Visit the Land of the Thunder Dragon, Bhutan from 25 April to 4 May 2016

Jacarandas blooming against the Punakha Dzong

Come and fill your summer vacation with this amazingly beautiful Himalayan kingdom. Experience a whole new world of ancient culture, imposing dzongs, rich architectural heritage, emerald rivers, luxuriant forests, and beautiful women and men who are always polite and well dressed.

The group size will be limited to 20 participants only and will solely be on first paid first served basis.

I request you to pay your registration fee of Rs 10,000/- (non refundable) latest by 22 December, 2015, so that I can do the train and resort bookings.

Procedure for joining: First call / sms or email regarding availability of seats. Once confirmed, please book your flight or train to Kolkata and return to Mumbai. Then send your registration fee either by cheque drawn in favour of ‘Doe’s Ecotours’ and couriered to the address given below or directly to my bank account (request for details)

The balance amount to be paid at our pre-departure meet (2nd week of April)

I have arranged a dozen tours of Bhutan and I promise you a great summer filled with lasting memories of this beautiful dragon kingdom.

Itinerary for tour of Bhutan (subject to change)

Mon 25 April:  Dept from Sealdah Junction (Kolkata) by 13149 Kanchankanya Exp at 20.30

Tue 26 April: Arrival Hasimara at 10.25 am. Transfer to Phuntsholing (150 km) a small town on the banks of the River Torsa and the gateway to Bhutan. On arrival at Phuentsholing we will leave immediately for our Bhutan entry permits

(Please note that you need your valid voter’s id or your aadhar card or Indian Passport to prove your Indian nationality).

Evening, free to visit the Zangthopelri temple and Kharbandi monastery.

                                             O/N  Phuntsholing. (L, D)

Wed 27 April: After an early B/F depart in a hired bus for the 176 km drive to Thimphu. This is a long 6 hrs winding drive through lush forests of bamboo, ferns, giant sal, teak, poplar, ash etc. It is one of the most beautiful drives in the world.      

                      

Reach Thimphu (7600 ft) around 4.00 pm. After checking into the Hotel, you are free to explore the Clock Square, the Changlimithang stadium to watch football, basketball, tennis or archery. This pristine capital is the only capital in the world with no traffic signals. It is a delight to watch the popular traffic policeman at road intersections, with his elaborate fluid hand movements. Walking through Thimphu is like visiting an art gallery as all the buildings are constructed in traditional Bhutanese style with rich and colourful paintings.

                                                        O/N Thimphu.  (B, L, D)

Thur  28 April:   After B/F we go on a sightseeing tour of Thimphu: Buddha Dordema Statue the largest Buddha Statue in the world made of bronze and gilded in gold. 

National Memorial Chorten built in the Tibetan style in 1974 to honour the memory of the King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. Watch the old and the young worship by circumambulating the chorten.

The Tashichhodzong, on the banks of the Wang Chu (river) is Bhutan’s administrative and religious centre. It houses the Throne Room, Govt Ministries, the Nation’s largest monastery and the headquaters of the Central Monk Body. It is one of the most impressive buildings in Bhutan. The entire dzong was rebuilt in 1962-1969 without nails and written plans.

Central Tower or BBS Tower – Sangaygang. At an elevation of 2685 mts, you will have a wonderful view of Thimphu. 

The National Library: built in 1967 to house the Dzongka and Tibetan texts is perhaps one of the most beautiful buildings in Thimphu. Books here are mainly Tibetan –style, printed or written in long strips of handmade paper stacked between pieces of wood and wrapped in silken cloth.

Changangkha Lhakhang: with its amazing prayer wheels and panaromic views of Thimphu.

We will also visit the Folk Heritage Museum, which replicates a traditional farmhouse. Another interesting visit would be to see the national animal of Bhutan, the Takin. Evening visit the Royal Botanical Gardens at Serbithang

                                                                      O/N Thimphu (B, L, D)

Fri  29 April : After early B/F checkout of the Hotel and proceed to Dhochula Pass (10,500 ft) where we can have fantastic views of the Himalayan range. Hopefully on this drive we should be able to see rhododendrons and magnolias in bloom.

Two hour’s drive from here brings us to Punakha at 5,000 ft. It is a lovely valley and has the magnificent Punakha Dzong on the confluence of the Mo Chu and Po Chu rivers. After lunch we drive to Paro      

                                                                     O/N  Paro ( B ,L,  D)

Sat  30 April : Paro sightseeing ;beginning with Paro Dzong or Rinpung Dzong built in 1646 and one of Bhutan’s strongest and most important fortress. It was used to defend  Paro valley from invasions by Tibet. 

