Amcan Travel
introduces you to the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Nestled in the lap of
the Himalayas, Bhutan is the Buddhist kingdom in the Himalayas with
spectacular mountain views, immense scenic beauty and a unique culture
and lifestyle. You can see beautiful Buddhist monasteries, carved
wooden houses and the fine crafts.
17-Day Bhutan Tour - Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Wangdue, Phorang, Ganteng, Bumthang and Trongsa
- Package includes:
- All international (from West Coast) airfares
- Services of local English-speaking escort, admissions
- 3 and 4 star hotel(or local best) accommodations (based on double occupancy)
- Ground transportation and transfers
- Meals listed. B-Breakfast L-Lunch D-Dinner SD-Special dinner
- All service charges and hotel taxes
- Package excludes:
- Airport departure taxes
- Bhutan Visa
- Gratuities to guide/driver
- Departure dates:
- Second Tuesday of each month, June - December 2007
- Day 1 West Coast/Hong Kong
- Check in this evening for late night flight aboard Cathay Pacific
Airways.
- Day 2 En route
- Depart either just before or just after midnight, depending on the
season.
- Day 3 Hong Kong/Bangkok (SD)
- Arrive Hong Kong this morning and connect with your flight to
Bangkok. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to the Sofitel
Silom Hotel (or similar). At leisure for shopping or optional
sightseeing tours. This evening enjoy a Thai Dinner aboard the Wan Fah
riverboat. Cruise along the Chao Phraya River while being entertained
with traditional Thai Music.
- Day 4 Bangkok/Paro (AB, L, D)
- Transfer to the airport for your flight aboard Druk Air to Paro,
Bhutan. En route you'll enjoy spectacular views of the Himalayas from
your aircraft. Arrive in Bhutan, called by the Bhutanese "Druk Yul,"
or "Land of the Thunder Dragon." After passing through immigration and
customs you will meet your guide and driver and transfer to Pelri
Cottages (or similar). This afternoon begin your exploration with a
visit to Paro Dzong, which controls all the secular and religious
activities in the area. The "Dzongs" are the most impressive
structures in Bhutan. Combination fortress and Buddhist monastery,
they are the center for religious activities as well as Bhutan's
famous festivals. Time permitting, you'll also visit the National
Museum, with collections ranging from traditional paintings and
carvings to costumes and armour.
- Day 5 Paro (AB, L, D)
- This morning hike up to Taktshang, the "Tiger's Nest Monastery,"
perched dramatically on a cliff about 3000 feet above the Paro
Valley. Legend has it that the Guru Rimpoche flew here on the back of
a tigress. It is a half day walk up and back, or you can travel on
horseback. Many opt to go halfway where there is a teahouse with
magnificent views of the monastery. In the afternoon you'll visit the
ruins of Drukyel Dzong, which dates to the 17th century and is known
for repelling Tibetan invaders, and Kyichu Lakhang, a small, peaceful
temple dating to the 7th century.
- Day 6 Paro/Thimphu (AB, L, D)
- Drive 2 hours to Thimphu, capital of Bhutan, at an elevation of
7600 feet. Check into Yeedzin Guesthouse (or similar). Visit the
Memorial Chorten (stupa), focus of daily worship for many local
people, and the School of Arts and Crafts, where students learn the
art of traditional Thangka painting. Visit temples such as Changangkha
Lakhang and Zangto Pelri Lakhang, and Zilukha Nunnery. You'll also
stop at the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, with
fascinating anatomical paintings and displays of ingredients which
have been used for traditional healing for centuries. Time for
shopping along Norzim Lam, Thimphu's main street. You may wish to be
fitted for a traditional Bhutanese outfit, Gho for the Men and Kira
for the Ladies.
- Day 7 Thimphu (AB, L, D)
- Excursion to Tango Monastery, located 8 miles outside of Thimphu,
at an elevation of approx. 8500 feet. You'll pass Cheri Monastery en
route. It is about a 2 hour walk up to Tango through beautiful forest
with excellent birds watching. Enjoy a picnic lunch, and return to
Thimphu in the afternoon. You'll have time to visit the Folk Heritage
Museum, the Textile Museum, or the National Library if you wish. On
the weekend you can also visit the Sabji Bazaar, a local farmers'
market, featuring produce and handicrafts. Late afternoon visit to
majestic Trashichoe Dzong, seat of government and the center for the
Kingdom's religious activities.
- Day 8 Thimphu/Punakha/Wangdue Phodrang (AB, L, D)
- Drive over the Himalayas via the Dochula Pass, elevation 10000
feet. Along the way you'll stop to visit Chimi Lhakhang, a pilgrimage
site for childless couples, reached by walking through a village and
rice paddies. Arrive Punakha midday and visit the Punakha Dzong, one
of the most splendid in Bhutan. You'll also visit Khamsum Yuelly
Temple with a wonderful collection of paintings. Continue to Wangdue
Phodrang and check into the Dragon Nest Hotel (or similar).
- Day 9 Wangdue Phodrang/Gangteng (AB, L, D)
- Visit Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, located on a spur between two
rivers. Enjoy the impressive views, then say goodbye to the main group
and continue to Gangteng in the Phobjikha Valley. Check into
Phuentschochholing Guesthouse (or similar).
- Day 10 Gangteng/Bumthang (AB, L, D)
- Explore the Phobjikha Valley including the Khebethang Nature Study
Centre, home in winter to Black Neck Cranes who fly in from
Tibet. Drive to Bumthang in Central Bhutan with a stop at Chendebji
Chorten on the way. Check into Gongkhar Guesthouse (or similar).
- Day 11 Bumthang (AB, L, D)
- Begin your discovery of Bumthang, comprised of four valleys:
Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura, with altitudes ranging form 8500 to
13000 feet. Visit Jakar Dzong built in the 16th century, and temples
such as Kurjey Lhakhang, Jambey Lhakhang or Tamshing Germba.
- Day 12 Bumthang (AB, L, D)
- Excursion to beautiful Ura Valley to see the traditional way of
life of farmers, sheep herders and yak herders. Visit the village and
a local farmhouse where you'll have the opportunity to taste some
local snacks.
- Day 13 Bumthang/Trongsa/Wangdue Phodrang (AB, L, D)
- Drive to Trongsa and visit Trongsa Dzong, a labyrinth of temples,
corridors and offices holding court over the local community. Also
visit Ta Dzong Wathctower before continuing to Wangdue
Phodrang. Overnight Dragon Nest Hotel (or similar).
- Day 14 Wangdue Phodrang/Thimphu (AB, L, D)
- Drive from Wangdue Phodrang to Thimphu. Check into Yeedzin
Guesthouse (or similar). If you're lucky you'll be able to see an
archery competition this afternoon, Bhutan's National Sport.
- Day 15 Thimphu/Paro (AB, L, D)
- Drive form Thimphu back to Paro today. This evening you may wish
to enjoy a traditional Bhutanese hot tub, filled with mineral water
which is heated with hot stones.
- Day 16 Paro/Bangkok (AB)
- Early morning transfer to the airport for your flight to
Bangkok. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to the Sofitel
Silom Hotel (or similar). Balance of day at leisure.
- Day 17 Bangkok/West Coast (AB)
- At leisure until you transfer to the airport for your flight back
to the USA.
- Total Price:
- $6295 per person based on double occupancy. Single Supplement $1250.
- Payment:
- Cash/check only, credit card payment has 5% surcharge.
- Add-on fare from other US cities available.
For more information, contact Ms. Barbara Hua Ye at our Seattle office.