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Bhutan: Festivals of Bhutan Appreciate the beauty of Bhutan without having to trek! On this comprehensive cultural odyssey, take a step back in time for a glimpse of traditions and customs disappearing from the rest of the Himalayan world. Guarded by gigantic mountains and covered with thick primeval forests, Bhutan will enchant you with its natural beauty and the generous, welcoming attitude of its unassuming people, who have not rejected their spiritual heritage for modern ways. As you visit the country's impressive whitewashed dzongs (fortress-monasteries that are thriving centers of worship and culture) and meet the people on some of the day hikes through the countryside, you'll see how the past remains an integral part of the very vibrant present. A highlight is the Tsechu religious festival, an exuberant and earthy affair featuring fancifully costumed dancers performing masked dance-dramas before hundreds of onlookers. Mingling with the locals in this joyous celebration—a highlight of their social calendar - is a unique honor, bestowed to only a limited number of visitors each year. TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
Book Early for Bhutan Trips! Check out our Himalaya Feature (including slideshows, stories, facts, and more) and learn more about the new King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, who took over as the fifth Druk Gyalpo in Bhutan this December! |
 Itinerary: Festivals of Bhutan
Day 1 - Arrive in Bangkok, Thailand. Day 2 - Fly to Paro, Bhutan, scenically situated in a pretty terraced valley. Day 3 - Attend the Tsechu Festival along with locals who come attired in their finest clothing and jewelry. Optional hike to Taktsang Monastery (the "Tiger's Nest") on a steep trail through the forest. Day 4 - Easy morning hike to Dzongdrakha, a small monastery above the Paro Valley. Afternoon drive to Thimphu, Bhutan's capital. Day 5 - Day hike in the forested countryside near Thimphu. Day 6 - Scenic drive over the Dochu La (10,000') to the Punakha Valley. Tour the Punakha Dzong, one of the most scenically situated dzongs in the country, and take a short hike over the rice paddies to the small but charming Chimi Lhakhang (temple). Day 7 - Drive to Bumthang, enjoying views of snowy peaks and visiting weavers of the Chummi Valley. Days 8-9 - Explore the monasteries and pilgrimage sites of the Bumthang Valley, the spiritual and cultural center of the country. Days 10-11 - Retrace much of our route across the country to Wangdue Phodrang, the site of a monastery perched on a promontory above the river. On Day 13, visit the dzong, then drive to Thimphu. Day 12 - Sightseeing in Thimphu. Late afternoon drive to Paro. Days 13-14 - Fly to Bangkok. Depart Bangkok on Day 14, or join one of our extensions to Vietnam or Cambodia. (Note—Itinerary varies slightly for each departure, depending on the location of the Tsechu festival which is held in various districts throughout Bhutan at different times of year.) Detailed Itinerary - Bhutan: Festivals of Bhutan 1. Download detailed itinerary in a PDF format 2008 Detailed Itinerary 2009 Detailed Itinerary (PDF files require that you have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed. This program can be downloaded for free from the Adobe Website.) 2. Or email us your itinerary request at sales@mtsobek.com 3. Or call us at 1-888-831-7526 (USA and Canada) or (510) 594-6000 We’ll email you a copy (Word or Acrobat document), fax, or mail you the itinerary as you prefer. For more information and reservations, please contact: Mountain Travel Sobek 1266 66th Street, Suite 4 Emeryville, CA 94608 USA Toll Free (USA and Canada): 1-888-831-7526 Phone: +1-510-594-6000 Fax: + 1-510-594-6001 Email: info@mtsobek.com |