08 DAYS
BHUTAN WITH PARO FESTIVAL
Trip code:
BH-DPF8
Departure:
24 Mar - 31
Mar every year |
Until
Bhutan opened its doors in 1974, she is a mysterious and unknown
Himalayan kingdom isolated from the rest of the world. Since
then, visitors have returned mesmerized by what they saw. The
scenery is majestic, the architecture is awesome and the people
are hospitable. Most importantly, the Kingdom has succeeded in
preserving its traditional and ancestral way of life. We have
timed this trip to coincide with the one of the biggest and
colourful festival in the country - the Paro Festival. Not only
are there brilliant performances, the locals also turn up in
their colourful best!
The trip is
now open for registration. Due to overwhelming demand and
limited air-seats and hotel rooms, early booking is strongly
recommended in order to secure a space as air-seats are subject
to availability at time of booking.
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Departure :
24 Mar - 31 Mar (Sat to Sat) |
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Number of
People: Max. 16 |
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Tour Price
Per Person: |
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Closing
Date: 31 Dec 2007 (First come first serve basis) |
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Day 01 |
24
MAR (SAT) SINGAPORE / BANGKOK |
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Fly |
Singapore/Bangkok |
TG 412 |
1725/1845 |
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Upon arrival, check
in at Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel for the night
(connected to the airport by underground link). |
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Day 02 |
25
MAR (SUN) BANGKOK/PARO (L,D) |
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Fly |
Bangkok/Paro |
KB 121 |
0550/0900 - 1-stop in Calcutta |
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Upon arrival, met &
transfer to check into Hotel Olathang or similar.
At 2200m, it’s advisable to take the rest of the day easily.
Visit Paro Museum, which used to be the Watch Tower of the Paro
Dzong. You will also walk around the Paro Dzong area including
the traditional wooden covered bridge o Nyamai Zam.
Enjoy dinner in local restaurant. This evening, there will be a
talk will be conducted by your guide on the religion and custom
of Bhutan. |
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Day 03 |
26
MAR (MON) PARO/THIMPU (B,L,D) |
Morning, drive about 2hours to Thimpu.
Though, the biggest "city" in Bhutan, Thimpu is a village in
most other Asian countries. All buildings retain the traditional
architectural design and on the streets, men & women folks still
dressed in traditional gho (their national costume). In the
morning, we will visit the memorial chorten, the national
hospital & the national library.
In the afternoon, we visit, and, Zulikha Nunnery, the art &
music school and have more time to explore the streets of
Thimpu. |
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Day 04 |
27
MAR (TUE) THIMPU/PUNAKHA
(B,L,D)
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Leaving Thimpu, we drive about 3 hours
to Punakha. En route, we cross the 3050m Dochu La Pass. The Pass
commands a wonderful panorama of the Eastern Himalayas. Enjoy a
tea break on the pass which is about ½-way through the drive.
Arrive in Punakha and check into Meriphumsum or similar. Wangdi
is the short name for Wangdiphodrang, which mean "the windy
place" because of its location on a knoll between 2 valleys.
After lunch in the hotel, visit Wangdi Dzong, set on a ridge and
Punakha Dzong, set at the confluence of 2 rivers. Dinner in the
hotel |
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Day 05 |
28
MAR (WED) PUNAKHA
(B,L,D)
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Basing ourselves in Punakha, we explore
the surrounding countryside. We make an excursion to Gangtey
Gompa hidden in the beautiful Phobjikha Valley, which is well
known as one of the last winter grounds of the black necked
cranes that migrate from the Tibetan plateau. |
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Day 06 |
29
MAR (THU) PUNAKHA/PARO
(B,L,D)
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Breakfast in the hotel
Re-cross Dochu La Pass and drive about 5 hours back to Paro.
Upon arrival, check into Hotel Olathang or similar for 2 nights.
Today, join in the Paro Festival, the biggest festival in
Bhutan. It’s an outstandingly colorful occasion with brilliant
performances and locals dressed in the best! |
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Day 07 |
30
MAR (FRI) PARO
(B,L,D)
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Rise early this morning (pre-dawn) and
arrive at the festival ground for the revealing of the Tangka -
a religious drawing of Guru Rinpoche more 50m long and several
storey high and it’s completely embroidered !! (Revealing the
Tanga is subject to confirmation with/without prior notice)
After a good rest, we make an excursion to Taksang Monastery -
this has to be the monastery with the most outstanding setting
in Bhutan. Set on a vertical cliff face 800 m above the ground,
it defies all engineering logic. For the energetic, hike 2 hours
up to get a more dramatic view of the monastery. (Otherwise, we
can arrange for a pony ride up).
This evening you will visit a Bhutanese family. |
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Day 08 |
31
MAR (SAT) PARO/BANGKOK/SINGAPORE
(B)
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Transfer to the
airport for flight
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Fly |
Paro/Bangkok |
KB 120 |
1110/1610 - 1-stop in Calcutta |
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Bangkok/Singapore |
TG 401 |
1930/2250 |
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COST INCLUDES
Airfare
Singapore/Bangkok/Singapore by Thai Airways;
Airfare Bangkok/Paro/Bangkok
by Druk Air;
Accommodation on
twin share basis;
All meals in
Bhutan;
All tours &
transfers with English speaking guide in private air-con vehicle
and including all entrance fees & porterages
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COST EXCLUDES
Airport taxes
Visa - USD 20/-
for Bhutan;
Travel &
cancellation insurance
Personal and
other expenses not indicated
Per person per
day tip for guide and driver recommended at USD 2/- to USD 4/-.
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HOTEL
DESCRIPTIONS
In Paro
Pelri Cottages:
located on a small hill top, the hotel has 12 cottages with
2 rooms in each of these cottages. Built in traditional design
with the blend of modern amenities, all rooms have a private
balcony which opens out to the scenic valley below.
Kichu Resort:
nestled in the valley and 15-mins drive from the Paro town
is the Kichu Resort. With its 49 rooms of ethnic décor and
modern amenities, Kichu resort spreads over 5 acre with
manicured lawns, delightful flowers and an adjoining 500m river
bank.
Olathang
Hotel: initially built to host the state guests for the
coronation of the current King in 1974, the hotel is spread over
23 acre of lovely pine forest. Each room with all traditional
design is blended with all modern amenities to suit the comfort
of the visiting guests.
In Thimpu:
Hotel
Riverview: built in architecture of traditional splendor,
the 50 luxurious rooms with all modern amenities also have a
spacious sun deck and every room opens out to a private balcony
from where one can enjoy the view of the river and the capital
city.
In Punakha:
Meri Puensum
Resort: located 4km south of the majestic and historic
Punakha Dzong, the resort offers all the basic amenities and the
spacious en-suite rooms are tastefully decorated with views over
the valley. The resort compound is well maintained with plants
and beautiful flowers.
Zangdo Pelri
Hotel: all the rooms are equipped with basic modern
amenities with views looking out to the valley below.
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