(16th September to 29th September 2010)
This time we are offering 2 festivals, attend Thimphu Festival in Western Bhutan and the unique Tangbi Mani Festiival in Central Bhutan.
The annual Thimphu Tshechu, introduced in 1670 on the eighth month of the Bhutanese calendar during the reign of the fourth Desi, Tenzin Rabgye (1638-1696). The annual Thimphu Tshechu will take place from 17th to 19th September 201 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Guru Rinpoche. From the time of Gyalsey Tenzin Rabgye, based on various relevant biographies and autobiographies of saints and rulers of the past, compassionate mask dances in the form of peaceful and wrathful figures of most Ter-chams (sacred dances) have been composed and are being presented for the well being of those present on the occasion. Thimphu Tshechu is considered to be one of the auspicious festivals in the country. It is an occasion for the Bhutanese people to honor Guru Rinpoche, who brought Buddhism in Bhutan in the 8th century.
Thangbi Mani festival is one of the most popular festivals held in Chhoekhor Geog under Bumthang Dzongkha due to the most famous fire dance call Mewang (fire blessing) performed by the local monks. Mewang ceremony (fire blessing) is performed in an open ground. The Gomchens perform purification rituals while all the people and guests jump over the flames to get themselves purified from their sins and evil deeds. It is believed that if one is able to jump over the flame three times he or she is protected from ill luck and misfortunes are removed for that entire year. That is why people of all walks of life attempt to jump across the flame three times to be blessed for the whole year. Then mask dances and folk dances are performed as scheduled in the enclosed courtyard of the Temple. Of all the dances Goem Bernak is believed to be the most secret Dance (Tercham). This festival is organised by the people of three villages viz.Tangbi, Goling & Kharsath and displays the rich cultural heritage of this ancient Lhakhang. It will be an opportunity to come in closer contact with the local folks and their way of living, beliefs and more. People from all over the villages come here to witness the festival dressed in their best costumes. It is believed that this festival brings happiness, better harvest and prosperity of the village.
KEY INFORMATION
Best Season: September
Tour Duration: 13 nights /14 days
Group Size & Cost: US $2800 each.( Group 3 person and above)
Government Surcharge: Single travellers and those
in a group of two also pay an extra $40 and $30 per night respectively
by way of a small group surcharge. This determines the basic cost of
your trip.
COST INCLUDES: Twin sharing
accommodation, all meals, tea & Snacks, Mineral water on all days
out, visa fee, Tourism Development Fund, all transfers as per the
itinerary, English speaking licensed Bhutanese Tour Guide, Special
permit for restricted & old monastery, monument fees, all internal taxes and charges
(including the 35% royalty)
COST EXCLUDES: Drukair fares,
drinks & Beverages, Excess baggage, laundry, phone calls, medical,
insurance and any other expenses that are not mentioned above.
Sample itinerary that can be customized:
Day 01: Arrival in Paro 16th September
The flight into the Himalayas reveals breathtaking view of the World highest peaks, taking you right into the Dragon kingdom cloud scraping airstrips at the lush green valley of Paro (alt.7000ft). You will be received at the exit gate by our representative will receive and escort you to the hotel where arrangements have been made.
After lunch visit Ta-Dzong (National Museum) considered to be one of the best natural and historical Museum. Then walk down hill to visit Paro Dzong with its traditional cantilever bridge called Nyame Zam, literally means bridge with no fish over the Pa-chu (Paro River). Evening at leisure in the Paro town for orientation with the place and the people. .
Overnight hotel base in Paro.
Day 02: Day excursion to Taktsang 17th September
Morning hike to Taktsang temple (one of the most sacred places in Bhutan due to its association with Guru Rinpoche, who reputedly flew to Paro Taktsang cliff in the form of Guru Dorji Drolo, mounted on a flaming dakini-tigress in the 747 A.D., where he meditated and subdued evil spirits). A number of temples have now been built on the site, and these occupy precarious positions, clinging to a black cliff high above the Paro Valley. The visit involves a two-hour climb on a steep footpath through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags.
