GALING FESTIVAL TOUR

14 Nights - 15 Days Festival Tour

Day - 01 ARRIVAL AT PARO

You will be on board the Druk Air, Bhutan’s only national Airlines, and land at Paro Airport (the only Airport of the kingdom). On the air-journey to Paro, you can lavish the magnificent and breathtaking view of the towering Mount Everest and other famous Himalayan snow-capped peaks. And on your arrival at the aforementioned airport, (after customs and visa formalities), you will be accorded a very warm reception by a Representative of Bhutan Orchid Adventures . After refreshments, drive to Thimphu along a winding road for about 2 hrs to spend a night there.

Day – 02 Thimphu – Trongsa

After early breakfast drive to Bumthang via Wangdiphodrang and Trongsa. On the way, stop at Dochula Pass (Alt. 3050m. Distance 26 Kms.) for tea/coffee and to enjoy the most spectacular view of the Eastern Himalayan ranges, the road between Wangduephodrang and Trongsa is one of the most beautiful in Bhutan, crossing watercourses, forest and typical villages before proceeding over PELE LA pass (Alt.3400m) and descending into spectacular Trongsa valley. Picnic lunch at Chendebji. Check in at the hotel. Tibetans own most of the hotels in Trongsa, who had settled in Bhutan as refugees. The hotels are not luxurious but they are very clean and comfortable and the foods served are reasonably standard.

Day 03 – Trongsa - Mongar

After breakfast drive to Mongar via Bumthang over Yongtong La pass (3340m) Enroute observe the Yathra weaving center at Zungey. It takes around 7-8 hours of leisurely drive through the highest pass in Bhutan-Thrimshing La pass at 12500 ft. The road then drops to a low 2100 ft as it crosses the Kurichu to make its final destination towards Mongar at 5’600 ft. Overnight at the Tourist Guesthouse.

Day – 04 Mongar – Galing

After breakfast, visit Mongar Dzong (built in 1953), which houses the local monastic community and the District Administration offices. Continue drive to Trashigang, the eastern most region of Bhutan passing over the Korila pass at 8’000 ft. Drive across the village of Ngatshang, a small kingdom of eastern Bhutan before the Drukpa conquest in the 17th century. As you near Trashigang at 3775 ft you can view the Trashigang Dzong, the administrative centre of the valley. Lunch at tourist lodge. After lunch drive to Galing, which lies 13km north from Trashigang to watch festival the typical nomadic dances and their culture.

 

Day –05 Galing Festival

Visitors can visit a prototype village of a semi nomadic tribe in the far
Northeastern region of Known as Merak-Sakten. They are known as the
“Brokpas” which means “Yak Herders” in Sherchhop dialect (Eastern
Bhutanese language). Although Merak and Sakten are not opened to
Tourists, we can organize a complete exhibition of the Brokpa arts and
Crafts for our visitors. You can also see Brokpa folk dances including
the famous Yak Dance and Achi Lhamo dance that narrates
the story of how the Brokpas

First came down from Tibet led by A lady by the name of Jomo,
Who is now Revered as one of the most powerful Deities in the Region.
The Brokpas speak a pegion-Tibetan-like dialect that is totally
different from the main Bhutanese Language.
This is one of the few nomadic tribes which has not been touched by
Modernization. For those interested in cultural anthropological studies,
the Brokpas represent an Ideal tribe .

Today on the first day of festival program includes mask dances, folk dances and Achi Lamo dance by Brokpa (Achi Lamo dance is staged for the first time during such festival and is special for our tourist)

Day – 06 Galing Festival

On the second day of festival program includes mask dances, folk dances and YAK dance by Brokpa (YAK dance is staged for the first time during such festival and is special for our tourist)

Day –07 Trashiyangtse Excursions

(Fig1:Pleione praecox seen in : Chukham Thimphu, Gasa, Punakha, Wangdue, Trongsa, Zhemgang, Mongar, Sarpang, Trashiyantse, and Trashigang , Altitude : 1200 - 3400 m, Season : Sep-Dec)

After breakfast drive to Trashi Yangtse (Alt. 1850m) lies on the North-West of Trashigang. The Trashi Yangtse Dzong was established just after the Drukpa conquest in around 1656 A.D. but was completely renovated in 1976. In former times Trashi Yangtse was very important because it lay on one of the caravan routes leading from West and Central Bhutan. It is a beautiful place andthe people there are mainly nomads/yak herders and speak a different dialect.

