Bhutan Women-only Culture and Festival Tour – Fall, 2012

Culture and Festival Tour to Bhutan

Number of days: 12

Itinerary dates: October 25 – November 5, 2012

Tour Leader: Joslin Fritz

* Register early to save on flights and to be matched with another participant to avoid single supplement!

WanderTours Giving Program – A portion of your tour cost will go to supporting a women’s program in Bhutan. We will have a chance to visit this and learn more about the program during the tour.

This 12-day women-only culture and festival tour to Bhutan is highlighted by a visit during the Jambay Lhakhang tsechu (festival) in Bumthang. This is a very special event that takes place in the courtyard of an ancient monastery in the region where Buddhism in Bhutan began.

This tour also includes the best of Bhutan’s cultural highlights with light hiking in the pristine Himalayas, a cooking class and a hike to iconic Tiger’s Nest. A female Bhutanese guide, knowledgeable in the culture, history and religion, will accompany the group.

The group will meet in Bangkok for the flight to Paro, Bhutan. Flights leave Bangkok early in the morning so it’s best to arrive at least 24 hours prior to departure to Bhutan in the event of flight delays.

Itinerary
Day 1
October 25, 2012 – Arrive from Bangkok – Paro
The plane flight into Paro is a spectacular introduction to the breathtaking Himalayas. In clear conditions, you’ll have impressive views of the highest peaks in the world before descending into the Paro Valley. Your first experience will be breathing in the fresh, clean air. Once you’ve cleared customs and visa control, the group will be met by the in-country guide and taken to your hotel.

Following lunch, you’ll tour Rinpung Dzong (monastery) and also spend some time strolling Paro’s main street, lined with small shops. Later, if there is time, you’ll see Ta Dzong a monastery converted into the National Museum in 1967. Here you’ll see traditional thangkas, fabrics, weaponry, armor, household objects as well as historic items. Overnight in Paro.

Day 2
October 26, 2012 – Paro – Thimphu
After breakfast, you’ll depart for the capital, Thimphu (population 86,000; 7,520 feet), which is located approximately one hour away.

After lunch, you’ll visit sights around this small city. This might include a nunnery, handicraft emporium, handmade paper factory, the National Memorial Chorten, the National Zoo (more like a preserve, the only animal there is the national animal, the extraordinary Takin) and Trashi Chhoe Dzong. Overnight in Thimphu.

HIGHLIGHT! Though Thimphu is considered a bustling city compared to the rest of Bhutan, it is the world’s only capital without a traffic light! It is also a great place to learn about the nation’s thriving arts and crafts.

Day 3
October 27, 2012 – Thimphu – Punakha
Following breakfast, you will leave for Dochu La Pass (10,000 feet), ascending steeply through pine and cedar forests with hanging lichen. The group will then take a short downhill hike through the woods and meet up with your vehicle when you meet up with the road again. You’ll then drive onward to the Punakha Valley. Lunch will be served at the hotel.

In the afternoon, the group will tour nearby Punakha Dzong. Overnight in Punahka.

HIGHLIGHT! Punakha Dzong is likely the most beautiful of all dzongs in Bhutan. You will have a chance to meander through this complex of architectural structures which are home to hundreds of monks half of the year. You’ll see the magnificent main temple that contains massive Buddhas at the altar as well as thousands of small statues placed in the walls.

Day 4
October 28, 2012 – Punakha – Trongsa
Today after breakfast, you’ll depart for the 5-hour ride to Trongsa. Along the way, you will cut through the Black Mountains on Bhutan’s “Central Road,” completed just over 30 years ago. This highway essentially opened central Bhutan to the rest of the world.

On this day, you’ll first stop in Wangdue, a small village and the district headquarters of Western Bhutan. If there’s time, you will tour Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, situated on a ridge overlooking two rivers. The road then climbs through tropical vegetation to Pele La Pass (10,900 feet), surrounded by towering rhododendron and dwarf bamboo. You’ll likely see yak, which often graze in this area and, if clear, you might see impressive Mt. Jhomulhari (24,140 feet). Coming down from the pass, you will continue on to Trongsa, where you will visit the striking Trongsa Dzong. Overnight in Trongsa.

Day 5
October 29, 2012 – Trongsa – Bumthang Valley
Following breakfast, you will head eastward to the Bumthang Valley, where it’s believed Buddhism in Bhutan got its start. You will have time to see a number of sights including: Kurjey Lhakhang and Jambay monasteries, Tamshing Gompa, Jakar Dzong and possibly the Swiss Farm, where they make cheese, honey, beer and local fruit spirits.

After dinner, the group will attend Jambay Lhakhang Drup, where, very late at night a very special fire dance will be performed. This is the beginning of the tsechu and this dance is performed in order to purify sins and to receive a good harvest. It’s believed to be very good luck to watch these dancers, giving yourself the chance to be absolved of a lifetime of sins! Overnight in Bumthang.

HIGHLIGHT! The midnight dance on this night is quite a secretive affair. It’s usually held in the wee hours of the morning when most tourists have gone to sleep. But, it is WELL worth it if you are able to stay awake

Day 6
October 30, 2012 – Bumthang – Festival Day
In the morning, the group will attend more festival dances that are part of the tsechu. This will include the popular mask dance as well as many other performances by traditional singers and dancers. There will be craftspeople from around the country set up with booths to sell jewelry, clothes, Buddhist treasures and other souvenirs. On this day, you may also have time for more sightseeing around the Bumthang Valley including a walk to a nearby village. Overnight in Bumthang.

HIGHLIGHT! You’ll love seeing and photographing the dancers as well as the families all dressed in their finest festival clothes. Today will be a fantastic people-watching day.

Day 7
October 31, 2012 – Bumthang – Ura – Bumthang
Following breakfast, the group will drive to the Ura Valley, about 25 miles from Bumthang. The road reaches traverses Ura Shelthang-la where, in clear whether, there is a magnificent view of Bhutan’s highest peak, Gangkar Puensum (24,600 feet). The road then descends into the Ura Valley. The group will hike down through a lush forest and through the village of traditional homes. Overnight in Bumthang.

HIGHLIGHT! The people of Ura mainly raise sheep and yaks, and the introduction of potato farming has brought a certain degree of prosperity to the people. This is an ancient village where you’ll be able to meander through its small streets.

Day 8
November 1, 2012 – Bumthang – Gangtey
Following breakfast, you will start the drive back toward Paro. You’ll have a chance to stop at Yotong La Pass and continue on via Trongsa, to Pele La Pass, and then onward to the Phoblika Valley (10’000 feet), deemed the most beautiful valley in the Himalayas. There will be a lunch break along the way. Overnight in Gangtey.

HIGHLIGHT! The Phoblika Valley is the winter home to the endangered black-necked cranes which migrate from the Tibetan Plateau. While they are usually only here from November through March, sometimes you will find stragglers around this time.

Day 9
November 2, 2012 – Gangtey – Wangdue
Following breakfast, you’ll visit Gangtey Gompa, which was built in the 17th century and renovated just a few years ago. From the gompa, you’ll walk back to the hotel along a path that cuts through a beautiful forest and then across the valley floor. Lunch will be served at the hotel.

In the afternoon, you’ll drive 2 hours to a riverside hotel near Wangdue (4,000 feet) and enjoy some leisure time before dinner. Overnight in Wangdue.

HIGHLIGHT! You’ll enjoy the morning’s walk in the Phoblika Valley which is one of the easiest and most beautiful on the tour. This region is breathtaking and you’ll likely see horses and cows meandering around the valley floor which is ringed by low mountain ranges.

Day 10
November 3, 2012 – Wangdue – Thimphu – Paro
From Wangdue, you’ll drive to Thimphu where you’ll have lunch at a local restaurant and one last opportunity for sightseeing and shopping in the capital. You will then head to Paro where you’ll have dinner. Overnight in Paro.

