Exotic Bhutan Tours and Treks

Tamshingphala Choepa/Tangbi Mani Festivals with Bumthang Cultural Trek

September 19 to October 03, 2007

Punakha Festival Cultural Tour

Day 1 Bangkok to Thimphu
Today after you check in at the airport, you will board your plane for a spectacular flight into Bhutan. Ascending over the High Himalayan Mountains you view in awe the sacred Mount Jumolhari, "The Goddess Peak" and Jitchu Drake. Excitement mounts following your descent in altitude over a large mountain ridge. You have arrived at Paro International Airport Bhutan; altitude 7500’. Your visa will now be processed and you are met by your tour representative. Enjoy lunch in quaint Paro village and we then visit the National Museum (Ta-Dzong) once the watchtower for Rinpung Dzong. It was converted into the National Musuem in 1968. The museum stands on a promontory overlooking the Paro valley in all its glory. On the way back visit the Paro Rinpung Dzong. A flagstone path rises gradually from a beautiful wooden bridge with shingle roofing and abutted by two guardhouses, to the Dzong. Today the Dzong is the seat of the district administration as well as home for the monastic school. The central tower (Utse) of the Dzong, displays superb woodwork. Depart Paro (2 hour drive) to arrive in Thimphu, Capitol of Bhutan. Check into the lovely Bhutanese Druk Hotel. Tonight meet your host in Bhutan; Sonam. Later discuss itinerary overview with your guide. Overnight Druk Hotel

Day 2 Thimphu to Wangdue
This morning we depart to visit the Bank of Bhutan for currency exchange, as well as the post office to view and purchase exquisite collector item Bhutanese stamps. We then depart Thimphu towards the east to Wangdu. En route enjoy a short break for tea/coffee at Dochula Pass at 3150 m and view Eastern Himalayan mountain ranges while surrounded by hundreds of prayer flags and Buddhist chortens; Spectacular! Overnight: Dragon’s Nest Resort

Day 3 Wangdue To Bumthang
It takes 5 – 6 hours to drive between the windswept town of Wangdue and Trongsa. The route crosses the Black Mountains via Pele la (3240 m) before entering the broad, heavily cultivated Mangde Chhu Valley. From Pele la the road drops through more dwarf Bamboo and patches of fir trees emerging into the abundant evergreen forest of the Longte Valley. The road follows the Nikka Chhu (River) to the village of Chendebji which is on the opposite side of Nikka Chhu. Two kilometers beyond Chendebji village is Chendebji Chorten, a large white structure beside a stream. Stop for a picnic lunch at Chendebji. Continue our drive from Trongsa to Bumthang; a 3 hour drive crossing Yotungla Pass (3425m); a most scenic drive. Views of the impressive Trongsa Dzong can be seen far away on your high Himalayan highway. Look for yaks here. Overnight: River Lodge

Day 4 Bumthang Sightseeing
Today you can relax and unwind at the lodge and later in the day we will enjoy some Bumthang sightseeing. Bumthang altitude 2600 m has an individuality that charms its visitors and separates it from other regions. Comprised of four smaller valleys, the deeply spiritual region of Bumthang is shrouded in religious legend. Here tales of Guru Padmasambhava and his re-incarnation known as Tertons still linger in most nooks and corners. It is also known for its woolen material (yathra) which can be seen hung outside of houses for sale. Sightseeing - Visit the Jakar Dozing, 7th century Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey monastery, Tamshing and Kunchosum monastery. This sightseeing is most interestingly done on foot. Overnight: River Lodge.

Day 5 Jakar To Tang – Tamshingphala Festival
Drive 27 km from Jakar to Tang Valley. The Tang valley is located in the eastern part of Bumthang Dzongkhag and has an area of about 511 square kilometers. It is bordered by Lhuentse Dzongkhag to the north and east, Ura Geog to the south and Chhoekhor Geog to the west. The altitudes of the Geog ranges from approximately 2800-5000 meters above sea level.

Attend Tamshingphala Choepa festival at Tamshing Village. Masks of glorious demonic demons and animals arouse your senses as you watch the purification take place. The intensity goes on. Your spirit will fly and your camera will snap away; you are transported into another time. Join in with local Bhutanese people for a picnic lunch. Returning to the festival, make sure to watch for the Atsara (clown).This dancer, unique in his own style, mimics dancers and entertains onlookers.

Late afternoon hike about an hour from the valley floor where the motorable road ends to Ugyenchholing Palace at the top of the hill passing through farms an the 18th Century by Trongsa Penlop (Governor of Trongsa) Chokey Dorji who was a descendant of Terton ( treasurer discoverer) Dorji Lingpa who lived in the 13th Century ( around 1251 A.D). Chokey Dorji spent his remaining days in Ugyenchholing after his retirement. Enjoy a typical Bumthap dish of buckwheat pancake and noodles with cheese and chilly curry (ema-datse) in the evening meal. Overnight: Ugyenchholing Guest House

Day 6, Tang to Ngalhakhang (Bumthang Cultural Trek begins)
Enjoy a hearty picnic lunch and we then begin Bumthang Cultural Trek. You will first go to the village of Gamling and the crossing over the Tangmachu river you will come to the Tahung village. Continue with a gradual climb through the meadows and mini bamboo pastures winding through forests of rhododendrons. After trekking about 4 hour you reach to Phephela Pass which is the highest point of the trek at 3,465M meters; lunch at the pass. After the pass trails leads down hill through the most beautiful forested areas of bamboo and fir forest, crossing the streams several times till you finally reach the campsite at Ngalhakhang. The 6 hour trek will allow for many stops to enjoy nature. Enjoy a wholesome and delicious Bhutanese meal prepared by your native Chef. Overnight camp in an open pasture.

