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Yu Druk Tours & Treks
2004 Festival Tours |
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Yu Druk Travels is pleased to offer a program of tours and short treks especially scheduled to coincide with major festivals in Bhutan. The dates shown will allow direct connections via Druk Air to and from Bhutan via Bangkok. The following programmes can also be changed to allow you to connect to and from New Delhi and Kathmandu.All costs shown are per-person based on three people and more travelling together throughout the tour. Individual travellers have to pay a surcharge of USD 40 per night and two people travelling together have to pay USD 30 each per night.
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Druk Air flights are usually quite full at festival time. We urge you to book early to avoid disappointment.
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The festive time for every Bhutanese is a Tsechu celebrated at every Dzong (fortress) most of which were built in the 16thCentury. The major events are Mask dance known as Cham which take place for 3-4 days and in honour of Guru Rimpoche. Performed by both monks and laymen, the Bhutanese people would have witnessed 12 episodes by the end of the festival. It is a must for every Bhutanese to see and understand every dance as this gains you merit and brings you luck. It is also a time when people from all over leave all their farm work, dressed in their best attires and jewellery and rejoice together.
Most of the dances were introduced by the Shabdrung and Terton Pema Lingpa in the 16 hundreds, some of the mask and costumes are as old as old. The dances are done to perfection as the deities enter the performers body and then it is the deities themselves performing for the viewers. Most monasteries also have a festival, usually it is a combination of the Tsechu along with the mask dances that emerged in the locality. |
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Festival Itineraries specially designed for the year 2004 are listed below
