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Festival Dates:
Paro Tsechu Festival: 17th – 21st March 2008
Tour Dates:
Sample tour dates and itineraries are shown below.
Start any day prior to the festival and the Itinerary will be adapted accordingly. Tours can be any duration but 3 nights would be an absolute minimum stay.
PARO FESTIVAL TOUR OVERVIEW:
Paro Festival is one of the busiest festival in Bhutan. The unfolding of the silk Thangka - which is so large that it covers the face of the building -is considered one of the most sacred blessings in the whole of Bhutan. The 'Thangka' is a religious picture scroll known as a Thongdroel and it is exhibited for a few hours, at day break of the final day of the festival, enabling the people to obtain its blessing. This holy scroll 'confers liberation by the mere sight of it' (the meaning of the word 'thongdroel' in Bhutanese). This festival is held once a year so it is also the time to for Bhutanese to celebrate with their relatives and friends.
The 'Tsechus' are Buddhist religious festivals where masked dances depicting events from the life of Padmasambhava, the eighth century Nyingmapa Buddhist teacher (second to Buddha), and stories of other saints are staged. In Bhutan, Padmasambhava is known as 'Guru Rimpoche'. The dances are performed by trained monks and laymen wearing costumes that depict the creatures that you can expect to meet after death. Besides attending the Paro Festival and sightseeing in the Paro valley, this tour will also take you to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, and the Punakha and Wangdi valleys. Driving over the 3000mts scenic Dochu-la pass offers you fantastic views of the mountain ranges of the eastern Himalayas.
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Trip Rating |
Comfortable touring
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Trip Duration |
7 Days / 6 Nights |
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5 Days / 4 Nights |
N.B. |
Early Booking recommended |
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When to Go: |
Arrive any day prior to, or during, the festival.
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Types of Activities: |
Driving. Sightseeing. Short walks.
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Accomodation: |
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Trip Price: |
LAND COST :
Peak Season
From US$ 848 (5 days)
From US$1272 (7 days)
AIR COST :
RETURN ECONOMY AIRFARE::
from Bangkok US$ 720 + tax
from Dehli US$ 630 + tax
from Calcutta US$ 380 + tax
from Kathmandu US$ 380 + tax
VISA FEE US$ 20
We process your visa for you .
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Daily Surcharge for Groups with fewer than 4 members
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Sample Tour Dates
7 days/6 Nights itinerary
13th - 19th March /16th - 22nd March/ 19th - 25th March 2008
5 days/4 Nights itinerary
15th - 19th March / 18th -22nd March 2008 (Visit Paro and Thimphu only)
SLIDE SHOW OF THE AERIAL VIEWS
DAY |
7- DAY ITINERARY |
1 |
ARRIVE BHUTAN
Arrrive Paro, Bhutan. Met by our representative. Drive directly to Thimphu and check into the hotel. Afternoon sightseeing and evening introductory talk by your guide. O/N Thimphu. |
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THIMPHU SIGHTSEEING
A full day of sightseeing in and around Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan - museums, temples, artisan workshops and more. O/N Thimphu. |
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PUNAKHA SIGHTSEEING
Early morning drive over the Dochula pass to Wangdi and Punakha Valleys. Visit the impressive Punakha and Wangdi Dzongs and take a short walk through a small village and rice terraces to Chimi Lhakang, the temple of Drukpa Kuenley. O/N Punakha. |
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PARO FESTIVAL
Early morning drive to Paro to attend the Paro Festival which is held in an open air courtyard inside and next to the impressive Paro Dzong. Witness the religious masked and cultural dances amongst colourful Bhutanese villagers. Also visit Paro Museum and Paro Town. O/N Paro |
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PARO FESTIVAL
Visit the festival in the morning and go sightseeing in Paro valley in the afternoon or vice-versa. O/N Paro . |
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PARO FESTIVAL FINALE
Get up before dawn to see the unfurling of the Thongdroel and, after breakfast set off on a short hike to Taktsang Monastery, perched precipitously on the cliff face. Enjoy a picnic lunch en route. If you are unable to hike, an alternative sightseeing tour is available. O/N Paro. |
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DEPARTURE FROM BHUTAN
Morning departure from Paro Airport. Tashi Delek! |
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