Trips & Itineraries > Sample Festival Tour

Trips & Itineraries > Sample Festival Tour

Sample Trip

Destinations:
Paro, Bhutan (PBH) via Bangkok, Thailand (BKK)

Dates 2006:
October 1st till October 11th, 2006

Type:
Tours and Festivals

Duration:
11 nights in Bhutan and 2 nights in Bangkok

Tour Cost Per Person:
$ 2200.00

Single room Supplement:
US$ 380

Cost Includes:
Accommodation in listed hotels or similar, all meals in Bhutan, all transportation within Bhutan, sightseeing with entrance fees, Bhutan visa processing, local tour guides.

MAIN HIGHLIGHTS:
	Visit two major festivals; Thimphu Tsechu in urban Thimphu and Thangbi Mani in rural Thangbi near Jakar Optional hike to Taktsang Monastery and Chimi lhakhang Opportunity to meet locals, visit local homes, etc Escorted locally by expert and friendly Bhutanese Guide

This non-trekking tour is designed to get you 'under the surface' of Bhutanese culture. It is timed in autumn, one of the best time to visit Bhutan. You will be treated to 2 important local festivals (Tsechus), one in urban Thimphu and other at Thangbi in rural Bumthang area.

Thimphu Tsechu festival is held in the courtyard of the large and impressive Tashicho Dzong. This fortress monastery houses the King's offices, throne room, ministries of home affairs and Finance. The portion of this building is summer residence of head abbot and Dratshang , the central monastic community. Most people from Thimphu and many from around the country come to witness this 3 day festival event in Thimphu.

Thangbi Mani is a rural festival is held in the courtyard of small Thangbi monastery built in 1470. Thangbi village is reached by 20 minutes easy walk from the road-head near Jakar, Bumthang, in central Bhutan.

In addition to these colorful festivals, you will visit the interesting sites, meet with the local people, visit their homes, sample local food, take some optional hike, see weavings, and visit the well preserved centuries old Dzongs, temples and monasteries.

OUTLINE ITINERARY

01 OCT, SUN: BANGKOK - PARO

02 OCT, MON: THIMPHU FESTIVAL

03 OCT, TUE: THIMPHU VALLEY SIGHTSEEING

04 OCT, WED: THIMPHU - TRONGSA (7 hours)

05 OCT, THU: TRONGSA SIGHTSEEING, DRIVE TO BUMTHANG (3 hrs)

06 OCT, FRI: BUMTHANG – THANGBI MANI FESTIVAL

07 OCT, SAT: BUMTHANG

08 OCT, SUN: DRIVE TO PUNAKHA

09 OCT, MON: PUNAKHA

10 OCT, TUE: DRIVE TO PARO, SIGHTSEEING

11 OCT, WED: EXCURSION TO TAKTSANG MONASTERY, SIGHTSEEING

12 OCT, THU: PARO – BANGKOK