BHUTAN TRIP SCHEDULE Essence of Bhutan (6 Nights / 7 Days)

Transcription

1 BHUTAN TRIP SCHEDULE Essence of Bhutan (6 Nights / 7 Days) THE HIDDEN KINGDOM OF BHUTAN Bhutan, the land of Thunder Dragon Druk Yul, is a small Buddhist Kingdom, hidden in the folds of the great Himalayas and nestled between two big nations, China and India. It is a thrilling land of towering peaks, pristine forests, and admiring landscape. Known for very rich flora and fauna and flourishing green valleys and cool breeze of fresh air. More than 70 per cent of the total area is covered with forest and the Constitution, adopted in 2008 mandates the minimum of 60 per cent forest coverage in all times to come. Bhutan s unique culture and traditions are originated from Buddhism which is prevailed religion. For the Bhutanese people, Buddhism is not just a religion, but a philosophical practice inherent and ingrained in their daily lives. The approach to development is based on the philosophy of Gross National Happiness the development with values. The government advance with developing holistic and enabling amenities considering the sustainable avenues for the people enjoy happiness. This tour covers the western Bhutanese grandeur of Paro, Thimphu, Punakha and Wangdue valleys. It is a gentle pace 7 days trip enabling one to experience the captivating sights and exhilarating hikes. Highlights includes: Scared Buddhist sites, beautiful landscape, villages, massive fortresses and meeting people. TRIP PLAN OVERVIEW DATE DAY PROGRAMME HOTEL DAY 1 ARRIVE PHUNTSHOLING HOTEL DAY 2 PHUSTHOLING - THIMPHU HOTEL DAY 3 THIMPHU PUNAKHA / WANGDUE HOTEL DAY 4 PUNAKHA VALLEY EXPLORATION HOTEL DAY 5 PUNAKHA WANGDUE PARO HOTEL DAY 6 PARO VALLEY EXPLORATION HOTEL

2 DAY 7 PARO AIRPORT DEPARTURE DAY 1: ARRIVE PHUNTSHOLING Welcome to Bhutan, Land of Thunder Dagon. Transfer from Bagdodra Airport to Phuntsholing, the broader town of Bhutan. You will drive through the Indian plains and drive takes about 4 hours. On arrival at Jaigoing, Indian broader town drive to Phuntsholing and meet Bhutanese Representative from Bhutan Journeys. Check in your hotel. Your escort will assist to process your route permit from the Bhutan Immigration office. Evening at leisure. Dinner and Overnight: Hotel DAY 2: PHUNTSHOLING THIMPHU(175 KMS) Morning depart from Phuntsholing towards the capital of Bhutan, Thimphu. Drive takes about 6-7 hours, passing through hills and some astounding countryside with lush green valleys and densely forested areas. Visit Kharbandi monastery, where you will see a stunning views of Indian Plains. Continue your journey through the tropical vegetations till Gedu town, a recently established town due to Tala Hydropower project, offering one of the best sceneries of waterfalls and lush valleys. Lunch will be served en-route. Afternoon, pass through Chukha Hydropower and its town. Drive pass through Chapcha village and gradually descend to Chunzom the confluence of Thimphu and Paro River. Continue your journry following the Thimphu River upwards passing through several villages toward Thimphu. Thimphu is situated in a large valley traversed by the Wangchuk River and overshadowed by high peaks. On reaching Thimphu, you will be taken a hotel located in the heart of the Thimphu City, which offers easy access to go around the commercial establishments. Dinner & Overnight: Hotel DAY 3: THIMPHU PUNAKHA ( 71KMS) Participate in a wide variety of interesting activities, which represent many diverse aspects of Bhutanese culture. Drive to visit Kuensel Kuensel Phodrang to visit the Buddha Statue, 169ft, symbolising indestructibility and one of the most religious monuments built in recent times. The view of Thimphu valley from the Kuenselphodrang is spectacular.national Memeoral Chorten: Built in honour of third King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Elderly devotees flock throughout the day to circumambulate and turn the prayer wheels. Drive to visit Takin Enclosure to see the National Animal of Bhutan. Lunch at one of the local restaurant in Thimphu. Afternoon depart to Punakha drive takes about 3 hours over 3050m/10,000ft Dochula pass, Dochula Pass offers a spectacular view of the eastern Himalayas from this pass on a clear day, many colorful prayer flags and chortens also dot the pass. Walk around the pass and stop for light refreshment at Dochula cafeteria. Descend through the forest of rhododendrons and magnolia passing through villages of Lumitsawa; Thinleygang and the fertile valley of Lobesa. Evening at leisure: Dinner and Overnight: Hotel. DAY 4: PUNAKHA VALLEY EXPLORATION Morning drive through Punakha valley to visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngwang Namgyel and was named as Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang, Palace of Great Happiness, Punakha Dzong is the former capital of Bhutan and played a vital role in shaping the political history of Bhutan. Located ideally between two rivers Pho Chu Male River and Mo Chu Female River. Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo (Chief Abbot and central monk body. Drive for lunch at one of the restaurant. Afternoon you will drive to visit Wangdiphodrang Dzong built in The entire Wangdue Dzong has been destroyed by fire 24th June 2012 and the restoration works are going on to rebuild into its full glory. Depending on the availability of time you can either take a short walk in the valley. Evening at leisure. Dinner and Overnight: Hotel DAY 5: PUNAKHA - PARO VIA THIMPHU ( 125KMS) Transfer to Paro via Thimphu and drive takes about 4-5 hours over Dochula pass. Descend to Thimphu and continue you drive to Paro. Depending on your time schedule, you will either have lunch at Thimphu or drive to Paro and takes less than 2 hours. Paro retains its bucolic nature in spite

