PARO TSHECHU FESTIVAL(23 MARCH 2014) BHUTAN TOUR

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Duration : 3 to 5 days

Starting Price : 250USD/Person

Tour Description

PARO TSHECHU FESTIVAL(23 MARCH 2014)

The Tsechus are Buddhist religious festivals where masked dances depicting the events from the life of Padmasambhava, the eighth century Nyingmapa Buddhist teacher, are staged. The dances are performed by trained monks wearing ornate costumes and impressive masks. At the Paro Festival, a large and beautifully appliqued 'Thanka' scroll known as a Tongdrol is exhibited for a few hours, at day break of the final day of the festival, enabling the people to obtain its blessing, as this holy scroll 'confers liberation by the mere sight of it' (tongdrol in Bhutanese). Join our Paro Festival Tour to visit Bhutan during the Buddhist Festival at Paro valley. Besides the Paro valley and the festival this Paro Festival tour will also visit Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan and the Punakha and Wangdu valleys driving over the Dochu la pass.

Day 01 : Arrive at Paro
The flight to Paro offers good view of the mighty Himalayas. On the arrival at Paro international airport, your tour guide will receive you and escort you to the hotel. After a brief refreshment/ lunch in the hotel visit the National Museum located on a promontory overlooking the valley. The museum is a good introduction to the Bhutanese culture and history. In the evening explore the Paro village town. Overnight Hotel

Days 02 : Paro festival

After breakfast, walk to Paro Ringpung Dzong to witness the first day of the festival held inside the Dzong's courtyard. Lots of people from Paro valley will come to see the festival wearing the best dresses. The festival will last till 3 PM in the afternoon. In the late afternoon, visit the 7th century Kychu temple built by Songtsen Gambo, the first Tibetan Buddhist king to spread Buddhism across the Himalayas. Overnight Hotel.

Days 03 : Paro festival

After breakfast walk to the ground above the Dzong the witness the second day of the festival. Today, the festival will be held outside the dzong in the open air and you will get much better view of the festival from the slopes and you will get to interact more with the local people. The festival will last about 3 PM in the evening drive to Drukgyal Dzong to see the ruins of the Dzong. The Dzong though in ruins played a very important role in defending the valley from Tibetan invasion. Overnight Hotel.

Days 04 : Paro - Thimphu (63 KM, 3 hour drive)

After breakfast drive to Thimphu. The drive would take about 2 hours, on the way, visit the Simtokha Dzong built in 1629 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the unifier of Bhutan in the 17th century. Now the Dzong now houses a Buddhist College for the monks. On the arrival at Hotel in Thimphu check in the hotel and have lunch. After lunch, visit the Institute of Arts & Crafts where they train young students in the traditional arts. Visit the National Library where old manuscripts are preserved. Visit the Folk Heritage museum. In the late afternoon, drive to Viewpoint and enjoy the view of Thimphu city. On the way back visit the strange looking animal, Tarkin (national Animal) in the sanctuary. In the evening explore the Thimphu city. Overnight Hotel

Days 05 : Thimphu – sightseeing

After breakfast, visit the National Memorial Chorten built in memory of the late King in 1974 by Late Ashi Phuntsho Choden. Visit the Institute of Traditional Medicines, Textile Museum and Government Handicrafts store. Lunch in the town. After lunch, visit the traditional handmade paper factory and gold & silversmiths workshop. In the evening after office hours, visit the Tashicho Dzong. The Dzong houses the office of His Majesty the King and is the summer residence of His Holiness, the Je Kheno's (Lord Abbot) and the central monk body. In the evening, you can explore the various handicrafts stores in the town. Overnight Hotel.

Days 06 : Thimphu -Punakha (77 KM, 3 hour drive)

After breakfast drive to Punakha On the way at Dochula pass (3100 KM) visit the only 108 stupa built in one spot. If the sky is clear you can see the breathtaking view of the whole Eastern Himalayan Mountain Ranges. In Punakha visit the Punakha Dzong, which houses the Central Monk body in winter. In the late afternoon drive to Kabisa and take a short hike to Khamsung Yuelley Namgyal Stupa. The round trip hike would take about 2 hours. Overnight Hotel.

Days 07 : Punakha - Bumthang ( 208 KM, 8 hour drive)

After breakfast drive to Bumthang via Wangdi village town. While passing through Wangdi, you can also visit the Wnagdi Phodrang Dzong and continue driving to Bumthang. Have the pack lunch around the Pelela Pass (3300 Mts) or you have the option to continue to Chendebji Stupa. Chendebji Stupa is a massive stupa built in Sherpa style. After lunch, drive onto Bumthang via Trongsa. At Trongsa, stop to visit the Trongsa Dzong which is one of the most magnificent Dzongs in Bhutan with many old and holy temples inside the Dzong. Also visit the ancient WatchTower which has a temple dedicated to Ling Geyser (Alexandra the Great) and have your evening tea and continue to the Bumthang for the night.

