enchanting bhutan

Nature of program:
Cultural Tour: Complete crossing from west to east visiting all the im-portant places, Monastries, lhakhangs, and very important historical places.

Jambay Lhakhang Festival: One of the most spectacular festivals in the country. The festival lasts for five days. The highlight of the festival is the fire ritual that is held in the evening where crowds gather to witness the rit-ualistic naked dance.

Thangbi Mani: Thangbi Mani is famouse for a fire dance performed by the monks of the monastery , as well as purification rituals involving fire.

Prakhar Duchhoed: It is the annual religious festival held annually at Prakhar Ngatsang. It is 3 days festival.

Total time: 18 Nights and 19 Days.
Accommodation: Hotel / Local Home
Dates: 17th October 2015 till 4th November 2015

Day 1: ( 17th October;2015) Paro; 2280M
Day 2 (18th October;2015): Paro
Day 3 (19th October;2015) : Thimphu ( 2320 M)
Day 4 (20th October;2015); Thimphu
Day 5 (21st October;2015) Thimphu
Day 6 (22nd October;2015) Thimphu to Punakha ( 1250m)
Day 7 (23rd October;2015) Punakha sightseeing.
Day 8 (24th October;2015) Drive to Phobjikha (2900 m)
Day 9 (25th October;2015);Sightseeing in Phobjikha and drive to Trongsa ( 2180 m)
Day 10 ( 26th October;2015 ) Sightseeing in Trongsa and drive to Bumthang ( 2580 m ).
Day 11( 27th October;2015); Bumthang; Jambay Lhakhang Drub
Day 12 ( 28th October;2015); Bumthang; Prakhar Duchhoed:
Day 13 ( 29th October ;2015); Bumthang; Thangbi Mane;
Day 14 ( 30th October;2015); Bumthang; Prakhar Dubchhoed;
Day 15 ( 31st October;2015); Bumthang; Jambay Lhakhang Drub
Day 16 (1st November;2015); Bumthang; to Mongar (1800 m)
Day 17 ( 2nd November;2015) Mongar to Tashigang (2100 m),
Day 18 ( 3rd November;2015); Trashigang to SamdrupJongkhar
Day 19 ( 4th November;2015) SamdrupJongkhar to Guwahati
Day 1: ( 17th October;2015) Paro; 2280M
We will arrive at Paro via Druk Air / Bhutan Airlines.
We will receive you in the airport by offering Trashi Khadhar and drive you to the hotel for the refreshment and for the night.

Day 2 (18th October;2015): Paro
After early Breakfast, we will drive 15 Km towards the north to reach the base of Taktsang Monastry. We will have to hike 2-3 hours to reach the clinging Monastery in the cliff. This Monastery is the Jewel of Bhutan and one must visit this. This is an important place of pilgrimage. According to legend Padmasambhava arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated there. After going down we will visit the ruins of Drugyel Dzong, Kitchu Lhakhang, Paro Rimpung Dzong and The museum.
We will also look around the town and visit the temples in the town. You will enjoy the beauty of the green park village.

Day 3 (19th October;2015) : Thimphu ( 2320 M)
After breakfast we will drive to the south of Paro. When we reach Bonday we will visit Tshenden Incense factory, Drak Karpo and as we move further we will cross the Paro river over an iron chain bridge to enter Tamchu Lhakhang. You will come to know about Thangtong Gyalpo when you enter the Lhakhang. As we drive further we will come to the confluence of Paro river and Thimphu river at Chhu zomsa which means meeting of the rivers. It is also the junction of the four important Dzongkhags i.e Phuntsholing, Haa, Thimphu and Paro. We will find the three chorten of Bhutan, Nepal and Tibetan to wave away the evil spells of that area. We will be welcomed by the members of Phuntsho Pelri Hotel or similar.

