Introduction
Previously , roads through passes made Bhutan accessible only from the south and west, but since 1983 Dragon Airlines has made travel here relatively easier. The government of Bhutan, although limiting entry only to a few thousand visitors a year, has provided a unique opportunity to see first hand a rich and unique culture. View the Eastern Himalaya, explore historic Dzongs scattered throughout the kingdom, and visit colorful villages and farming communities, little changed over the centuries
ITINERARY:
Day 1 Paro On arrival at Paro airport take a short scenic drive to your hotel. Paro at 2300 m is located in a beautiful wooded valley with terraced farmland nourished by the Paro Chu river.
Day 2 Paro An 11 mile drive brings you to the 17th century Drukgyel Dong, famous for repelling many a Tibetan invasion. Visit the monastery of Taktsang "Tigers Nest" sitting snugly amongst Himalayan cedars 800 m above the Paro valley.
Day 3 Thimphu Drive 2 1/2 hrs to Thimpu with a short stop at Chuzon, confluence of the Pa-chu and Wang-chu rivers. Here four different styles of Chortens or stupas adorn this sight. On arrival check into hotel.
Day 4 Thimpu The day begins with a traditional mask and folk dance performed by the Royal Dance Troupe. Visit the Goldsmith's Workshop, the Painting School and the Indigenous Medicine Hospital to name a few of the many activities.
Day 5 Tongsa Drive to Tongsa crossing two high passes over 3280 m with views of the eastern Himalayas. Protected from invaders by an impenetrable valley Tongsa is the quaintest of all Bhutanese towns with its secular and religious centre the Tongsa Dzong dominating the horizon. A good shopping stop the local populace weaves its own textiles from hand-dyed wool. Spend the night at the BTCL Lodge.
Day 6 & 7 Bumthang From Tongsa drive 67 kms to Bumthang with brief stops at Chume valley where the local people weave the famous Bumthang Yatha used for jackets, bed spreads and scarves. This is also the traditional home of the great Buddhist teacher Pema Lingpa whose descendants the present dynasty traces its ancestry.
Day 8 Mongar The drive to Mongar takes a good 8 hrs over a 3659 m pass through pine forests and highland pastures with glimpses of small picturesque hamlets along the route.. On arrival check into a local hotel.
Day 9 Tashigang Drive to Tashigang located on a mountain top. A bustling market town, this is home to the local hill people from Merak and Sakteng known for their remarkable features and brightly colored costumes. Spend two nights at the local hotel.
Day 10 Tashigang The days activities include a drive up the valley for two hours to the 17th century Chorten Kora built in the Nepalese style of architecture. After lunch return to Tashigang. Check back into hotel.
Day 11 Samdrup Jongkar Samdrup Jongkhar, a frontier town situated on the foothills of the South Eastern Himalaya is also an exit point into India. Stop for lunch at Wamrong, the halfway point. On arrival in Samdrup Jongkhar check into hotel.
Day 12 Guwahati Our representative will be on hand to assist with arrangements for your transfer to Calcutta via Guwahati. N.B. Optional tours to Darjeeling or Sikkim are available.
Rates
Tashi Deleg Tour
4 or more person
Air Fare
Budget
$2088
$1680
Hotels In order to make the travel experience more convenient and confortable, we have selected the following hotels in the various stops.
Cities
First Class
Tourists
Paro
Hotal Pemaling
Gantey Palace
Thimphu
Hotel Peling
Druk Sherig
Tongsa
Sherubling Lodge
same
Bumthang
Chenzom Lodge
same
Mongar
BTCL Lodge
same
Tashigang
BTCL Lodge
same
Samdrup Jongkar
Hotel Jigten
same
Cost includes: All accommodation in Bhutan, transfers, meals on trek and one escort throughout the trip.
Cost does not include: Visa fees ($20 payable on arrival), expenses of a private nature, ie; laundry, drinks, telephone calls, meals (unless specified), insurance, airport taxes, excess baggage charges and all manner of gratuities.
Special Intructions: The Royal Government of Bhutan permits independent travel (not in an organized group), but with added surcharges for groups of less than four participants. The surcharges are:
» For one person traveling alone $40 per day
» For each of two people traveling together $30 per day
» For each of three people traveling together $20 per day
Himalayan Treasures & Travels will be required to add these surcharges to all tours, either group or independent less than four people. Group tour members who add an extra night at the beginning or end of their tour will also be required to pay these surcharges for the additional nights. Your trip deposit is an acknowledgement of your acceptance of these surcharges should they apply. With the addition of these surcharges, it remains possible for visitors to tour Bhutan independently without joining a group; and we are able to guarantee all our group tour departures even if there are less then four participants.
Optional Tours Based on minimum of two persons- Costs are per person
Tibet
4 nights/5 days
$895
Glimpses of the Himalayas ( Darjeeling/Sikkim )
4 nights/5 days
$995
Chitwan Jungle Safari
3 nights/4 days
$385
Mountain Flight ( closeup views of the Himalayas )
$135
NOTE: Airfares quoted are estimates only and are based on West Coast departures (Los Angeles or San Francisco). A High season surcharge of $200 will be charched for departure during the following months:
June-July-August & December 1- January 15.
