BHUTAN: Kingdom in the Sky

TOUR ITINERARY

NB This has been abbreviated for my website. Full version available from me or from Travel on Q.

Day 1: Wednesday 08 April - Bangkok – Paro – Paro Tshechu

DRUK AIR - KB 123 - Departs: 05.50am Arrives: 09.05am

Check in by 4.00am for the Druk Air (Royal Bhutan Airlines) flight to Paro. Ask for seats on the left hand side of the aircraft for the best view of the Himalayas.

A spectacular descent through mountainous valleys brings you into the Kingdom of Bhutan. The impressive airport terminal is your first glimpse of what’s ahead. After completing the airport formalities, you will be met outside the terminal building by your driver and English speaking guide who will be your hosts in Bhutan. After leaving your luggage at your hotel and taking some ‘welcome tea’, visit the Kyichu Lhakang, built in 659 by King Songsten Gampo of Tibet. The Lhakang holds down the left foot of an ogress whose body covers the whole of Bhutan and Tibet. Nowadays the Lhakang is a haven for elderly Bhutanese who spend their days meditating, praying and spinning their prayer wheels. After lunch, make your way to the Paro Dzong where the festival will be in progress. Join the throng of local people streaming into the grounds, dressed in their finest clothes and armed with picnic supplies and thermos flasks.

Day 2: Thursday 09 April - Paro Tshechu – Unfurling of The Tongdrel - Thimphu

You will be woken at 2.00am and after some tea depart for the festival grounds to witness the unfurling of the Tongdrel, an enormous and intricately embroidered banner which is slowly lowered from the top of the building facing the courtyard to the accompaniment of clashing cymbals, horns and chanting. The Tongdrel cannot be exposed to direct sunlight and is rolled up again before the sun gets too high. This is an amazing and moving experience and not to be missed!

After breakfast, depart for Thimphu, a lovely drive of about 1.5 hours along the valley floor. Immaculately tended rice terraces and traditional Bhutanese homes with their colourful woodwork and whitewashed walls decorated with Buddhist motifs cling to the hillsides. On arrival in Thimphu, begin your sightseeing programme, which includes the National Heritage Museum, the Textile Museum and the Memorial Chorten to Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the third King of Bhutan. Lunch will be at a local restaurant.
Check into your hotel later in the afternoon.

Day 3: Friday 10 April – Thimphu

After breakfast, visit the Sangayang viewpoint, located high above the city, a forest of prayer flags overlooking the entire Thimphu Valley. A hike up to the Tangbo Monastery (a steep walk of about 1 hour) offers wonderful views of the distant snow covered mountains. After returning to Thimphu the remainder of the afternoon is free to browse the galleries and shops or you may wish to visit the local market with your guide.

Day 4: Saturday 11 April – Thimphu - Punakha

Heading east we reach the pass at Docchu-La at 3140m, where on a clear day you can see the whole Himalayan range. After morning tea, continue your journey down through wild forested mountains and on to the Punakha Valley. Check into the guesthouse hotel with commanding views over the valley. After lunch, visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong built at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Po Chhu rivers. This is perhaps the most impressive architecturally Dzong that you will see. Dzongs perform the dual role of home to the monk body and are also the administrative centre of the region.

Day 5: Sunday 12 April – Punakha Valley – Limukha

Trek Day 1

After breakfast a short drive brings you to a suspension bridge and then the trail leads through the village of Shengana. The walk begins with a gradual climb through a pine forest to the village of Limukha passing through Dompala village en route. Camp near Limukha village at an altitude of 1,800m. Distance: 12 kms, walking - 4 hours. Dinner and overnight at camp.

Day 6: Monday 13 April – Limukha - Chungsakha

Trek Day 2

The trail leads downhill through rhododendron and oak forests. The walk includes a visit to Chimi Lhakang, built in 1499 by the 14th Drukpa Heirach over the site of a small Chorten. built by the ‘Divine Madman’, (Lama Drukpa Kunley), one of Bhutan’s revered and eccentric saints. The flying phalluses that you see hanging from the eves of the local houses perform the dual role of warding off evil spirits and being a fertility symbol. This walk offers superb views over the valley at its summit.
Altitude: 1,530m, Distance: 14 kms, walking – 5-6 hours. Camp near the village of Chungsakha. Dinner and overnight at camp.

Day 7: Tuesday 14 April - Chungsakha – Samtengang

After breakfast the trail leads downhill to another suspension bridge, crossing over the Bay chhu (river), then gradually uphill again through the terraced rice paddies to an 11th century monastery. From here the trail leads into the valley of Nishokha and then to Samtengang village. Camp overnight by the lakeside. Altitude: 1,335m, Distance: 13 kms - walking 5 hours. Dinner and overnight at camp.

Day 8: Wednesday 15 April - Samtengang – Chhuzomsa – Gangtey

After breakfast, a short walk will bring you out to the road where your vehicle is waiting. The way eastward leads over the black mountains and into the Phobjikha valley. The scenery changes dramatically on entering this high glacial valley, from vast lichen covered forests to pastures of dwarf bamboo. A wide marshland valley opens up before you as you descend to the valley floor. Your accommodation tonight may be in a traditional Bhutanese guesthouse with wood burning stoves in each bedroom or it may be in the newer guesthouse, depending on availability. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to relax.

Day 9: Thursday 16 April - Gangtey valley hike

Take a walk around the valley, skirting the marshlands and visiting the local villages. This is a mainly flat walk and its length can be altered to suit (3 - 4 hours). There are two small local schools, one at either end of the valley and the children are always delighted to see you. If you have any spare books surplus to requirements, they will find grateful recipients here. After lunch, an optional visit to the Gangtey Gompa, one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan will be arranged.

Day 10: Friday 17 April - Gangtey – Thimphu – Haa Valley

Make an early start for Thimphu stopping briefly in the village of Wangdue for morning tea in a typical local teahouse. There may be a local fruit and vegetable market in progress where you will see local delicacies such as wild fern and asparagus. Retracing the route over the Docchu-la pass, arrive into Thimphu for lunch. After lunch, time permitting there is an optional hike to Wangditse Geomba (2-3 hours). This walk ascends to a ridge overlooking Thimphu for great views and glimpses of the King’s Palace.

Otherwise you may choose to remain in Thimphu to make any last minute purchases for textiles, artefacts or picture books (generally unavailable outside Bhutan).

Day 11: Saturday 18 April - Haa Valley – Paro

Today, we take the “long way” home. The alternative road to Paro passes through the beautiful Haa Valley. Haa is made up of five counties and was closed to outside world until 2002 as it was on the ancient route to Tibet.

This mysterious valley is home to several local deities and is known for its strange events. There are two interesting temples (the Black Temple - Lhakan Nakpo and the White Temple) erected in the 7th century at a sacred site known as Miri Punsum, or the Three Brother Hills. After a picnic and a quick look at Wangchuk Dzong (built in 1915) we resume our drive over the Clelela pass (3,810m), which offers a stunning view of the Himalayan range.

Day 12: Sunday 19 April – Paro

A full day hike to the most photographed monastery in Bhutan – Taktshang or Tiger’s Nest, so named because Bhutan’s most famous Saint, Guru Rimpoche allegedly flew here from Pakistan on the back of a tigress, thus bringing Buddhism to Bhutan. The first half of the walk can be done on pony back but the walk itself takes about 2 hours each way allowing for stops. A teahouse at the half way point offers fabulous views of this man made wonder which seems to hang in mid air perched 900m above the valley floor. A fitting final day of your visit to this wonderful and mystical country!

Day 13: Monday 20 April – Paro – Bangkok

KB 126 - Departs: 09.50 Arrives: 15.00 (3.00pm)

An early morning departure for Bangkok and for those of you connecting to Australia, an early morning arrival on 21 April. An overnight in Bangkok may be necessary if the flight times change.

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Bhutan: Kingdom in the Sky
Dates and costs
8-20 April 2009
A$$4400 per person twin share, $4860 single, starting and finishing in Bangkok.
Full Tour Description: Kingdom in the Sky

1-13 May, 2009 (FULL)

INCLUSIONS:
• Airfares Bangkok / Paro / Bangkok inclusive of tax in economy class (business class supplement available $190 return per person)
• Fully escorted locally by Dave Best and a local English speaking guide
• Local transport and driver
• Accommodation in A class hotels and lodges wherever possible, subject to availability
• All camping equipment except for a sleeping bag (Samtengang Trek)
• Visa issue and processing
• All meals, including bottled water (provided on our minibus)
• All entrance fees and permits & Tourist Development Tax

NOT INCLUDED:
• Alcoholic drinks (except on special dinners)
• SLEEPING BAG
• Travel Insurance (compulsory)