Day 4 (20th October;2015); Thimphu

After breakfast we will visit Memorial chorten which was built in the memory of 3rd King, Kuensel Phodrang where tallest sitting Buddha of the world is. We will drive to visit Changangkha Lhakhang, Motithang Takin Preservation area and hike to Wangdue tse Monastry where we will know the secret of our 4th Kings palace and view Dodedra Monastery from far. Then we will visit Zulukha Nunnery Center where nuns reside to learn Dharme, Dechen Phodrang Monastry where more then 300 small monks re-side to learn buddhism, Trashi Chhodzong which is the summer residence of the central Monastic body and half the fortress was used as the office of the golden throne. We will also visit centenary market, Zangdopelri and witness how the National Game (Archery ) is played in the national stadium. The night will be in a hotel in Thimphu.

Day 5 (21st October;2015) Thimphu
A day starts with a drive to Dodena (19 Km from Thimphu) and climb a hill to visit Chhari Monastry. It has all meditators and we are not suppose to en-ter the boundary but we can enter the monastery and the lhakhangs and get blessings. After coming back we will visit, Indigenous hospital where we get the herbal medicine, traditional Painting School, Folk Heritage muse-um,Textile museum and manage time to do some shopping in the town.

Day 6 (22nd October;2015) Thimphu to Punakha ( 1250m)
A day starts with a drive to the south of Thimphu where we will be visiting Simtokha Dzong which is the first Dzong built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in the 16th century. Then we will drive via Hongtsho to reach Do-chula Pass ( 3140 m ). We will make circumambulation to108 chorten and visit Druk Wangyel Lhakhang. Your Guide will narrate an history of this lhakhang and chortens. We will drive via narrow Thinleygang valley, Mitse-na valley and Lobesa valley. We will stop at Lobesa to visit Chhimi Lhakhang on a hill lock in the centre of the valley. The Lhakhang has a memories of a Devine mad man Lama Drukpa Kuenley which your guide will narrate to you. You will be blessed with children if you pray for it. Then we will continue our drive to reach Punakha where we will be welcomed in a hotel in Punakha.

Day 7 (23rd October;2015) Punakha sightseeing.

After breakfast we will drive towards Punakha Dzong. We will walk over a traditional bhutanese bridge to enter the Dzong. It is the winter residence of the monastic body and it has been a capital of Bhutan till 1964. The main relic of Bhutan is stored in this Dzong and you will find many buddhist Lhakhangs inside the Dzong. The Dzong lies in-between the two big rivers ( Pochu river and Mochu river ). We will enjoy the art and the architecture of the Bhutanese.
After Lunch we will drive along side the Mochu river to visit Do jaga lam Lhakhang and hike to visit Khamsum Yuellay Namgyel Lhakhang which was built dedicated to our 5th King to serve the nation and protect the country. Then we will visit the town and the lhakhang in the town.


Day 8 (24th October;2015) Drive to Phobjikha (2900 m)
After breakfast we will drive towards Wangdue along the river bank of Puna Tsang Chu to reach the Bajo Thang Town. Then we will visit the ruins of Wangdue Phodrang Dzong and pass by the Teki Zampa and the Chhuzomsa to reach Phobjikha valley. We will be welcomed by the members of a hotel in Phobjikha.

Day 9 (25th October;2015);Sightseeing in Phobjikha and drive to Trongsa ( 2180 m)

A day starts with visit in the Gangtay Gompa Lhakhang. Then we will visit Wangmo Hand woven carpet factory, black backed crane information centre and we will enjoy the beauty of the village.We will drive to Trongsa via chele la pass ( 3420 m ). We can view Jhomolhari Mountain, Jichu Drakey and Kangbum mountains. We will drive via Chendeji Chortens to reach Trongsa. We will be welcomed by the members of Tashi Ninjay Hotel or sim-ilar.

Day 10 ( 26th October;2015 ) Sightseeing in Trongsa and drive to Bumthang ( 2580 m ).
Our day starts with the visit to the Trongsa Dzong, The tower of Trongsa Museum, Karma Drubdey Nunnery, Thruepang Palace, Kuenga Rabten Pal-ace. Then we will drive to Bumthang via Yotongla Pass and Chhumey vil-lage. We will be welcomed by the members of River Lodge.


