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12 Days November 2009 with Penny Richards Meanwhile, if you wish to go to Bhutan during other months we can organise a private touring programme for you. Penny has a deep interest in Bhutan. She has visited the Kingdom a number of times and lived in the country in 2003 ,working as a volunteer for WWF. She and her partner John led a successful tour to Bhutan in October 2005. She knows the country and the people well and believes that Bhutan is following the right path and is leading the world in the thoughtfulness of its development. Bhutan and its people are very special and welcoming. Penny looks forward to welcoming you to this very special place! This is the country that declared its direction was, Gross National Happiness, rather than Gross National Product! If you wish to go earlier to Bangkok and make this a stopover that can be done, likewise on the return journey. We are making some logistics changes to the itinerary. The duration will not change, but some content will vary. This is designed to reduce internal travelling times. DAY 1: 06 November 2009 Bangkok We depart Australia on our flight to Bangkok. We arrive late in the evening and then check in at our airport hotel. DAY 2: 07 November 2009 Paro We check in early this morning on our Druk Air flight to Paro, Bhutan. Travelling on the Bhutanese national airline we get our first experience of Bhutanese culture. We will get a spectacular view of the Himalayan Mountains if the weather is clear before landing at Paro Airport. Located at 2500m the Paro valley is famous for its fruit and red rice production. After clearing immigration and customs we are met by our coach. We walk the short distance to the dzong for an introduction to Bhutan before we have lunch with a fantastic view of the valley and spectacular dzong. This afternoon we are transferred to the capital city Thimphu. We have time to rest in our rooms before we enjoy our welcome banquet this evening. LD DAY 3: 08 November 2009 Thimphu This morning we will have an overview tour of Thimphu the capital city of Bhutan. It is a growing town of around 98,000 inhabitants and the centre of most government activity. We will visit the Folk Heritage Museum that is housed in a traditional three storied Bhutanese House. The Takin is the national animal of Bhutan, unique to the country and is considered to have unique medical properties. We will see these unique animals at the Takin Research Centre. For those who are interested there will be a short walk in the afternoon into the hills overlooking Thimphu to a monastery. BLD DAY 4: 09 November 2009 Thimphu to Chuzomsa This morning we travel to the town of Wangduephodrang (Wangdi) via the 3050m Dochula Pass from where, if clear we have a spectacular view of the Himalaya. We take a short hike to visit Chimi Lhakhang (the Divine Madman’s Temple) where we can be blessed with a wooden phallus! We will also visit the Wangdi Dzong – a working Monastery and the administrative centre for the district. In the late afternoon we travel to Chhuzomsa and our hotel. BLD DAY 5: 10 November 2009 Punakla Today we have a relaxing day in the Punakha Valley. We visit the dramatic Punakha Dzong for many years the seat of the government. Built in 1637 it is the winter residence of the Dratsheng (Central Monk Body) to the present day. The utse or central tower is six storeys high and capped by a gold topped dome. The hundred-pillar congregation hall contains exceptional examples of Bhutanese painting and many statues of deities. In the late afternoon we travel to Chhuzomsa and our hotel l. BLD DAY 6: 11 November 2009 Phobjikha Valley Today we travel to the beautiful Phobjikha Valley. An unusual U shaped valley it is one of the most Scenic places in the country. It is also home from late October onwards to the rare Black- necked Cranes. They annually come to the valley during the winter months and their arrival and departure are celebrated with various ceremonies. We will visit the Royal society for the Protection of Nature (RSPN) Black- necked Crane Centre where we can learn more about these fascinating birds and view them feeding in the wetlands. A fantastic place to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of Bhutan! Overnight at Hotel. BLD DAY 7: 12 November 2009 Phobjikha Valley Today is the day of the annual Black necked Crane Festival where the local people gather to celebrate the return of the ‘Thrung Thrung Karm’ (the Black-necked Cranes). The Festival, which was started by RSPN, is organised annually by the local community to celebrate the Cranes’ arrival and to raise awareness of the importance of the birds’ conservation. The festival consists of a variety of cultural performances including traditional masked and folk dances and the local school children perform their own special crane dance. A highlight of the tour! Travel to Wangdi. Overnight Hotel BLD DAY 8: 13 November 2009 Bumthang Wangdi -Thimphu Today we travel back to Thimphu. On arrival we can visit the other sights in Thimphu such as:
and have time to shop for those extra souvenirs! If time permits, in the afternoon we can or travel up the valley and take a short hike to visit Cherri or Tango Goempa (Tango Goempa (2.5 km return, 250 m up, 1½-2 hrs, or Cherri goempa (2.7 km return; 330 m up; 1½-2 hrs;) Overnight at Hotel. BLD DAY 9: 14 November 2009 Thimphu-Paro Today we visit the National Museum, which is full of Bhutanese cultural and religious treasures. We then visit the Paro Dzong; one of Bhutan's most impressive. Scenes from the 1995 film "Little Buddha" were filmed here. Time to wander and explore Paro and surrounds. Overnight Kichhu Resort -Paro - BLD DAY 10: 15 November 2009 Hike to Takstang -Paro Today we will hike up to to see the spectacular Taktsang Monastery (3140m) known as the ‘Tigers Nest’ which clings to a sheer 900m rock face above the valley floor; (6.00km return, 540m up, 4hrs approx.with rest stop at tea house @2940m). In the afternoon we will visit the historic ruin of the Drukyel Dzong built in 1649 and destroyed by fire in 1951. Overnight & Farewell Dinner at Kichhu Resort BLD DAY 11: 16 November 2009 Departure Today we are transferred to the airport for our flight back to Bangkok and to your onward destinations. B DAY 12: 17 November 2009 Australia Arrival back in to your home destination..
Air tax estimate AU$450 Land only price for those joining from other countries available upon request. Included: Return airfare from Australia. Accommodation. Meals as shown. All transport, guiding, entrance fees and permission fees related to the touring. Land only price available for those joining from other countries. Not Included: Air taxes and fuel surcharges. Drinks and souviners. TESTIMONIALS FROM Previous tours; NOVEMBER 2008 BHUTAN TOUR Hi Penny, Brendan & Yvona
“The tour of Bhutan lead by Penny and John was scenically spectacular, thought provoking and culturally rewarding. It would be rare to traverse a country with such a rapid and sympathetic uptake of its culture and philosophy. Penny and John facilitated the challenge and comfort of the tour through their leadership, knowledge and sensitivity.” David and Jean Nicholls. “We had read about the fairytale Kingdom of Bhutan but no amount of reading could really prepare us for such a wonderful experience. The scenery is magnificent with high mountains and deep valleys, terraced rice paddies and traditionally constructed and beautifully painted houses, monasteries (dzongs) at river confluences and on rocky mountainsides. Each day held a new experience for us – including seeing the endangered black-necked cranes and visiting the much-photographed Tiger Nest Monastery. The Bhutanese people, who still wear their traditional dress, could not have been more friendly and welcoming. Our Bhutanese guides and drivers looked after us so well and were great fun to be with. From them we learnt much about their culture and Buddhist religion. We were impressed by the high standard of accommodation and the meals were excellent throughout our stay. Penny and John were great guides and displayed their knowledge and love of Bhutan and the Bhutanese people. It really was a privilege to be with them in our visit to this unique country which honours its traditional way of life whilst embracing positive aspects of the modern world.” Gayle and Pat Corr.
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