This is an extraordinary journey into Bhutan, the fabled land of the Thunder Dragon. You will experience week-end bazaars and Bhutanese hospitality at its finest. The highlight of this trip is the Ura Valley Tsechu. Tsechus are local festival dances that are medieval in nature, spiritual in content and laced with an exotic array of color too breathtaking to behold.
Bhutan URA Festival Tour
11 Days
Bhutan
1+
Moderate
- Trip Code: MT-BTO-BURFT1
- Trip Type: Tour
- Max. Altitude:
- Travel Mode: Drive
Overview
| Trip Code | MT-BTO-BURFT1 |
| Trip Duration | 11 Days |
| Trip Type | Tour |
| Trip Grade | Moderate |
| Min Group Size | 1+ |
| Trip Start | Kathmandu |
| Trip End | Paro |
| Best Season | Autumn: SEP-OCT-NOV Spring: MAR-APR-MAY |
| Transportaion | Drive |
| Meals | 3 meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) |
| Acommodation |
2-3 Star Hotel Accommodation in Kathmandu. 2-3 Star Hotel Accommodation in Tibet. |
Itinerary
Fly onboard Druk Air to Paro, Bhutan. On a clear day the panoramic views of the Himalaya are sensational, including Everest, but particularly exciting is the approach through the Bhutanese foothills and the landing, including a few steep turns to land at the tiny airstrip of Paro. On arrival, once you have cleared formalities, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
After lunch, visit to the National Museum, a fascinating place housed in an old watchtower above the huge Paro Dzong (monastery/fortress). The useum holds a fantastic collection of Bhutanese national treasures ranging from ancient armour to textiles and thangkha paintings. Hotel Holiday Home.
Morning we drive to the head of the valley and visit Drukgyel Dzong (ruins) built in a location that was chosen for its control over the route to Tibet. Also visit the impressive Rinpung Dzong, Kyichu Lhakhang (till the courtyard).
En route visit a typical Bhutanese farm house including paintings) and stroll around the small town. Hotel Holiday Home Option: Excursion to Taktsang
Drive to Thimphu, sightseeing Morning drive for 2 hours to the least visited of all the Himalayan capitals, Thimphu, en route visit Simtokha Dzong- the oldest monastery/fortress of the Kingdom.
Afternoon sightseeing includes; visits to the Memorial Chorten, folk heritage museum, Drubthob Nunnery at Zilukha, the handmade paper factory, mini zoo to see the Golden Takins (national animal of Bhutan), Zangtopelri Lhakhang and the local handicraft center for varieties of textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, jewellery etc. on display. Overnight at Hotel Wangchuk, Thimphu.
In the morning make a excursion to Cheri Gompa. The name of this monastery is Cheri Dorji Dhen. The Shabdrung (first ruler of Bhutan) built this Gompa in 1620 and established its first order of monks here. It is usually possible to enter Cheri courtyard and the temples. It takes almost 2 hours to reach the gompa from where there are wonderful views. This is a gentle leg stretching day that also allows us to see the countryside and villages of the Thimphu Valley. After lunch, visit the colorful weekend vegetable market. Overnight at Hotel Wangchuk.
Today we drive to Punakha, the old winter capital. The drive takes about 3 hours and crosses the 3100m high Dochu La. If the weather is clear there are wonderful Himalayan views from the pass. On the way to Punakha, we will stop for the short walk to Chimi Lakhang. It is a pleasant 20min stroll through fields to the temple that occupies a commanding position in the centre of the valley. The temple has special significance due to its association with Lama Drukpa Kunley, one of the most popular saints in Bhutan. From here, we proceed to Punakha and the imposing dzong that lies at the confluence of the Mo and Pho rivers. The large fortress with its temples, hall and towers overlooks the town and provides excellent views. Overnight at Meri Puensum Resort.
This is a long day’s drive of 8-9 hours depending on road conditions, but it is a journey you are not likely to forget. The road drops down through varied forest finally emerging into the highly-cultivated Wangdi valley and from here, the road winds up through varied forest up to the Pele La pass from where the views are spectacular. The journey then continues along a road in places literally carved out of impressive cliffsides, to Tongsa. In Tongsa, we have chance to wander around this pleasant township and explore Ta Dzong and the courtyard of Trongsa Dzong. From Tongsa, we drive across the Yotung La (3425m) and descend eventually into the valley of Bumthang, the heart of the Bhutanese weaving industry. The area, centered around the town of Jakar, is of great spiritual significance and encompasses four valleys. Overnight at Mountain Lodge
URA FESTIVAL . Mountain Lodge
A full day in Bumthang to explore the valley; hike to Tamshing Gomba, the most important Nyigma Gomba with a visit to the Yatha weaving center. It may also be possible to take some of the local village walks – a visit to the homeopathic hospital, the cheese factory, the castle of the ‘White Bird’, one or two local temples and a walk around Jakar township Also worth seeing in Jakar are the woodcraft workshop, dying workshop, and the five water-wheels behind Wangdicholing Old Palace. Overnight Mountain Lodge, Jakar.
Leaving Jakar, we return west, stopping for lunch at the Chendebje Chorten, a large white monument said to conceal the remnants of an evil spirit vanquished here. Continuing across the spectacular Pele La Pass we come to Wangdi. Take some time to stroll the little town of Wangdi and continue to Thimphu. Overnight Hotel Wangchuk.
Drive to Paro via Haa (a town in the west newly opened to the tourists) Explore Haa valley, one of the oldest and historical place of Bhutan. Farewell dinner at Hotel in Paro. Overnight at Hotel, Paro.
Paro – Kathmandu or Own Country.
Early morning departure flight to Kathmandu
Service Includes/Excludes
Trip includes:
- All airport pick-up and drop-off services by private A/C car or van
- Entry permit for National Park in any
- Tour guide
- Three meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
- Accommodations during trip
- First aid kit
- One farewell dinner with live Nepalese cultural performance.
Trip does not include:
- Personal nature expenses
- Drinks, beverages, hot shower, etc.
- Travel insurance
- Tips
- Entrance fees while sightseeing
- Meals & hotel accommodation in Kathmandu
Reviews
This is an extraordinary journey into Bhutan, the fabled land of the Thunder Dragon. You will experience week-end bazaars and Bhutanese hospitality at its finest. The highlight of this trip is the Ura Valley Tsechu. Tsechus are local festival dances that are medieval in nature, spiritual in content and laced with an exotic array of color too breathtaking to behold.
The highlight of this trip is the Ura Valley Tsechu. Tsechus are local festival dances that are medieval in nature, spiritual in content and laced with an exotic array of color too breathtaking to behold.
The highlight of this trip is the Ura Valley Tsechu. Tsechus are local festival dances that are medieval in nature, spiritual in content and laced with an exotic array of color too breathtaking to behold.
Completely unspoiled it includes some of the most varied and rewarding trekking in the kingdom, through an area between the Dorandi Khola and Buri Gandaki. Starting from the old capital of Gorkha, our route climbs atop a hill overlooking the snowy peaks of the Himalaya and where the old royal palace known as Gorkha Durbar (Gorkha Palace) towers the bazar. Descending through terraced fields we pass by Khanchok and we climb across forested area to our highest point at Darchye (3220m) : from that place we have a superb panorama of more than twenty high peaks such as Ganesh Himal, Sringi Himal, Buddha Himal, Himalchuli and Manaslu. Our route descends through rhododendron forest and high pastures towards the Soti Khola on the Manaslu circuit route before ending at Arughat.