Punakha Tsechu in Punakha
22 February to 29 February
22 Feb Sun: Arrive in Paro, drive to Thimphu (2 hrs). Overnight in Thimphu
23 Feb Mon: Thimphu sightseeing,visit Textile/Folk Heritage Museum. Thimphu
24 Feb Tue: After breakfast drive to Punakha (3 hrs). Visit Chhimi Lhakhang Punakha
25 Feb Wed: Witness Festival - Punakha
26 Feb Thu: Witness Festival - Punakha
27 Feb Fri: Return to Thimphu and sightseeing. Thimphu
28 Feb Sat: To Paro (2 hrs) and sightseeing. Overnight in Paro
29 Feb Sun: Depart from Bhutan on Druk Air flight from Paro
Gom Kora in Tashi Yangtse
Entry & Exit via Paro
20 March to 4 April
20 Mar Sat: Arrive at Paro, sightseeing, overnight in Paro
21 Mar Sun: Continue sightseeing. Afternoon to Thimphu and sightseeing.Thimphu.
22 Mar Mon: Archery ground.Continue sightseeing.
23 Mar Tue: To Trongsa (8 hrs). Overnight in Trongsa
24 Mar Wed: To Bumthang (3 hrs) and sightseeing. Overnight in Bumthang
25 Mar Thu: Bumthang sightseeing
26 Mar Fri: To Mongar (8 hrs) Overnight in Mongar
27 Mar Sat: To Trashigang (4hrs) Overnight in Trashigang.
28 Mar Sun: Trashigang sightseeing.
29 Mar Mon: To Gom Kora with packed lunch (30 minutes drive) and witness festival.Overnight in Trashigang or Rangung
30 Mar Tue: To Gom Kora with packed lunch and witness festival. Overnight in Trashigang or Rangung
31 Mar Wed: To Mongar Overnight in Mongar
1 Apr Thu: To Bumthang Overnight in Bumthang
2 Apr Fri: To Thimphu Overnight in Thimphu
3 Apr Sat: Thimphu sightseeing, drive to Paro in the afternoon Overnight in Paro
4 Apr Sun: Depart from Bhutan on Druk Air flight from Paro
Gom Kora in Tashi Yangtse - Tour B
20 March to 1 April
20 Mar Sat: Arrive at Paro, sightseeing, overnight in Paro
21 Mar Sun: Continue sightseeing. Afternoon to Thimphu and sightseeing. Overnight in Thimphu.
22 Mar Mon: Weekend market and archery ground. Continue sightseeing.
23 Mar Tue: To Trongsa (8 hrs). Overnight in Trongsa
24 Mar Wed: To Bumthang (3 hrs) and sightseeing. Overnight in Bumthang
25 Mar Thu: Bumthang sightseeing Overnight in Bumthang
26 Mar Fri: To Mongar (8 hrs) Mongar Overnight in Mongar
27 Mar Sat: Trashigang sightseeing. Overnight in Trashigang
28 Mar Sun: To Trashigang (4hrs) Overnight in Trashigang.
29 Mar Mon: To Gom Kora with packed lunch (30 minutes drive) and witness festival. Overnight in Trashigang or Rangung
30 Mar Tue: To Gom Kora with packed lunch and witness festival. Overnight in Trashigang or Rangung
31 Mar Wed: To Samdrup Jongkhar (7hrs) Border town with India.
1 Apr Thu: Exit Bhutan and it is a 2 hour drive to the Indian town of Gauwhati. You can catch a plane to Delhi/Calcutta or Bombay from here
Paro Tsechu in Paro
3 April to 8 April
3 Apr Sat: Arrive at Paro, sightseeing, overnight in Paro
4 Apr Sun: Witness festival, afternoon sightseeing. Overnight in Paro
5 Apr Mon: At dawn to Paro Dzong to witness Thongdrol. After breakfast to Thimphu and sightseeing. Overnight in Thimphu
6 Apr Tue: Thimphu sightseeing. Overnight in Thimphu
7 Apr Wed: To Punakha (3hrs) and sightseeing of Punakha & Wangdue Phodrang. Overnight in Punakha.
8 Apr Thu: Early morning to Paro and depart from Bhutan
Ura Yakchoe – Ura Village in Bumthang
26 April to 7 May
26 Apr Mon: Arrive at Paro, sightseeing, overnight in Paro
27 Apr Tue: Continue sightseeing. Afternoon to Thimphu and sightseeing. Overnight in Thimphu.
28 Apr Wed: Thimphu sightseeing. Overnight in Thimphu
29 Apr Thu: To Trongsa (8 hrs). Overnight in Trongsa
30 Apr Fri: To Bumthang (3 hrs) and sightseeing. Overnight in Bumthang
1 May Sat: Bumthang sightseeing Overnight in Bumthang
2 May Sun: To Ura (2hrs) and witness Ura Yakchoe. Overnight in Camp or Farm House
3 May Mon: Witness Ura Yakchoe. Overnight in Camp or Farm House
4 May Tue: Moring witness festival. Afternoon return to Bumthang. Overnight in Bumthang
5 May Wed: To Thimphu (8-9 hrs) Overnight in Thimphu
