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Yu Druk Tours & Treks
2006 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 2006 are listed below
Punakha Tsechu in Punakha
1 March to 8 March
1 Mar Wed: Arrive in Paro, drive to Thimphu (2 hrs). Overnight in Thimphu
2 Mar Thu: Thimphu sightseeing,visit Textile/Folk Heritage Museum. Thimphu
3 Mar Fri: After breakfast drive to Punakha (3 hrs). Visit Chhimi Lhakhang Punakha
4 Mar Sat: Witness Festival - Punakha
5 Mar Sun: Witness Festival - Punakha
6 Mar Mon: Return to Thimphu and sightseeing. Thimphu
7 Mar Tue: To Paro (2 hrs) and sightseeing. Overnight in Paro
8 Mar Wed: Depart from Bhutan on Druk Air flight from Paro
Gom Kora in Tashi Yangtse
Entry & Exit via Paro
28 March to 12 April
28 Mar Tue: Arrive at Paro, sightseeing, overnight in Paro
29 Mar Wed: Continue sightseeing. Afternoon to Thimphu and sightseeing.Thimphu.
30 Mar Thu: Archery ground.Continue sightseeing.
31 Mar Fri: To Trongsa (8 hrs). Overnight in Trongsa
1 Apr Sat: To Bumthang (3 hrs) and sightseeing. Overnight in Bumthang
2 Apr Sun: Bumthang sightseeing
3 Apr Mon: To Mongar (8 hrs) Overnight in Mongar
4 Apr Tue: To Trashigang (4hrs) Overnight in Trashigang.
5 Apr Wed: Trashigang sightseeing.
6 Apr Thu: To Gom Kora with packed lunch (30 minutes drive) and witness festival.Overnight in Trashigang or Rangung
7 Apr Fri: To Gom Kora with packed lunch and witness festival. Overnight in Trashigang or Rangung
8 Apr Sat: To Mongar Overnight in Mongar
9 Apr Sun: To Bumthang Overnight in Bumthang
10 Apr Mon: To Thimphu Overnight in Thimphu
11 Apr Tue: Thimphu sightseeing, drive to Paro in the afternoon Overnight in Paro
12 Apr Wed: Depart from Bhutan on Druk Air flight from Paro
Gom Kora in Tashi Yangtse - Tour B
28 March to 9 April
28 Mar Tue: Arrive at Paro, sightseeing, overnight in Paro
29 Mar Wed: Continue sightseeing. Afternoon to Thimphu and sightseeing. Overnight in Thimphu.
30 Mar Thu: Weekend market and archery ground. Continue sightseeing.
31 Mar Fri: To Trongsa (8 hrs). Overnight in Trongsa
1 Apr Sat: To Bumthang (3 hrs) and sightseeing. Overnight in Bumthang
2 Apr Sun: Bumthang sightseeing Overnight in Bumthang
3 Apr Mon: To Mongar (8 hrs) Mongar Overnight in Mongar
4 Apr Tue: Trashigang sightseeing. Overnight in Trashigang
5 Apr Wed: To Trashigang (4hrs) Overnight in Trashigang.
6 Apr Thu: To Gom Kora with packed lunch (30 minutes drive) and witness festival. Overnight in Trashigang or Rangung
7 Apr Fri: To Gom Kora with packed lunch and witness festival. Overnight in Trashigang or Rangung
8 Apr Sat: To Samdrup Jongkhar (7hrs) Border town with India.
9 Apr Sun: 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
11 April to 16 April
11 Apr Tue: Arrive at Paro, sightseeing, overnight in Paro
12 Apr Wed: Witness festival, afternoon sightseeing. Overnight in Paro
13 Apr Thu: At dawn to Paro Dzong to witness Thongdrol. After breakfast to Thimphu and sightseeing. Overnight in Thimphu
14 Apr Fri: Thimphu sightseeing. Overnight in Thimphu
15 Apr Sat: To Punakha (3hrs) and sightseeing of Punakha & Wangdue Phodrang. Overnight in Punakha.
16 Apr Sun: Early morning to Paro and depart from Bhutan
Ura Yakchoe – Ura Village in Bumthang
3 May to 14 May
3 May Wed: Arrive at Paro, sightseeing, overnight in Paro
4 May Thu: Continue sightseeing. Afternoon to Thimphu and sightseeing. Overnight in Thimphu.
5 May Fri: Thimphu sightseeing. Overnight in Thimphu
6 May Sat: To Trongsa (8 hrs). Overnight in Trongsa
7 May Sun: To Bumthang (3 hrs) and sightseeing. Overnight in Bumthang
8 May Mon: Bumthang sightseeing Overnight in Bumthang
9 May Tue: To Ura (2hrs) and witness Ura Yakchoe. Overnight in Camp or Farm House
10 May Wed: Witness Ura Yakchoe. Overnight in Camp or Farm House
11 May Thu: Moring witness festival. Afternoon return to Bumthang. Overnight in Bumthang
12 May Fri: To Thimphu (8-9 hrs) Overnight in Thimphu
13 May Sat: Morning in Thimphu. drive to Paro for overnight
14 May Sun: Depart from Bhutan on Druk Air flight from Paro
Kurjey Tsechu & Nimalung Tsechu in Bumthang
30 June to 9 July
30 Jun Fri: Arrive at Paro, sightseeing, overnight in Paro
1 Jul Sat: Continue sightseeing. Afternoon to Thimphu and sightseeing. Overnight in Thimphu.
2 Jul Sun: Thimphu sightseeing. Overnight in Thimphu
3 Jul Mon: To Trongsa (8 hrs). Overnight in Trongsa
4 Jul Tue: 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
5 Jul Wed: Return to Prakhar ( 30 minute drive) and hike for 20-30 minutes to witness Nimalung Tsechu. Overnight in Bumthang
