Tour : The legends of Bhutan April 22 to May

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1 Tour : The legends of Bhutan April 22 to May Explore the splendors and famous sights of the Kingdom of Bhutan. This tour experiences the breathtaking views of the scenery, mountains, charming villages, unique culture and living tradition. Bhutan is unique, innovative, they take care great measures to protect their culture identity and natural environment. Discover with us the happiest place in the world. Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Departure from Europe for Katmandu Arrival in Katmandu Overnight there Arrival in Bhutan On arrival, we will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Paro. Overnight in Paro Hotel Janka or similar Haa valley Today, we are leaving for the West of Bhutan and we will go up Cheli La pass at 3990 m, before the pass, we will visit the Dzongdrakha, a retreat/sanctuary hung to the mountains. If the weather is good enough, just after, we will stop at Kila s monastery, where almost 50 nuns follow Buddhist s teaching; this convent is the oldest of Bhutan.

2 Day 5 Day 6 In the afternoon, we will visit Lhakhang Karpo s and Nagpo s monasteries. Enjoy a nice walk in this small town Haa valley Thimphu After breakfast, we take the road to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan, and pass by Chhuzom. On the afternoon, we will reach the Centenary Farmer s Market on the banks of the Wangchhu River selling farm produces local arts and crafts. Free time in town. Overnight in Thimphu, Hotel Pedling or similar Sightseeing in Thimphu Today enjoy full day guided tour of the best of Thimphu city, the capital of Bhutan at an altitude of 2,300m. - The National Memorial Chorten, built in memory of the third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. - The 13 th century Changgangkha Temple and the Folk Heritage Museum, a showcase of the Bhutanese artefacts used in rural households. - Later, drive up to the Kuensel Phodrang (Buddha point) offering a panoramic view of the Thimphu valley. Free time in town. Overnight in Thimphu Hotel Pedling or similar Day 7 Thimphu Wangdue Phodrang - Punakha Today begin the day by travelling a distance of 77km for about 3 hours journey to Punakha via Dochu La Pass at 3,050m. We will make a stop at Dochu La Pass, to have a look at the beautiful view of the Himalaya mountains, as well as at the 108 chortens. En route visit the Chimmi Lhakhang, which is located near Lobesa on a round hillock. The temple is revered as a sanctum of fertility, built by Lama Drukpa Kinley (the Divine Madman), who was fond of women and adopted unorthodox ways of teaching Buddhism. Legend has it that the couples wishing to have a baby from across Bhutan and occasionally from overseas are blessed with a child after visiting the temple Japanese and several American couples visited this temple and were blessed miraculously with children. Punakha, at an altitude of 1,300m, was once the old capital of Bhutan and the seat of government until 1955.

3 Visit the Punakha Dzong (also known as the Pungthang Dechen Phodrang Dzong) built in 1637, which is strategically located at the confluence of the Phochhu (male) and Mochhu (female) Rivers. Now the dzong serves as the administrative centre of Punakha district and the central monastic body. Overnight in Punakha Hotel Puna Cottages or similar Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Gasa and its warm water spring Enjoy the beautiful day to Gasa s warm water spring by going through the amazing national park of Jigme Dorji. We will drive through the luxuriant forest to reach the warm water spring where bhutanese families come and relax for a few days. Only a few tourists go there, so, don t forget your swimming costume as well as well as a t-shirt and enjoy a typical day with bhutanese people. A packed meal will be served at lunch. At the end of the afternoon, we will go back to Punakha. Overnight in Punakha Hotel Puna cottage or similar Punakha Gangtey via Wangdue Phodrang Drive a distance of 78-km for about 3 hours to Gangtey via Wangdue Phodrang. Phobjikha valley is one of the winter roosting grounds of the rare Black-necked Cranes, where they come in hundreds after spending their summer in Tibet and then migrates to the Himalayas of Bhutan to spend their winter they arrive in the months of October and fly back to Tibet between February and March. Along the highway to Gangtey, you ll photo stops as there are loads of breathtaking views during the journey. Tonight you will stay in Gangtey. Possibility to meet my friend, Neten, monks at the Buddhist college of Gangtey. Overnight in Gangtey hotel Dewachen or similar Sightseeing in Gangtey Visit of the Gangtey Dzong and make a little hike in this beautiful valley, as well as the black-necked Cranes conservation center. Also, in the afternoon or evening, you could have hot stone bath, typically Bhutanese activity, quite unique, around USD 15/person. Overnight in Gangtey hotel Dewachen or similar