Day 11( 27th October;2015); Bumthang; Jambay Lhakhang Drub
After breakfast we will drive to Jambay Lhakhang to attend the 1st day Jam-bay Lhakhang festival.
After lunch we will have a pilgrimage Tour. We will drive to visit Jakar Dzong, Sey (gold) Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, Tamshing Monastry,


Day 12 ( 28th October;2015); Bumthang; Prakhar Duchhoed:
After breakfast we will drive to Chummey village from where we will have to hike around 10 minutes to reach Prakhar lhakhang on a perched hill. It is the 1st day festival and we will observe the different culture of these festi-val. Then in the evening we will drive back to reach our hotel
Day 13 ( 29th October ;2015); Bumthang; Thangbi Mane;
After breakfast we will drive to chhumey village from where we will have to hike around 2 hours to reach Thangbi Monastry. There we will witness 3rd day festival which is famous for a fire dance performed by the monks of the monastery, as well as purification rituals involving fire.

Day 14 ( 30th October;2015); Bumthang; Prakhar Dubchhoed;
After breakfast we will drive to Chummey village from where we will have to hike around 10 minutes to reach Prakhar lhakhang on a perched hill. It is the last day festival and we will witness dance and get blessings from the re-ligious dance. Then in the evening we will drive back to reach our hotel.

Day 15 ( 31st October;2015); Bumthang; Jambay Lhakhang Drub
After breakfast we will drive to Jambay Lhakhang to attend the last day Jambay Lhakhang festival. We will spent the whole day witnessing the festi-val and in the evening we will attend the necked dance fire ceremony and get blessings.


Day 16 (1st November;2015); Bumthang; to Mongar (1800 m)

After breakfast we will again visit the Ura Monastry to get blessings of the Thanka and the relic which was displayed to the public. Then we will drive to Mongar (1800 m) which is (198 kms). We leave the valleys of Bumthang and cross the Thumsing La (3900 m), highest on our way through Bhutan road. Then we plunge again in a climate zone subtropical, with a mixed for-est of hardwoods and conifers. Visit Mongar Dzong.

Day 17 ( 2nd November;2015) Mongar to Tashigang (2100 m),

Morning we will drive (91 kms) eastward to join Tashigang. We cross the road in the Kori (2450 m) and go through the villages of Yadi and Dramist. We make visits to villages and weaving centers in the region of Rangjung, with a little hiking. District Tashigang is the most populous of all Bhutan. Visit Tashigang dzong.
Overnight at hotel Tashigang.

Day 18 ( 3rd November;2015); Trashigang to SamdrupJongkhar
End visits Tashigang. It is to the south we then ride today (180 kms), the first step in our exit from Bhutan to Assam. Road to Samdrup Jongkhar still in Bhutan, but close to the border with India, through a thick jungle. Way visit a weaving center in Khaling. Overnight in a hotel in Samdrup Jongkhar.

