Sample Bhutan Itinerary: Exploring the Masked Dance Festivals of the Dragon Kingdom

Exploring The Masked Dance Festivals of the Dragon Kingdom Sample Itinerary: Paro Festival - Spring 2015

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The Masked Dance Festivals of Bhutan Sample: Paro Tsechu Fortunate are the few travelers who have had the good fortune of visiting the Buddhist kingdom of Druk Yul (Land of the Thunder Dragon), or Bhutan as it is known to the outside world. Fewer still are the very lucky ones who have been witness to one of the masked dance festivals, or tsechus, which occur in most major monasteries once a year. This trip is special in that it’s not just about the festival, but putting the magnificent display into context within the rest of the culture of the country.

As always, this itinerary is designed as a sample – to show the possibilities of exploring this particular valley and this off the beaten path festival. The trip can be done on a different time table and at a few different times during the year – based on your availability and which festival is going on during that time – just let us know and we are more than happy to customize it to fit your dates and your needs.

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MARCH 2015: 18: Depart from the US. 19&20: En Route & Arriving in Bangkok.

21: It’ll be an early morning for your flight to Paro, where you’ll be met by your car, driver and guide upon arrival. You’ll have lunch in town and then drive an hour to the capital, Thimphu where you’ll check into your hotel and have some time to explore the city on foot before dinner.

Druk Hotel.

22: Today will be all about exploring the capital. After breakfast your guide will meet with you and take you to explore some of the sights around Thimphu. The Memorial Chorten, dedicated to the life of Bhutan’s 3rd King, will be first; it sits in the hills above the valley and gives great views of the area. Moving on from there you will visit the Handicraft school, which is dedicated to keeping the historical traditional art forms of Bhutan alive today, and for generations to come.

After lunch you will head out of the center of town for a short hike up to Wangditse Gompa.

While not far from Thimpu, this small monastery sits high on a hill above the valley and feels like a world away. Druk Hotel.

23: After breakfast you will drive three hours to Wangdiphodrang, crossing the Dochu La (10,000’) en route. We’ll enjoy lunch here, and then continue the drive on to Trongsa, where you’ll arrive in time for a late dinner. Yankill Resort.

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5 24: This morning is the last leg of the long journey and you’ll arrive in Jakar in the heart of Bumthang Valley, which is Bhutan’s geographical, cultural, and spiritual heartland. It is noted for its weavers, who turn wool from their sheep into the finely woven matha that is the nearly waterproof cloth used to make the men’s traditional robe, called gho. Upon arrival you’ll have some time to settle into your guesthouse and have lunch before spending the afternoon stretching your legs and exploring the center of town. Gongkar Guest Cottages.

25- 26: Two full days to thoroughly explore Bumthang & the Jambay Lhakang Tsechu. The dances, the costumes, music, and choreography of Jhambay Lhakhang Tsechu (Festival), are virtually unchanged since these dances began 350 years ago. Historical events and good vs. evil morality plays are the most common themes. This valley is home to more monasteries, temples, and shrines than any other corner of Bhutan, and you’ll spend a full day here exploring its religious and cultural highlights.

Options include a short hike to Thangbi Lhakhang (also called Thangbe Mani), a temple which dates to 1470, and Kurje Lhakhang, the sacred temple where Bhutan’s first three kings were cremated. Just nearby is a new temple funded by the Queen Mother, in which no expense was spared, resulting in some of the finest religious artwork found in Bhutan. On of the days you have the option to explore the valley more or one day can be spent hiking via Kunzangdra Monastery across a ridge to the neighboring valley of Tang, Bumthang's least-visited corner. **You can also spend a night here at a simple but charming B&B, owned by Bhutan's first female novelist. By leaving these two days without firm structure, it allows you flexibility to allow how you are feeling to determine how to best spend your time.

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27: Early this morning you’ll depart from Bumthang and return westward, driving through most of the day and arriving at Punakha late in the day, where you’ll have dinner. Damchen Resort.

28: This morning you’ll hike to the World Peace Chorten, which takes you through typical terraced fields and a small village. The Chorten was commissioned earlier this decade by one of the queen mothers, and no expense was spared in its construction and painting, which is immediately evident. After lunch back at the hotel you’ll visit Punakha Dzong, Bhutan’s original capital and still the winter seat of the central monk body. Damchen Resort.

29: This morning you’ll depart Punakha, heading back over the Dochu La to Thimphu, where you’ll enjoy lunch before traveling back onto Paro, arriving in time to spend the afternoon exploring this new city of Bhutan on foot. Tenzinling Hotel.

30: Early this morning you’ll head with your guide to the railhead below Taktsang Dzong, the famed Tiger’s Nest monastery, that sits astride a sheer 2,000’ rock cliff face above Paro Valley. The hike to the monastery and back will take most of the day, traveling at a leisurely pace. Lunch will be taken at the café halfway up the trail. Tenzinling Hotel.

31: This is the first day of the Paro Tsechu, and the only one held inside the Dzong itself. Your guide will arrive early to pick you up and bring you in time to get great seats to experience the Tsechu up close and personal. Tenzinling Hotel.

APRIL 2015: 01: Today is another full day at the festival. Today the procession from the interior to the dance center will occur. It’s a beautiful occurrence and the energy is palpable. While moving outside, the festival does loose its feel of intimacy but in exchange is gains a magnificent sense of taking over the entire space of the Dzong and even the valley. Tenzinling Hotel.

02: This morning you’ll transfer to the airport for your flight back to Bangkok, where you’ll connect on to your flight home. End of Services.

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COSTING & NOTES Grade: Easy - Moderate Costs: $8,786 per person (based on a a group of 2-4 and double occupancy throughout) Land Costs: $7,800 per person ($650 per night x 12 nights) Air Itinerary: $986 per person (Bangkok – Paro –Bangkok) ** Subject to change until purchased Included: All listed accommodations, Bhutan visas, all meals in Bhutan, all airport transfers, all listed flights, Bhutan visa, small group surcharge assessed by the government of Bhutan for being a group of two, all entrance fees, private guide, car and driver whenever drives required.

Not Included: International airfare, Indian visa, travel/medical evacuation insurance, tips to the guide and staff, all arrangements pre & post listed itinerary and personal items such as laundry, telephone, shopping, etc.

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