Afternoon, drive to Thimphu the capital city of Bhutan, passing through idyllic countryside, with villages and paddy fields on either side of the road. Thimphu has a special charm and it is fascinating to sit and watch a gathering of local people in the town square, wearing their traditional dress and going about their business in a typically unhurried Bhutanese way.
Overnight hotel in Thimphu.
Day 03: Thimphu Festival 18th September
After breakfast drives to the festival site and witness the ongoing festival. This festival is celebrated annually in fall in honor of Guru Padmasambhava, popularly known as Guru Rinpochey and to commemorate his deeds. Both lay people and monks perform the dances of the Tsechu. The dancers take on the aspects of wrathful and compassionate deities. The dances known as Cham, bring blessings upon onlookers, to instruct them in the teachings of the Buddhist Dharma, to protect them from misfortune, and to exorcise evil influences. Deities are invoked during the dances; through their power and benediction, misfortunes may be annihilated, luck increased and wishes realized. It is also a social gathering where the people rejoice together, dressed in their finest clothing and jewelry. In the late afternoon drive to the Buddha Dordenma sited amidst the ruins of Kuensel Phodrang, the palace of Sherab Wangchuck, the 13th Desi Druk, overlooking the southern approach to Thimphu.It is one of the largest Buddha rupas in the world, at a height of 169 feet (51.5 meters). You can also enjoy the view of the Thimphu city clearly from here.
Overnight hotel base in Thimphu.
Day 04: Thimphu Festival 19th September
Today you will attend half day of festival and after lunch Thimphu city sightseeing , a visit to the Takin Zoo, the National Animal of Bhutan, and Memorial Chorten of the Third King. Along the way perhaps archery matches! The handmade paper factory and house of incense are Bhutanese handicraft specialties worth visiting.
Overnight same hotel in Thimphu
Day 05: Drive to Wangduephodrang via Punakha 20th September
After early breakfast, proceed to Punakha across Dochu La pass (3,088m/10,130ft), the highest point on the road is marked by a large Bhutanese Chorten and prayer flags fluttering on the hill. On a clear day, there is a breathtaking view over the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas from this spot.
Visit Punakha Dzong, where the secret relic Rangjung Kharsapani, that Zhanbdrung brought with him from his monastery at Ralung in Tibet. Legion says that a statue of Rangjung Kharsapani (Avalokiteshvara) appeared miraculously from the vertebra of Tsangpa Gyre, the founder of Drukpa Kagyu lineage of Mahayana Buddhism. 30 minutes for personal meditation in the largest congregational Hall in the dzong.
Afternoon hike to Chimey Lhakhang the fertility temple of Lama Drukpa Kuenley the Divine Madman. Then drive to Wangduephodrang for overnight.
Overnight hotel base in Wangdue
Day 06: Wangduephodrang to Bumthang 21st September
Morning drive to Trongsa and visit Trongsa Dzong (the biggest and the most impressive Dzong at an altitude of 1900m) and in the afternoon drive to Bumthang. Bumthang is the most historical valley with visible signs of the visit of the Great Buddhist saint Guru Rinpoche, Longchen Rabjampa and home of Terton Pemalingpa.
Overnight hotel base in Bumthang.
Day 07: Bumthang - Tangbi Mani Festival 22nd September
Today you will attend a very unique village festival of Tangbi Mani. Masks of glorious demonic demons and animals arouse your senses as you watch the purification take place. Mewang ceremony (fire blessing) is performed in an open ground. The lay monks perform purification rituals while all the people and guests jump over the flames to get themselves purified from their sins and evil deeds. It is believed that if one is able to jump over the flame three times he or she is protected from ill luck and misfortunes are removed for that entire year. That is why people of all walks of life attempt to jump across the flame three times to be blessed for the whole year. Then mask dances and folk dances are performed as scheduled in the enclosed courtyard of the Temple. Of all the dances Goem Bernak is believed to be the most secret Dance (Tercham).
