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Sample Bhutan Pre Departure Kit:
Exploring the Dragon Kingdom
PO Box 1566 | Burlington VT 05402 | (800) 233 4499 | info@aboveclouds.com | aboveclouds.com The Art of Adventure Travel
The Art of Adventure Travel
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Exploring the Dragon Kingdom 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. This trip is special in that while it is short, it give you a chance to visit Haa and see how old world Bhutan existed as well as both Paro and Bhutan – giving you the opportunity to explore how this unique nation and place is modernizing while marching to the beat of its own drum! As always this itinerary is designed to customize your dates along with the experience that you wanted to get out of your time in Bhutan. Feel free to look at it as a rough guide, rather than a minute to minute play-by-play of how your trip will be. We work to create a structure and outline that provides serendipity a place to play a role and factor into the experience you have while in Bhutan. Don’t forget … the journey is often the reward! PO Box 1566 | Burlington VT 05402 | (800) 233 4499 | info@aboveclouds.com | aboveclouds.com
Day-By-Day Itinerary: 01: Fly mid-day to Paro, Bhutan. Upon arrival into Paro, and completing your visa & customs formalities, a representative of The Noble Traveller Bhutan (our partner in Bhutan) will be there to receive you as you exit the airport. As you head out of the airport you, your guide and driver will venture over the Chele La pass to the Haa Valley. This valley was only opened to tourism in 2001 and is still on very few itineraries. You will get a chance to explore some more places and visit with some of the local people. The guide will help to show how this part of Bhutan has been able to maintain its strong roots – which are fast disappearing in Thimphu and Paro. This afternoon you will visit the local monastery and have a leisurely walk through the town as you begin to get acquainted with your new surroundings. Lechuna Lodge. 02: After breakfast and some time to explore the valley this morning, you’ll begin the journey to the capital city of Thimphu , which will take approximately one hour. Along the journey you will get a glimpse of village life, see monasteries perched high atop hilltops and traditional bridges. One of the monasteries you will visit is the Tachog Lhakhang (monastery), built in the 14th century. One must actually cross one of Drupthob Thangtong Gyalpo (iron chains) bridges to get to the Monastery. Drupthob Thangtong Gyalpo built the iron chain bridges in Bhutan in the late1300s, and is said to have built 108 of these bridges around Tibet and Bhutan. Some still in use today! After checking into your hotel and having a lunch with your guide you’ll embark on a leisurely hour-long walk to the 18th Century Wangditse gompa, situated atop Thimphu. On your way back from Wangdiste, you’ll stop by the Motithang Takin Preserve to see the Takin, Bhutan’s National Animal. There is a lot to do in Thimphu - you can visit key cultural sites such as the Trashicho Dzong, the Parliament, National Chorten, Textile Museum, Handmade Paper Factory, National Library and the Zorig Chusum Art School and the Folk Heritage Center. Druk Hotel. 03: Today will be all about exploring the capital. Some of the first things on the itinerary will be to explore Tango and Cheri Monastery. With about 6.5 miles of distance from the hotel to the start of the hike, you have the option of arriving at the trail head by vehicle or by bike! Once you arrive at the trail head, it takes about an hour to walk to the temple (roughly a 900’ climb). Built in 12th century by Gyalwa Lhanampa, it serves as the monastic school for study of Buddhist Philosophy, metaphysics, mathematics, poets and many other Buddhist studies. On the same day you can hike to Cheri monastery. To do so you would return back to the road, where you have the option of boarding a car or your bikes and heading back over the traditional bridge and Thimphu River, from here you would hike for about an hour and half to the temple that Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal founded in 1620. Later this afternoon you can explore the downtown area and try out the local cuisine for dinner. Druk Hotel. The Art of Adventure Travel
5 04: This morning you’ll have the option to do some rafting along the scenic river with plenty of views! You will start rafting on the scenic Mo Chu (mother river) below the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. You will raft past the Punakha Dzong, where the Mochu river and the Pho Chu (father river) meet. Your rafting will commence shortly after at the junction the rivers. After lunch you’ll gather all of your things and together depart over familiar terrain back to the Paro valley. Upon arrival you’ll check into your hotel and take some time for yourselves as you head over to partake in a traditional hot stone bath - a real treat! Jankha Resort. 05: Today is an exciting day for views and a great way to spend your last day in Bhutan! In order to avoid the crowds and escape hiking under the day sun, you will begin your journey to Taktsang Dzong (Tigers Nest) by 7am. At a very moderate pace, you can be up at the monastery by 9:30am and back at the base by 2pm. Taktsang Monastery is Bhutan’s most iconic landmark and religious site. The name Taktsang translates to “The Tiger’s Nest”. This monastery is one of the most holy sites in the Kingdom and clings impossibly to a sheer cliff face 2,900 feet above the Paro Valley - quite the site! (Tiger’s nest pictured above!) At about an altitude of roughly10,200 feet, Taktsang was first built in 1692 at a cave where Guru Rimpoche (a reincarnated monk credited with bringing Buddhism to Bhutan) meditated in the 7th century after he flew in across the plains of Tibet on his tigress consort. No trip to Bhutan would be complete without a visit to this remarkable heritage site. Your afternoon is open to explore the town of Paro for some last minute handicraft shopping, wandering or visiting the National Museum or Paro Dzong - which will be followed by your farewell dinner. Jankha Resort. 06: After breakfast you’ll pack your last few things and head to the airport and begin your trip home. End of Services. PO Box 1566 | Burlington VT 05402 | (800) 233 4499 | info@aboveclouds.com | aboveclouds.com
COSTS & NOTES: Land Cost: $3,250 per person ($650 per night x 5 nights) Druk Air: (Bangkok-Paro-Bangkok): $905 per person* *Estimated price - cost not finalized until purchased. Includes: All listed accommodations, all meals in Bhutan, all airport transfers, Bhutan visa, small group surcharge assessed by the government of Bhutan, all entry fees, private guide, car and driver throughout in Bhutan Not included International airfare other than listed, tips to the guide and staff, all arrangements outside of Bhutan, Travel/Medical Evacuation Insurance and personal items such as laundry, telephone, shopping, etc., personal items such as laundry, telephone calls or shopping etc‌ The The Art Art of of Adventure Adventure Travel Travel