Bhutan Ura Festival Tour
Bhutan-Ura Festival (Tsechu) Tour 9Nights/10 Days ( 18 APRIL - 27 APRIL 2005 ) This is an extraordinary journey into Bhutan , the fabled land of the Thunder Dragon. You will experience week-end bazaars and Bhutanese hospitality at its finest. The highlight of this trip is the Ura Valley Tsechu. Tsechus are local festival dances that are medieval in nature, spiritual in content and laced with an exotic array of color too breathtaking to behold.
Itinerary I (Ura Festival - 09 Nigths/10 Days)
Day 01: Arrive Paro KTM, Drive to Thimphu:
Fly onboard Druk Air to Paro , Bhutan . On a clear day the
panoramic views of the Himalaya are sensational, including Everest,
but particularly exciting is the approach through the Bhutanese
foothills and the landing, including a few steep turns to land at
the tiny airstrip of Paro. On arrival, after completing formalities,
you will be met by windhorse representative and transferred to
Thimphu (2 hrs). Hotel Wangchuk
Day 02: Thimphu sightseeing:
There are a good many things to see in the capital which
has a very relaxed, laid-back feel about it. Thimphu is relatively
small, no traffic lights and the streets are wide and tree lined.
The most important sights include; the national library, thangkha
painting school, traditional medicine hospital, nunnery at Zilukha,
Memorial stupa, gold and silver smith's workshop, handicraft
centers. Try also a cup of coffee in the Swiss Bakery ! Hotel
Wangchuk
Day 03: Drive to Jakar (Bumthang):
This is a long day's drive of 9-10 hours but it is a
journey you are not likely to forget. The road winds over high
mountain passes and the scenery is certainly stunning. We make
occasional stops in the course of the journey to take incursion into
the roadside villages, temples, weaving centers and any special
events that may be taking place. Mountain Lodge
Day 04: Jakar - URA FESTIVAL Mountain Lodge
Day 05: Jakar ( Bumthang ) sightseeing:
Bumthang valley is one of the most sacred in the Kingdom
and innumerable legends surround the area. It is here that the kings
are cremated and the present royal family trace their ancestry back
to the famous saint, Pemalingpa. Visits to; Jambay, Kurjey, Tamshing
temples, castle of the "White Bird". Also worth seeing are the
woodcraft workshop, homopaethic hospital, and the cheese factory.
Mountain Lodge
Day 06: Drive to Punakha:
Leaving Jakar, we return west for some 7-8 hours, stopping
to visit the Chendebje Chorten, a large white monument said to
conceal the remnants of an evil spirit vanquished here. Continuing
across the spectacular Pele La pass we come to Wangdue where we take
a short break for tea and snacks. From Wangdue, it's a short drive
to your hotel hotel (approx. 25 mins). Meri Phuensum Resort.
Day 07: Punakha sightseeing, drive to Thimphu:
In the morning, we will walk to Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of Lama
Drukpa Kunley , otherwise known as the divine mad monk who is one of
Bhutan 's favourite saints. It is a beautiful walk across paddy
fields and pass a small village. The temple can be visited and there
is a tree outside which is said to have sprouted up after Drukpa
Kunley sent a thunderbolt from an adjoining valley to kill some evil
spirits who had gathered at the site. You may also be able to visit
Punakha Dzong, depending whether or not the monks are in residence,
and if they permit you to enter their monastery. Situated at the
confluence of the Mo (female) and Pho (male) rivers, the large
fortress with its temples, courtyards, hall and towers overlooks the
town and provides excellent views. Built in 1637 it served as the
seat of the government until the mid 20th century. Over the
centuries it has suffered damage from several fires and flooding but
still remains one of the most impressive dzongs in Bhutan .
Permission to enter the dzong is not usually granted to tourist when
the monk body moves here from Thimphu in winter, but it is still
worth viewing from the courtyard. Evening drive to Thimphu (3
hours). Hotel Wangchuk
Day 08: Drive to Paro, excursion to Tiger's Nest
Monastery ( 4 hrs):
In the morning drive to Paro (2hrs). Hike to the site of
the famous Tiger's Nest, the Taktsang Monastery where the legendary
Guru Padmasambhava is believed to have flown from Tibet on the back
of a tiger to defeat the demons who were opposing the spread of
Buddhism in Bhutan . The walk is long, and can be steep in places,
but the views are stunning. Hotel Holiday Home
Day 09: Paro sightseeing:
Sightseeing in Paro; includes tour of Bhutan 's national museum, a
fascinating place housed in an old watchtower above the huge Paro
Dzong (monastery/fortress). The museum holds a fantastic collection
of Bhutanese national treasures ranging from ancient armour to
textiles and thangkha paintings Then, we drive to the head of the
valley and visit Drukgyel Dzong built in a location that was chosen
for its control over the route to Tibet . A spectacular view of
Mount. Jumolhari (23,996ft /7314m) can be seen. Hotel Holiday Home
Day 10: Paro – Departure: onward
destinations.:
Early morning transfer to airport in Paro for departure
flight.
