Thunder Dragon
Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan
October 10 – 28, 2010

THE HIDDEN KINGDOM

In Bhutan, the winds come howling down off the Himalayas, leading the Bhutanese to believe that a mythical god known as the Thunder Dragon watches over and protects them. The Bhutanese name for their country is “Druk Yul,” meaning “Land of the Thunder Dragon.” Their mythical god must indeed be protecting them, for Bhutan is one of the few countries in the world that has never been occupied or ruled by another foreign power.
     Existing archives trace Bhutanese history back to AD450, although many of the intervening events remain a mystery. Guru Rinpoche is believed to have brought Mahayana Buddhism to Bhutan and then Tibet in the eighth century. Bhutan as it exists today first became a coherent political entity in the 17th century. This land-locked country sits at the base of the Himalayan Mountain range nestled between India’s northeastern corner and China’s Tibet region.
     This is a remote place of remarkable natural beauty with a pristine and intact environment and a friendly, tradition-bound people. For the discerning international traveler who has been everywhere, Bhutan may just be the final frontier. This tiny kingdom, barely the size of Switzerland, zealously sequestered itself from the rest of the world for centuries. They only opened their doors to limited tourism a mere three decades ago.
     The Kingdom of Bhutan has adopted a very cautious approach to tourism in an effort to avoid its potentially negative impact on the country’s culture and environment. All tourists must travel on a pre-planned, pre-paid, guided package tour. Independent travel is not permitted. The package rate is fixed and controlled by the Government and is followed by all in the industry. In spite of the high price, there are still plenty of travelers eager to explore the breathtaking terrain and experience the delightful inhabitants of this astonishing country—the world’s last Buddhist kingdom.
     In an era when tourism often dictates national economics, travel to Bhutan is a refreshing experience. Here, a deeply ingrained sense of hospitality, a universally treasured ecosystem and a living culture ensures every traveler the best that any nation has to offer. Travel to Bhutan is really an exploration of traditions and a culture that has been preserved through the centuries. In Bhutan we are not going to see some display or cultural park that has been created for tourists. Rather, we will be sharing a true life experience with the Bhutanese.
     Toto Tours provides you entrance to one of the world’s most remote destinations and greatest vacation secrets. Our previous tours have featured some fairly intensive trekking. This one is more focused on cultural experiences, and has a very easy three-day village-to-village cultural trek with just two nights in tented camps. Come with us through a doorway into a world like nothing you’ve ever experienced before in the land of the Thunder Dragon.

ITINERARY

Sunday, October 10, 2010
Leave Home on Overnight Flight to Thailand

Make arrangements to leave your home city today on an international flight bound for Bangkok, Thailand, arriving tomorrow afternoon. When searching online for the best flights, use the airport code: BKK.

Monday, October 11, 2010
Arrival in Bangkok

Arrive in Bangkok, known as the City of Angels. Because group airfare is not provided and participants tend to arrive at widely varying times, we have not included a group transfer from the airport to the hotel in the tour cost. It is very easy to get to the hotel by taxi, and we can also tell you how to book private car service if you would like. If your flight arrives very late tonight, please consider arriving one day early so you do not miss our welcome events. Let us know if you want us to book you an extra night at our hotel on Sunday, October 10th.
     This evening Toto Tours hosts a Welcome Dinner at a sidewalk café in the gay entertainment district near our hotel. Afterwards, those who have the energy or inclination will want to take the plunge into Bangkok’s gay nightlife.     (Welcome Dinner)

Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Free Day in Bangkok

We encourage you to rest today, enjoy a Thai massage, and get your body over jet-lag. We have a very early departure in the morning, and we plunge into Bhutan with an active itinerary from the very beginning. You won’t want to miss anything due to fatigue!     (Breakfast)

Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Flight to Paro, Bhutan

This morning we check out of our hotel and transfer to the airport for a very early flight to Bhutan. We will arrange for a breakfast box since we need to leave the hotel before a hot breakfast is available. Paro lies in a valley with steep mountain walls, and the flight path descending to the airport is unlike any you will experience anywhere else in the world.
     On arrival we are greeted by our guide and transfered to our hotel for check-in. We have time before lunch to settle into our rooms and make a run to the bank to exchange money into local currency.
     After lunch, visit the Ta Dzong, once a fortified lookout tower that is now the National Museum. Then walk down the trail to visit the Rinpung Dzong, meaning “fortress of the heap of jewels.” Next we visit Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the country. From there we proceed to the Drugyal Dzong (Bhutan Victory Fort), which was built in 1646 to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over Tibetan invaders during the 1600s. On a clear day you can see Mount Jumolhari, Bhutan’s second-highest mountain at 23,996 feet. Return to our hotel in Paro for dinner and overnight.     (All Meals)

IMPORTANT NOTE: Stops on our sightseeing itinerary in Bhutan are organized but flexible. Opening and closing times change occasionally, and it is impossible to be 100% certain (writing this itinerary nearly one year in advance) that listed activities will be available on the dates and times specified. We endeavor to see everything mentioned, but remain open to change in response to serendipitous events that appear, and to special interests expressed by the group.