3 of the existence of development projects. Fields of green or brown covers most of the valley floor while hamlets and isolated farms dot the landscape. En-route you will view Tachogang monastery, the temple of excellent horse built by Thangthong Gyalpo (Iron chain builder in Bhutan) and visit the Iron Chain Bridge which is one of the most visible ancient craft work in the middle ages Continue your drive to Paro and on arrival you will check at the hotel. Dinner and overnight: Hotel DAY 6: PARO VALLEY EXPLORATION OPTION 1: Drive to the north of Paro valley to Ramthangkha and hike to visit Taktsang monastery, the trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of tress festooned with moss and an occasional grove of fluttering prayers flags. This monastery is one of the most venerated and sacred of all Buddhist sights around the world, the legend has it that Guru Rimpoche( founding saint of Buddhism) flew from eastern Bhutan on a tigress and meditated for three months. After visiting the monastery, walk down to cafeteria for lunch. Afternoon walk down to the base and drive to Paro town. Evening at leisure Dinner and Overnight: Hotel OPTION 2: Morning depart for a nature excursion drive to Chele pass (3988meters),highest motorable road in Bhutan, drive takes about 3 hours drive through the blue pine and rhododendrons forest. You will have breathtaking views of Mount Jhomolhari and Jichu Drakey on a clear day. Take a short hike along the ridge of Chelea pass to see the stunning views of Himalayan peaks and views of Ha and Paro Valleys. Picnic lunch on the pass. Afternoon drive back to your hotel. Evening at leisure. Dinner and Overnight: Hotel DAY 7:PARO AIRPORT Transfer to Paro Airport for your onward flight. ***TASHI DELEK*** Travel Tips Entry Permit Indian Nationals travelling between Bhutan & India do not need Visa. An identity document, be it either passport or an election commission I. D card is, however required for presentation at the immigration during entry, to obtain an entry permit along with 02 passport size photographs. Indian Nationals travelling between Bhutan and Nepal require valid passport. Route Permit It is required for those travelling beyond Thimphu to central and eastern Bhutan. The Route Permit is processed & issued in Thimphu, only after arrival in Bhutan and on producing Entry Permit which travelers obtain on arrival. Two copies of passport size photos required while processing Route Permit. Also this permit can be processed only during working days (Mon-Fri) and applications are accepted from 9-11 a.m and permit granted on same day from 3-5 p.m in summer and 3-.4 p.m in winter. Getting to Bhutan Bhutan via Air Bhutan s national carrier, Druk Air servicing Bhutan s international airport located in Paro, about 2 hours drive from Thimphu. Their fleet includes modern Airbus A-319 and ATR planes. Druk Air

