Bumthang Tangbi – 11 Days

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Description

Trip Information

Join the Tangbi Mani Festival Tour at Bumthang, one of the grandest festivals in Bhutan. The Bumthang Tangbi Festivals are religious festivals where masks of glorious demonic demons and animals arouse your senses as you watch the purification take place. The intensity goes on. Your spirit will fly, your camera will snap away, and you will again be transported. We will join the local people for picnic lunch and games. Watch for the Atsara (clown) this dancer, unique in his own style, mimics dancers and entertains onlookers. Festival deities are invoked through benediction and luck is increased and misfortune gone. During the Bumthang Fesitval Tour you can witness various religious masked dances performed in the courtyards of the Dzongs of the area.

Outline Itinerary

1 September 20 - Arrival at Paro (by Druk Air) and transfer to Thimphu

You can take flight to Paro from Bangkok, New Delhi, Kathmandu, Dhaka etc. We recommend you to fly from Bangkok because Druk air offer everyday flight from Bangkok – Paro – Bangkok whereas Druk air do not operate everyday flights from other sectors.

The flight into Paro on Bhutan’s national carrier, Druk Air, is a befitting introduction to the spectacular beauty of the country. In clear weather, magnificent views of the world’s highest peaks give way to the lush green Paro valley as you land. The first gift from Bhutan will be the cool, clean fresh air as you step out of the plane. After clearing customs and visa control you will drive you to Thimphu, the modern capital of Bhutan. The drive will take around 1 hour. Thimphu has a population of about 98,000. The town is made up of just three lines of shops and is the only capital in the world without traffic lights. Overnight at a hotel.
(Lunch and Dinner Included)

2 September 21 - Thimpu Sightseeing

In the morning we first stop at Bhutan’s National Bank to exchange currency as well as visit the post office to view and purchase elaborate and exquisite Bhutanese collector item stamps. We then will visit the National Memorial Chorten which was built in 1974 in memory of the third king. Also, the National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved and the Takin Reserve which protects the national animal of Bhutan. After lunch visit the Textile Museum and the Arts and Crafts School. A visit to the House of Incense and House of Paper are always favorites as well. Overnight at a hotel.
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included)

3 September 22 - Thimphu to Punakha

After breakfast depart to Punakha, an ancient capital of Bhutan. Leaving Thimphu the road climbs steeply through a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochula pass (3,050 m). This pass often offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges. After stopping for tea and the view, we descend along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha and drive to your hotel for lunch and check in. After lunch visit Punakha Dzong, winter seat of the Je Khenpo and the Monk Body, remarkably located between the rivers of the Mo (Female) Chu and Pho (Male) Chu. If time permits take a hike to Khamsum Yueley Chorten (45 minutes one way) through the terraced rice fields and overlooking the village to kabina. Dinner and overnight at a hotel.
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included)

4 September 23 - Punakha to Bumthang

Today we start early for the fabulous drive to the central valleys of Bhutan. The drive to Bumthang via Trongsa is approximately 7 hours crossing over Pele La pass (3,300m) and Yotongla pass (3,400m). “The Central Road”, across the Black Mountains, was completed 30 years ago, and it brought about great changes to the people in central Bhutan. We pass Wangdue, one of the major towns and district headquarters of Western Bhutan. We climb steadily passing through semi-tropical vegetation and then to Pelela Pass (3,300m) with an alpine environment of rhododendrons and dwarf bamboo. This pass is traditionally considered the boundary between West and East Bhutan. If the weather is clear the Himalayan ranges can be seen, particularly the peak of Chomulhari (7,314m),to the west. En route we cross Chendebji Chorten built many centuries ago to suppress a demon. In Trongsa we visit the impressive Trongsa Dzong, ancestral home of the ruling dynasty. In olden days the dzong commanded the passage between East and West Bhutan. We then drive to Bumthang valley (described as “one of the most beautiful spot in the Himalayas” across the Yotongla pass (3,400m). Overnight at a hotel.
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included)

5 September 24 - Bumthang full day witness Tangbi Mani Festival

Today we drive and hike to attend a very unique village festival: Tangbi Mani Festival. Masks of glorious demonic demons and animals arouse your senses as you watch the purification take place. The intensity goes on. Your spirit will fly, your camera will snap away, and you will again be transported. We will join the local people for picnic lunch and games. Watch for the Atsara (clown) this dancer, unique in his own style, mimics dancers and entertains onlookers. Festival deities are invoked through benediction and luck is increased and misfortune gone. We our captivated by clapping cymbal, drum, horn and the unforgettable chanting of Buddhist monk are who perform religious dance of purification. Overnight at a hotel.
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included)

