BHUTAN: Inspirational Bhutan
(Springtime walking and Paro festival)

TOUR ITINERARY

Thursday 17 March - Depart Australia
The recommended flight is Thai International departing Sydney at 10.50 arriving at 15.20.
Day services are also available from Melbourne and Perth as well as overnight services from Melbourne and Brisbane which would connect with the early morning departure from Bangkok.

Day 1: Friday 18 March - Bangkok - Paro
Druk Air - KB 127 - Departs: 06.50 am Arrive: 09.50 am
Check-in by 5.00am for the Druk Air 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 where 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, along with Dave, will be your hosts in Bhutan.

After breakfast 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. You will also visit the National Museum, housed in a 16th century watchtower above the Paro Dzong. After this, chances are you'll be ready for a bit of a rest after such an early start, so return early afternoon to the hotel for some free time.
Overnight: Dechen Hill Resort or similar: Dinner at a hotel in town.

Day 2: Saturday 19 March - Paro-Thimphu
You will be woken at a seriously early hour and after a cuppa depart for the festival grounds to witness the (since today is the last day of the Tshechu/Festival), 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. This is preceded by a ceremony in which sacred objects are taken by monks from the Dzong to the festival courtyard. The rest of the monk body then follows in procession. Don't be surprised if you see young monks yawning and desperately trying to stay awake while others are enthusiastically chanting. The whole scene is illuminated with butter lamps. Locals press forward to touch the Tongdrel, give alms and receive a blessing from the head monk. The Tongdrel cannot be exposed to direct sunlight and is rolled up again before mid morning. This is an amazing and moving experience not to be missed! Return to the hotel around 6.00am for a mini sleep.
NB: Be sure to wear your warmest clothing (hat, coat and gloves!)

After a late 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. You will see spring flowers among the forested slopes. On arrival in Thimphu visit 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.
Overnight: Hotel Jomolhari - Dinner at the hotel.

Day 3: Sunday 20 March -- Thimphu
In the morning, visit Sangayang viewpoint, located high above the city, a forest of prayer flags
overlooking Thimphu. Then head out of the Thimphu valley, stopping to view the magnificent Dzong, seat of local Government and home also to the monastic community. A hike up to the Tango Monastery (a sharp little muscle stretcher of about 1 hour) offers wonderful views of the distant snow covered mountains. After returning to Thimphu the afternoon is free to browse the galleries and shops or to continue some local sightseeing.
Overnight: Hotel Jomolhari - Official welcome dinner at the Royal Bhutan Golf Club.

Day 4: Monday 21 March -- Thimphu - Punakha
Today you set off early for a stunning day's driving up and over the Docchu-La Pass east of Thimphu, at 3140m, where on a clear day you can see the whole Himalayan range. After morning tea, continue your journey through forested mountains and on to the turn off to the Punakha Valley. The terrain is wild, mountainous and ever changing. Time permitting visit the temple of the Divine Madman en route. 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 Chuu rivers. This is perhaps the most architecturally impressive of the Dzongs that you will see. Dzongs perform the dual role of home to the monk body and are also the administrative centre of the region. So you will see many well dressed lay people coming and going. All men who enter the Dzong precinct must wear a ceremonial scarf over their gho and the colour of the scarf worn denotes a man's rank. There is a also another highly decorated temple further up the valley; a modern tower built by the Queen mother and well worth the visit for its beautiful paintings.
Overnight Hotel Peri Menseum: Dinner at the guesthouse.

Day 5: Tuesday 22 March - Punakha - Phobjikha
First stop today will be Wangdue Phodrang where there will be a local fruit and vegetable market in progress with local delicacies such as wild fern and asparagus. Wangdue also has a very impressive village prayer wheel. Continue up to the Phobjikha Valley through a series of spectacular switchbacks climbing to a height of 3,300m. 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. The valley is home to the migratory
Black Necked Crane, which winters in the valley between October and March, so you may just be lucky. In order to preserve the birds' habitat, there is no electricity in the valley, all homes operating on solar power. Your accommodation tonight may be the traditional Bhutanese Guesthouse with wood burning stoves in each bedroom. Alternatively it may be in the newer guesthouse. As rooms are limited and demand is high, accommodation is subject to change.
Overnight: Dewachen Lodge. Dinner at the Lodge.

Day 6: Wednesday 23 March - Phobjikha
Today it's time for 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 (2 - 3 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, crayons, koala bears, etc, they will find grateful recipients here. After a picnic lunch you may wish to have afternoon tea in the Amankora Resort back in Phobjikha Valley.
Overnight: Dewachen Lodge - Dinner at the Lodge.

Day 7: Thursday 24 March - Phobjikha - Wangdue
This morning, visit the recently restored Gangtey Gompa, one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan, and the village close by then retrace your steps out of the valley back to Wangdue. En route make some stops for digital moments (perhaps the odd yak or a troop of monkeys) before arriving mid-afternoon at the evocative Kyichu Resort located on the banks of the fast flowing Dan Chhu river. This vegetarian hotel offers a relaxing atmosphere and excellent food.
Overnight: Kyichu Resort. Dinner at the Resort.

Day 8: Friday 25 March - Wangdue - Thimphu
This morning take a superb hike up to the Chetokha Monastery with commanding views over the neighbouring valleys and have lunch in the monastery grounds. After returning to the Kyichu Resort for a quick wash and to pick up bags, head off for Thimphu stopping briefly at Docchu-La Pass. There will be enough time in Thimphu for some more shopping and sightseeing. This is the last place to pick up books and good quality antiques, Thankas and other artifacts. There is a very good government run emporium which accepts credit cards. But be warned most other stores do not accept cards and some will only accept cards with a high surcharge. It is best to have enough USD or Euros for all your purchases. 500 USD should be enough.
Overnight: Hotel Jomolhari - Dinner at the hotel.