4 Day 11 Gangtey Paro After breakfast we will drive to Paro, visit of Paro Dzong and the museeum Overnight in Paro Hotel Janka resort or similar Day 12 Day 13 Paro Hike to Paro Taktshang This morning you ll take a hike to Paro Taktshang Monastery (Tiger s Nest). No visit to Bhutan would be complete without a trip to Taktshang. The monastery is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 m above the Paro valley and takes about a 2-hour climb on a well-maintained trail through beautiful pine forest, trees festooned with Spanish Moss. In the afternoon, take your time to do some shopping, visit the little town of Paro. We also could assist to a archery match, very famous in Bhutan. Your last overnight in Paro hotel Janka resort or similar Your tour ends in Bhutan with a departure transfer to the Paro airport. Flight for Katmandu Overnight in Katmandu Day 14 Flight back to Europe

5 PRICE of the stay : USD 3650/person Standard package includes: Transfers to and from the airport Flight Katmandu Paro - Katmandu Standard hotels 3 stars All meals (breakfast/lunch and dinner) Transports/transfert within Bhutan Entrance fees to museums and attractions Comfortable transport Sightseeing as per itinerary with english guide Mineral water and tea Bhutan visa Not included in the cost : Travel insurance Repatriation insurance International airfares and airport taxes to reach Katmandu Beverages (mineral water and tea are free) Expenses of personnal nature Hot stone bath in Bhutan, around USD 15 Hike to the Tiger Nest on horseback about USD 8 (half way) Expenses in Katmandu, hotels and visa (hotel could be booked by us) Tips to guides and drivers in Bhutan and Nepal All expenses in Nepal All expenses not mentioned above under package includes The meeting place for those who do not leave from Switzerland : Katmandu The prices will be confirmed at your booking. They may vary depending on available flights to Bhutan and hotels. The price for every flight to Bhutan may change. While it is our intention to adhere to the itinerary described, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The itinerary is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to variance due to local circumstances. Depending also of the road conditions or weather.

6 Practical advice Money - Expenses The currency is the Ngultrum and can be obtained only in Bhutan. It is advisable to take USDollars that you can exchange upon arrival (check with your guide to know the current rate). Another possibility is to take money out at the automatic distributers (ATMs), as they can be found in many places; they do not always work, but this is usually only a temporary problem. As your trip is paid in advance, including all services, you will need your money only to pay tips, to purchase souvenirs, and to purchase beverages during your meals aside from the tea (as it is included in the meal). In your hotel rooms, however, there are free water bottles at your disposition; you can take them away with you. The hot stones bath are also at extra cost; I suggest you try them as they are a typical Bhutan experience. Ask your guide, he can organize this unforgettable evening experience for you. The prices vary according to the place, but it is around USD 15. Tips/ Gratuities for group : Bellhops (luggage carrier): 1.- US$/luggage Chauffeur: between 1.- and 2.- US$ - per person, per day Guide: between 2.- and 3.- US$ per person, per day Tips for the chauffeurs and the guide should be given at the end of the whole trip, the last evening or at the airport; they are very much appreciated, but it is up to you if you want to give or not and how much. Electricity runs on 220 volts in Bhutan. However, as the supply is rather irregular and power cuts are frequent, it is advisable to bring a flashlight. Take an adapter, as different places require different plugs; indeed, the best solution is to buy a Bhutanese plug upon arrival. Depending on your mobile telephone operator, it could be impossible to make a phone call. It is highly advisable to buy a SIM card from Bhutan Telecom or Tashi Cell. Be sure that before your departure your phone is UNlocked. WiFi is not always available in all the hotels, especially in remote areas and, even when it does work, it can be rather irregular. Take advantage of this and enjoy the calm of the country and forget about your s for a few days. Clothes and Weather/Altitudes The average altitude in the regions you will visit is 2500 meters. But you can go from 1,500 to 3,000 in one day, thus the temperatures will widely vary no matter what season. Hence, always carry with you a T-shirt, sweater and a jacket/coat; for walking, a good pair of walking shoes is sufficient.

7 Sports pants and jeans are good for travelling everywhere; shorts and sleeveless tops are not considered appropriate. To visit the Dzongs, you should always have something to cover your arms; this is not mandatory everywhere but frequently required. There are not vaccines required.