6 May Thu: Morning in Thimphu. drive to Paro for overnight
7 May Fri: Depart from Bhutan on Druk Air flight from Paro
Kurjey Tsechu & Nimalung Tsechu in Bumthang
21 June to 30 June
21 Jun Mon: Arrive at Paro, sightseeing, overnight in Paro
22 Jun Tue: Continue sightseeing. Afternoon to Thimphu and sightseeing. Overnight in Thimphu.
23 Jun Wed: Thimphu sightseeing. Overnight in Thimphu
24 Jun Thu: To Trongsa (8 hrs). Overnight in Trongsa
25 Jun Fri: To Bumthang (3 hrs) with pack lunch, enroute stop at Prakhar village and hike for 20-30 minutes to witness Nimalung Tsechu. Overnight in Bumthang
26 Jun Sat: Return to Prakhar ( 30 minute drive) and hike for 20-30 minutes to witness Nimalung Tsechu. Overnight in Bumthang
27 Jun Sun: Witness Kurjey Tsechu. Afternoon sightseeing. Overnight in Bumthang
28 Jun Mon: To Thimphu (8-9 hrs) Overnight in Thimphu
29 Jun Tue: Morning in Thimphu. drive to Paro for overnight
30 Jun Wed: Depart from Bhutan on Druk Air flight from Paro
Thimphu Tsechu in Thimphu & Wangdue Tsechu in Wangdue
18 September to 26 September
18 Sep Sat: Arrive at Paro, drive to Thimphu (2hrs), overnight in Thimphu
19 Sep Sun: Thimphu sightseeing, overnight in Thimphu
20 Sep Mon: To Wangdue Phodrang (3hrs). Overnight in Wangdue
21 Sep Tue: Witness Wangdue festival. Overnight in Wangdue
22 Sep Wed: Witness Wangdue festival. Afternoon to Thimphu. Overnight in Thimphu
23 Sep Thu: Witness Thimphu festival. Afternoon sightseeing. Overnight in Thimphu
24 Sep Fri: Witness festival. Afternoon to Weekend market and archery ground. Overnight in Thimphu
25 Sep Sat: To Paro (2hrs) and sightseeing. Overnight in Paro
26 Sep Sun: Depart from Bhutan on Druk Air flight from Paro
Wangdue Tsechu in Wangdue & Tamshing Phala Chodpa in Bumthang
18 September to 27 September
18 Sep Sat: Arrive at Paro, drive to Thimphu (2hrs) Overnight in Thimphu
19 Sep Sun: Thimphu sightseeing. Overnight in Thimphu
20 Sep Mon: To Wangdue Phodrang (3hrs). Overnight in Wangdue
21 Sep Tue: Witness Wangdue festival at Wangdue Dzong. Overnight in Wangdue
22 Sep Wed: Witness Wangdue festival. Afternoon to Bumthang (7hrs), Overnight in Bumthang
23 Sep Thu: Witness Tamshing Phala Chodpa at Tamshing Lhakhang. Overnight in Bumthang
24 Sep Fri: Witness Tamshing Phala Chodpa at Tamshing Lhakhang. Overnight in Bumthang
25 Sep Sat: To Thimphu (8-9 hrs) Overnight in Thimphu
26 Sep Sun: Morning in Thimphu. drive to Paro for overnight
27 Sep Mon: Depart from Bhutan on Druk Air flight from Paro
Thimphu Tsechu in Thimphu & Thangbi Mani in Bumthang
21 September to 1 October
21 Sep Tue: Arrive at Paro, overnight in Paro.
22 Sep Wed: Sightseeing of Paro. Drive to Thimphu (2hrs). Overnight in Thimphu
23 Sep Thu: Witness Thimphu Tsechu. Overnight in Thimphu
24 Sep Fri: Witness Thimphu Tsechu, visit the Weekend market and Archery Ground. Overnight in Thimphu
25 Sep Sat: To Bumthang (8-10 hrs). Overnight in Bumthang
26 Sep Sun: Bumthang sightseeing. Overnight in Bumthang
27 Sep Mon: It will be a 20 minute walk to Thangbi Lhakhang.Witness Festival Overnight in Bumthang
28 Sep Tue: Bumthang sightseeing or you can continue for the second day of the festival
29 Sep Wed: To Thimphu (8-9 hrs) Overnight in Thimphu
30 Sep Thu: To Paro & Sightseeing. Overnight in Paro
1 Oct Fri: Depart from Bhutan on Druk Air flight from Paro
Jambay Lhakhang Drup & Prakhar Tsechu at Prakhar Natsang in Bumthang
24 October to 4 November
24 Oct Sun: Arrive at Paro, sightseeing, overnight in Paro
25 Oct Mon: Continue sightseeing. Afternoon to Thimphu and sightseeing. Overnight in Thimphu.
26 Oct Tue: Thimphu sightseeing. Overnight in Thimphu
27 Oct Wed: To Trongsa (8 hrs). Overnight in Trongsa
28 Oct Thu: To Bumthang (3 hrs) with pack lunch, enroute stop at Prakhar village. It is 5 minutes to Prakhar and witness festival. Evening witness starting of Jambay Lhakhang Drup.
