Dragon Festival Tour 2006

TRIP INFO. COSTS.

Tour cost includes: This non-trekking tour is designed to get 14 days/13 nights. US$ 2480 per person you 'under the surface' of Bhutanese tour of 11 nights and 2 nights in culture. Timed in autumn, which is Bangkok. US$ 770/- Druk Air Bangkok- considered the best time to visit, when the Accommodation in best available Paro-Bangkok tourist standard hotels in Bhutan and at colour of the mountainsides are vibrant and the Amari Airport hotel in Bangkok the skies are clear and blue. You will be All meals within Bhutan Single room supplement: treated to 2 important local festivals All transfers and sightseeing as per US$385 (Tsechus), one in urban and other itinerary with entrance fees in Bhutan at Thangbi in rural Bumthang. In addition Wind Horse local Tour Leader/Guide. Discount: Final payment of Visa processing for Bhutan and flight land and air is subject to to these colorful festivals, you will meet booking with Druk Air. 3% discount if credit card is villagers, take gentle walks (no trekking), not used) meet local, see weavers in their own homes Cost Does not Include: and visit the well preserved centuries old - Airport departure taxes (from Bhutan it is Request quote for Dzongs, temples and . approx $ 12) - Bhutan Visa fee of $20/person International airfares to get - Personal expenses such as drinks, to Bangkok.

alcohol, laundry, telephone, tips - gratuities to the staffs etc. - no meals in Bangkok GUARANTEED - Travel Insurance (optional) - Flights (international) DEPARTURE

Sept 30- Oct 12, 2006

Maximum: 9 people Wind Horse Holidays, Inc 6603 Queen Ave. S Escorted by local Wind Minneapolis, MN 55423 Horse Expert Guide Phone (612) 869 4949 Fax (612) 861 1996 http://www.windhorsetours.com 1 30 SEPT, SAT: ARRIVE IN BANGKOK Arrive in Bangkok; after clearing customs and immigration, walk across the foot-bridge to Amari Airport Hotel. Overnight at Amari Airport Hotel. (room only)

01 OCT, SUN: BANGKOK - PARO –THIMPHU (L/D) In the morning walk across the walkways to the airport in time for your flight to Bhutan. Druk Air flight usually departs early in the morning (6:50am). Fly onboard Druk Air to Paro, Bhutan. On a clear day, the panoramic views of the Himalayas can seen, 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. In Paro, WIND HORSE TOURS you are met by our Bhutanese guide. Transfer to Thimphu, which is about 2 hours drive. Upon arrival and depending on the available time, you may be taken for short stroll to familiarize with the town. Welcome dinner and overnight at hotel River View or similar.

02 OCT, MON: THIMPHU FESTIVAL (B/L/D) With our own staffs and Office Attend 2nd day of Thimphu Tsechu held in the courtyard of Tashichho Dzong. The festival includes in Bhutan, it is easier to achieve various mask dances, folk dances and plays. The dances are performed by both monks as well as lay our mission to provide you with people. The mask dancers take on the aspect of wrathful and compassionate deities, heroes, demons and the most comprehensive, animals. They bring blessings upon the onlookers, provide Buddhist teachings, protect them from complete planning, and travel misfortune, and exorcise evil influences. Tsechu is also a yearly social gathering, where people rejoice services so that you can have together, dressed in their finest clothing and jewellery. During the lunch, people picnic outside the Dzong the adventure of a lifetime that and we will join them with our lunch. Overnight hotel River View or similar. is exciting, comfortable, and

03 OCT, TUE: THIMPHU SIGHTSEEING (B/L/D) worry-free. Full day sightseeing in capital include, visits to the Late King’s Memorial Chorten, handmade paper We look forward to seeing you factory, mini zoo to see the Takin (National Animal), the view point, the nunnery at Zilukha and painting in Bhutan! school. In the afternoon, visit Folk Heritage Museum, Textile Museum, Zangtopelri Lhakhang, the Handicraft Emporium and the local handicraft centers. Overnight hotel River View or similar OPTION: You may skip the sightseeing and attend the last day of Thimphu Tsechu

