Bhutan

Details will be forthcoming...

The silence of Hidden kingdom..

The Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan is fast emerging from centuries of self-imposed isolation. First opened to tourists in 1974 in very regulated manner upon the coronation of present Bhutanese King, this mountain kingdom is still perhaps the world's most exclusive tourist's destination. Due to the Royal Government's far-sighted policy to preserve the countries pristine environment and its culture, the harmful effects to industrialization and mass tourism on the environment and the traditional lifestyle of Bhutanese have been carefully avoided. This makes Bhutan a truly unique destination. An unspoiled country with majestic mountains, a unique cultural heritage preserved for many centuries, and architectural style like no other, a landfill of warm hearted and friendly people, reveals a true paradise in the lost era of the present century.

The tours and treks we offer to familiarize the Himalayan Kingdom Bhutan:

Western Bhutan

Day 01 : Fly to Paro from Kathmandu. Transfer to hotel. O/N (Over Night ) at Drunk Hotel.

Day 02 : Morning drive to the old ruins of Drukyel Dzong and a visit to ehte Ta-Dzong. National Museum. After lunch a 2 hour drive to Thimphu. On the way visit the Simtokha Dzong built in 1627 by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel. O/N at Druk Hotel.

Day 03 : Sightseeing tour of the memorial chorten. Indigenous Hospital. Dupthop Nurnery. Lunch at Plums Café. After lunch visit the Handcraft Emporium and then Tashichodzong. A fare well party will be hosed.

Days 04 : Early morning drive to Paro for departure. Be-Yel's representative will bid you fare well at Paro airport. Arrive Kathmandu and Transfer to Hotel.

Western Bhutan

Day 01: Fly to paro from Kathmandu. Transfer to Drake Hotel for O/N.

Day 02: Morning drive to Drukgyel Dzong 18 KMS, away from the hotel. On the way back visit a typical Bhutanese farmhouse also a short visit to the temple built in the 7th century. After lunch visit the Ta-Dzong that houses the National Museum of Bhutan followed by a short walk to paro Rimpung Dzong. Evening at leisure.

Day 03: In the morning drive to Satsam Chorten. From there two hour trek to Tasang cafeteria. Hot lunch will be served at the Cafeteria followed by a short walk back to Satsam Chorten and 2 hour drive to Thimphu.

Day 04: Sightseeing at Memorial Chorten, National Library, Nuns Monastery, and Changlimithang Monastery. Indegenous Hospoital. Lunch at Druk Hotel. After lunch at leisure. At 5 P.M. you will visit the Tashixhdzong (Thimphu Dzong). O/N at Druk Hotel.

Day 05 : A 3 hour drive to Punkha across the Dochula Pass. Lunch at hotel Zantopelri. After lunch visit the Punkha Dzong. O/N at Zamtopelri.

Day 06 : In the morning drive 3 hour to Gantay Gompa. Pack lunch will be served. After lunch drive back to Thimphu.

Day 07 : In the morning you will witness the Folk and Mask Dance performed by the Royal Dance Academy. Lunch at Druk Hotel. After lunch at leisure. O/N at Druk Hotel.

Day 08: Early Morning drive to Paro to fly to Kathmandu. Arrive Kathmandu and transfer to Hotel.

Bumtang Central Bhutan

In addition to paces of interest in Paro. Thimphu and Punkha, another fascinating destination is the sacred valley of Bumtang. .The picturesque drive to Bhumtang takes you through regions profuse in flora and fauna, several magnificent mountain passes and places of great historic sights and ancient palaces of the ruling importance. The Tongsa Dzong is a prime example, it is by far the largest Dzong in the country and was in olden times the seats of the dominate power in feudal Bhutan. A three hour drive from Tongsa takes you up to a height of 12500 feet - The Yotola Pass and then down to 9500 feet to the valley of Bumtang. Considered the most secrecd valley. Bumtang as a rick areity of religious. Historical sites and ancipent palaces of ruling family of the valley. The cultural trip to Bumtang also includes a 3 day walking tour to the sanctified spot where Guru Padhmasambhawa meditated. He was the great saing who converted the Bhutanese from pagan worshipers to peace loving Buddist.

West East Traverse

In their dialects and customs. It offers This tour takes you right across the country along the lateral highway and gives you glimpses of ethnic groups of Drukpas different you maximum coverage of the country.

Day walking Tours

Guided by day-walk includes 5/6 hours walk a day with packed lunch and return to hotel for overnight. It gives and opportunity to visit and view local villages and have direct contact with local people also ample time to take photographs. Hot lunch and tea in local form houses will be arranged. Occasionally it will be possible to participate in local spots. Folk dances etc.

Dagala Thousand Lake Totanical Trek

Dagala mountain range divides two prominent valleys of Thimphy and wangdi. The altitude of the plateau is around 4000 meters. It has many lakes of different sizes and in most lakes one can find trout fish. Alpine flowers, rhododendrons, different species of pheasants, muck deer are found in abidance. The plateau is also a grazing ground for yaks in summer. Best times for trekking in these parts are May/June and Sept/Oct.

Black mountain Trek

Black mountain range nearly divides the country in two, running from north at the Tibetan border to the south, rich in wild life at the sanctuary of Manas. The portain near Pelela pass on highway to the east is very picturesque with specious high valley of Rukubji, Phobjikha, Gogana and Khotakha. The big monastery of Pema Lingpa lineage at Gatay Gompa and small beautiful acive Gompas are worht visiting. The route followes rich rhododendron forest ad typical villages.

