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The Dragon Kingdom: Paro Festival 26th March 2009 - Your Itinerary
17 days
From: £3525
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What's included:
- Scheduled flights, including all U.K. and overseas airport taxes and applicable fuel surcharges.
- The services of an experienced local Tour Manager in Nepal and Bhutan, who takes care of all the tipping on your behalf.
- Experienced English-speaking guides, exclusive to the Bales group, for all included sightseeing
- Transportation Private vehicles, exclusive to the Bales group.
- Please note: this tour involves some long road journeys.
- Sightseeing As detailed, including entrance fees
- Accommodation and meals First class hotel in Kathmandu.
- Medium grade hotels and lodges throughout Bhutan.
- 13 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 11 dinners (number of meals based on itinerary shown).
- Please note: hotels in Bhutan can be subject to change during peak dates such as festival departures.
- Average group size 14 passenger
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Day 1
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 Day 1
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Depart London Heathrow on Jet Airways via Delhi (8½ hours) to Kathmandu (1½ hours).
Meals:
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Day 2
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 Day 2
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Arrive Kathmandu this afternoon and transfer to the Radisson Hotel for 3 nights.
Meals:
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Day 3
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 Day 3
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At leisure with a choice of optional excursions.
Meals: B
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Day 4
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Day 4
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At leisure with a choice of optional excursions.
Meals: B,
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Day 5
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 Day 5
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A morning flight on Druk Air to Paro (1hour), and continue by road to Thimpu (56KM/approximately 2 hours) for 2 nights at the Riverview Hotel, or similar.
Meals: B, L & D
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Day 6
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Day 6
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Bhutan’s capital and the centre of government, religion and commerce, Thimphu is an interesting combination of tradition and modernity. Sightseeing today includes the magnificent Taschicho Dzong, the largest monastery in Bhutan and the Folk Heritage museum and the National Memorial Chorten.
Meals: B, L & D
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Day 7
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 Day 7
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A long but scenic road journey today through rhododendron forests over the Dochu-La Pass (3,050 metres) and the Pele-La Pass (3,300 metres) to Trongsa (193 KM/full day with stops), perched high above the Mangde River and dominated by the enormous Trongsa Dzong, built in 1644. Overnight at the Yangkhil Hotel (or similar). (B,L,D)
Meals: B, L & D
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Day 8
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 Day 8
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A drive over the dramatic Yoto-La Pass (3,400m) to the remote Bumthang Valley (61KM/approximately 2½ hours) for a 3 night stay at the Mountain Lodge.
Meals: B, L & D
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Day 9
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 Day 9
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The cultural and historic heart of Bhutan, Bumthang is littered with Bhuddist monasteries and pilgrimage sites, and the next two days are spent exploring this fascinating and scenically photogenic region.
Meals: B, L & D
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Day 10
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Day 10
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Enjoy some free time to explore this magical city.
Meals: B, L & D
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Day 11
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 Day 11
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Another long drive across the high passes to the magnificent monastery fortress of Wangdiphodrang. From here we continue to Punakha, the country’s winter capital, for our stay at the Hotel Punatsangchu Resort, or similar (190KM/ full day with stops).
Meals: B, L & D
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Day 12
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 Day 12
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Visiting Punakha this morning, before continuing back to Paro (2,285 metres) (120KM/approximately 5 hours). On arrival, check into the Holiday Home Hotel, or similar for a 4 night stay.
Meals: B, L & D
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Day 13
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Day 13
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As the tour coincides with the Paro Festival, the order of sightseeing is dictated by the order of events. During these 3 days, sightseeing will include a spectacular walk up to the lofty heights of the 300 year old Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) monastery.
Meals: B, L & D
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Day 14
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 Day 14
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Situated high above the Paro Valley, the spectacular views from this ‘Temple of Heaven’ are simply breathtaking (ponies can be provided for those who may find the walk a little too strenuous).
Meals: B, L & D
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Day 15
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 Day 15
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Also visit Paro Dzong with its classic Bhutanese architecture and the opportunity to stroll around the town.
Meals: B, L & D
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Day 16
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 Day 16
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Following a morning flight back to Kathmandu (1½ hour), transfer to the splendid Dwarika’s Hotel for an overnight stay. This evening a sumptuous 9-course Nepalese dinner has been arranged.
Meals: B & D
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Day 17
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 Day 17
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Morning departure on Jet Airways via Delhi back to London, arriving later this afternoon.
Meals: B
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