The National Musuem above the Dzong, in the shape of a conch shell and originally built as a watch tower for Paro Dzong. Six floors of galleries, with a spectacular collection of thangkhas, bronze and stone objects, ancient urns, jewellery and decorative arts, interesting and Bhutan’s extensive wildlife philatelic collection.                      

Kyichu Lhakhang: temple said to be built in 1654 has an awesome golden dome and fabulous statues.

The ruins of Drugyel Dzong built in 1649 to commemorate the victory over Tibetan invaders. The building was used as an administrative centre until 1954,  when the fire caused by a butter lamp destroyed it. From here on a clear day you have a fantastic view of Mt Jhomolhari (23,685)

Dumtse Lakhang, an unusual chorten like temple with some of the finest murals.

Evening is free to explore the one horse market area (which reminds you of the  old western movies) or go down to the Paro chu river side or the archery  grounds.                                                                             

O/N, Paro (B, L, D)

Sun 1 May : After B/F we have an optional trek to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) one of the oldest in Bhutan and perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the floor of the Paro valley. This, is probably the highlight of our Bhutan tour. I have had a 5 year old and a 75 years participant completing the trek. The trail is around 3.00 hrs gentle climb through pine, rhododendron and oak forests with spectacular views of the monastery which looks like it is growing out of the rocks.

Evening free to indulge in a ‘stone bath’ to relieve your aches and pains of the trek.                                                                                                                                                O/N Paro (B, L, D)

Mon  2 May : Morning we will drive from Paro to Chele La At a height of 3982 m. we should be able to see many ground flora like primulas as well as rhododendrons in bloom. We have often sighted yaks grazing and some interesting birds ( khaleej, blood pheasants, spotted nutcracker, fire tailed sunbirds etc) Here too, we should have glorious views of Mt Jhomolhari and other snow covered peaks. We return for lunch. Evening free for shopping.

                                                               O/N Paro (B, L, D)                       

Tues 3 May : Morning leave for Phuentsholing. Lunch at Phuentsholing.  Board the 13150 Kanchankanya Exp from Hasimara at 16.43     

                                                                 (B, L )

Wed 4 May :    Arr Sealdah at 8.15 am       

                       

                                        End of the tour.

Charges for the tour in the different categories of train travel

from Sealdah (Kolkata) to Hasimara (railhead for Bhutan) and return are as follows:

·          With travel by Train 3 tier AC Coach                                   Rs 24,500/-

·          With travel by 3 tier AC coach

            with a senior citizen’s concession ( female)                          Rs 23,550/-

·          With travel by 3 tier AC coach

            with a senior citizen’s concession ( male)                             Rs 23,750/-

·          With travel by 2 tier AC Coach                                            Rs 25,400/-

·          With travel by 2 tier AC Coach                                             Rs 24,000/-

            for a senior citizen (female)

·          With travel by 2 tier AC Coach                                             Rs 24,300/-

            For a senior citizen (male)

Cancellation charges

30 days prior to tour departure date: 50% cancellation

29-20 days: 75% cancellation

19 days and below including no show: 100% cancellation

The above package includes:

·          Train travel from Sealdah (Kolkata) to Hasimara and return

·          7 nights/ 8 days accommodation at Phuentsholing, Thimphu, and Paro

·          All meals starting from lunch at Phuntsholing on 26 April to lunch on 3 May

·          All internal travel and sightseeing in Bhutan in a mini bus.

·          Excursions to Dhochula, Punakha and Chelela. Optional guided trek to Taktsang

Excluded: The package does not include, any items not mentioned above, travel to Kolkata and return to Mumbai, meals enroute, transport from Howrah to Sealdah and return, or from airport to Sealdah, camera charges, porterage, tips, travel insurance, telephone calls, laundry, arranging additional transportation and other expenses of a personal nature.

How does one reach Kolkata?  You can either take any flight arriving in Kolkata before 5 pm on 25 April. At present I find the best option is Indigo 6E-323 Dept Mumbai at 11.40 am / Arr Kolkata at 14.10.

For the return please book a flight departing Kolkata after 12 noon

Alternately, you can book any one of the trains for Howrah or Sealdah on the Central Line

Tour of Bhutan

From 25 April to 4 May 2016

                                               

Registration Form

Name/s of Participants:                                         Gender                       Age

1.

2.

Residential Address:

Tel No:                                                                           Cell No:

Email address:

Flight booked:

Class:                                      No. of tickets                  Senior Citizen / Child

3 tier AC

2 tier AC

Amount Paid:

Signature:                                          Date: