SEPTEMBER IN THE KINGDOM OF BHUTAN
September in Bhutan is glorious and we will introduce you to our favorite places and people in the Kingdom. We begin our journey in Paro, nestled in a beautiful valley with ancient temples and monasteries and its pleasant small town vibe. Next visit Thimphu, Bhutan's small capital, full of sights both modern and ancient, and here you will meet many of our Bhutanese friends who will join our excursions as we explore Thimphu. We have positioned this journey so as to be in Thimphu when the yearly Tsechu (festival) occurs. This is one of the most exciting, sacred and colorful events of the year. Our next stop is Punakha with its beautiful monasteries and forested hills that make for great hiking and offer many spectacular sights. Onward to the high altitude Phobjikha Valley, unique as it is a broad glacial scoured landscape, with expansive views, great walks and quaint villages. Next we travel to Trongsa with its mountainside location, immense fortified monastery and lovely village like setting that will dazzle you with its exceptional Bhutanese splendor. Champaca Journeys finds this time of year in Bhutan the most beautiful. On this 14-night journey we provide an intimate look at the country and plenty of opportunity to connect with its people. You will meet our many local friends as you travel across this lovely country. Prepare for a journey that both stimulates and relaxes as we explore this remarkable land. This journey will be co-lead by Champaca Journeys' founder John Leupold and Bhutan's trailblazing fashion and culture blogger, Karma Wangchuk of Bhutan Street Fashion.
DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1: SUNDAY, Sept 1
Arrival in Bhutan
Arrive Paro and check into hotel, and then we go into Paro town to explore this small but important and interesting town. Enjoy your first Bhutanese meal in one of our favorite restaurants. Afternoon drive to the end of Paro Valley to visit the ancient Drukyel Dzong (fortified monastery). Welcome dinner at hotel.
Overnight at Olathang Hotel.
(Lunch,Dinner)
DAY 2: MONDAY, Sept 2
Explore Paro, onward to Thimphu
Morning visit to Paro Dzong, a fortified monastery, constructed nearly 4 centuries ago and still in use today, followed by visit to nearby museum. Ninety-minute afternoon drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. Our Bhutanese friends will join us for dinner..
Overnight at The Willows Hotel.
(B,L,D)
DAY 3: TUESDAY, Sept 3
Get acquainted with Thimphu, capital of Bhutan
Full day to explore Thimphu. We’ll visit the famed National Textile Museum and the Folk Heritage Museum. Both of these venues provide a good introduction to Bhutan and its history. Afternoon free to explore Thimphu on your own or with guides. Dinner again with our Bhutanese friends.
Overnight at The Willows Hotel.
(B,L,D)
DAY 4: THURSDAY, Sept 4
Hike to monastery and meet with monks
Morning 2-hour hike to Wangditse Monastery. Built in 1715 and impressively perched above the Thimphu valley, surrounded by pine and rhododendron forest. Few foreigners visit this sacred site, with its impressive Buddha statues. Return to Thimphu for lunch, then we drive 3 hours to Punakha, the drive takes us over the scenic pass of Dochu-La, at 10,300 feet.
Overnight at Four Boutique Hotel.
(B,L,D)
DAY 5: FRIDAY, Sept 5
Explore sub-tropical Punakha
The morning will be spent exploring the lovely Punakha Dzong
(fortified monastery), architecturally and aesthetically one of the most beautiful of Bhutan's dzongs. Lunch at one of our favorite restaurants, and then meet with one of Bhutan's renown weavers, as she explains what makes Bhutan's textiles so renown. Late afternoon we visit the pedestrian suspension bridge, for a thrilling walk over the river.
Overnight at Four Boutique Hotel.
(B,L,D)
DAY 6: SATURDAY, Sept 6
Hike in the Beautiful Punakha Hills
We drive high into the hills above Punakha to visit Nalanda Monastery. Both remote and beautiful, and seldom visited by tourists, both the drive to the mountain top location and the monastery visit are spectacular. After exploring the monastery, we begin our downhill hike, though forest and field and tiny villages. Our vehicle awaits us to take us back into town for lunch and then back to our hotel.
Overnight at Four Boutique Hotel.
(B,L,D)
DAY 7: SUNDAY, Sept 7
Punakha to Trongsa
We depart after breakfast for the 4-hour drive across the dramatic Black Mountains, to reach Trongsa late in the day. The drive is spectacular and the destination equally so, Trongsa with its immense dzong and isolated mountain location never fails to impress visitors. Our guide is from Trongsa and will provide introductions to family and friends that will make your visit all the more memorable.
