Punakha Domchoe Trek
The highlight of this tour is the Punakha festival consisting of typical masked dances which are very colourful and interesting, the events and enactments are different on each day. Punakha Dromchoe is a eight days long festival dedicated to the goddess Mahakala. The religious aspects are performed in the same manner as in early times. On the last day, a play of warriors going off to war is enacted.
The contrast between the climate and vegetation in Punakha at 1,800 metres and Thimphu and Paro valleys at 2,400metres will be clearly felt as you spend a few days in Paro at the beginning of your trip and a few days in the capital city, Thimphu, at the end of the tour. In Paro you will visit the dzong, the museum, temples and farmhouses. The excursion to Taktsang Monastry is well worth the effort it is classed as Paro’s most famous and most deeply revered religious site. In Thimphu, you will spend a full day of sightseeing.
For the year 2009 you should visit Bhutan from February 27th to March 12th to see this festival.
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Details |
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Price Includes |
(HK-18308-P) |
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Airport transfers |
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Licensed English speaking Bhutanese Tour Guides. |
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All sightseeing tours, Monument /Museum entrance Fees as per itinerary. |
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All meals fixed breakfast, lunch & dinner with Tea and Coffee for whole duration of your stay in Bhutan. |
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Private Transport & Driver within Bhutan. (Imported Prado’s, Micro Buses & Toyota Coaster Buses) |
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Bhutan Visa Fees and Visa Processing assistance |
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All trekking arrangements and required number of staff. |
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All trekking permits logistics & fees. |
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Route Permits & monument access permits |
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Luggage will be hauled by horses, mules or yaks at higher elevations. |
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Price Excludes |
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1. Bottled/alcoholic/cold drinks, room service and al a cart meals.
2. Your travel insurance (compulsory).
3. International airfares and airport departure tax.
4. Photography charges (if and when applicable).
5. Items of a personal nature such as laundry.
6. Personal Equipment.
7. Tips to guides, restaurants, hotel lobby, porters and trekking staff. (Tipping is expected.)
8. Any others expenses which are not mentioned on Price Includes section.
9. Personal trekking Equipment.
Druk Air Flight Cost Extra Payment
-US$820 per person for flights from Bangkok-Paro-Bangkok
-US$790 per person for flights from Kathmandu-Paro-Bangkok or Bangkok - Paro-Kathmandu.
-US$460 per person for flights Kathmandu-Paro-Kathmandu
-US$675 per person for flight from Kathmandu- Paro- New Delhi
-US$720 per person for flight from New Delhi- Paro- New Delhi |
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Suitability / Level |
Demanding |
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Itinerary
& Highlights |
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2009 Itinerary
February 27 - Arrival at Paro Airport.
You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel to settle in. After the formalities we take a short drive to Paro town to stroll through Bazaar. We visit the Ta Dzong which houses the National Museum and visit Paro’s Rimpung Dzong , on the way down we cross the 16th century cantilever bridge. Also visiting the Drugyel Dzong victory fortress, built in 1647 which is 18 kilometers from the Paro town. Explore the magnificent ramparts of the erstwhile fortress which defended the country against several incursions. On a clear day one can also view the sacred Mount Jomolhari, from the northern battlements. We take a visit to a farm house and observe the traditional Bhutanese way of life & living. Overnight at hotel.
February 28 - Scenic drive from Paro to Thimphu.
Early morning we take a scenic drive to Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu, approx 90 mins drive from Paro. Sightseeing in and around Thimphu valley we visit the National Library, which holds a collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts, as well as the institute for Zorig Chusum commonly known as Painting School, textile and Folk Heritage Museum which provides an insight into Bhutanese material culture and everyday way of life. Also visiting the National Memorial Chorten, Trashichho dzong an impressive monastery, Bhutanese Handicrafts displaying a wide range of beautifully hand-woven textiles and craft products. In the evening we explore the vibrant Thimphu Bazaar. Overnight at hotel.
February 29 - Drive from Thimphu to Punakha.
Driving about 3 hours, leaving Thimphu the road climbs steeply through a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochula pass (3,050 m). This pass offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges on a clear day. You will see Rhododendrons, Magnolias, Junipers and pine forests with chirping sounds of the many rare species of birds found in Bhutan. We then drive onto Lobesa where you take a short hike to Chimi Lhakhang Temple. This temple is on a hill top and it is dedicated to the great Yogi known as Drukpa Kuenley or popularly known as “Divine madman” of the 14th century. It is believed that this temple blesses women who seek fertility. Overnight at hotel.
March 01 to March 08 - Festival activities in Punakha.
Enjoy the festival of Punakha Domchoe. Overnight at hotel.
March 02- Drive back to Paro.
Follow same route, drive back to Paro. Overnight at hotel.
March 03 - Sightseeing around Paro.
We visit the Ta Dzong which houses the National Museum and visit Paro’s Rimpung Dzong , on the way down we cross the 16th century cantilever bridge. Also visiting the Drugyel Dzong victory fortress, built in 1647 which is 18 kilometers from the Paro town. Explore the magnificent ramparts of the erstwhile fortress which defended the country against several incursions. On a clear day one can also view the sacred Mount Jomolhari, from the northern battlements. We take a visit to a farm house and observe the traditional Bhutanese way of life & living. Overnight at hotel.
March 04- Excursion to Taktsang Monastery (Tigers Nest).
Excursion to Taktsang Monastery (Tigers Nest).The trail to the monastery climbs through beautiful Pine and rhododendron forests. We stop at the tea house for rest and refreshments ,the tea house offers magnificent up close view of the tigers nest and continue the hike for short while until you see, clearly and seemingly within reach, the imposing Taktsang monastery. Built in 1600s, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. History states that Guru Padmasambhava, the Tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, landed here on the back of a flying tiger and meditated here for three months. It is regarded to be one of the most venerated cultural heritage sites in Bhutan. People from all over the Himalayan Diaspora frequent this place on the pilgrimage trail to Bhutan. Overnight at hotel.
March 05 - Transfer to international airport for your final departure.
After breakfast our Airport Representative will drop you to the Paro International Airport for your flight departure from Bhutan.
Book Early for Bhutan Trips!
Flights between Bangkok/Kathmandu/New Delhi and Paro on Druk Air, Bhutan’s national airline, sell out six to eight months in advance. We recommend you reserve your Bhutan trip as early as possible, so we can secure these flights for you. The Druk air flight normally gets full really quick. Please see our Visitor Facts for more information about Bhutan.
NOTE: The above information is a guide and standard template of what we provide. Our Bhutan Tour can be customized at your request to accommodate your specific requirements. Private Departure available.
On trips of this type, weather, local politics, transport or a multitude of other factors beyond our control can result in a change of itinerary. It is, however, very unlikely that the itinerary would be substantially altered; if alterations are necessary the leader will decide what is the best alternative, taking into consideration the best interests of the whole group. Where a change does occur, we do everything we can to minimize its effect, but we cannot be responsible for the results of changes or delays. |
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Accommodation
& Centre Details |
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Standard government approved accommodation (in twin share rooms) for the duration of tour. |
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Holidays
Extras |
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We have provided a little
section of extra travel needs that you may need
and to make life easier for our customers. We aim
to provide all the extras you would need; flights,
hotels, insurance, car hire and airport parking.
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