BICYCLING
IN BEAUTIFUL BHUTAN
Duration:
6 Nights, 7 Days
Accommodation:
Hotels
and lodges
Bhutan, a country
nestling in the eastern Himalayas has been visited by a great many
saints, mystics, scholars and pilgrims over the centuries who not only
came for their personal elucidation, but blessed the land and its people
with an invaluable spiritual and cultural legacy that has shaped every
facet of Bhutanese lives.
Visitors to the
country will be surprised that the culture and the traditional lifestyle
is still richly intact and at the degree to which it permeates all strata
of modern day secular life. From the traditional woven garments to the
prayer flags on high mountain slopes, from the built environment to the
natural environment, from the religious mask dances to the folk dances,
this cultural heritage is proudly evident and offers a unique cultural
setting.
Biking across this
unspoilt terrain is an experience that is unsurpassed by little else.
Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu
and transfer to Hotel.
Day 2: Sightseeing.
Full day guided
sightseeing tour of the Kathmandu valley, taking in such sights as
Swayambhunath, one of the world's most glorious, ancient, enigmatic and
holiest of Buddhist Chaitya, Bouddhanth, a colossal and ancient Stupa;
Guheshwari, which is where Sati, the consort of Siva, immolated herself
due to her father's insult and Pashupatinath with its' two tiered golden roof
and silver doors.
Day 03 Flight: Kathmandu (1,310m) - Paro (by
Druk Air) (BLD)
On a clear day, the flight to Paro is one of the most
spectacular of all mountain flights. You will see major Himalayan peaks
such as Everest, Kanchenjunga and Makalu, and then on the final approach
to Paro Bhutan’s own snowy peaks, Chomolhari and Jichu Drake will come
into view. Bhutan’s first gift to you as you disembark from the aircraft
will be cool, clean fresh mountain air. After clearing customs and visa
control you are met by your Bhutan representative, and then we ride a short
distance to Paro town. After lunch visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower,
which now houses the National Museum. This dzong was converted into the
National Museum in 1968. The museum boasts antique thangka, textiles,
weapons and armour, household objects and rich assortment of natural and
historic artifacts.
We also visit the Rinpung Dzong, built in the 17th
century to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The dzong is now
used as an administration centre and school for monks.
The evening ends with a walk through Paro’s main
shopping district. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 04 Paro valley sightseeing & ride to
Taktsang Monastery (BLD)
After breakfast ride the winding road to the Drukgyal
Dzong, the ruined fort, which once defended this valley from Tibetan
invasions. Mount Chomolhari, can be seen the on a clear day from Drukgyal
village. You can visit a typical Bhutanese Farm House of a local family
for a close up view of everyday Bhutanese life. We then ride to Shari to
hike up (or horse ride) to the Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s nest). The
horse ride up or hike to the cafeteria will take around one and half hour.
At the view point enjoy the stunning view of the monastery, where Guru
Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in the 8th century. After
lunch at the café walk back to the road point. On our way back to the hotel we
visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temple in Bhutan built in 7th
century. Evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight at hotel
Day 05 Paro - Thimphu. Afternoon Thimphu valley
sightseeing (BLD)
Morning ride to Thimphu, the modern capital of
Bhutan. The drive will take around 2 hours (65 kms). Thimphu has a
population of about 98,500. The town is made up of just three lines of
shops and is the only capital in the world without traffic lights. Enroute
visit Simtokha Dzong. Check in at the hotel and enjoy lunch. After lunch
visit National Memorial Chorten built in honor of the late King Jigme
Dorji Wangchuk and the Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries
in Bhutan. We then visit the National Library, stocked with ancient
Buddhist manuscripts, and the Art & Crafts School where traditional art is
still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thangkas
(sacred Buddhist religious scrolls). After lunch we ride to the
Traditional Medicine Institute where medicines are prepared according to
ancient practices and to Lungten Zampa to visit the Bhutanese Handmade
Paper Factory. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 06 Thimpu Valleysightseeing – Punakha (BLD)
In the morning we visit the Textile Museum, where the
art of traditional weaving is still kept alive and preserved through
exhibition and houses a good collection of old textiles which are rich in color and design.