Thursday, October 14, 2010
Excursion to Cheli La Pass

After breakfast we begin an exciting excursion to Cheli La Pass, which is at 12,500 feet elevation, and a scenic drive of 22 miles from Paro. Walking along the high ridges dotted with colorful Buddhist prayer flags offers us stunning views of Mount Jumolhari and other mountains, plus incredible vistas into the valleys below the pass. Enjoy a picnic lunch while walking at the pass.
     After lunch we hike further down the ridges to the Kila Goempa Nunnery, which is nestled in a craggy patch on the mountain site below the pass and perched precariously along the rock face. Walk for few miles through the coniferous forests to the road head, where the bus will be awaiting to return us to Paro. This evening, enjoy a cultural program of music and dance presented by a professional entertainment company.     (All Meals)

Friday, October 15, 2010
Tiger’s Nest Monastery Hike

This morning we hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan’s most famous monastery. It is absolutely breathtaking, situated at 10,400 feet and perched on the edge of a steep cliff about 3,000 feet above the Paro Valley. Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown on the back of a tigress from Singye Dzong in Lhuntse to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands.
     Lunch is served in the Cafeteria Restaurant, located about halfway up the mountain. You have the option to hire a horse to ride as far as the restaurant, or all the way up (price varies according to distance traveled). Explore the monastery and, if you wish, we can sit for a short meditation before we hike back down to the valley floor.
     This evening we transfer to Thimphu, capital of Bhutan, for dinner and overnight.     (All Meals)

Saturday, October 16, 2010
Sightseeing in Thimphu

Enjoy a full day of sightseeing and cultural enrichment in Thimphu today. This morning we visit the School of Arts and Crafts (also known as the painting school), the radio tower (for a great view of Thimphu Valley), and the zoo (which contains the national animal of Bhutan: the takin). Then enjoy an exhibition of the Bhutanese traditional game of darts called Khuru. Khuru is played in 2 teams with darts made out of chopped wood with pointed tips. In each round every player throws Khurus and tries to hit 2 wooden plate targets some distance away.
     This afternoon we visit the popular Thimphu weekend market where we can see the variety of food of the country, including basket upon basket of fiery chilies, fresh cheese, and mangoes. In addition, there is an entire section of stalls containing Bhutanese handicrafts and household items. It’s fun to wander the aisles, taking in the bustling atmosphere of the market, mingling with the locals and taking photographs. The shopping here can’t be beat! This evening, enjoy free time to explore Thimphu.     (All Meals)

Sunday, October 17, 2010
Thimphu to Punakha

After breakfast this morning, enjoy the scenic drive to to Punakha with a stop for tea at the Dochu La pass (10,170 feet), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas. From the pass we drive downhill through forests of rhododendron, fir and hemlock. We arrive in Punakha after traveling through rice field and along the bank of Punakha River.
     One of the highlights today will be our visit to Chimi Lhakhang, which is a fertility temple dedicated to the Divine Madman (Lama Drukpa Kuenley). Receive a blessing from the Lama’s wooden phallus! Next we visit the Punakha Dzong, which is stunningly situated in between the male and female rivers like an anchored ship. Overnight in Punakha.     (All Meals)

Monday, October 18, 2010
Punakha to Bumthang

After an early breakfast we drive to Bumthang, the cultural heartland of the country. The route is along a spectacular winding road, crossing 10,827-feet-high Pele La pass. At certain times of the year it is possible to see yaks here.
     We stop for lunch in Trongsa and afterwards visit the Trongsa Dzong, the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture. Continuing on to Bumthang, we pass through lush valleys and hilly forests. Along the way we stop at a yathra (textile weaving) factory, where the yathras are designed with patterns unique to Bumthang, and we can watch some of the weavers at their looms. Upon arrival we check into our hotel and enjoy dinner and overnight in Bumthang..     (All Meals)

Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Trek to Ngang Lhakhang

We begin our cultural trek today with a walk that covers about 12 miles in five to six hours. Our trail follows the Chamkhar Chu, a river known for trout. Stop for lunch at Thangbi Lhakhang. From here the trek enters the Ngang Yul (Land of the Swan), at the centre of which lies the Ngang Lhakhang (Swan Temple). In bygone days, the valley was populated by swans, and hence the name Ngang Yul. We camp tonight at an altitude of 9,500 feet.     (All Meals)

Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Trek to Ugyen Choling

Our walk today covers 14 miles in seven to eight hours. We begin with a gradual climb to Phephe La Pass at an altitude of 11,000 feet, the highest point of the trek route. The trail passes through beautiful forested areas where many stops can be made to enjoy the natural beauty of the place. Along the way we visit the Ugyen Choling Palace, which a repository for artifacts of ancient nobility. Our camp tonight is at an altitude of 9,500 feet.     (All Meals)

Thursday, October 21, 2010
Conclusion of Trek at Jakar

Our trek today covers about 6 miles in two to three hours. The trail follows the Tang Chu, another trout-filled river. On the bank of the river is the Tang Rimochen Lhakhang, marking a sacred place where Guru Rimpoche meditated. The trek continues past the Mebar Tsho (Flaming Lake) to Pangshing, where we are picked up and driven the rest of the way to Jakar where we celebrate our return to civilization with a refreshing shower in comfortable hotel accommodations.     (All Meals)

Friday, October 22, 2010
Jambay Lhakhang Festival

A cultural highlight of this tour will be attendance at the Jambay Lhakhang Festival, one of the most spectular festivals in Bhutan. We enjoy a dazzling display of costumes and dancing, and at midnight tonight a most unusual “naked dance” is performed by specially selected men of the village. This dance is considered pious and performed to sanctify the region and augur a good harvest. (Sorry, no photography is permitted at this event!) Overnight at our Bumthang hotel.     (All Meals)

Saturday, October 23, 2010
Jambay Lhakhang Festival

Enjoy a second full day of festival dances and celebrations. This evening, after the lama dances, the monastery is lit by a spectacular fire dance to bring blessings and ward off evils.     (All Meals)

Sunday, October 24, 2010
Bumthang to Punakha via Wangdue Phodrang

We begin our day at the Bumthang market, and then drive to Punakha. Along the way we visit the typical Bhutanese town of Wangdue with its dramatic Dzong perched on a ridge at the bend of a river. The nearby villages are known for their slate and stone carvings. Our hotel tonight is in Punakha.     (All Meals)

Monday, October 25, 2010
Punakha Village Tour

Walk across a suspension bridge this morning, and follow the road past farmhouses as we gradually climb into the Dompola Hills. Enjoy spectacular views of the Punakha Dzong, the Phochu and Mochu Rivers and the surrounding village set amidst chir pine forest.
     We climb for another two and half hours to Limbhukha. Limbhukha is a village that is known for its love, peace and tranquility. Legend says that during the medieval wars the “limpus” or the people of Limbhukha always volunteered as peace negotiators.
     We tour the village to learn about daily life – perhaps visiting a farmhouse or two for a cup of butter tea or an “ara” local wine. We continue walking to a nearby road where our vehicle is waiting to transfer us to our hotel in Punakha.     (All Meals)

Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Punakha to Thimphu

This morning we return to Thimphu via Dochu La Pass. Visit the new Druk Wangyal Monastery, which is the only of its kind in the country, with elaborate paintings depicting the lineage of the present monarchy and their visionary works.
     Afternoon sightseeing in Thimphu includes the King’s Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972) and the majestic Tashi Chhoe Dzong, seat of the national government.
     Tonight we bid a fond farewell to our guide and driver during dinner, and enjoy one final night in Thimphu.     (All Meals)

Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Flight to Bangkok

After an early breakfast, we check out of our hotel and drive one hour back to the Paro Airport for our morning flight to Bangkok. Returning to the same hotel in Bangkok, the afternoon is free for last minute souvenir shopping. This evening Toto Tours hosts a festive Farewell Dinner at beautiful, gay-owned restaurant near the hotel to celebrate the successful conclusion of our adventures in Bhutan. Take advantage of your “one night in Bangkok” to enjoy some of the entertainment options near our hotel.     (Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)

Thursday, October 28, 2010
Departure

The tour officially ends after breakfast this morning. Arrange your return flight home for any convenient time today. Since we are not departing as a group, we have not included your transfer to the airport in the tour price. It is easy and inexpensive to catch a taxi to the airport right outside our hotel. We will be happy to extend your stay in Bangkok if you so desire.     (Breakfast)