04 OCT, WED: THIMPHU - TRONGSA (7 hours) (B/L/D) Today is a long drive (about 7 hours) but a scenic one as you pass several towns, villages, though changing vegetations and landscape. Leaving Thimphu, the road climbs via a series of zigzags over the Dochu La Pass, at 3,048m, where we stop to get a panoramic view of the eastern Himalayas, including Bhutan's highest mountain, Gangkar Punsum at 7,550m, (weather permitting). After the pass, the road drops down through varied forest finally emerging into subtropical Punakha and Wangdue valley. From Wangdue, the road gradually winds its way up and crosses the Black Mountains via Pele La pass at 3400m. In afternoon, after passing through many villages, view points, we arrive in the town of Tongsa. Tongsa Dzong is one of the largest Dzong (fortress/) and it is certainly the most impressive fortress of its kind in the kingdom. In the evening, visit Tongsa Dzong, the watch towers above the town and take a stroll and visit local shops and restaurant. Overnight hotel Norling or similar.

2 05 OCT, THU: TRONGSA SIGHTSEEING, DRIVE TO BUMTHANG (3 hrs) 08 OCT, SUN: DRIVE TO PUNAKHA (B/L/D) (B/L/D) Retrace our drive west to Punakha and Wangdi valley. First cross In the morning, you can take a self-guided walk to view points to take Yotungla pass and decend into Tongsa, then cross the black mountains pictures of the Dzong. After breakfast, drive across Yotong La pass via Pelela and descend into semi-tropical Punakha and Wangdi valley. (3425m) and descend into Chhume valley, the first of the four Bumthang Evening is free for rest. Overnight and dinner at the hotel Zangdopelri or valleys. Visit Domkhar Trashi Choling and visit the Yathra (wool textile Meri Phuensum. with deep vegetable dyes) weavers at the village of Zugney. Arrive in Jakar, in time for your lunch at your hotel. After lunch, explore the valley; 09 OCT, MON: PUNAKHA (B/L/D) visit wood craft center, Namhai Nyingpo monastery, swiss farm area and Punakha & Wangdue valleys are at lower elevation of approx. 1400m and the town center. Tonight, sample some local food (Buckwheat noodles therefore they are warmer and semitropical. Cactuses, bananas and and pan-cakes). Overnight in Mountain lodge or similar. oranges grow here and the valley also boasts two crops a year. used to be the winter capital of Bhutan until 1958 and even today 06 OCT, FRI: BUMTHANG – THANGBI MANI FESTIVAL (B/L/D) the traditions are followed by the monk body. The head Abbot and In the morning, drive for about 20 minutes along the unpaved road to central monks reside in Punakha Dzong during the winter months and Toktu zampa bridge. From here, walk for about 20 minutes to Thangbi move to Tashicho Dzong, Thimphu, in the summer. In the morning, drive (also spelt Thankabi) village to witness a rural festival. The festival is held a short distance from the hotel in the courtyard of a relatively small Thangbi Gompa, built in 1470 by and hike to , the divine mad monk’s temple. It is a Shamar . Dances are much like the one in Thimphu, but this is beautiful and easy walk for about 20 minutes through a lovely village. far smaller and visitors are mainly from the nearby villages. Outside the Drukpa Kuenley (1455-1529) was very popular saint in Tibet as well as festival, there is usually a small fair with various gambling stalls, fortune Bhutan. He spent most of his life in Bhutan, where he travelled and tellers, food and craft vendors. In the evening, return to Jakar. Overnight taught using songs, humor, and outrageous behavior unlike the stiffness in Mountain lodge or similar. of clergy and social conventions of that time. The temple is also a pilgrim site for women unable to bear children. Afternoon, drive and visit 07 OCT, SAT: BUMTHANG (B/L/D) Punakha Dzong, which sits like a giant ship at the confluence of male and A full day in and around Jakar to visit interesting sites with easy walks to female river. Overnight and dinner at the hotel Zangdopelri or Meri access these sites: drive and visit Jampay and complex Phuensum. and walk across the fields to old Tamshing Gomba, one of the most important Nyigma Gomba. Also visit the village nearby and probably see 10 OCT, TUE: DRIVE TO PARO, SIGHTSEEING (B/L/D) some weavings. Visit and meet personals at indigenous hospital, visit After breakfast drive to Paro, which takes about 5 hours. En-route stop in Chakar lhakhang (the iron castle ). Also worth seeing in Jakar are wool Thimphu. This afternoon, your tour of Paro includes National Museum, dying workshop and the five water-wheels behind Wangdicholing housed in the ancient watch tower, which kept vigil over the Dzong. The palace. Overnight in Mountain lodge or similar. museum’s collection comprise of arts, crafts, arms & amour, ancient books, stuffed animals, pottery, and even galley of its world famous stamps. Our next stop is Rinphung Dzong. Built around 1645, the Rinphung Dzong like most other Dzongs, today houses the offices of Paro district administration and the living quarters for the monks of Paro Rabdey, their temples, prayer halls and dining hall. Overnight in hotel Olathang or similar.