Day 9: Saturday 26 March - Thimphu - Haa - CAMP
After breakfast head off to the Haa Valley via the Chele-La Pass. This is the highest road pass in Bhutan at 3810 m and offers superb views over large areas of the Himalayas. There is then a 26 km descent to Haa which was closed to the outside world until 2002 as it was on the ancient route to Tibet. There is a military camp for the Indian Army stationed here. In the afternoon visit Lhakhang Karpo (temple of the white dove), a monastery believed to have been built in the 8th century by the Tibetan King, Songtsen Goenpo, after he sent two doves (one black and one white) to find a sacred place to build a monastery. The first night's camp will be at the beginning of the trek in a village called Yangtong. Your campsite crew will have set up in anticipation of your arrival. There are 2 person tents with a groundsheet, sleeping mat and camp pillow, a cook tent and a loo tent. All gear is carried in canvas duffel bags by ponies. Please ensure that you put your gear in a waterproof zip up cabin bag. You only need to take the bare minimum and a sleeping bag as these are not provided.

Day 10: Sunday 27 March - Haa - Khadey Gom - CAMP
Hike Day 1. Distance: 8 km. Total altitude gain: 500m; Duration: 4-5 hours; Campsite elevation: 3235 m: Level of difficulty: Easy to moderate.
The trek starts today. After breakfast, there is a short sharp climb (150m) to Goemba village, to a temple dedicated to the Buddhist saint Guru Rinpoche. The trail continues on through the village of Talung. After passing through some lovely countryside for and hour and a half or so, you will reach tonight's campsite, Khadey Gom, where a rock with two eyes and a distorted mouth is a feature. This rock is believed to be the work of the 5th century Buddhist saint Thangthong Gyalpo. who, on his quest for iron ore in Bhutan, came across a demon and subdued it by slashing its mouth and turning it into a rock. Overnight Camp.

Day 11: Monday 28 March - Khadey Gom - Dongney Tsho - CAMP
Hike Day 2. Distance: 8 km; Total altitude loss: 35m;Duration: 5-6 hours; Campsite elevation: 3200m: level of difficulty: easy to moderate
A gradual hike of about an hour through the pines is followed by another 2 hour climb to the Saga-La Pass, which, as is common at the heads of passes in Bhutan, is marked by prayer flags and mini stupas. Views here are fabulous in all directions. East is the Paro valley with Drugyel Dzong where the trek ends and the sacred Taktshang (Tiger's Nest Monastery - see Day 12). To the north and west lie snow covered mountains on the Tibetan border, particularly the sacred Mt. Jomolhari (7315m) and Jo Drake (6794m). Overnight Camp.

Day 12: - Tuesday 29 March - Dongney Tsho - Drugyel Dzong (Paro)
Trek Day 3. Distance: 7 km; Total altitude loss: 620 m; Duration: 3 hours;
Level of difficulty: Easy to moderate
The first part of today's hike is a steep downhill trail for about 1.5 hours, through thick vegetation and much birdsong, until you reach a bridge (Genchu Zam). You then walk through Chodeyphu, a beautiful small village set at the base of the mountain, Lom Bjara. Another hour or so from this village brings us to the road, where the walk ends. Our bus and driver meet you and you return to your hotel in Paro where your luggage awaits you.
Overnight: Dechen Hill Resort: Dinner at a hotel in town.

Day 13: Wednesday 30 March - Paro - Tiger's Nest
Today we hike up to Taktstang (Tiger's Nest Monastery) the most photographed in Bhutan, perched 900m above the valley floor. It is so named because Bhutan's most famous Saint, Guru Rimpoche flew here on the back of a tigress from Pakistan and is credited with bringing Buddhism to Bhutan. The first half of the walk can be done on pony back but otherwise the walk itself takes about 2 hours each way. A teahouse at the halfway point which is the lunch stop on the return journey offers fabulous views of this man made wonder which seems to hang in mid air. The footprint of the Guru can be seen in the small rock cave where he meditated for 3 months.
This is a strenuous uphill climb and you may experience some shortness of breath at the top, so adequate water supplies, a hat and sunscreen are essential. As you are already acclimatized you may find this walk reasonably easy.
Last minute purchases can be made in Paro prior to dinner if necessary.
Overnight: Dechen Hill Resort: Dinner at a hotel in town.

Day 14: Thursday 31 March - Depart Bhutan
After breakfast depart for the airport (about 15 mins) to check in for the homeward flight.
Those travelling on Thai can check their luggage all the way to Australia. Those on other airlines need to clear customs and immigration and re-check-in
KB 126 - Departs Paro at 11.50am. Arrives Bangkok at 16.55
An immediate connection is available to flights to Sydney and later connections to Melbourne / Brisbane and Perth.

ARRANGEMENTS END IN BANGKOK
- The itinerary and hotels are subject to change at the discretion of the operator, due to local
conditions. Dave Best* is the scheduled tour leader, but in the unlikely event that he is
prevented from leading the tour, another suitable guide will be provided.

PRICES are based on a minimum group number of 11 participants. If final numbers are less than 11, then a surcharge of approximately USD 200 will apply depending on final numbers. Maximum group size is 16.

INCLUSIONS:
- Airfares Bangkok/Paro/Bangkok inclusive of tax
- 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 (needed for the Saga-La Trek)
- Visa issue and processing
- All meals, including bottled water
- All entrance fees, permits and Tourist Development Tax

Inspirational Bhutan
Dates and costs
17 March - 1 April, 2011