Day 11
November 4, 2012 – Paro
On this last full day in Bhutan, you’ll get an early start in order to hike the 2+ hours to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest), the country’s most photographed and well-known monastery. You’ll tour the few temples at the top and have time to enjoy the view from here. On the way down, you’ll stop at the tea shop/cafe, located midway, where you’ll see exceptional views of Tiger’s Nest up above. You will then proceed down for lunch.

Upon returning to Paro, you may have time for relaxing or going to town for last-minute souvenir shopping. Final overnight in Paro.

HIGHLIGHT! The hike up to and visiting Tiger’s Nest could quite possibly be the highlight of your time in Bhutan! This iconic site, perched on the side of a mountain, is revered by the Bhutanese – and you’ll soon see why.

Day 12
November 5, 2012 – Paro – Bangkok
Following breakfast, you’ll leave for the airport for the sad farewell to the Kingdom of Bhutan and your flight to Bangkok. Though you can connect with an international flight on the same day, you might consider staying in Bangkok for one night in case flights out of Paro are delayed (not uncommon).

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* Register early to save on flights and to be matched with another participant to avoid single supplement!

Cost:
Price: $4295

Additional Costs:
Flight from Bangkok to Paro: $900
Single supplement: $550

Interested in sharing? We do our best to pair up same-sex travelers so as to avoid the single supplement. However, priority is given to the first deposits received. If you’re interested in sharing – PLEASE send in deposit as soon as possible in order to take advantage of this benefit. (Why a single supplement charge? See this FAQ page for an explanation.)

Final payment due no later than August 25, 2012.

Price includes: Transportation in Bhutan, all meals, hotels, bottled water, visa, airport tax and tourist development fund charge. Also includes entrance to monasteries and festivals.

Price does not include: Flights to and hotel in Bangkok, evacuation insurance (highly recommended), souvenirs, personal purchases (such as books and snacks), beverages other than water and tips.

We recommend MedEx Assist for travel and/or evacuation insurance.

This trip is limited to 12 women and requires a $900 deposit on a first come, first served basis.
Minimum required: 5 people

Registration Form Bhutan Cultural Tour 2012 (PDF)

For deposit and payments, please make payable and mail check to:

WanderTours
PO Box 16102
Seattle, WA 98116

For questions, please contact Beth at:
beth (at) wandertours (dot) com
888-818-9918

It’s easy to make your deposit of $900! Simply click on the Buy Now button below and you’ll be taken to PayPal where you add your debit or credit card information. Subsequent payments may be made through PayPal by sending to: beth (at) wandertours (dot) com.

Bhutan Buddhism Tour Packing List: Provided upon registration

Bhutan Buddhism Tour Itinerary 2012 (coming soon)

Tour Leader: Joslin Fritz
Joslin Fritz has a substantial track record in adventure travel as well as leading tours. Often searching for her next challenge, she’s had her nerves and muscles tested in a variety of ways; Treking Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, white water rafting in Chile, backpacking in Patagonia, maneuvering through Djemaa el-Fna market in Morocco, enduring public transportation in Nepal, volunteering at a children’s home in India and bungee jumping over Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

As a tour guide, she loves to get acquainted with the participants as well as share the beauty of the location with them.

Her favorite tune to sing at Karaoke is Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen, favorite poem is Song of the Open Road by Walt Whitman, favorite flavor ice cream is mint chocolate chip and her favorite podcast is “Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me” on NPR.

About Bhutan
Few travelers go to Bhutan because of the country’s insufficient infrastructure and the government’s desire that the country sustain its extraordinary culture. While accommodations are usually quite comfortable, they can sometimes be considered basic. Meals are usually served buffet-style at the hotel and include plenty of cooked vegetables, rice and occasionally meat. Vegetarians will have no issues finding enough to eat.

Bhutan is situated high in the Himalayas. The altitude shouldn’t be a problem for most, but sometimes people react to it with minor headaches or stomachaches. Participants should be fairly fit and expect to do light hiking throughout the journey.

For those vulnerable to motion sickness, please bring medication or natural remedies in the event the twisty roads get to you.

Related links:
Bhutan Photo Gallery
Bhutan Holiday and Vacation Tips
Read Bhutan FAQs and learn what to expect in Bhutan
See Recommended Books about Bhutan