A trip to Bhutan is an extraordinary experience and we have timed this trip to coincide with the Wangdi Festival, held from September 15-17 2010. The festivals are centuries old culture, most dating back beyond the middle ages and serves as perfect windows to view the country colorful heritage. There would be elaborate performances and you get to witness the revealing of the Thangka. It is believed that the mere sight of the Thangka brings salvation to the beholder.
12 – 18 Sep 2010 | CLOSED - Fully Booked
Wangdi Festival - Bhutan
Hidden in the Himalayas, Bhutan is like no other countries. Most men still wear the traditional gho to work, most houses are in traditional architecture and Gross National Product gives way to Gross National Happiness.
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The Expedition
Tour Price Includes
Includes
- Airfare Bangkok/Paro/Bangkok on Druk Air;
- Visa – USD 20/- for Bhutan;
- Accommodation with daily breakfast;
- All lunches and dinners in local restaurants;
- Daily supply of mineral water;
- All tours and transfers with English speaking guide and including all entrance fees
Excludes
- Airfare to Bangkok and its related airport tax and fuel surcharges
- Airport taxes and fuel surcharges on Druk Air; (approx USD 80/- per person payable to Country Holidays during ticket issuance and it is subject to change);
- Travel insurance;
- Beverages in the restaurants where meals are included;
- Personal expenses such as tips, laundry, bar bills and telephone bills.
Hotel Descriptions
Based on the best local standard hotels in Bhutan usually, tourist-class (3-star standard) nestled in the valley, or intimate family run with ethnic decoration with attached bathroom offering modern facilities.
Tour price ex-Bangkok: US$2,300
Single room supplement: US$350
Number of People: Min 15
Deposit: USD 1000
Closing Date: 15 Jun 2010
EXCLUSIVE FOR XPLORER MEMBERS
- SILVER Xplorer members will receive a 5% discount
- GOLD Xplorer members will receive a 10% discount
- DIAMOND Xplorer members will receive a 15% discount
- PLATINUM Xplorer members will receive a 20% discount
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Entry Form
Slots are limited and are on first-come-first-serve basis. Please provide accurate information. Fields in red are compulsory. Alternatively, you can download the form and send/fax it to us.
Download: Entry Form
You can also download the Entry Form. Send it to:
Asian Geographic Magazines Pte Ltd
(Silk Road Part IV Expedition 2010)
No. 1 Syed Alwi Road #06-01
Singapore 207628
Or fax it to: (+65) 6291 2068
For reservations and more information on the expedition, please contact Sharon at: Tel (+65) 6536 9282
World Religions 2 - Israel & Jordan Itinerary
DAY 01 12 SEP (SUN) BANGKOK/PARO
Fly to Paro by Druk Air and if we are lucky, we’ll have glorious views of the snow capped Himalayas on the way to Paro. The remarkable and steep descent into the Paro Valley is an awe-inspiring beginning to your adventure. Already you can feel the pace of life slow down.
Being your tour of Paro with a visit to Paro Dzong, which means “the fortress of the heap of jewels”. This complex houses the administrative and religious headquarters for the Paro district. From the dzong, enjoy a short and easy walk to the Pachu river and cross to the other side over a traditional cantilever (wooden covered) bridge. Our last stop is Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan.
DAY 02 13 SEP (MON) PARO
Enjoy a hike to Taktshang Monastery – this has to be the monastery with the most outstanding setting in Bhutan. Set on a vertical cliff face at 2950m above sea level, it defies all engineering logic. For the energetic, hike 2 hours up to get a more dramatic view of the monastery. (the hike demands a certain level of fitness and a pony ride to the monastery can be arranged at additional cost).
Upon descent, we enjoy a spectacular drive to the remote ruins of Drukgyel Dzong and on clear day, you would be rewarded with view of snow-capped Mt Jhomolhari.
DAY 03 14 SEP (TUE) PARO/THIMPHU
Take an hour drive to Thimphu. Although Thimphu is the capital in Bhutan, it is a village compared to other Asian countries. It is the only capital in the world without any traffic light!
Visit Takin Preserve to see Takin, Bhutan’s national animal, it is a favorite along with the Bhutanese archery game (the national sport) at Changlingmithang National Stadium. We then move onto the Memorial Chorten, Heritage Folk Museum and Textile Museum.
In the evening, stroll along the streets of Thimphu and enjoy some free shopping time in the handicraft emporiums.
DAY 04 15 SEP (WED) THIMPHU/PUNAKHA
Leaving Thimphu, we drive up the mountain road and over the 3500m Dochu-la (pass). On clear day, you will be rewarded with a spectacular view of the snowcapped eastern Himalayas.
Gradually descend through varied forest before finally emerging into the highly cultivated valley of Punakha. Enjoy a hike to Chimmi Lhakhang. The temple sits on a hillside in the middle of rice fields and has become a pilgrimage site for childless couples.
DAY 05 16 SEP (THU) PUNAKHA
Spend the morning participating at the annual Wangdi Festival.
Elaborate, spellbinding masked dances at the festival are performed by specially trained monks. From the roof of the temple, monks blow on a pair of long horns, and the sound of cymbals, drums and trumpets fill the air. These dance festivals revive the people spiritually and in many ways refine them culturally because the dances communicate moral lessons, and both the performer and the observer benefit from the exchange.
In the afternoon, visit Punakha Dzong, the district civil and religious centre for Punakha. Sitting at the confluence of the Pho-chu (male-river) and Mo-chu (female-river), this is one of the most impressive Dzong in the country.
DAY 06 17 SEP (FRI) PUNAKHA/PARO
Rise at pre-dawn and arrive at the festival ground for the revealing of the Tangka – a religious drawing of Guru Rinpoche more than 50m long and several storeys high and it’s completely embroidered!! (Revealing the Tangka is subject to confirmation with/without prior notice)
We then re-cross Dochu La to arrive Paro in the late afternoon.
DAY 07 18 SEP (SAT) PARO/BANGKOK
Bid farewell to this enchanting kingdom and transfer to the airport for flight to Bangkok by Druk Air.
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