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A FAMILY HOLIDAY in BHUTAN Bhutan 6 Nights/7 Days

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A FAMILY HOLIDAY in BHUTAN Bhutan 6 Nights/7 Days A FAMILY HOLIDAY IN BHUTAN Bhutan 6 Nights/7 Days Let your imagination soar About &Beyond &Beyond is a pioneering, experiential travel company that offers forward-thinking, global travellers an exclusive experience of the world as it should be; a world that is in balance with itself. We go beyond mere luxury to enrich your guests’ experience through our core ethos of Care of the Land, Care of the Wildlife, and Care of the People. &Beyond has 30 exquisite safari lodges and camps across Africa and South America, and we also design personalised, high-end tours in 15 African countries, India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Chile, Argentina, Ecuador and Peru. Welcome to Bhutan The last remaining great Himalayan Kingdom, Bhutan boasts magnificent mountain scenery, incredible architecture and colourful culture. A diverse natural Shangri-La, the country boasts of a staggering variety of landscapes, as well as an incredible array of flora and fauna. Set within one of the world’s most breathtaking mountain chains, Bhutan is famed for its high mountain peaks and range of trekking opportunities. Enigmatic and shrouded in myth, Bhutan is filled with tangible examples of its extraordinary culture, from the striking architecture of its mountain forts and monasteries to the images of Buddhist religious figures painted or carved onto the craggy cliffs. Colourful prayer flags flutter on spectacular mountain passes and prayer wheels turn slowly with the current of clear mountain streams. Highlights of the Itinerary: Breath-taking mountain views from Dochu La pass The spectacular fortress of Punakha The iconic hike to ‘Tigers Nest’ Rafting in Punakha Riding Mountain bikes in Thimphu Specially created for Active vacationers & Cultural enthusiasts www.andBeyond.com A Family Holiday in Bhutan At a glance 6 nights / 7 days 1 – Thimphu (Day 1,2) 2 – Punakha (Day 3, 4) 3 – Paro (Day 5, 6) AN &BEYOND CUSTOM-DESIGNED ITINERARY DATE SERVICE ACCOMMODATION Day 1 Fly to Paro and drive to Thimphu (1hr) + Sightseeing in Thimphu 2 overnights in Taj Tashi, Thimphu Deluxe Suite interconnected with Deluxe room on HB Day 2 Hike to Tango Goemba and sightseeing in Thimphu Day 3 Drive to Punakha (approx. 3 hours) Mochu Suite interconnected 2 overnights in Amankora, Punakha with a Suite on FB Day 4 Sightseeing in Punakha Day 5 Drive to Paro (approx. 4 hours) 2 overnights in Six Senses, Paro 2-Bedroom villa on FB Day 6 Hike to Taktshang Lhakhang (Tiger’s nest) Day 7 Outbound www.andBeyond.com A Family Holiday in Bhutan GLOSSARY BB = Bed and breakfast HB = Room + Breakfast + dinner FB = Full Board basis (please check itinerary for specific includes & excludes per property) ENTRY/VISA REQUIREMENTS As of all international travel, the visitor to Bhutan is required to be in possession of a valid passport and visa. Travelers from all countries need a visa. Visa for Bhutan will be arranged by &Beyond South Asia (Bhutan) office on receipt of the full payment for the tour. SATELLITE PHONES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN BHUTAN www.andBeyond.com A Family Holiday in Bhutan Expect the extraordinary Day 1- Arrive Paro/ Thimphu This morning board your flight to Paro (Bhutan), Bhutan’s only international airport. The flight into Bhutan takes you close to the great Himalayas; offering dazzling scenic views of some of world’s highest glacial peaks. As you enter the Paro valley, you will pass forested hills with the slivery Pa Chu (Paro River) meandering down the valley below with the Paro Dzong (fortress) and Ta Dzong (watch tower) on the hill above the town. As you exit from the arrival hall of Paro airport, you will be met by your guide and chauffeured to your hotel in Thimphu (1 hour drive). En-route stop to visit the Tamchogg Lhakhang and marvel at the iron bridge reconstructed using original chain links from the famous Tibetan bridge builder Thangtong Gyelpo. Drive onwards to your hotel for check in and a short rest. Afternoon, you will visit the National Memorial Chorten. This landmark of Thimphu was built in 1974 in the memory of third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, who is popularly regarded as Father of Modern Bhutan. It is a four-storey tall white building, containing statues and iconography of deities from complex tantric teachings and serves as an important place of worship for Thimphu residents, as well as from other parts of the country. Drive onwards to Buddha Dordenma – a gigantic Shakyamuni Buddha statue. The statue is filled with over one hundred thousand smaller Buddha statues, each of which, like the Buddha Dordenma itself, but made of bronze and gilded in gold. At a height of 51.5 metres, it is one of the tallest Buddha statues on the world. Then