We then visit the Folk Heritage Museum, which is dedicated
to connecting people to the Bhutanese rural past. We then depart to Punakha.
then
leaving Thimphu the road climbs steeply through a forest of pine and
cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochola pass (3050 m) 2
hours ride which is 18 kms and down hill to Punakha which is 61 kms which
will take another couple of hours. This pass often offers panoramic views
of the Himalayan mountain ranges. After stopping for tea and the view, we
descend along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha.
Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 07 Punakha – Gangtey - Wangdue (BLD)
After breakfast drive through the small town of
Punakha and view the Punakha Dzong, winter seat of the Je Khenpo and
ancient capital of Bhutan, remarkably located between the rivers of the Mo
(Female) Chu and Pho (Male) Chu. The dzong is open to visitors only in
summer when the Je Khenpo and the Monk Body are in Thimphu and then
continue our drive to Gangtey, Gangtey lies towards the east of Punakha
and Wangdue on the flanks of the Black Mountains. There is an old
monastery of Gangtey Gompa dating back to the 17th century. A few
kilometers past the Gompa on the valley floor are the fascinating valley
of Phobjikha. ( Riding up hill to Gantey will take ¾ hours which is 42
km from Wangdue)
The gentle sloping hill sides of Phobjikha
is described as "the most beautiful valley in the Himalayas". This is
the winter home of black-necked cranes that migrate from the arid plains
of Tibetan Plateau in the north to pass winter in milder and lower
climate. We continue our return jouney back till we reach Wangdue. Dinner and
overnight at hotel.
Day 08 Wangdue – Thimphu (BLD)
After breakfast visit Wangdue Dzong, one of the major
towns and district headquarters of Western Bhutan. We make a short stop to
view the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong dramatically located on the spur of a hill
at the confluence of the Tsang Chhu and Dang Chhu and then drive back to
Thimphu via Dochola pass. Evening take a stroll around the street of
Thimphu. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 09 Thimphu – Haa – Paro (BLD)
Cycling in Paro Valley which will take 4/5 hours.
Or OPTION, After breakfast ride over the confluence to the forbidden
valley of Haa (it was closed to tourism until 2002). It is the last valley
of Bhutan bordering with autonomous Tibet. Visit the Dzong of Haa and also
the temples of Haap Chhundu (guardian deity of the valley) and drive back
to Paro via Chelela pass, one of the highest point (3,780m) of navigable
road in Bhutan. From here you will be able to view some of the highest
mountains of Bhutan, where the scenery is magnificent.
Day 10 Flight: Paro to Kathmandu (B)
In the morning your Bhutanese guide will bid you
farewell at Paro airport. Fly back to Kathmandu. Enjoy the diverse
restaurants, chaotic markets for shopping and relaxing.
Day 11 Free day in Kathmandu (B)
You may want to buy souvenirs, explore around or just
sleep at your hotel.
Day 12 Depart Kathmandu (B)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your
departure flight home.
End of tour
-------------------------------
Cost is quoted in United
States Dollar and subject to change until paid in full:
4 people per person sharing
$
2050.00
for
a minimum of four people for tour paid for in
full and undertaken between 1 March and 31 May 2008.
Included Services
-
Airport pickup, drop and all other transfers by
private vehicle
-
Five star hotel De L' Annapurna in Kathmandu (twin
sharing / including breakfast)
-
Guided sightseeing in Kathmandu, as in our
itinerary (entrance fees included)
-
Bhutan visa arrangements / visa fees
-
Airfare: Kathmandu – Paro – Kathmandu (including
insurance and taxes)
-
Private transportation, sightseeing arrangements,
entrance fees while touring in Bhutan
-
Top class Hotels in Bhutan (twin sharing /
including breakfast, lunch, dinner)
-
Guide and staff as required on the tour (their
daily wages, insurance and expenses
-
A complimentary welcome dinner with a cultural Nepali show
Excluded
-
Nepal Visa Fees
-
Meals (except breakfast) while staying at hotel in
Nepal
-
Excess baggage charge, if applicable, on flight
-
Airport taxes
-
Personal expenses such as bar bill, laundry,
telephone etc
-
Personal medical and travel insurance
-
Extra services / additional days and services
because of natural events, strikes etc
-
Airport Taxes of $25 per flight
- Bicycles and spare parts
Special Conditions:
* Price is valid for for travel between 31 May and 30 June 2008
* Tour must be paid
for in full at time of booking
* Price only applies for a minimum
of four people per person sharing
*
Single Supplements will apply for any one staying single.
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