ARCHITECTURE TRIP

OCTOBER 2018 BHUTAN - THE LAST SHANGRI-LA

TUCKED IN BETWEEN THE TWO BEHEMOTHS OF AND , THE TINY NATION OF BHUTAN OFFERS A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT RESPONSIBLE ARCHITECTURE. EXPERIENCE THE FAMOUS HAPPINESS INDEX ON THIS 8 NIGHTS/ 8 DAYS TRIP THAT COVERS THE ARCHITECTURE AND CULTURE OF BHUTAN.

WE WILL COVER THE ANCIENT SITES OF THE DZONGS AND OTHER TRADITIONAL TEMPLES AND MODERN MONUMENTS AS WELL. THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE TRIP WILL BE VISITS TO A COUPLE OF THE AMAN RESORTS DESIGNED BY THE PROLIFIC ARCHITECTURE FIRM KERRY HILL ARCHITECTS*.

TAKE IN THE BEAUTIFUL NATURAL SIGHTS ON OFFER AND FINISH WITH A DAYLONG HIKE UP TO THE FAMOUS TIGER'S NEST . * SUBJECT TO PERMISSIONS TRIP ITINERARY DAY 01 - FRIDAY, 19TH OCTOBER

Pickup in Bagdogra -Our tour starts at Bagdogra where we will organise to pick you up in the early afternoon at the railway station or the airport. Tour Plans for the day Bagdogra to Phuentsholing: Experience the scenic drive from India into Bhutan by crossing at the border town of Phuentsholing and enjoy lunch enroute. (Approx 5 hour drive) After completing the immigration formalities we will check in to our hotel for an early dinner and a good night's rest.

DAY 02 - SATURDAY, 20TH OCTOBER

Tour Plans for the day Transfer to Thimphu after an early check out (5 hours drive) Check in to the hotel and set off on a tour of the city after a quick lunch. The rest of the day is spent exploring Sangaygang (view point), KuenselPhodrang - the tallest seated Buddha (inset picture) and the Thimphu Dzong (inset picture) Overnight stay in Thimphu DAY 03 - SUNDAY, 21ST OCTOBER

Tour Plans for the day Thimphu

Today we explore more of the capital city of Thimphu Learn about the traditional Arts at the Crafts museum, Weaving center and Paper factory Side trips to some contemporary architecture projects Optional sights - National Monument, Centenary and Coronation Park and the local market End the day with dinner and a cultural performance and traditional costume trials

DAY 04 - MONDAY, 22ND OCTOBER

Tour Plans for the day

Punakha

Check-out early and enroute to stop for tea and light snacks at the Dochula Pass (inset picture), which is the highest motorable pass in the world. Enjoy views of the higher Himalayan ranges and some important peaks Visit the Punakha Dzong after lunch Check in at the Hotel and evening free to explore DAY 05 - TUESDAY, 23RD OCTOBER

Tour Plans for the day

Punakha

Checkout and head to the fertility temple of Chimi Lakhang (inset picture) You will see phallic art adorning all the houses to ward off the evil eye Spend the rest of the day rafting (not included in price) in the mother/ father river (inset picture) and we spend a fun night on the banks of the river in a camp.

DAY 06 - WEDNESDAY, 24TH OCTOBER

Tour Plans for the day

Paro

Transfer to Paro after breakfast Visit the Paro Museum and the beautiful Rinpung Dzhong, enjoying views of Paro In the evening we visit the Paro Amankora Resort - subject to permission - (inset picture) designed by Singapore-based Kerry Hill Architects from where we can see the oldest Dzong in Bhutan - the Drukgyal Dzong (inset picture) DAY 07 - THURSDAY, 25TH OCTOBER

Tour Plans for the day

Paro

Rise early and proceed to the Tiger's Nest Monastery (inset picture) You can return to take a hot-stone spa and massage (inset picture) before you end your trip Evening free to unwind.

DAY 08 - FRIDAY, 26TH OCTOBER

Tour Plans for the day

Tour Departs from Paro. We travel to the border town of Phuentsholing and rest there for the night. You can cross into India on Saturday the 27th and proceed home by your preferred mode of transport.

* Alternative programs (at additional cost): 1. You can extend the tour and enjoy a trek. We can help you plan this. 2. You can fly out of Paro and we can help you with this flight. OVERALL COST

INR 53,900 (LAND PACKAGE) ALL INCLUSIVE EARLY BIRD OFFER EX BAGDOGRA VALID TILL 15 AUG 2018

INR 56,500 (LAND PACKAGE) ALL INCLUSIVE OFFER EX-BAGDOGRA VALID TILL 31 AUG 2018

PLEASE READ THE INCLUSIONS AND EXCLUSIONS AT THE END OF THIS DOCUMENT

BHUTAN IS VISA ON ARRIVAL FOR INDIANS. YOU WILL NEED EITHER VALID PASSPORT OR VOTER ID CARD WHAT WE PROVIDE

Accommodation on Full Board Basis as per itinerary on twin sharing basis Transport in an AC Luxury Coach with English-speaking local guide Specialist Travel Guide from Peregrine who has good knowledge of Bhutan and its Architecture

FLIGHT RECOMMENDATIONS FROM MUMBAI

Flight recommendations: Onward Journey- BOM-IXB Indigo Airlines 20th October 6E958 07:10 AM to 11:45 AM Return Journey- IXB-BOM Indigo Airlines 24th October 6E433 16:00 PM to 20:35 PM TERMS & CONDITIONS (1 OF 2)

Inclusions: Remarks on hotels: · Accommodation on Full Board (twin sharing) · Hotel check in @ 1400 hrs & check out @ 1200hrs Basis: 08-Breakfasts / 08-Dinners @ Hotel 06- · No hotel bookings have been blocked Lunches@ Outside Local/Indian Restaurants (no · Rates are subject to change based on availability lunch on Day 7) of rooms · Transport in an AC Luxury Coach with English- Speaking Local Guide Booking & Cancellation policy: · Dedicated specialist architecture guide · Rates quoted on basis of minimum group of 15 pax · All sightseeing tickets as per itinerary · Tour Costs will be collected on basis of 50% · All currently applicable taxes (excl. GST 5%) payment at the time of confirmation and rest 50% payment 30 Days before departure date Exclusions: · Cancellation done 20 days before departure date - · GST 5% of total tour package 70% of the land package cost will be deducted · Visa fee · Cancellation done 5 days before departure date - · Tour cost does not include any expenses of 100% of the land package cost will be deducted personal nature · Cancellation done on departure day or no show for · Items not specified in this offer document whatsoever reason - NO REFUND · Return flight/train tickets · Rafting excursion expenses · Ticket and Lunch for Tiger's Nest Hike · Wangyel Lakhang entrance Fee · Tips for driver and guide TERMS & CONDITIONS (2 OF 2)

Itinerary Disclaimer: ground. While this is great as it allows us to see a While it is our intention to adhere to the route huge amount in the available time, it also means described above, there is a certain amount of some early starts, some long drives and less free flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it time. We feel that if you enter this trip with this may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. knowledge and expectation, you will appreciate even The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly more the variety of locations we are able to include where our journey will take us. Due to our style of in this itinerary. travel and the regions we visit, travel can be 3. Weather unpredictable. A more detailed day-by-day itinerary Autumn (September, October & November) is lovely document highlights the sights to be covered on each with clear and crisp blue skies, providing a grand day will be shared two weeks prior to the trip. view of some of the tallest unclimbed mountains in Additionally, any travel times listed are the world. It is the best time for trekking and approximations only and subject to vary due to local traveling. The climate is cool and temperate and you circumstances. can get lovely photography opportunities of willows shedding their golden brown leaves, the solitude of Supplementary Notes: parks and somber views of dzongs and . 1. Transport We will be using an air-conditioned bus for this tour. Questions about the trip? Even with a full group there should be multiple seats If you have any questions that aren't answered in empty. this email/itinerary, please don't hesitate to give us 2. Itinerary pace a call at +91 9867677058 (Ekta) or you can email us This is a fast paced itinerary which covers lots of at [email protected] In additional to an english-speaking local guide the group will also be accompanied by our specialist tour guides, who are themselves internationally-qualified SPECIALIST TRAVEL GUIDES professional architects who have been educationists for over 10 years.

Ekta Idnany is an architect, writer and a culture Sahil Latheef is an architect, aspiring naturalist and enthusiast. She has been teaching architecture and prolific Instagrammer. Besides designing building, he design for the past ten years now at various has a keen interest in urban art projects, institutions such as KRVIA, BSSA, ISDI as well as conservation and urban research. His work as an being invited as a guest critic at other schools in architect has taken him to various cities with Mumbai. She has also been running her own design extended stints in London, Singapore, Mumbai and practice in Mumbai, while writing for several Dubai. He has been part of several research magazines such as Architecture: Time Space People, initiatives that have been published and exhibited at Indian Architect and Builder and Domus. Her design multiple international architecture biennales. Over ideology is centered around adding value to the lives the past eight years Sahil has also been passionately of users. Ekta strongly believes that traveling gives involved with architectural pedagogy at various her a better understanding of differences and design institutes in Mumbai and Dubai as visiting similarities of human nature across different cultures design tutor, critic and lecturer; and has led multiple and that makes her a better designer and writer. architecture field trips to various cities in Europe, Middle East and South .

Areas of academic interest: Architectural History & Areas of academic interest: Contemporary Theory, Literature Architecture, Natural History, Photography Indian travel expertise: North & Western India Indian travel expertise: South India & Odisha International travel expertise: US, Western Europe, International travel expertise: Western & Central Far East Europe, Sri Lanka, Middle East, Latin America DESIGNED TRAVEL EXPERIENCES

903 Nutan Yojana, 16th Road, Khar (West), Mumbai – 52, Maharashtra, India [email protected] +91 98676 77058 (Ekta Idnany) https://threeflaneurs.wordpress.com/