.

Day07. 21.2 At Punakha attend Festival.

Attend the Punakha festival. Many locals gather from various villages into this Dzong to witness the festival which is held inside the Punakha Dzong.

Day08. 22.2 Attend Festival and SS at Punakha.

Attend the festival. Later can visit the Paradise monastery of the Crown Prince, this is a hike about 30 minutes from the roadhead.

Day09. 23.2 Attend Festival in the morning and drive to Trongsa via Gangtey. 5hrs.

Attend some part of the festival in the morning, drive to Wangdue visit the Dzong and the Wangdue town and drive to Phobjikha, the valley of the Black neck cranes. This is a 3hrs drive.

Phobjikha valley is a wide glacial valley, can visit the Gangtey monastery which is 450 years old, it is under renovation and this is the only Pelling sect monastery.

Drive through various villages of Mangdue, you might come across yak herder camps and yaks grazing at the Pelila pass. Visit the Chendibji Chorten enroute and you can visit a beautiful village of Chendibji and Rukubji.

Day10. 24.2 Trongsa to Bumthang 2.3hrs.

Visit the Trongsa Dzong, this is the largest Dzong in the country and of importance to the Royalty in Bhutan, as the first King’s father started his career from this Dzong. Drive across the Dochula pass to descend to the Chumey valley and then pass over another small pass, Kekila to enter the valley of Jakar. Bumthang valley is also known as the Switzerland of Bhutan given the similarity of landscape.

Day11. 25.2 Bumthang SS.

Bumthang is a very broad valley and many sights to visit. Can start with the Jakar Dzong, the Kurgye Monastery and Jambay Lhakhang monastery which is one of the oldest monastery in Bhutan built in the 8th century. Visit the Swiss farm where they make great cheese, brandy and beer. Rest of the time is yours to explore the Chamkhar town.

Day12. 26.2 Bumthang to Punakha.

Drive back towards the west as we have now come to the central Bhutan. Complete sightseeing enroute. Be at leisure to walk around the pine forests and villages while at Punakha time permitting.

Day13. 27.2 Punakha to Paro via Thimphu.

Visit Thimphu to complete last minute shopping and sightseeing. Drive to Paro complete sightseeing, can visit the Semtokha Dzong which is also the oldest Dzong in the country. Be at leisure, complete last minute sightseeing, shopping and special interests. Farewell dinner.

Day14. 28.2 Wed. DEPARTURE

Tour tariff:

Group size:

Price in USD per person

01 person 3150

02 person 3020

03 -10 person 2630 01 person 50% off on air and ground arrangements 10-15 person 2630 01 person gets 100% free on air and ground arrangements.

Single Room Supplement USD 455.

What is Included:

• A grade Hotel/Resort accommodation with 03 meal plan and evening tea.

• Mineral water on transfer.

• English Speaking Guide throughout.

• All transfers in comfortable vans or bus depending on group size.

• All entry fees, visa fees and permit arrangements.

Extras.

• International and domestic flights.

• Use of bar, drinks, telephone, laundry, internet.

• Personal shopping etc.

• Tips and Gratuities to Guide, Driver.

Options:

While at Paro, there is the option to stay at some luxury Hotel like the Zhiwaling Hotel, if guests would like to stay there we can arrange for the same and an extra surcharge will be applicable based on room category and season.

Please note that above programme might have some changes due to flight timings, schedules etc which we always confirm prior to departure.