Day 7, Ngalhakhang to Tangbi Mani Village
The trail is gradual down hill through pine forest along the Chamkhar river. After trekking for about 2 hours you will cross a suspension bridge over the Chamkhar river. From the bridge you cross over to Kharsa village and trek through the buck fields to Thangbi village. We stop here to set up camp and enjoy our lunch. This afternoon we attend Rehearsal Day at Tangbi Lhakhang, situated in this beautiful countryside. Tomorrow we attend a full day at Tangbi Mani Festival. Overnight at camp.

Day 8, Tangbi Mani Festival
Full day to attend Tangbi Mani Festival. Deities are invoked through benediction and luck is increased and misfortune gone. We are captivated by clapping cymbal, drum, horn and the unforgettable chanting of Buddhist monks who perform religious dance of purification. Array of colorful brocades whirl through the air as the dancers spin and dance the "thunderbolt step. Play games and stroll handicraft stalls; watch the Purification of Fire ritual. Explore around the village and visit locals at their homes. Enjoy dinner around the campfire with Ara, the local wine. Your guide will provide Bhutanese campfire story. Overnight at camp.

Day 9 Jakar to Trongsa
Departing from Tangbi camp, the last leg of the trek is to Toktobi, an easy 45 minutes. Your vehicle will pick you up from Toktobi and you depart for Trongsa. In Trongsa visit Trongsa Dzong. Trongsa Dzong is the ancestral home of the royal family. Built in 1648 A.D. it is presently the administrative seat of the district and the home of the monastic school. Built at split levels on a narrow spur, the Dzong is an architectural wonder. Local archers display Bhutanese expertise with the bow at the archery field nearby. Afternoon drive down 25 Km. along the Shemgang highway to Kuenga Rabten Palace, a favorite resort of the Second King. In the vicinity of the palace you may sight the Golden Langur lounging in the trees. Return to Trongsa for overnight at Hotel Yangkhil

Day 10 Trongsa to Wangdue
Today we enjoy a leisure drive, stopping along our way for photo stops; we arrive at Dragons Nest Resort for dinner and overnight. The Wangdi Dzong courtyard will be a pleasant evening excursion.
Day 11 Wangdue to Thimphu
Morning visit the historical Dzong of Punakha which is strategically located between two rivers known as Phochu and Mochu which means "Male river and Female river". This massive fortress was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the founder of Bhutan in 1637 A.D. Today, as all other Dzongs in Bhutan, this Dzong also houses the office of the district administration as well as the district monk body. It is also used as the winter residence of the central monk body and it’s Chief Abbot (Je- Khenpo) who migrate here from Thimphu Dzong during the winter months and return to Thimphu Dzong in the summer.

Drive on to Thimphu (3 hours). En route to Thimphu take a short hike to Chhi-Med Lhakhang in the picturesque Lobesa valley to visit the temple of one of Bhutan’s foremost saints, Lama Drukpa Kunley, also known as the “Divine Madman”. Enjoy lunch at Dochula Cafeteria. Arriving in Thimphu, we check into our hotel relax and dine. In the evening we stroll Thimphu town and take in the sights and have an opportunity to shop. Overnight: Hotel

Day 12, Thimphu
This morning we visit the Tarkin zoo, Bhutan’s National animal, House of Incense and House of Paper, as well as the Royal Textile Museum. Lunch at the hotel and in the afternoon we visit the Weekend Open Market. This is a great place to visit where you will see people from all over western Bhutan selling and buying vegetables and crafts. Here you will find locals setting up stalls of fresh produce, rice, chilies, jewelry, local art, handicrafts and visit with enchanting local shoppers. Overnight: Hotel

Day 13, Thimphu to Paro
After an early breakfast we depart Thimphu and drive to Paro. Excursion to Taktshang Monastery (4 hours round trip hike) Taktsang is the most famous of all Bhutanese monasteries. It is perched on the Side of a cliff 900 m above the floor of the Paro valley, where the only sounds are the murmurs of the wind, and water and the chanting of the monks. The name Taktsang means ‘Tigers Nest’; the Guru is said to have flown on the back of a tigress to the site of the monastery where he meditated in a cave for three months. Continue on to Paro. In the evening visit a farmhouse for traditional hospitality. Overnight: Hotel Olathang

Day 14, Paro to Haa to Paro
Today we enjoy a spectacular day trip to Haa Valley, situated in the north-west of Bhutan bordering Tibet. Haa was closed to tourism until 2001. The following ancient route will take you through some of the most scenic views of Ha and Paro valleys over alpine Kalila pass. We enjoy a picnic lunch as prayer flags flutter us into the valley of Haa; which is traversed by the Haa Chuu; Haa Valley characteristic features are the three almost conical shaped hillocks considered to be holy by the local people-the first hillock dedicated to Ap Chhundu, the supreme local protective deity of Haa. Return to Paro for farewell dinner.

Day 15, Depart Bhutan for your next destination
Transfer to Paro Airport for departure we hope you have enjoyed your adventure into the Land of the Thunder Dragon.

Tashi Delek!
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