Day 19 ( 4th November;2015) SamdrupJongkhar to Guwahati
Samdrup Jongkhar to Guwahati flight to Delhi Exit formalities of Bhutan, then drive to the city of Guwahati, the capital of Assam, formerly called Pragjyotishpura (eastern city of light) on the south bank of the Brahmaputra. Some visits to Guwahati if time permits, including Kamakshya temple built on a hill, which is a hotbed of Tantric Hinduism. Goats are regularly offered in sacrifice. Flight to Delhi in the early afternoon and arrive in Delhi in the late afternoon. Then flights on Emirates to return to Nice via Dubai. Off from Delhi at 21 h 50 and arrived in Dubai at 23 h 50.
Jambay Lhakhang Festival
Jambay Lhakhang is one of the oldest temples in the kingdom. It was found-ed by, Songtsen Gampo, a Tibetan King in the 7th century AD. The king was destined to build 108 temples known as Thadhul- Yangdhul (temples on and across the border) in a day to subdue the demoness that was residing in the Himalayas. The temple is one of the two of the 108 built in Bhutan. A second is located in Paro, the Kichu lhakhang also built on the same day.
Guru Rimpoche visited the site several times and deemed it exceptionally sacred. Chakhar Gyab, the king of the Iron Castle of Bumthang renovated the temple in the 8th century AD. The first king of Bhutan, Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuck constructed the Dus Kyi Khorlo (Kala Chakra- Wheel of Time) inside the temple, to commemorate his victory over his rivals Phuntsho Dor-ji of Punakha and Alu Dorji of Thimphu after the battle of Changlimithang in 1885. Later, Ashi Wangmo, the younger sister of the second king of Bhu-tan, built the Chorten lhakhang.
The main relics include the future Buddha, Jowo Jampa (Maitreya) from whose name the present name of the temple is derived. The lhakhang also houses more than one hundred statues of the gods of Kalachakra built by the first king, in 1887.
One of the most spectacular festivals in the country, called Jambay lhakhang Drup is hosted here. The festival lasts for five days (check with your tour operator to confirm these dates). The highlight of the festival is the fire ritual that is held in the evening where crowds gather to witness the ritualistic naked dance.

Thangbi Mani:
Thangbi Lhakhang is located beyond Kuje Lhakhang which is 2 hours walk through the beautiful chhokhar village where the motor-able road ends.
Thangbi Mani is a four-day festival which is a display of the rich tradition and celebrates the cultural heritage of this ancient monastery. It is held an-nually from 14th to 17th day of the eighth month of the Bhutanese calendar. Thangbi Mani tshechu is most popular festival held in Chhoekhar Geog near Jakar in the Bumthang valley in the courtyard of a monastery built in 1470 .It is famous for a fire dance performed by the monks of the monastery, as well as purification rituals involving fire.
Prakhar Duchhoed
Prakhar or Pra, is a picturesque village in the Chhume valley, perched on a small plateau located at the curve of the river. The village composed of sev-en large stone houses, has easy access on foot from the main road (10mn walk). A feeder road has also connected the village since 2006.
Prakhar Ngatshang is a complex of temples and a mansion (ngatshang), which belongs to the lineage of religious lords, as a reminder of the time when the village of Prakhar was the seat of the lords of Chhume Valley. Prakhar Ngatshang was built at the end of the 16th century by Tenpe Nyima (born in 1569) who was the grandson of Pema Lingpa, a saint of Nyingmapa school (1450-1521). According to the legend, Tenpe Nyima re-ceived a prophecy saying that he should build a temple in the lower Chhume valley where two rivers meet next to a black rock. As he undertook the task, the temple somehow seemed to grow bigger every night, and the villagers observed white monkeys working on the temple after dark. The name of the place Prakhar which literary means, white monkey is derived from this story.
Prakhar Dubchhoed was for 3 days. It is the religious festival held an-nually. The local community dressed in their best festive dresses come to witness the scared dance and get blessings.
SlNo.No of personCost of the TourNo. of NightsOffers
12 Person$ 9000/- 18 nights and 19 days Nil
24 Person$ 18000 /-18 nights and 19 days Nil
35 Person$22,000 /-18 nights and 19 days Visa Free
410 Person$ 40,000/- 18 nights and 19 days Visa Free / Tour leader free trip in Bhutan
515 Person$ 65,000 /- 18 nights and 19 days Visa Free
Tour leader free trip in Bhutan
Free Airfare from Delhi to Paro


INCLUSION:
Applicable Airport Taxes.
Accommodation with all meals in 3 star hotels and on trek.
Transportation during the Tour as well as on trek.
Professional guide, driver chauffeur, cooks, waiters.
Mineral water throughout the Trip.
Royalty and taxes
EXCLUSIONS:
Travel Insurance charges and other emergencies fee.
Cost of foreign exchange for personal expenses;
Expenses of personal nature, personal trekking aids, mini bar in the room,
Laundry, telephone bills, tips, gratuities etc.
First Aids Kids (personal)
Surcharges applicable during Conventions, Special Events and Trade fairs.

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