Days 08 : Bumthang - sightseeing
After breakfast visit the Jampey Lhakhang temple ; visit the Kurjey lhakhang and also the new temple which is under construction near it, it has one of the best woodworks on the windows and joints. Drive to Thangbi Bridge and walk across the bridge to the Thangbi village and explore the village and the Thangbi Temple. In the evening, visit the Tamshing temple, Kharsumpey temple, Kenchosum temple, and the Jakar town.

Days 09 : Bumthang - Ura - Bumthang ( 54 KM, 2½ hour drive one way)

After breakfast, Visit the Jakar Dzong and the many temples inside the Dzong. Drive to Ura village which is 54 KM away. On the way, visit the Mebar Tso known as the " Flaming Lake" which is considered as one of the most sacred pilgrimage spots in Bhutan. In Ura visit the Ura Temple and explore the village and drive back to Bumthang for the night.

Days 10 : Bumthang - Gangtey ( 143 KM, 7 hour drive)
After breakfast visit the Jakar Dzong and drive to Gangtey. On the way, stop at Trongsa for lunch and continue to Gangtey. In Gangtey visit the Gangtey Gompa Dzong which is currently under renovation and you can see local carpenters and wood carvers at work. From Gangtey, you can closely view the picturesque Black Mountain ranges as well as the beautiful Phobjikha valley. Gangtey Gompa ( Gangtey monastery)-the only Nyingmapa (the older Buddhist sect) monastery is perched atop a small hill that rises from the valley floor. Overnight Phuntshocholing lodge.

Days 11 : Gangtey - Thimphu ( 148 KM, 6 hour drive)
Early in the morning try your luck with the rare Black Necked cranes and take a walk in the beautiful Phubjikha valley. Drive to Wangdi for lunch and to Dochula pass for the evening tea for one more try with the mountain view. Drive to Thimphu for the night. The total drive time would take about 6 hours. Overnight Hotel.

Days12 : Thimphu - Paro (63 KM, 2 hours drive)
After breakfast visit the few shopping places in Thimphu and drive to Paro. Overnight Hotel.

Service include:

· Twin sharing accommodation in3 star hotel

· Upgradation to 5 star hotel by your own expenses available

· Camping equipment and haulage for trekki ng tours

· All meals including breakfast, lunch and dinner.

· English speaking guide

· All entrabce fess ro museums and other attractions

· Comfortable transportation

· All applicable u=internal taxes and service fees

· Royality

· Visa fee

· Transfer to and from airport

Service not included

· Internation airefare (round trip)

· Travel insurance

· Single room supplement

· Other expenses such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc

Peak season: march april may, september, octumber and november

· . Solo travelers -250 person per night tour cost)+40US$(visa fee)+ 40 US$ person per night (FIT surcharges 40 US$)+(12 US$)bank charges

· Group of two-Tour cost (250per person per night US$)+ visa fee (40 US$)+FIT person per night (30*10=300 US$)+bank charges (12 US$)

· Group of three - US$ 250 per person per night + visa fee 40 US$+ No surcharges+12 bank charges

Off season January, fabuary.june, july, august, December

· Solo travlers-200US$ per person, per night+40US$(visa fee)+ 40 US$ person per night (FIT surcharges 40 US$)+(12 US$)bank charges

· Group of two-Tour cost (200 per person, per night US$)+ visa fee (40 US$)+FIT person per night (30*10=300 US$)+bank charges (12 US$)

· Group of three - US$ 200 per person per night + visa fee 40 US$+ No surcharges+12 bank charges

price and payment procedure

· Visa is issued by royal government of Bhutan only after advance payment. Tour payment must be done four weeks before prior to you arrival in Bhutan

· Once your trip is confirmed, we will send the instructions for making payment and after making payment we send your copy of your visa.

· Above mentioned cost is all inclusive of tax, royalty, accommodation, foodings, transportation, service for driver and English speaking guide, water, and helper during the tour time.

· Up gradation from 3 star hotels to 5 star hotels can be possible with an additional payment by your own. Please visit our hotel information.

· Flight from Bangkok, Delhi, Katmandu and Calcutta can be arranged by us for you. Other than this you will have to arrange by your own.

Transportation

· We also provide domestic flight if you prefer for any kinds of group

· Group between 5 to 8 w e provide mini bus

· Group between 8 and above we provide coaster bus

· Group below 5 we provide luxury car.

Price and payment procedure

Visa is issued by royal government of Bhutan only after advance payment. Tour payment must be done four weeks before prior to you arrival in Bhutan

Once your trip is confirmed, we will send the instructions for making payment and after making payment we send your copy of your visa.

Above mentioned cost is all inclusive of tax, royalty, accommodation, foodings, transportation, service for driver and English speaking guide, water, and helper during the tour time.

Up gradation from 3 star hotels to 5 star hotels can be possible with an additional payment by your own. Please visit our hotel information.

Flight from Bangkok, Delhi, Katmandu and Calcutta can be arranged by us for you. Other than this you will have to arrange by your own

Transportation

· We also provide domestic flight if you prefer for any kinds of group

· Group between 5 to 8 w e provide mini bus

· Group between 8 and above we provide coaster bus

· Group below 5 we provide luxury car.