Overnight same hotel
Day 08: Bumthang - Tangbi Mani Festival 23rd September
Returning to Tangbi Mani Festival in the morning and enjoy our last hours of Festival. After lunch hike to Shukdrag Gompa, a meditation monastery built around a sacred cave in which Guru Rinpoche, founder of Tantric Buddhism, meditated in the 8th century. As you hike through Thangbi village, you will see beautiful traditional farm houses, smiling children, and hard-working farmers. On the way to the Gompa, you will pass a small hut with a stone grinding wheel, turned by water and used by the local people to grind buckwheat.
Overnight - same hotel.
Day 09: Excursion - Ura valley & back to Bumthang 24th September
Enjoy early breakfast and drive to Ura Valley. Ura is the highest valley in Bhutan and history tells of the earliest inhabitants of Bhutan here. It is considered the holiest of all valleys. Cobblestone village roads between clusters of homes create a true medieval atmosphere. We will visit Ura Temple, with its unique temple and ancient masks, worn only at the time of festival. Ura village is endearing to all that visit. Return back to hotel.
Overnight same hotel
Day 10: Bumthang - Gangtey 25th September
It's a return journey from here as we drive back retracing the road till Pele La to go to Gangtey. We will have as many stops as possible on the way to make the drive easier and to enjoy the sceneries. The Phobjikha valley is surely one of the loveliest high altitude valleys in Bhutan. Phobjikha is one of Bhutan's few glacial valleys, and chosen winter home of black necked cranes, migrating from the Tibetan plateau. Visit the 17th century Gangtey Gonpa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan and it houses about 200 monks. If time permits we will walk down the alpine meadow passing by the habitat of the black necked cranes which come here in winter across the mountains from Tibet.
Overnight - hotel/Guest House base in Gangtey.
Day 11: Gangtey - Thimphu 26th September
Morning walk to explore the village, then return to Thimphu (about 05 hours drive). From Gangtey, the road gradually descends into the balmy Punakha valley, and then begins a long climb back up to the Dochu La, where a stunning field of white chortens and colorful prayer flags send blessings up to the Himalayan sky; snow peaks line the horizon.From the La, it is only another hour to Thimphu Check in hotel, relax and refresh.
Overnight hotel base in Thimphu
Day 12: Thimphu - Paro 27th September
After breakfast, depart for an exhilarating hike to Tango Monastery. Drive till the Dodena and 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 Dzong built in the 18h century by the 8th Desi, Druk Rabgye. Today Tango is home to the eight-year-old reincarnate Lama, Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgye.
After Lunch Drive to Paro and if time permit then visit Drukgyel Dzong (a ruined fortress 16km away from Paro). On a clear day the peaks of Mt. Chomolhari (Alt 7329 m) Mountain of Goddess can be seen. Then visit Kichu Lhakhan (one of the oldest temple of Bhutan built in 659 AD by a Tibetan King) and visit locals shops. Enjoy dinner in quaint Paro Town.
Overnight- hotel base in Paro
Day 13: Paro - Haa Valley excursion 28th September
Day excursion to Haa Valley situated in the north-west of Bhutan bordering Tibet. It was closed to tourism until 2001. On arrival in the picturesque Haa Valley, stroll through quaint town. Hike to Katso village (alt. 8840 ft). This is a fairly easy hike of about one hour walking through Katso village and fields. Opposite Katso village, one can see the famous Katso Lhakhang (temple) of Guru Rimpoche built against the rocky ledge and then return back to Paro.
Overnight - same hotel
Day 14: Departure from Paro International airport 29th September
After breakfast in the hotel, drive to the airport in time to catch up your onward flight. Your escort from Discovery Bhutan will bid you farewell and soon the remote and legendary Dragon Kingdom disappears again behind its guardian mountains.