7days bhutan heavenly package - nuss · 2016-12-27 · accessible by crossing an iron bridge built...

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HERITAGE TOURS • WELLNESS SPA • UNIQUE RESORTS

7DAYS BHUTAN HEAVENLY PACKAGE

NUSS PRIVATE TOUR ITINERARY 15 - 21 March, 2016

Bhutan’s culture is one of the oldest in the world and is carefully guarded, well preserved and permeates

every aspect of the life of a Bhutanese - evident and exemplified by the hundreds of sacred monasteries,

religious institutions, stupas, prayer flags and prayer wheels, and festivals all over Bhutan.

F A C T S:

Starts: In Paro

Ends: In Paro

Activities: Insights into Bhutanese culture, sightseeing and hiking

Maximum Altitude: 3,140m/10,362ft above sea level

I T I N E R AR Y:

Day 01: Arrive at Paro Airport. Half day sightseeing in Thimphu. Overnight in Thimphu

Day 02: Sightseeing in Thimphu. Overnight in Thimphu

Day 03: Drive to Punakha/Wangdue. Overnight in Punakha/Wangdue

Day 04: Sightseeing in Punakha/Wangdue. Overnight in Punakha/Wangdue

Day 05: Drive to Paro. Overnight in Paro

Day 06: Sightseeing in Paro. Overnight in Paro

Day 07: Depart from Paro Airport

H I G H L I G H T S:

Attend the Paro Festival

Visit the largest sitting Buddha in the world, heritage sights of fortresses and fertility temple

Hike the iconic Tiger’s Nest

Visit Farm House, cook and taste the Bhutanese cuisine with the family

Get your picture on the stamp to send to friends and families a post card

Dress up in Bhutanese dress and go for dinner in one of the happening restaurant in the city

Plant trees as a responsible tourists coming to Bhutan

Practice archery

Stroll & shop in the city




DAY 01 / Tues / 15 Mar 2016: ARRIVE AT PARO AIRPORT (L,D)

Thimphu - Altitude: 2,320m/7,656ft above sea level

As your plane approaches Bhutan, take in the scenic and breathtaking

views of the Himalayan Mountains. If weather permits, you will be able to

see Mt Everest (8,848m). After clearing customs, you will be met by your

representatives from Raven Tours & Trek. The drive from Paro Airport to

the capital city of Thimphu takes 1 hour 30 minutes.

Tamchhog Lhakhang: On the way to Thimphu, visit this temple -

accessible by crossing an iron bridge built by Thang Gyalpo of Tibet who

was responsible for building numerous iron bridges throughout Bhutan.

Kuenselcholing View Point: You get a good view of the Thimphu valley from this Buddha Point

(Kuensel Phodrang). Standing at 51.5m, it is the largest statue in the country.

Memorial Chorten (Stupa): This chorten was built in honour of the 3rd

king, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck who is widely regarded as the father

of modern Bhutan.

Tashichho Dzong: This Fortress of Glorious Religion houses the

secretariat building, the throne room and the office of the King, and the

central monk body. It was built in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang

Namgyel (the leader who unified Bhutan in the 16th century).

Overnight in hotel in Thimphu

Day 02 / Wed / 16 Mar 2016: IN THIMPHU (B, L, D)

Talakha Monastery Hike: (9 km return / ascent 700 m / 4-5 hrs / rating: 3.1)

This stunning hike starts from Simtokha Dzong, the oldest Dzong in

Bhutan. The trail is up a ridge through blue pines and poplars. Talakha

monastery offers excellent views of Thimphu valley and the high

Himalayas. From here the urban sprawls of Thimphu far down below seem

a world away.

If it is a clear day you will be able to see the rounded cone of Jomolhari

peak, Bhutan’s most sacred mountain (7,314m), the sharp pinnacle of

Jichhu Drake (6,989m), Tsherem Gang (7,000m) and the Kanchenjunga

(8,589m) towering over the mountains of Paro and Haa. On an extremely

clear day you can look far into Nepal, where Makalu (8,481m) and possibly Mount Everest (8,848m) are

just visible against the western horizon. Further to the east of the high Himalayas the Black Mountains

range dominates the skyline.




Later, visits can be made to:

General Post Office of Bhutan: Get an insight into Bhutan through its stamps. Visit their Philatelic

Bureau for their beautiful, unique and wide range of stamps and philatelic products. Get a custom made

stamp with your picture and send a postcard to your friends and families from Bhutan.