Overnight at Yangkhil Resort.
DAY 8: MONDAY, Sept 8
Explore Trongsa
We will begin our day with a visit to the Trongsa Dzong, the most massive and impressive of all of Bhutan's fortified monasteries. Later in the day we will drive 20 kilometers to the south where we encounter the Winter Palace of the Third King. Little visited, you will find yourselves transported to the days of yore in Bhutan. Our guide will arrange picnic with family and friends in a beautiful location.
Overnight at Yangkhil Resort.
(B,L,D)
DAY 9: TUESDAY, Sept 9
Trongsa to Phobjikha
This morning we say farewell to Trongsa and drive to the Phobjikha Valley, a broad glacial valley, unique in Bhutan, and celebrated for its beauty. The valley is great place to hike and observe scenery not seen elsewhere in Bhutan. After checking into hotel we begin our exploration of the valley. The late is afternoon free to wander near the hotel.
Overnight at ABC Eco-Lodge.
(B,L,D)
DAY 10: WEDNESDAY, Sept 10
Phobjikha
This morning we drive to the main village in the valley to visit the Gangtey
Monastery. Under renovation for the past several years, we may see craftsmen at work as we explore this ancient temple. A gentle 3-hour hike takes us from the village of Gangtey through forest and field to the valley floor. Late afternoon free to explore on your own.
Overnight at ABC Eco-Lodge.
(B,L,D)
DAY 11: THURSDAY, Sept 11
Phobjikha to Thimphu
Today's drive takes us back over the high altitude Dochu La Pass as we return to Thimphu. Thimphu will be full of excitement in preparation for the festival tomorrow and we can enjoy the vibe as we continue to explore on your own or with guides.
Overnight at The Willows Hotel.
(B,L,D)
DAY 12: FRIDAY, Sept 12
Thimphu
Today we visit the Thimphu Tsechu, this religious festival is a centuries old celebration, and showcases ancient dances performed by monks in the most extraordinary costumes. The pageantry of the event is dazzling, and we'll have plenty of time to observe as our guides explain what we witness. Other activities today depend on how much time we stay at festival.
Overnight at The Willows Hotel.
(B,L,D)
DAY 13: SATURDAY, Sept 13
Thimphu to Paro
Free morning in Thimphu to relax or revisit Tsechu with guides. After lunch we drive to Paro and explore downtown Paro before checking into hotel.
Overnight at Olathang Hotel.
(B,L,D)
DAY 14: SUNDAY, Sept 14
Tiger's Nest Monastery
After breakfast we drive 15 minutes to the base of the mountain where Taksang is located. Also known as Tiger’s Nest Monastery, and probably the most iconic building in all Bhutan, it is perched on a cliff 2,700’ above the valley floor. Bhutanese say that the Guru Rimpoche arrived here in the back of a flying tiger in 746 CE, and meditated in a mountain cave for 3 months. The site has since been sacred and a monastery has been constructed to commemorate his visit. Taksang is a pilgrimage site for all Bhutanese who gain merit by making the ascent. You too can gain merit while by making the 3-hour ascent and visiting the monastery seemingly glued to the barest concavity of the cliff face. After descending we’ll have lunch in Paro. Farewell dinner this evening.
Overnight at Olathang Hotel.
(B,L,D)
DAY 15: MONDAY, Sept 15
Departure
Free time to relax this morning before we leave for airport and onward flights.
(B)
PRICES & REGISTRATION INFORMATION
(Inclusive of food, non-alcoholic beverages, accommodations, ground transportation, entrance fees, services of licensed Bhutanese guide and driver, services of USA based trip leader, Bhutanese visa and airport taxes.)
$6700. (Based on double occupancy)
$7200. (Based on single occupancy)
NOTE: International airfare, gratuities, alcoholic beverages with meals, laundry, souvenirs, items of a personal nature and travel insurance are NOT included.
GENERAL INFORMATION
INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE
Bhutan is accessed most easily from Bangkok, Thailand from where there are daily flights. Flights always depart in the early morning and participants should give themselves at least 24-hour layover in Bangkok in the event flight to Bangkok is delayed. Fares are subject to change without notice.
BANGKOK-PARO, BHUTAN-BANGKOK, $900. ROUND TRIP, economy class
BANGKOK-PARO, BHUTAN-BANGKOK, $1275. ROUND TRIP, business class
Flights are with DRUKAIR, ROYAL BHUTAN AIRLINES, operating Airbus 319 jets.