Chomolhari Trek

There is very little tourist taffic on the pristine trekking routes in Bhutan. This is primarily a positive off shot of the Bhutanese Govern's pliculimiting tourist to four thousand a yea. Naturally one has the pleasant sensation of breaking fresh ground on treks in Bhutan. The Chomolhari trek follows the crystal clear trout rich upstream trail of Paro Chulalong the verdant Rhododendron, canopied forest and salubrious green alpine meadows. Mt. Chomolhari, having one of the most beautiful peaks in East Himalayas, stands at a magnificent 7300 meters with age old frontier forts and sprawling yak pastures in its foreground a truly rewarding sight for determined trekker. In the course if the trek, one will have sojourned through several places rich in history in Paro. Thimphu and Punkha valley.

Snow Man Trek :

Diverse flora and fauna. The blue sheep and the takin can be spotted on this trek. This area is one of the most unique in the country. The snowman's trek is very difficult compare with other trek.

Bicycle Tour - across Bhutan

Bhutan's mountainous terrain's offer a fascinating adventure for bidycling enthusiast. The route along Bhutan's West-East Highways (600kms) is an exciting route with challenges of surmounting a new pass over 3000 meters every day. The highways winding up an shown mountains with drops of thousand of feet keep one too high and adrenaline to feel the sightest pinch of monotony. As one progress along the route, there is a discernible change in the flora and temperature when one gradually descends, from the aping height, into the temperate regions of the east. All along the route the interruption by picturesque, and almost medical, villages and towns rich in cultural spots made a welcome diversion.

General Information

Climate: (general) Days are normally warm. Nights can at times be very cool, and winter even below freezing. Monsoon showers occur in summer (Heaviest in July and August), and sometimes even in spring and autumn. The most visited months are March, April, may, September October and November. During these months you may expect mostly warm sunny days and cool/cold nights. Whereas rain or show is not usual at these times, if is a possibility.

What to Bring:

Personal clothing: Strong normal clothing (According to the season), preferably cotton for summer and woolen clothing for evening and winter. For Trekking strong comfortable trekking boots, warm socks. Sunglasses, headgear, raincoat, and warm clothing, including a down Jacket for higher altitude treks and for the evenings. A sleeping bag is a most, medium too heavy is advised.

(Note : for trekking, a load of 25 kg is allowed)

INSURANCE:

The purchase of Medical, baggage and trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended in your home country before the commencement of your journey. Besides reimbursement of non refundable air ticket it should also cover the coast of rescue operations by helicopter in the event of an evacuation.

A sense of Adventure :

Prices are establish by the Royal Government of Bhutan. The Royal Government's policy is to preserve its culture and traditional values. One of the main methods of Achieving this is your cooperation. You are required not to buy antiques.

Royal Government of Bhutan allows no more than 4000 tourists world wide to enter Bhutan.

Bhutanese people are friendly and welcoming to visitors. They generally enjoy you taking their photo. Dzongkha is official language of Bhutan, but English is widely spoken.

Price include :

Airport transfers.
All meals & Accommodation. (Single rooms are provided subject to availability, without surcharge)
Surface transport with in Bhutan and between Phuntsholing/Bagdora and sandrup Jonkhar?Cuhati for groups by land between Bhutan & India.
Guides and guiding service.
Sightseeing including entry to museum.
Royalties and other taxes. Other than visa US $ 20 and departure tax US $ 10.
Poterage, riding/pack pones and yaks wherever required.

Not included are

"Visa fee and airport tax " Personal items and alcoholic drinks etc. "Insurance.

Flights KTM-PARO : Mon, Thu US$ 175 PARO-BKK : Tue, Thu, Sat US$ 329

Surcharge :

Group of 01 pax US$ 40.00 Perday/person - Group of 02 pax US$ 30.00 perday / person

Group of 03 pax US$ 20.00 perday/person - Not surcharge for group of 04 paz & more.

Diplomats for those countries have diplomatic relation with Bhutan & Student discount 25% on tour cost.

Festival Dates For 1998

Punakha Domchoe	03-07 March (West)	Chorten Kora Tsechu	13 & 28 March (East)
Gom Koran Tshechu	04-07 April (East)	Paro Tshechu	07-11 April (West)
Chukha Tshechu	04-06 May (West)	Ura Yak Choe	06-11 May (Central)
Kurji Tshechu	04 July (Central )	Nemalung Tshechu	02-04 July (Central)
Thimphu Tshechu	25 Sept 02 Oct (West)	Wangdiphodang Tshechu	28 Sept -01 Oct (West)
Tamshing Tshechu	30 Sept-02 Oct (Central)	Tangbi Mani	04-06 Oct (Central)
Jambey Lhakhang Drup	04-07 Nov (Central	Prakar Tshechu	05-07 Nov (Central
Nyalakhar Tsechu	14-16 Nov (Central)	Tashigang Tsechu	27-30 Nov (Central)
Mongar Tshechu	26-29 Nov (East)	Pema Gatshel Tsechu	26-29 Nov (East)
Tongsa Tsechu	27-30 Dec (Central)	Lhuntsi Tschechu	27-29 Dec (East)