In Trashi Yangtse, you can visit the popular Chorten Kora (a huge Stupa) constructed in Nepali (Sherpa) style. It is said that Guru Rimpoche known as the second Buddha in Bhutan had overcome the demons in the Bumdeling valley (where Chorten Kora forms the southern tip). He predicted that a great Chorten and a Temple would be built at this spot. Local tradition has it that, a Bhutanese brought a model of this Chorten from Nepal carved on a radish. Visit the traditional woodcraft workshop where typical Bhutanese bowls and other wooden items are made. (These products are very popular in Bhutan). Night at Trashigang

Day –08 Trashigang – Bumthang

After early breakfast drive to Bumthang via Mongar.

Day –09 Bumthang sightseeing

After breakfast explore the valley which is different from other valleys in Bhutan. It is a spacious and open valley ranging in altitude from 8’500 ft to over 13’000 ft. It is a haven for trekkers and hikers. Today’s sightseeing includes the Jamphel Lhakhang, Kurgey Lakhang, and Tamshing Lhakhang. After lunch, visit Jakar Dzong and Membartsho flaming Lake. Overnight at hotel.

Day –10 Bumthang – Punakha

After breakfast drive to Punakha with picnic lunch on the way.

Day –11 Punakha – Thimphu

After breakfast visit Punakha Dzong. The Punakha Dzong lies between two rivers known as Phochu and Mochu, Symbolizing the masculine and the feminine co-existence their currents are of different colours and they unite at this spot. After lunch drive to Thimphu.

Day – 12 Thimphu Sightseeing

Visit weekend market if it falls on weekend. Visit the National Library where many rare and ancient manuscripts are preserved, and visit the School of Arts & Crafts. Visit the Memorial Chorten (a huge Stupa) built in memory of King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, (1952-1972). Visit Changangkha Lhakhang and Sangaygang for a bird’s eye view of the city. Enroute visit Zilukha

nunnery. After lunch, call on Handicrafts Emporium where Traditional Bhutanese textiles and other Arts and Crafts are displayed. You can also purchase the items of your choice.

In the evening visit Tashichho Dzong, which is the central administration Head quarter. This massive structure houses part of the Government Ministries, the office of the King, the Throne Room, and the office and the living quarters of the Monk Body and its Chief Abbot.

Day –13 Thimphu – Paro sightseeing

After breakfast drive to Paro. In Paro visit ruined Drukgyel Dzong, a victory fortress of the 17th century. Although in ruins, this Dzong is of great historical importance. It was here that the Bhutanese finally defeated the invading Tibetans and drove them back. In the afternoon, you will visit the National Museum and Rinpung Dzong (built in 1645 A.D)

Day – 14 EXCURSION TO TAKTSHANG

You will have an early breakfast and drive to Santsham Chorten 10 km upstream from Paro town. Driving further for sometime you will reach the foot of the Taktshang cliff from where you will have to climb uphill about 2 hours to appear you before Taktshang monastery perched giddily on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of 800m alongside a waterfall cascading as if from the blue.

Taktshang means ‘Tiger’s Nest’. Guru Padmasambhava, known as the Second Buddha, alighted from the flying tigress and meditated at the shrine in the second half of the 8 th century. As a result, it is the dream destination for Buddhist pilgrims from the world over. You will have a ‘picnic lunch’ in the Taktshang Cafeteria on your return from the monastery. Theround trip takes about 4 hrs. If desired, pony ridings can be arranged.

Day – 15 Departures

Representative of Bhutan Orchid Adventures will bid you farewell.

TASHI DELEK.

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