Authentic Craft bazaar: The stalls carry a variety of high-end quality products from places across the

country such as wood carved national symbols, bags and western wears with touches of traditional

designs, wooden and clay utensils, Bangchung, Dhapa, key hanger of jewelry boxes, bookmarks and

handmade packing papers (Deysho) in different patterns, antique items etc. These are made by people

from villages across the country thereby any souvenirs you buy will directly or indirectly benefit the

under privilege.

Paper factory: The handmade paper making in Bhutan stemmed from the

age old tradition originated in 8th

century of Bhutanese history. The

handmade paper constitutes as valuable National heritage of Bhutanese

cultural identity and is preserved through all the ages. The Traditional

paper is recognized and held high esteem both in home and outside world.

Before dinner we will go to a location whereby a tree will be planted as a

remembrance and a contribution to the environment and nature.

In the evening you will dress up in our Bhutanese dress and we will take you for a dinner with preferred

beverages in the hotel or in a famous restaurant with cultural show.

Overnight in hotel in Thimphu

DAY 03 / Thurs / 17 Mar 2016: THIMPHU TO PUNAKHA/WANGDUE (B, L, D)

Punakha – Altitude: 1,350m/4,455ft above sea level

The 3 hour drive to Punakha/Wangdue involves crossing a pass known as

Dochula Pass (3,140m) from where a spectacular panoramic view of the

Himalayan mountain range can be seen, especially on clear winter days.

The beauty of this place is further enhanced by the Druk Wangyal

Chorten - 108 stupas built by the eldest Queen, Her Majesty Ashi Dorji

Wangmo Wangchuck.

Hike to Chimi Lhakhang: This Temple of fertility was built by Lam

Drukpa Kuenley (The Divine Madman) in 1499. It is about 30 minutes

hike across fields. Wooden phalluses are often found hanging in the four

corners of houses and phalluses are also painted on walls of houses as it is

the common belief that this helps drive away evil spirits.

Overnight in hotel in Punakha/Wangdue




DAY 04 / Fri 18 / Mar 2016: IN PUNAKHA/WANGDUE (B, L, D)

Kham Sum Yule Lhakhang: It was built by the Queen, Her Majesty

Ashi Tshering Pem Wangchuck for a successful reign of her son, the

present and 5th King His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck. It

took 8 years to build and was consecrated in December 1999. It’s about

45 minutes hike from the main road.

Punakha Dzong: Built by Zhabdrung in 1637, this fortress is located

between the rivers of Mo (Female) Chu (river) and Pho (Male) Chu. It

served as the capital city until the second king.

Then a short walk to see the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan.

After the visit of the Punakha Dzong, we will hike for 5 minutes to walk

on the longest suspension bridge that links a village with the paved road.

Punakha Nunnery: Perched on a ridge amid pine trees and overlooking

valleys of Punakha and Wangduephodrang, is the school for nuns. The

temple complex houses a permanent higher learning and meditation centre

for nuns where, apart from religious trainings, it provides life skills such

as tailoring, embroidery, statue making and thangka painting.

Rinchengang Village: The ancient look of the houses built on a sliced

hilltop baring a dusty orange soil reminds travelers of the crowded mud

houses in Morocco or the one in Kabu, Afganisthan. It’s a 20 minute walk

up a gentle gradient and the village is famous for its masonry work.

Overnight in hotel in Punakha/Wangdue

DAY 05 / Sat / 19 Mar 2016: PUNAKHA/WANGDUE TO PARO (B, L, D)

Paro – Altitude: 2,280m/7,524ft above sea level

The drive to Paro is 4 hours.

Early morning drive to Paro to attend the opening ceremony of the Paro

Festival (Tshechu). The day begins with the famous mask dances.

Festivals in the Land Of Thunder Dragon are rich and happy expressions

of its ancient Buddhist culture. These festivals are held in all districts in

honor of Guru Rinpoche, the saint who introduced Buddhism to Bhutan in

the 8th

century. There is simply no better way of experiencing the colour,

passion and sheer vibrancy of Bhutan than by attending one of the

numerous religious festivals that take place throughout the year.




Tsechus are held on auspicious days and months in the Bhutanese calendar, and last up to four days in

which a series of highly stylized masked dance rituals are performed. Attendees adorned in colourful

dresses gather from far and wide, sporting exotic masks and taking part in the myriad events from games of

chance at the local fairs to elaborate mystic rituals. An experience not to be missed!