drive to visit the Takin Preserve in Motithang. Takin is the National animal of Bhutan and looks like a cross breed between a cow and a goat. Legend has it that the animal was created by the great Buddhist yogi, Drupa Kunley or Divine Madman, and this particular species of Takin is found only in Bhutan and nearby areas. Followed by a visit to the Farmers’ weekend’s market, where most of the Thimphu’s population and many valley dwellers converge on the bustling market. A wide range of foodstuffs and local arts / crafts are sold at the market, which is held from Friday afternoon till Sunday. A www.andBeyond.com A Family Holiday in Bhutan visit to the market provides great photo opportunities, as well as the chance to mingle with local people and perhaps buy souvenirs. Spend two overnights in Taj Tashi, Thimphu. Your accommodation will be in Deluxe Suite interconnected with a Deluxe room on Half board (breakfast + dinner) basis. Day 2 - Thimphu Begin the day with drive to take a short hike to Tango Goenpa. Situated north of Thimphu, one way it takes about 30 minutes’ drive and an hour long walk through shaded rhododendron forests to reach the monastery. The site of the monastery was founded in 12th century and later Lama Drukpa Kuenley (Divine Madman) established the present building in 15th century. The great saint called Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, in 1616 meditated in a cave near the monastery and helped ensure the defeat of an invading Tibetan army. Tango currently functions as a Buddhist university with 280 monks studying there. Post the hike you will drive to a secluded spot in the Jigme Dorji National Park where you will have a beautifully laid out picnic on the banks of the Wang chu (river) which flows at its pristine best here before flowing into Thimphu. After lunch, you will then board your MTB’s and cycle from the base until Dechencholing palace which is a good 10 kms away through beautiful countryside. You will be following the Thimphu chu on the right as you cycle through the Jigme Dorji National Park before reaching the Royal Bhutanese Body Guard cantonment. From here the road is all downhill until Dechencholing palace. You may either stop here or cycle all the way to town. Later, drive past the Tashichho Dzong known as the "Fortress of the Glorious Religion" it was initially built in 1641. The Dzong houses, main secretariat building which houses the throne room of His Majesty, the King of Bhutan. The Dzong also functions as a winter residence for a central monastic body. The National Assembly hall is housed in a modern building on the other side of the river from the Dzong. Expect to be back in the hotel around 6 PM, in time to witness the daily dance performances by the local troupe, either in the hotel courtyard or in the all-day dining space. Please check with the hotel for the right time and the venue. Later return to your hotel. www.andBeyond.com A Family Holiday in Bhutan Day 3 – Thimphu/ Punakha Early this morning, post breakfast, you will be chauffeured to Punakha (2 hours drive). The road climbs steeply through a scenic forest of pine and cedar trees, to Dochula pass (10,000 feet). The pass offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges, and then descends into the fertile valley of Punakha (4,430 feet). Stop at Dochu La to visit the 108 stupas built on this 3,150 meter high pass in honor the fallen Bhutanese soldiers. Well before reaching Punakha stop en route and hike about 30 minutes to Chimi Lhakhang, which is on a small hilltop. The temple was dedicated to the great Yogi in the 14th century, known as Drukpa Kuenley, also known as the “Divine madman.” He is known for dramatizing Buddhist teachings using songs. It is believed that this temple blesses women who seek fertility. Afterwards, drive to your hotel for lunch. Then proceed towards Punakha and en-route stop to visit the Punakha Dzong. Constructed in 1637, this was the second of Bhutan’s Dzong and for many years its seat of government. From this spectacular setting you can look back to see the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Temple perched on the hillside far in the distance. Check into the hotel and rest. Spend two overnights in Amankora, Punakha. Your accommodation will be in Mo Chu Suite (interconnected suites) on Full board (breakfast + lunch + dinner) basis. www.andBeyond.com A Family Holiday in Bhutan Day 4 – Punakha Early this morning you will begin your hike to the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten. You can also start your hike from the Uma and walk all the way to the chorten through beautiful farm lands and virgin forests or drive to the suspension bridge and hike only about 45 minutes. This three storey lhakhang was recently built by Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Tshering Yangdon for the protection of the country and the present King.
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