29 Oct Fri: To Prakhar and witness festival. Overnight in Bumthang
30 Oct Sat: Witness Jambay Lhakhang Drup. Afternoon sightseeing. Overnight in Bumthang
31 Oct Sun: Witness Jambay Lhakhang Drup. Afternoon sightseeing. Overnight in Bumthang
31 Oct Sun: To Punakha (7-8 hrs) Overnight in Punakha
1 Nov Mon: Punakha sightseeing. PM to Thimphu (3hrs). Overnight in Thimphu
2 Nov Tue: Morning in Thimphu. drive to Paro for overnight
3 Nov Wed: Depart from Bhutan on Druk Air flight from Paro
Mongar Tsechu & Trashigang Tsechu
11 November to 26 November
11 Nov Thu: Arrive at Paro, sightseeing, overnight in Paro
12 Nov Fri: Continue sightseeing. Afternoon to Thimphu and sightseeing. Overnight in Thimphu.
13 Nov Sat: Weekend market and archery ground. Continue sightseeing. Overnight in Thimphu
14 Nov Sun: To Trongsa (8 hrs). Overnight in Trongsa
15 Nov Mon: To Bumthang (3 hrs) and sightseeing. Overnight in Bumthang
16 Nov Tue: Bumthang sightseeing. Overnight in Bumthang
17 Nov Wed: To Mongar (8 hrs) Overnight in Mongar
18 Nov Thu: Witness Mongar Tsechu. Overnight in Mongar
19 Nov Fri: Witness Mongar Tsechu. Overnight in Mongar
20 Nov Sat: Early morning to Trashigang (4 hrs) and witness Tsechu. Overnight in Trashigang or Rangung
21 Nov Sun: Witness Tsechu. Overnight in Trashigang or Rangung
22 Nov Mon: To Mongar Overnight in Mongar
23 Nov Tue: To Bumthang Overnight in Bumthang
24 Nov Wed: To Thimphu. Overnight in Thimphu
25 Nov Thu: Thimphu sightseeing. Afternoon to Paro forovernight
26 Nov Fri: Depart from Bhutan on Druk Air flight from Paro
Ngalhakhang Shey at Ngalhakhang in Bumthang
21 November to 4 December
21 Nov Sun: Arrive at Paro, sightseeing, overnight in Paro
22 Nov Mon: Continue sightseeing. Afternoon to Thimphu and sightseeing. Overnight in Thimphu.
23 Nov Tue: Thimphu sightseeing. Overnight in Thimphu
24 Nov Wed: To Bumthang (8-10 hrs) Sightseeing. Overnight in Bumthang.
25 Nov Thu: Start of Bumthang Cultural Trek, camp at Ngang Lhakhang(2800m) Distance 12 kms and walking time 4-5 hours. Overnight in Bumthang
The trek route takes you along the Chamkhar river through pleasant meadows and pine forest and the walk has no steep climbs.
At the beginning of the trek you can visit the Thangkabi Goempa.
After lunch you reach the “Swan Land”, Ngalhakhang. Overnight camp.
26 Nov Fri: Witness first day of festival. Overnight in camp
27 Nov Sat: Witness second day of festival. Overnight in camp
28 Nov Sun: Continue Trek. Starting at Nga Lhakhang (2800m) and camp at Tahung(2790m) also know as Meadow Camp. Distance 16 kms and walking time 6-7 hours.
You can visit the Ngang Lhakhang Goempa at the start of your trek. From Ngang Lhakhang it is a gradual climb for about 1 hour, then it is steep climb till Phephela pass at 3360m. which is the highest point on this trek and then you descend to camp.
29 Nov Mon: End of Trek : Distance approx. 10 kms to Gamling walking time 2-3 hours and 16 kms to Mesithang walking time about 6 hours.
30 Nov Tue: Gamling / Mesithang - Bumthang If you camp at Gamling then you will have to walk for 1 hour before crossing the Tang Chu where your car will pick you up otherwise from Mesithang it is a 15 km dirt road drive to the junction of Bumthang – Mongar highway and then a 30 minute drive to Bumthang. You can also stop to visit Membar Tsho at this road junction.
1 Dec Wed: Bumthang to Punakha (7-8 hours) drive to Punakha. Overnight in Punakha
2 Dec Thu: Visit Punakha town and Dzong and do a 2 hour roundtrip hike to Chhimi Lhakhang (temple of the Devine madman) After lunch to Thimphu (3 hours). Overnight in Thimphu
3 Dec Fri: Thimphu to Paro.Lunch at Thimphu, visit Weekend Market, drive to Paro. Overnight in Paro.
4 Dec Sat: Depart from Bhutan on Druk Air flight from Paro
Trongsa Tsechu - Trongsa Dzong
17 December to 28 December
17 Dec Fri: Arrive at Paro, drive to Thimphu (2hrs)
18 Dec Sat: Weekend market and Thimphu sightseeing. Overnight in Thimphu
19 Dec Sun: Thimphu to Trongsa (8 hrs) Overnight in Trongsa
20 Dec Mon: Witness Trongsa Tsechu. Overnight in Trongsa.
21 Dec Tue: Witness Trongsa Tsechu. Overnight in Trongsa
22 Dec Wed: Morning witness Trongsa Tsechu. Afternoon to Bumthang (3hrs) Overnight in Bumthang
23 Dec Thu: Bumthang sightseeing. Overnight in Bumthang
24 Dec Fri: Bumthang sightseeing or Bumthang to Punakha (8 hrs) Overnight in Punakha
25 Dec Sat: Punakha sightseeing. To Thimphu. Overnight in Thimphu
26 Dec Sun: Thimphu sightseeing. Overnight in Thimphu
27 Dec Mon: To Paro and sightseeing. Overnight in Paro.
28 Dec Tue: Depart from Bhutan on Druk Air flight from Paro
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