Ta Dzong: It served as a watch tower during the 17th century to guard the region from Tibetan invasions.

It was converted to the National Museum in 1968. It houses a fine collection of Bhutanese art, relics,

religious thangkas (thangkas are used to convey the visualization generated during meditation and were

made from Himalayan animal fibers), paintings, stuffed animals, arms

and ammunitions, and the country’s exquisite stamp collections.

Kichu Lhakhang: It is one of the two most sacred and the oldest

temples in Bhutan. It was built in 7th century by Tibetan King Songtsen

Gampo. It is believed that he took the responsibility to built 108 temples

in the different regions of Tibet, Bhutan and in other Himalayan regions

to control evil spirits, disease and droughts out of which two of them are

in Bhutan.(Kichu Lhakhang in Paro and Jambay Lhakhang in

Bumthang).

Overnight in hotel in Paro

DAY 06 / Sun 20 Mar 2016: IN PARO (B, L, D)

Taktshang Monastery (Tiger’s nest): Bhutan’s most recognizable

cultural icon is perched 800m/2,640ft on a sheer cliff. It was tragically and

mysteriously consumed by fire in April 1998, but is now restored to its

former glory. It is believed that in the 8th century, the great tantric master

Guru Rimopche (2nd

Buddha) flew on the back of a tigress to the site

where the monastery now stands. The hike to and fro is 5-6 hours

(depending on your pace and fitness level). A horse can bring you up to

the monastery, part of the way. Normally it cost US$25/- per person but

you get this item with our compliments.

Farmhouse: Picturesque farm houses dot the valley amidst fields and hillsides. The two to three-storied

Bhutanese farm houses are handsome in appearance, with colorfully decorated outer walls and lintels, and

are traditionally built. A visit to a farm house gives an interesting glimpse into the lifestyle of a farming

family. We will visit a family in their house in a village known as Gatana Farm House. You will be

welcomed in their traditional style, we will let you soak in a hot stone bath, learn to cook the traditional

Bhutanese food and dine with them.

We will also try out archery.Later stroll around the town and catch up on shopping or relax over a cup of

tea or coffee.

Overnight in hotel in Paro




DAY 07 / Mon / 21 Mar 2016: DEPART FROM PARO (B)

Early breakfast at the hotel and then the drive to the airport; your representatives from Raven Tours & Trek

will assist you with exit formalities and bid you farewell.

WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE

Roundtrip economy ticket on Druk Air (including airport taxes)

06night accommodation with breakfast

Lunch & dinner in local restaurants and hotels

Private transportation within Bhutan

Museums and Monuments entrance fees

Visa fee

Government Royalty/Tourism Development Fund

Experienced Tour Leader & Local Guide

YOUR ACCOMMODATION

LOCATION SUPERIOR HOTELS

Thimphu Dorji Elements

Punakha/Wangdue Lobesa Lodge or Meri Punesum Resort

Paro Tashi Namgay Resort or Rema Resort

YOUR CHECK LIST

Valid passport (valid for six months from the date of your trip)

Have on you, one other picture ID (driving license or photocopy of passport), copy of air ticket, visa

MasterCard, Visa Credit and Debit Cards are accepted in Bhutan. However travellers cheque and some cash are highly recommended

Mobile phone, if your phone provider is from CELLULAR (USA) or AT&T (USA) operators, then it will work in Bhutan




WHAT TO BRING

m jacket (preferably water proof) or rain coat

Hiking pants or skirts

Hiking/trekking boots

Socks for boots

Sneakers

Slippers

Backpack

Water bottle

Sunscreen for lips and face

Sunglasses

Sun hat

Walking stick

Binoculars

DRESS CODE FOR FORTRESSES, MONASTERIES AND TEMPLES

Shirt (half or full sleeve)

Full length pants/long skirts

Shoes with socks (some areas require the removal of shoes)

No hats, umbrellas, slippers, t-shirts, short skirts and half-pants, tying of jackets at waist

Photographs are allowed in the courtyards only

APPROXIMATE TEMPERATURE DURING YOUR VISIT In March 2016:

Max: 25 degree Celsius Min: 10 degree Celsius

NUSS/if141015

7days bhutan heavenly package - nuss · 2016-12-27 · accessible by crossing an iron bridge built...

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