3 11 OCT, WED: EXCURSION TO TAKTSANG MONASTERY, SIGHTSEEING (B/L/D) Today, you will be provided an option to hike to Taktsang or to stay in the valley and visit other sights in Paro. Hiking Option: Taktsang (tiger’s nest) Monastery is the most popular and perhaps the symbol of Bhutan. For Bhutanese or Buddhists, it is a holy pilgrimage, but for a tourist, a hike up to the viewpoint opposite the monastery is exhausting, thrilling and mystical. The legend has it that Guru Rinpoche, who is revered as second only to Buddha, is said to have flown on the Tigress back from Tibet and mediated here in the 8th century, the site on which, Taktsang was later built. The temple clings, on seemingly COMMENTS FROM DRAGON impossible sheer, vertical cliff, at 9680ft. In the April 1998, major fire destroyed it and was completely FESTIVAL TOUR IN 2005 rebuilt and restored to its original splendor. The hike up to the tea house (good viewpoint) takes about 2 hours uphill and another one hour further uphill to get closer to Taktsang. The return trek is downhill all We are so happy we found your the way. tour company For those who do not wish to hike: Visit Dungtse temple, followed by visit to the town area to visit the - Jarad & Stephanian S. temple of Druk Choeding (subject to permission). Drive to Kyichu temple to tour the courtyards of the Jacksonhole,WY, USA one of this 7th century temple, and drive north end of the valley to visit the ramparts of Drugyal Dzong. En-route visit farm houses and probably a school. The tour was absolutely amazing!!! Thank you, thank you! 12 OCT, THU: PARO – BANGKOK (B) - Jamie V, Steamboat Springs, CO, Transfer to the airport in time for your flight to Bangkok. After clearing customs, walk across the walkways and to your hotel Amari. Overnight in Amari airport hotel. (Room only).. End of services or USA take extensions. Everything was perfect! Our guide Dorji and driver Ramsingh were BOOKING: beyond professional at all times. Of 1) Download booking form course the 8 of us in the group 2) Complete and send it along with deposit and copy of your passport couldn't have been more diverse yet, Dorji made it seem easy to please all of us. - Barbie H, Alaska

Wind Horse Holidays, Inc Visit the above comments from

Call or CONTACT YOUR agent Call or CONTACT from other countries Tel + 1 (612) 869 4949 From US & Canada. 1 888 834 6773 6603 Queen Ave. S our website’s forum Minneapolis, MN 55423 Phone (612) 869 4949 Fax (612) 861 1996 http://www.windhorsetours.com

4