Paro Festival

Paro Festival (Actual Festival Dates): 26th Mar ~ 30th Mar 2010

Entry Point:

Flight: Kolkata ≈ Bagdogra ≈ Kathmandu ≈ Dhaka ≈ Bangkok ≈ Delhi

Overland: Phuentsholing (Indo-Bhutan Border)

No of Days: [13 Nights / 14 Days]

Tour: Bhutan Cultural Tour with Paro Festival (18th March ~ 31st March 2010).

Places Visited: Paro > Thimphu > Punakha > Gangtey > Trongsa > Bumthang > Wangdue Phodrang > Thimphu > Paro

Cost given below is on per person basis:

Special Note: Druk Air Fare is not included in the cost

Standard Tour Cost:

»»>> 1  Person:  USD 2856

»»>> 2 Persons: USD 2726 per person.

»»>> 3 or more Persons: USD 2336 per person.

Detailed Tour Itinerary:

18th March 2010 (Thursday): Arrival Paro

Sightseeing Highlights:

♦ Paro Valley.

♦ Drugyal Dzong constructed by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1644 AD.

♦ Kyichu Lhakhang one of Bhutan’s oldest and most sacred monasteries..

Distance Travelled: 25 km approx

Time Taken: 2-3 hrs

Altitude: 2300 meters

Overnight: Hotel

19th March 2010 (Friday):  Paro ~ Thimphu (Evening)

Sightseeing Highlights:

♦ Excursion to Taktsang Monastery.

♦ Taksang Jakhang (Cafeteria).

♦ Ta Dzong built in 1656 AD (National Museum).

♦ Rimpung Dzong built in 1646 AD by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

♦ Kyichu Lhakhang one of Bhutan’s oldest and most sacred monasteries.

♦ Paro & Thimphu River Valley.

Distance Travelled: 45 km

Excursion: 2-3 hrs walk

Total Time Taken: 5-6 hrs including Sightseeing

Altitude: 2320 meters

Overnight: Hotel

20th March 2010 (Saturday): Thimphu

Sightseeing Highlights:

♦ National Memorial Chorten built in honour of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk in 1974 AD.

♦ National Library stocked with ancient Buddhist manuscripts.

♦ Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive.

♦ Tashicho Dzong

♦ Vegetable Market.

♦ Drupthob Lhakhang, one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan.

♦ Handicrafts Emporium.

♦ Shopping for souvenirs

Distance Travelled: 25 km

Time Taken: 3-4 hrs

Altitude: 2320 meters

Overnight: Hotel

21st March 2010 (Sunday): Thimphu ~ Punakha

Sightseeing Highlights:

♦ Dochula Pass 3150 meters.

♦ Views of Snow Peak Mountains .

♦ Chimi Lhakhang, which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley in 15th century.

♦ Punakha Dzong in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

♦ Confluence of Po Chhu & Mo Chhu.

Distance Travelled: 80 km

Time Taken: 3-4 hrs

Altitude: 1310 meters

Overnight: Hotel

22nd March 2010 (Monday): Punakha ~ Gangtey

Sightseeing Highlights:

♦ Punakha Valley.

♦ Wangduephodrang Dzong.

♦ Gangtey Monastery

♦ Phobjikha Valley.

♦ Black Necked Crane

Distance Travelled: 83 km

Time Taken: 3-4 hrs

Altitude: 3000 meters

Overnight: Hotel

23rd March 2010 (Tuesday): Gangtey ~ Trongsa

Sightseeing Highlights:

♦ Trongsa Dzong built in 1644 AD by Chogyal Minjur Tempa.

♦ Ta Dzong, an ancient watch tower.

Distance Travelled: 63 km

Time Taken: 3-4 hrs

Altitude: 2200 meters

Overnight: Hotel

24th March 2010 (Wednesday): Trongsa ~ Bumthang

Sightseeing Highlights:

♦ Pelela Pass 3400 m.

♦ Bumthang Valley, one of the most beautiful valleys in Bhutan.

♦ Jakar Dzong “The Castle of White Bird” built in 1667 AD.

♦ Lamey Goemba, a large palace and monastery built in 18th century by Dasho Phuntsho Wangdi.

♦ Jambay Lhakhang, built by King Srongsen Gampo of Tibet in the year 659 AD.

Distance Travelled: 80 km

Time Taken: 3-4 hrs

Altitude: 2600 meters

Overnight: Hotel

25th March 2010 (Thursday): Bumthang

Sightseeing Highlights:

♦ Kurjey Lhakhang that is named after body print of Guru Rimpoche, built in 1652..

♦ Visit Tamshing Lhakhang (Temple of the good message), established in 1501 by Pema Lingpa.

♦ Membarstho which literally means, “The burning Lake”

♦ Mathra factory & Cheese Factory.

Distance Travelled: 25 km

Time Taken: 3-4 hrs

Altitude: 2600 meters

Overnight: Hotel

26th March 2010 (Friday): Bumthang ~ Wangdiphodrang

Distance Travelled: 197 km

Time Taken: 7-8 hrs

Altitude: 1310 meters

Overnight: Hotel

27th March 2010 (Saturday): Wangdiphodrang ~ Thimphu

Sightseeing Highlights:

♦ Excursion to Tango Monastery.

Distance Travelled: 90 km

Excursion: 2-3 hrs walk

Total Time Taken: 5-6 hrs including Sightseeing

Altitude: 2320 Meters

Overnight: Hotel

28th March 2010 (Sunday) Thimphu ~ Paro (Festival)

Sightseeing Highlights:

♦ Paro Festival.

Distance Travelled: 54 km

Time Taken: 1-2

Altitude: 2300 Meters

Overnight: Hotel

29th March 2010 (Monday): Paro (Festival)

Sightseeing Highlights:

♦ Paro Festival.

Distance Travelled: 15 km

Time Taken: 3-4 hrs

Altitude: 2300 Meters

Overnight: Hotel

30th March 2010 (Tuesday) Paro (Festival)

♦ Rimpung Dzong to witness the Thongdrol Ceremony

♦ Visit to Farm House

♦ Visit to the Local Market

♦ Farewell Dinner

Distance Travelled: 15 km

Time Taken: 3-4 hrs

Altitude: 2300 Meters

Overnight: Hotel

31st March 2010 (Wednesday): Departure.

Airport Departure

Tour Concludes…..

For detailed itinerary please email us at: yakadv@druknet.bt