Punakha Festival Tour
Punakha Festival (Actual Festival dates): 24th Feb ~ 26th Feb 2010
Tour: Cultural Tour with Punakha Festival (20th Feb ~ 5th March 2010)
No of Days: [13 Nights / 14 Days]
Places Visited: Paro > Thimphu > Punakha > Gangtey > Trongsa > Bumthang > Wangdue Phodrang > Thimphu > Paro
Entry Point:
Flight: Kolkata ≈ Bagdogra ≈ Kathmandu ≈ Dhaka ≈ Bangkok ≈ Delhi
Overland: Phuentsholing (Indo-Bhutan Border)
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:
20th February 2010 (Saturday): 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
21st February 2010 (Sunday): Paro
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.
Distance Travelled: 45 km
Excursion: 2-3 hrs walk
Total Time Taken: 5-6 hrs including Sightseeing
Altitude: 2300 meters
Overnight: Hotel
22nd February 2010 (Monday): Paro ~ Thimphu
Sightseeing Highlights:
♦ Paro & Thimphu River Valley.
♦ 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.
♦ Traditional Medicine Institute where medicines are prepared according to ancient practices.
♦ Sangaygang view Point and the Takin Reserve Centre.
♦ Drupthob Lhakhang, one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan.
♦ Changangkha Lhakhang.
Distance Travelled: 90 km
Time Taken: 5-6 hrs
Altitude: 2320 meters
Overnight: Hotel
23rd February 2010 (Tuesday): 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 Festival at Punakha Dzong.
Distance Travelled: 80 km
Time Taken: 3-4 hrs
Altitude: 1310 meters
Overnight: Hotel
24th February 2010 (Wednesday): Punakha Festival
Sightseeing Highlights:
♦ Punakha Festival at Punakha Dzong
Distance Travelled: 25 km
Time Taken: 3-4 hrs
Altitude: 1310 meters
Overnight: Hotel
25th February 2010 (Thursday): Punakha ~ Wangduephodrang ~ Gangtey
Sightseeing Highlights:
♦ Punakha Valley.
♦ Wangduephodrang Dzong.
♦ Village tour and meeting local people.
♦ Gangtey Valley.
Distance Travelled: 83 km
Time Taken: 4-5 hrs
Altitude: 3000 meters
Overnight: Hotel
26th February 2010 (Friday): Gangtey
Sightseeing Highlights:
♦ Gangtey Gompa.
♦ Phobjikha primary school and interaction with students.
♦ Village tour and meeting local people.
♦ Phobjikha Valley one of the most beautiful glacial valleys.
Distance Travelled: 20 km
Time Taken: 3-4 hrs
Altitude: 3000 meters
Overnight: Hotel
27th February 2010 (Saturday): Gangtey ~ Trongsa ~ Bumthang
Sightseeing Highlights:
♦ Trongsa Dzong built in 1644 AD by Chogyal Minjur Tempa.
♦ Ta Dzong, an ancient watch tower.
♦ Pelela Pass 3400 m.
♦ Bumthang Valley, one of the most beautiful valleys in Bhutan.
Distance Travelled: 128 km
Time Taken: 5-6 hrs
Altitude: 2600 meters
Overnight: Hotel
28th February 2010 (Sunday): Bumthang
Sightseeing Highlights:
♦ 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.
♦ Chakhar Lhakhang (Iron Castle)
♦ 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”
Distance Travelled: 60 km
Time Taken: 5-6 hrs
Altitude: 2600 meters
Overnight: Hotel
1st March 2010 (Monday): Bumthang
Sightseeing Highlights:
♦ URA Valley Excursion.
♦ URA Lhakhang
Distance Travelled: 110 km
Time Taken: 5-6 hrs
Altitude: 2600 meters
Overnight: Hotel
2nd March 2010 (Tuesday): Bumthang ~ Wangduephodrang
Distance Travelled: 197 km
Time Taken: 7-8 hrs
Altitude: 1310 meters
Overnight: Hotel
3rd March 2010 (Wednesday): Wangduephodrang ~ Thimphu
Sightseeing Highlights:
♦ Folk Heritage Museum.
♦ Textile Museum
♦ PM Shopping
Distance Travelled: 70 km
Time Taken: 3-4 hrs
Altitude: 2320 meters
Overnight: Hotel
4th March 2010 (Thursday): Thimphu
Sightseeing Highlights:
♦ Excursion to Tango & Cheri Monastery.
♦ Farewell Dinner
Distance Travelled: 45 km
Excursion: 2-3 hrs walk
Total Time Taken: 5-6 hrs including Sightseeing
Altitude: 2320 meters
Overnight: Hotel
5th March 2010 (Friday): Departure
Airport Departure
Tour Concludes…..
For detailed itinerary please email us at: yakadv@druknet.bt