6 Jul Thu: Witness Kurjey Tsechu. Afternoon sightseeing. Overnight in Bumthang
7 Jul Fri: To Thimphu (8-9 hrs) Overnight in Thimphu
8 Jul Sat: Morning in Thimphu. drive to Paro for overnight
9 Jul Sun: Depart from Bhutan on Druk Air flight from Paro
Thimphu Tsechu in Thimphu & Wangdue Tsechu in Wangdue
27 September to 5 October
27 Sep Wed: Arrive at Paro, drive to Thimphu (2hrs), overnight in Thimphu
28 Sep Thu: Thimphu sightseeing, overnight in Thimphu
29 Sep Fri: To Wangdue Phodrang (3hrs). Overnight in Wangdue
30 Sep Sat: Witness Wangdue festival. Overnight in Wangdue
1 Oct Sun: Witness Wangdue festival. Afternoon to Thimphu. Overnight in Thimphu
2 Oct Mon: Witness Thimphu festival. Afternoon sightseeing. Overnight in Thimphu
3 Oct Tue: Witness festival. Afternoon to Weekend market and archery ground. Overnight in Thimphu
4 Oct Wed: To Paro (2hrs) and sightseeing. Overnight in Paro
5 Oct Thu: Depart from Bhutan on Druk Air flight from Paro
Wangdue Tsechu in Wangdue & Tamshing Phala Chodpa in Bumthang
27 September to 6 October
27 Sep Wed: Arrive at Paro, drive to Thimphu (2hrs) Overnight in Thimphu
28 Sep Thu: Thimphu sightseeing. Overnight in Thimphu
29 Sep Fri: To Wangdue Phodrang (3hrs). Overnight in Wangdue
30 Sep Sat: Witness Wangdue festival at Wangdue Dzong. Overnight in Wangdue
1 Oct Sun: Witness Wangdue festival. Afternoon to Bumthang (7hrs), Overnight in Bumthang
2 Oct Mon: Witness Tamshing Phala Chodpa at Tamshing Lhakhang. Overnight in Bumthang
3 Oct Tue: Witness Tamshing Phala Chodpa at Tamshing Lhakhang. Overnight in Bumthang
4 Oct Wed: To Thimphu (8-9 hrs) Overnight in Thimphu
5 Oct Thu: Morning in Thimphu. drive to Paro for overnight
6 Oct Fri: Depart from Bhutan on Druk Air flight from Paro
Thimphu Tsechu in Thimphu & Thangbi Mani in Bumthang
30 September to 10 October
30 Sep Sat: Arrive at Paro, overnight in Paro.
1 Oct Sun: Sightseeing of Paro. Drive to Thimphu (2hrs). Overnight in Thimphu
2 Oct Mon: Witness Thimphu Tsechu. Overnight in Thimphu
3 Oct Tue: Witness Thimphu Tsechu, visit the Weekend market and Archery Ground. Overnight in Thimphu
4 Oct Wed: To Bumthang (8-10 hrs). Overnight in Bumthang
5 Oct Thu: Bumthang sightseeing. Overnight in Bumthang
6 Oct Fri: It will be a 20 minute walk to Thangbi Lhakhang.Witness Festival Overnight in Bumthang
7 Oct Sat: Bumthang sightseeing or you can continue for the second day of the festival
8 Oct Sun: To Thimphu (8-9 hrs) Overnight in Thimphu
9 Oct Mon: To Paro & Sightseeing. Overnight in Paro
10 Oct Tue: Depart from Bhutan on Druk Air flight from Paro
Jambay Lhakhang Drup & Prakhar Tsechu at Prakhar Natsang in Bumthang
1 November to 12 November
1 Nov Wed: Arrive at Paro, sightseeing, overnight in Paro
2 Nov Thu: Continue sightseeing. Afternoon to Thimphu and sightseeing. Overnight in Thimphu.
3 Nov Fri: Thimphu sightseeing. Overnight in Thimphu
4 Nov Sat: To Trongsa (8 hrs). Overnight in Trongsa
5 Nov Sun: 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.
6 Nov Mon: To Prakhar and witness festival. Overnight in Bumthang
7 Nov Tue: Witness Jambay Lhakhang Drup. Afternoon sightseeing. Overnight in Bumthang
8 Nov Wed: Witness Jambay Lhakhang Drup. Afternoon sightseeing. Overnight in Bumthang
9 Nov Thu: To Punakha (7-8 hrs) Overnight in Punakha
