BHUTAN: Hidden Bhutan

We take a varied look, much of it on foot, at this small, strongly Buddhist, Himalayan kingdom. Bhutan is still a land of mystery which has managed to retain its culture intact, sandwiched as it is, between India, Tibet and China.

Please note that this program is run through Travel on Q through whom all bookings will go.

TOUR OVERVIEW
Our tour program to Bhutan starts and finishes in Kolkata and provides 12 nights inside Bhutan. We enter the country from Assam in the SE corner, having had the option of an initial two night stay in a resort in the Royal Manas National Park in Assam for the purpose of viewing the big game to be found there. Once in Bhutan, we first visit the small town of Pemagatshel (“Blissful land of the lotus”) where we find one of the holiest shrines in east Bhutan and a famous weaving workshop. Next we drive to Trashigang, the centre of the Bhutanese textile industry prior to heading off east to Radi for some camping and walking in stunning scenery. All the while, we interact with locals and take far too many photographs. Heading west, we arrive at Ura in the Bumthang Valley just in time for the not-to-be-missed Yakchoe Festival, a vastly colourful affair in a lovely little town with a nice short name.

We walk in the Bumthang Valley on the banks of a fast flowing river visiting ancient monasteries and even a Swiss cheese factory!! From here we drive to Trongsa with its stunning Dzong and a very modern museum recently established in the watchtower above the Dzong. Heading south from here we enter the very remote area of Shemgang where we camp for a couple of nights while exploring the valley, largely on foot, and continue on to Gelephug where we sample the hot springs prior to crossing back into India. Apart from the nights when we camp, our accommodation is in spotless three star hotels or guest houses with comfortable bedrooms and en suite bathrooms.

Bhutan, which is slightly larger than Switzerland, has extensive natural borders formed by high mountains to the north, rising to over 7000m, and virtually impassable jungle to the south where it borders Assam. It has always been a place of mystery, its lack of contact with and influence from the outside world resulting in a unique culture. This culture, and the untouched nature of the country and its people, give Bhutan its unique appeal. Recently the country has started to open up, allowing more visitors in.

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Hidden Bhutan - The Last Shangri-La
Dates and costs
19 April - 1 May, 2010