4 flies in and out of Bhutan from: Bangkok, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Gaya, and Guwahati), Kathmandu, Dhaka and Singapore. Bhutan Airlines It is a first Private Airline of Bhutan started its flight services on 10 October 2013, entering the international market. Bhutan Airlines fleet includes newly acquired Airbus A320 aircraft. Druk Airlines operates it is flights in and out of Bhutan from Bangkok, Kolkata and Kathmandu at the moment and expected to expand it is flight operation to various other destinations. The flight into Paro is one of the most spectacular in the world. Whether flying along the Himalayan range, or over the foothills from Kolkata, each flight is mesmerizing and offers an exciting descent into the kingdom. Please note that due to variable weather conditions, and the fact that the airport in Paro can only operate during daylight hours, flight can delays can occur. It is advisable to keep lengthy connecting times with any onward flights. Electricity 230 volts Time zone Standard Time UTC Weather Bhutan is an all-season destination with a climate that varies widely from region to region. The dry autumn and winter months (from September to mid-march) offer warm days with temperatures ranging from approximately C (60-64 F) when the sun is shining. Evenings and early mornings are cool with overnight temperatures falling to around freezing. The spring season (mid-march to June) offers warmer temperatures of around C (81 84 F) during the day which fall to approximately 18 C (64 F) at night. During the summer, (June to September) days are clear and warm with temperatures of around 23 C (73 F). Afternoon showers dispel some of the heat and temperatures fall to around 15 C (59 F) at night. Average temperatures in each valley Paro 9.4/ -5.8 Thimphu 12.3/ -2.6 Punakha 16.1/ 4.2 Wangdue Phobjikha JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP 17.0/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / 19.1 OCT NOV DEC 18.7/ / / / / / / / / / / / 6.3 ESTIMATED TRAVELING TIME (WITH SHORT STOPS) Paro Thimphu Punakha Phuntsholing 5-6 hrs 6-7 hrs 7-8 hrs Paro 2 hours 4.5 hours Thimphu 2 hours 2.5 hours Punakha / Wangdue 4.5 hours 2.5 hours

5 Food The Bhutanese diet is rich in meat and poultry, dairy, grain (particularly rice - red and white) and vegetables. Ema-datse (chilli pepper and cheese stew) is considered the national dish with many interpretations to this recipe throughout the country. Poultry and meat dishes, pork, beef and yak, are lavishly spiced with chillies, and it is common to see bright red peppers drying on rooftops in the sun. Salted butter tea, or suja, is served on all social occasions. Chang, a local beer, and arra, a spirit distilled from rice, maize, wheat or barley are also common and widely favoured. Doma or betel nut is offered as a customary gesture of greeting. Language The national language of Bhutan is Dzongkha (the language of the dzongs), however English is spoken widely due to its use as the primary language for education. Currency The national currency in Bhutan is the ngultrum (Nu) and INR cash is widely accepted throughout the Kingdom. Health The best facilities are available at the general hospital in Thimphu. Travelers are advised to avoid untreated or un-boiled water. Altitude sickness can be a problem for some travelers and efforts should be made to acclimatize before undertaking extensive activities or treks. General medicines are readily available but guests are advised to bring in their own requirements for the duration of their visit. Guests should consult with their doctors and arrange travel insurance prior to departure. What to pack Druk Air limits you to one checked bag at a maximum weight of 20kg for economy class and 30kg for business class, and hand luggage must not exceed 5kg. Clothing requirements vary greatly depending on the season. Light, loose clothing is recommended for summer days with evenings requiring a sweater or jacket. From autumn through winter to spring warm clothes are required. During these times, long underwear worn under trousers combined with multi layering on top and fleece or down jackets, plus and gloves are recommended. Comfortable sports shoes are ideal for light touring while hiking boots are recommended for anyone wishing to undertake a trek. Sunscreen, lip balm and sunglasses are recommended for the high elevations Customs All visitors will be handed a Customs form on their Druk Air flight and the completed customs form must be handed over to the Customs authorities on arrival. Mobile Telephone Coverage Bhutan Telecom has now reached countrywide mobile telephone coverage, however the mountain passes in-between is not in a coverage area. GSM coverage is now available in Bhutan, too. Alternatively, Bhutan Journeys can arrange SIM cards and prepaid charge vouchers from Bhutan Telecom for anyone wishing to have local mobile telephone access. Computer / Internet Advice All hotels offer internet access in their respective library or living room areas on house laptop computers. Guests carrying their own computers can gain internet access in the lodge library or living room.