Itinerary II (Bhutan - Ura Tsechu - 10 Nights/11 Days)
Day 01: Arrive – Paro:
Fly onboard Druk Air to Paro , Bhutan . On a clear day the
panoramic views of the Himalaya are sensational, including Everest,
but particularly exciting is the approach through the Bhutanese
foothills and the landing, including a few steep turns to land at
the tiny airstrip of Paro. On arrival, once you have cleared
formalities, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
accommodation. After lunch, visit to the National Museum , a
fascinating place housed in an old watchtower above the huge Paro
Dzong (monastery/fortress). The useum holds a fantastic collection
of Bhutanese national treasures ranging from ancient armour to
textiles and thangkha paintings. Hotel Holiday Home.
Day 02: Paro Sightseeing:
Morning we drive to the head of the valley and visit
Drukgyel Dzong (ruins) built in a location that was chosen for its
control over the route to Tibet. Also visit the impressive Rinpung
Dzong, Kyichu Lhakhang (till the courtyard). En route visit a
typical Bhutanese farm house including paintings) and stroll around
the small town. Hotel Holiday Home Option: Excursion to Taktsang.
Day 03: Drive to Thimphu , sightseeing:
Morning drive for 2 hours to the least visited of all the
Himalayan capitals, Thimphu , en route visit Simtokha Dzong- the
oldest monastery/fortress of the Kingdom. Afternoon sightseeing
includes; visits to the Memorial Chorten, folk heritage museum,
Drubthob Nunnery at Zilukha, the handmade paper factory, mini zoo to
see the Golden Takins (national animal of Bhutan ), Zangtopelri
Lhakhang and the local handicraft center for varieties of textiles,
thangkha paintings, masks, jewellery etc. on display.Overnight at
Hotel Wangchuk, Thimphu .
Day 04: Thimphu sightseeing:
In the morning make a excursion to Cheri Gompa. The name of
this monastery is Cheri Dorji Dhen. The Shabdrung (first ruler of
Bhutan ) built this Gompa in 1620 and established its first order of
monks here. It is usually possible to enter Cheri courtyard and the
temples. It takes almost 2 hours to reach the gompa from where there
are wonderful views. This is a gentle leg stretching day that also
allows us to see the countryside and villages of the Thimphu Valley
. After lunch, visit the colorful weekend vegetable market.
Overnight at Hotel Wangchuk.
Day 05: Drive to Punakha sightseeing:
Today we drive to Punakha, the old winter capital. The
drive takes about 3 hours and crosses the 3100m high Dochu La. If
the weather is clear there are wonderful Himalayan views from the
pass. On the way to Punakha, we will stop for the short walk to
Chimi Lakhang. It is a pleasant 20min stroll through fields to the
temple that occupies a commanding position in the centre of the
valley. The temple has special significance due to its association
with Lama Drukpa Kunley, one of the most popular saints in Bhutan .
From here, we proceed to Punakha and the imposing dzong which lies
at the confluence of the Mo and Pho rivers. The large fortress with
its temples, hall and towers overlooks the town and provides
excellent views. Overnight at Meri Puensum Resort.
Day 06: Drive to Bumthang:
This is a long day's drive of 8-9 hours depending on road
conditions, but it is a journey you are not likely to forget. The
road drops down through varied forest finally emerging into the
highly-cultivated Wangdi valley and from here, the road winds up
through varied forest up to the Pele La pass from where the views
are spectacular. The journey then continues along a road in
places literally carved out of impressive cliffsides, to Tongsa.
In Tongsa, we have chance to wander around this pleasant township
and explore Ta Dzong and the courtyard of Trongsa Dzong. From Tongsa,
we drive across the Yotung La (3425m) and descend eventually into
the valley of Bumthang , the heart of the Bhutanese weaving
industry. The area, centered around the town of Jakar , is of
great spiritual significance and encompasses four valleys. Overnight
at Mountain Lodge
Day 07: URA FESTIVAL . Mountain Lodge
Day 08: Bumthang Sightseeing:
A full day in Bumthang to explore the valley; hike to
Tamshing Gomba, the most important Nyigma Gomba with a visit to the
Yatha weaving center. It may also be possible to take some of the
local village walks - a visit to the homeopathic hospital, the
cheese factory, the castle of the 'White Bird', one or two local
temples and a walk around Jakar township Also worth seeing in Jakar
are the woodcraft workshop, dying workshop, and the five
water-wheels behind Wangdicholing Old Palace . Overnight Mountain
Lodge, Jakar.
Day 09: Drive to Thimphu ( 10 hours ):
Leaving Jakar, we return west, stopping for lunch at the
Chendebje Chorten, a large white monument said to conceal the
remnants of an evil spirit vanquished here. Continuing across the
spectacular Pele La Pass we come to Wangdi. Take some time to stroll
the little town of Wangdi and continue to Thimphu . Overnight Hotel
Wangchuk.
Day 10: Drive to Paro via Haa (a town in the west newly
opened to the tourists):
Explore Haa valley, one of the oldest and historical place
of Bhutan.Farewell dinner at Hotel in Paro. Overnight at Hotel
Holiday Home, Paro.
Day 11 : Paro - Departure:
Early morning departure flight to Onward Destination.
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