10 Nov Fri: Punakha sightseeing. PM to Thimphu (3hrs). Overnight in Thimphu
11 Nov Sat: Morning in Thimphu. drive to Paro for overnight
12 Nov Sun: Depart from Bhutan on Druk Air flight from Paro
Mongar Tsechu & Trashigang Tsechu
20 November to 5 December
20 Nov Mon: Arrive at Paro, sightseeing, overnight in Paro
21 Nov Tue: Continue sightseeing. Afternoon to Thimphu and sightseeing. Overnight in Thimphu.
22 Nov Wed: Weekend market and archery ground. Continue sightseeing. Overnight in Thimphu
23 Nov Thu: To Trongsa (8 hrs). Overnight in Trongsa
24 Nov Fri: To Bumthang (3 hrs) and sightseeing. Overnight in Bumthang
25 Nov Sat: Bumthang sightseeing. Overnight in Bumthang
26 Nov Sun: To Mongar (8 hrs) Overnight in Mongar
27 Nov Mon: Witness Mongar Tsechu. Overnight in Mongar
28 Nov Tue: Witness Mongar Tsechu. Overnight in Mongar
29 Nov Wed: Early morning to Trashigang (4 hrs) and witness Tsechu. Overnight in Trashigang or Rangung
30 Nov Thu: Witness Tsechu. Overnight in Trashigang or Rangung
1 Dec Fri: To Mongar Overnight in Mongar
2 Dec Sat: To Bumthang Overnight in Bumthang
3 Dec Sun: To Thimphu. Overnight in Thimphu
4 Dec Mon: Thimphu sightseeing. Afternoon to Paro forovernight
5 Dec Tue: Depart from Bhutan on Druk Air flight from Paro
Ngalhakhang Shey at Ngalhakhang in Bumthang
29 November to 12 December
29 Nov Wed: Arrive at Paro, sightseeing, overnight in Paro
30 Nov Thu: Continue sightseeing. Afternoon to Thimphu and sightseeing. Overnight in Thimphu.
1 Dec Fri: Thimphu sightseeing. Overnight in Thimphu
2 Dec Sat: To Bumthang (8-10 hrs) Sightseeing. Overnight in Bumthang.
3 Dec Sun: 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.
4 Dec Mon: Witness first day of festival. Overnight in camp
5 Dec Tue: Witness second day of festival. Overnight in camp
6 Dec Wed: 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.
7 Dec Thu: End of Trek : Distance approx. 10 kms to Gamling walking time 2-3 hours and 16 kms to Mesithang walking time about 6 hours.
8 Dec Fri: 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.
9 Dec Sat: Bumthang to Punakha (7-8 hours) drive to Punakha. Overnight in Punakha
10 Dec Sun: 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
11 Dec Mon: Thimphu to Paro.Lunch at Thimphu, visit Weekend Market, drive to Paro. Overnight in Paro.
12 Dec Tue: Depart from Bhutan on Druk Air flight from Paro
Trongsa Tsechu - Trongsa Dzong
25 December to 5 January
25 Dec Mon: Arrive at Paro, drive to Thimphu (2hrs)
26 Dec Tue: Weekend market and Thimphu sightseeing. Overnight in Thimphu
27 Dec Wed: Thimphu to Trongsa (8 hrs) Overnight in Trongsa
28 Dec Thu: Witness Trongsa Tsechu. Overnight in Trongsa.
29 Dec Fri: Witness Trongsa Tsechu. Overnight in Trongsa
30 Dec Sat: Morning witness Trongsa Tsechu. Afternoon to Bumthang (3hrs) Overnight in Bumthang
31 Dec Sun: Bumthang sightseeing. Overnight in Bumthang
1 Jan Mon: Bumthang sightseeing or Bumthang to Punakha (8 hrs) Overnight in Punakha
2 Jan Tue: Punakha sightseeing. To Thimphu. Overnight in Thimphu
3 Jan Wed: Thimphu sightseeing. Overnight in Thimphu
4 Jan Thu: To Paro and sightseeing. Overnight in Paro.
5 Jan Fri: Depart from Bhutan on Druk Air flight from Paro
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