6 September 25 - Bumthang excursion and sightseeing


After breakfast we hike to visit Tamshing Monastery (one of the oldest monastic schools built by Terton Pema Lingpa) and Kurjey Lhakhang (where the Guru Rinpoche subdued a local demon and left his body imprint on a rock). We also visit Jambay Lhakhang (one of the oldest temples in Bhutan built in 7th century) and Jakar Dzong (seat of the district administration) In the afternoon drive towards east of Bumthang valley to visit Membar Tsho (burning lake) where Pema Lingpa found some Dharma and then visit Swiss Cheese farm where you can taste the cheese along with some cider juices and wines produced locally. Overnight at hotel.
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included)

7 September 26 - Bumthang – Trongsa - Wangdue

After an early breakfast drive to Wangdue via Trongsa. The drive to Wangdue over the Pelela pass. Overnight at a hotel.
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included)

 

8 September 27 - Wangdue to Gangtey

Morning drive to Gangtey enroute visit Wangdue Dzong and continue your drives to Gangtey which lies towards the east of Punakha and Wangdue on the flanks of the Black Mountains. There is an old monastery of Gangtey Gompa dating back to the 17th century. A few kilometers past the Gompa on the valley floor are the fascinating valley of Phobjikha. The gentle sloping hill side of Phobjikha is described as “the most beautiful valley in the Himalayas”. This is the winter home of black-necked cranes that migrate from the arid plains of Tibetan Plateau in the north to pass winter in milder and lower climate. Afternoon walk through the valley and observe the rare “Black Necked Crane” and its habitats. One can get good information about this bird from its observation center in the valley, it is worth a visit. Overnight at a hotel.
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included)

 

Trip Facts

Price Includes

  • Pick up from and drop off at the hotel and the airport on a tourist car / van /minibus.
  • Standard government-approved accommodation (in twin sharing rooms) for the duration of the tour.
  • Full-board meals - breakfast, lunch, dinner and tea & snacks - for the duration of your stay.
  • Drinking water for the duration of the tour.
  • Country presentation and tour Briefing on the evening of Day 01 with welcome drinks.
  • Licensed English-speaking Bhutanese tour guides.
  • Private transportation and a designated driver within Bhutan. Toyota 4WD luggage vans and light trucks for group travel. Luggage will be hauled by horses, mules or yaks at higher elevations, if required.
  • Monument and museums entrance fees at all sightseeing locations detailed in the itinerary.
  • Cultural afternoon/evening sessions with traditional mask and folk dances (with beverages). Only for group tours.
  • Bhutan visa fees and processing assistance.
  • Government royalty (35% of $200), which goes to the country's health and education projects.
  • All route access and monument entry permits and fees.
  • All government taxes, official expenses and tourist service charges.

Price Does not Include

  • International airfare and airport departure tax. (Please see the Druk Air flight info below)
  • Your travel insurance (mandatory for the trip, see the travel insurance page).
  • Expenses of personal nature, such as laundry.
  • Alcoholic and cold drinks.
  • Personal clothing and equipment.(See the equipment tab for detail information)
  • Tips for tour guides, porters, driver, hotel lobby and in restaurants. (Tipping is expected)
  • Other expenses not mentioned in the Price Includes section.

Please note: Druk air flight cost are not included in the trip price. Druk air flights cost are different as per the flights sectors that you are taking. Druk air offer flights from following location. We recommend you to book your flight to Bangkok as they have every day flight to Paro and from Paro as well.

Please let us know which route is more convenient to you, the cost of the flights are as below. Please contact us for the up-to-date Druk air flight rate.
Bangkok – Paro – Bangkok = US$890
New Delhi – Paro- New Delhi = US$875
Calcutta – Paro- Calcutta = US$510
Kathmandu – Paro- Kathmandu = US$520
Bangkok – Paro – Kathmandu = US$ 860
Bangkok – Paro – New Delhi = US$ 875

GO ON 11 DAY TRIP FOR

USD 3,700 per person

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Trip Notes

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