Bhutan Cultural 
&
Tamshingphala
Festival Tour

October 4 - 14, 2008

Day 1: Today after you check in at your departing 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 Chomolhari, "The Goddess Peak" and Jitchu Drake. Your excitement mounts as your aircraft begins to decrease altitude over a large mountain ridge, which will then present incredible vistas views of your first glimpse of Bhutan! You have arrived at Paro International Airport, Bhutan, altitude 7500ft. Your visa will now be processed, collect your luggage and depart the terminal to be received by your tour representative. Your driver and English speaking Bhutanese tour guide will escort you to your hotel for lunch and check-in. After lunch you board your van to tour visit the National Museum (Ta-Dzong) once the watchtower for Rinpung Dzong. It was converted into the National Museum in 1968. The museum stands on a promontory overlooking the Paro valley in all its glory. (A Dzong is a fortress)

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. Evening visit quaint Paro town and enjoy dinner at a cozy local restaurant, followed by a stroll through town. Go over your itinerary with your guide. Meet local shop owners as you marvel at Bhutanese handicrafts. Overnight Paro hotel.

Day 2: Today drive to Thimphu, (2-hour) the Capital of Bhutan. Here you can exchange money at the bank as well as visit the post office to purchase collector item Bhutanese stamps, a must for any collector. We will check into your Thimphu hotel and enjoy Bhutanese lunch cuisine. After lunch, prepare to depart for an exhilarating afternoon. We will now drive to our path to embark on a vigorous hike up the mountain to Tango Goemba Monastery. Tango is one of Bhutanese' most important Buddhist colleges. Its name, meaning 'horse's head', is derived from the horse-head shaped rock at the top. It is a beautiful Monastery built in the 18h century by the 8th Desi, Druk Rabgye. Today Tango is home to the ten-year-old reincarnate Lama, Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgye. Meet with senior monks for discussions.

Tonight join Sonam, your Bhutanese host, at a welcome reception dinner at her home. Overnight Thimphu hotel.

Day 3: Leave Thimphu to begin our drive to Central Bhutan across Dochula pass (10,500ft) to Wangduephodrang. On a clear day you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Eastern Himalayan mountain range. Prayer flags flutter their message of peace and serenity. We stop at the pass and walk to the many chortens situated on the hilltop; here are many rewarding photo opportunities; we visit the snack shop for tea and cookies. and then continue to our resort and check in.

After a leisure lunch we depart for a visit to the beautiful Punakha Dzong, the former winter capital and present administrative seat of the district. Punkaha Dzong is as well the winter residence of the central monastic body and it's Chief Abbot. The Dzong lies between two rivers, the Pochu and Mochu, male and female rivers. It was built in 1637 AD. Most agree Punakha Dzong is the most beautiful of all Dzongs in Bhutan. Enjoy dinner at your resort; you will enjoy wonderful views from your balcony room overlooking the river below; the village of Wangdi and the most impressive Wangdue Dzong in the near distance.

Day 4: After an early breakfast we depart for Bumthang in Central Bhutan. Now we experience a long drive on a scenic and breathtaking highway, rewarded by a stop at the Trongsa Dzong, the ancestral home of the royal family. Winding down the steep mountain road you begin to glimpse Trongsa Dzong from afar, and you wonder at this architectural wonder. Built by Chogyel Minjur Tempa, the Third Desi, in 1648 it is presently the administrative seat of the district and home of the monastic school. Built at split-levels on a narrow spur, the Dzong is an architectural wonder. Views from here are extensive creating strategic location of this Dzong. Over the Dzong is the medieval Watchtower. This ancient structure gives unobstructed views of the valley and its winding river and roads below.

We will lunch in Tronsga town and continue to Bumthang. Enjoy Bhutanese hospitality family style at your overnight at the River Lodge.

Day 5: After breakfast, we hike ( or drive if you are not up to hiking) to Tamshing temple and see the FESTIVAL. Bhutanese from many different areas will gather to pay respect and to be blessed at this social gathering. Locals dressed in their finest clothes and jewelry attends this celebration of purification and religious blessings. Here we can truly appreciate the essence of Bhutanese people and a preserved steadfast culture. Arrays of colorful brocades whirl through the air as the dancers spin and dance the "thunderbolt step". 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, your camera will snap away, and you will again be transported. We will join the local people and sit around the temple for picnic lunch. Watch for the Atsara (clown) this dancer, unique in his own style, mimics dancers and entertains onlookers. Festival deities are invoked through benediction and luck is increased and misfortunate gone. Tashi Delek! Overnight River Lodge

Day 6: In the morning see the last day of the Festival. Later in the day we will enjoy some Bumthang sightseeing. Bumthang altitude 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. You will have ample opportunity today to watch expert textile weavers weave magic on their medieval back and toe strap looms. Bumthang is a noted area to purchase the intricate textile of Bhutan. Sightseeing - Visit the Jakar Dzong, 7th century Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey monastery, Tamshing and Kunchosum monastery. This sightseeing is most interestingly done on foot. Overnight: River Lodge.

Day 7: Early breakfast at our family style lodge, say good-bye to the friends you have made and begin the 27 Km drive to Tang valley. From the end of the road you will hike for an hour over a suspension footbridge, through farm fields and cluster villages, up a hill to the Ugyenchholing Palace, shrouded in mystery. Ugyencholing is a national treasure privately owned by the same family for hundreds of years. Visit the Family Museum, a place that will transport you to another world and time. You will view permanent exhibits recreated to capture the ambience of the lifestyle of the Trongsa Penelop (Governor) Tshokey Dorji and his household. Bhutan's history unfolds. Overnight: Ugyenchholing Guest House

Day 8: After breakfast walk along gradual downhill path for half an hour to the village of Gamling, down in the valley. This is a small village of about 20 households of farming and cattle rearing families. From the village it is a short distance to the motor road where your vehicle picks you up to drive to Wangdue. You will retrace your journey over Yotongla Pass and Trongsa and then over the Pelela Pass before reaching Wangdue. We enjoy photo and rest stops along the way; watch out for yaks and monkeys. Bhutan has it all! Overnight resort.

Day 9: After breakfast we drive to Thimphu for a visit to the famous weekend market, a must in Bhutan. The marketplace is alive with fresh and organic fruits, rice, chilies, wonderful textiles, handicrafts, art and jewelry and so much fun! One of my very favorites…Bring the camera, there are many Kodak moments here. Lunch and check into your Thimphu hotel. Visit the exceptional Textile Museum, featuring masterpieces from the Royal Family of Bhutan and splendid fabric and exquisite Thangkas. You will want to visit some local shops in Thimphu for purchase of crafts, art, textile or unique mask and watch local archers at play. We visit to the National Library to view ancient manuscripts, as well as opportunity to visit the House of Paper and House of Incense. Here you can learn how they make exquisite paper products from the pulp of the Daphne tree. Visit the Home of Incense; hand made Bhutanese incense; the finest in the world. Overnight Thimphu Hotel.

Day 10: This morning depart our hotel toward Paro. Along the way we take an excursion hike or ride a pony, to the famous Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest). The monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 4,000 feet. It is said that in the second half of the 8th century, Guru Padma Sambhava, the saint who converted Bhutan to Buddhism, alighted here upon the back of a tigress. Enjoy lunch at the cafeteria viewpoint. Continue on to Paro hotel, rest and enjoy dinner at hotel. Optional visit to Paro village in the evening or a Bhutanese Hot Stone Bath; ask your guide to assist you.

Day 11: Departure from Bhutan; Tashi Delek