Luxury Holidays Bhutan

Bhutanese people celebrate many festivals throughout the year. Most common is the ‘Tsechu’, where the main highlight is the elaborate performance of the masked dances by the monks. We offer escorted departures which take in the Paro and Thimphu festivals or alternatively we can tailor make an itinerary for you.

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For the more energetic traveller who is happy to spend a couple of nights under canvas, this excellent three-day trek passes through several villages on its meandering route through Bumthang countryside, and provides an exceptional opportunity for contact with Bhutanese rural life. The Bumthang Valley is the religious heartland of Bhutan, and is home to some of its oldest Buddhist temples and monasteries. The trek is recommended from March to May and then again from September to November and the walking can be described as moderate, averaging about 5 to 6 hours each day.A rewarding experience which will take you though forests of sycamore and birch, across broad meadows and pastures, and alongside pristine mountain streams.

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Dating from the 12th century these imposing fortresses are amongst the most recognisable and striking structures in Bhutan. Built by powerful local families they reflect the country’s long history of independence with their thick whitewashed walls protecting a central courtyard around which sit a series of richly ornate half-timbered buildings.

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Located in Balakha Village, 20 minutes from Paro Airport,Amankora Paro offers 24 luxurious suites featuring natural rammed-earth walls, gently sloping roofs and wood-panelled interiors with a king-size bed and a traditional bukhari wood-burning stove. The suites feature floor-to-ceiling glass windows opening onto a meadow of blue pines with the Drukyel Dzong ruins and the snowy peak of Jhomolhari providing a beautiful backdrop. The dining room serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and specialises in Indian,Western and Bhutanese dishes. The spa offers a series of treatments to allow guests to unwind and harmonise with the serene Himalayan surroundings. Amanresorts plan to extend Amankora throughout Bhutan during 2005 and 2006 including lodges located in Punakha, Gangtey, Thimpu and Bumthang.

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Located in the heart of the Himalayas, the Taj Tashi is situated in the centre of Bhutan’s capital. Incorporating the finest elements of Bhutan’s artistic and architectural traditions, this grandiose property offers a range of luxuriously appointed rooms and suites that feature a combination of contemporary comfort and timeless elegance. The hotel also boasts a superb Taj Spa.

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The Uma in Paro opened its doors at the end of 2004 and brings a new level of luxury and comfort to Bhutan. The hotel is located on a 38-acre site atop a tree-clad hill, close to the town of Paro. There are 29 spacious rooms and suites in total, featuring large bathrooms with separate shower, DVD player, heated towel rack,minibar and in-room yoga mats. The restaurant aims to provide wholesome, Bhutanese-inspired food, combined with pan- Asian cuisine. There is a cosy bar and a library with Internet access. The Uma also has a spa offering Asian-inspired, holistic therapies, yoga room, Jacuzzi, indoor pool with outdoor sundeck, gym and sauna.

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This itinerary includes a visit to the Haa Valley, an area only recently open for tourists.

• All flights as shown in economy class
• First class accommodation in Kathmandu and medium grade accommodation in Bhutan
• Breakfast daily in Kathmandu and full board in Bhutan
• Private Car & driver on all road transfers shown
• Private sightseeing as detailed with local English speaking Guides
• Airport taxes
• Weekly departures on a Friday between the end of October and mid May (at other times of the year 1 extra night is spent in Bumthang due to flight schedules)

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Day 1 Friday Depart London Heathrow on Qatar Airways evening flight via Doha to Kathmandu.

Day 2 Saturday Arrive Kathmandu in the late afternoon and transfer to the Radisson Hotel for 2 nights.

Day 3 Sunday Morning tour of the ancient city of Kathmandu and the hill-top temple of Swayambhunath. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 4 Monday This morning fly across the Himalayas to Paro, Bhutan’s only airport and continue by road to Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan (7,500 ft) for a 2 night stay at the Riverview Hotel. Sightseeing in Thimpu, includes the Taschichho Dzong, which houses the seat of Government and is also the nation’s largest monastery, the summer abode of 2,000 monks.

Day 5 Tuesday Today's full day of sightseeing in Thimphu valley includes a visit to the National Library which holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts, manuscripts, modern academic books and printing blocks for prayer flags. You may also visit the Painting School; famous for traditional thangkha paintings and the Traditional Medicine Institute where the rich herbal medicines abundant in the Kingdom are prepared. Also visit Memorial Chorten; a beautiful stupa built in the memory of Bhutan's third King. The paintings and statues inside the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy.

Day 6 Wednesday A long road journey today as you drive through rhododendron forests over the scenic Dochu-La pass (3048m) and the Pele-La Pass (3249m) to Tongsa, perched high above the Mangde River and dominated by the enormous Tongsa Dzong, built in 1647. Overnight at the Phuenshi Lodge for 1 night.

Day 7 Thursday Morning tour of Tongsa then continue over the Yoto-La pass (3400m) and then descend into the spacious Bumthang Valley, reminiscent in places of Switzerland, for a 2 night stay at the Mountain Lodge.

Day 8 Friday Bumthang is the cultural and historic heart of Bhutan, full of numerous important Buddhist monasteries and pilgrimage sites, and you will have a full day of sightseeing in this fascinating region. The villages of Bumthang are also famed for their hand-woven fabrics; here you can find rich woollen plaid textiles dyed with natural colours, and ‘yatas’ (brightly-coloured woollen cloth made into jackets and scarves).

Day 9 Saturday Another long day’s drive across the high passes takes you back along the central highway to visit the imposing monastery-fortress of Wangdiphodrang, continuing to Punakha, the winter capital of Bhutan, where you stay at the Hotel Zangthopelri.

Day 10 Sunday Visit Punakha before driving to Paro (2286m) via Semtokha Dzong and stay at the Olathang Hotel for 3 nights.

Day 11 Monday A thrilling uphill walk this morning to view the 300 year old Taktsang, the ‘Tiger’s Nest’ monastery, perched high on the edge of a sheer 914m cliff overlooking the Paro Valley. The ascent is up a steep and winding track to reach a panoramic view of this Temple of Heaven, visited by pilgrims from all over Bhutan. Ponies can be provided for those who feel the walk up may be too strenuous.

Day 12 Tuesday Full day excursion to the Haa Valley, an area which has only just become accessible to visitors. Drive through Blue Pine and Rhododendron forest until you reach Chele-la pass (4200m) giving superb views of Mount Chomolhari and Jichu Drakey. Continue to Ha where your sightseeing will include Ha Dzong (viewed from the outside only), and the famous monasteries Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple) and Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple).

Day 13 Wednesday Return flight to Kathmandu and transfer to the Radisson Hotel for overnight.

Day 14 Thursday Morning departure by Qatar Airways flight via Doha to London Heathrow, arriving in the early evening.

Accommodation in Bhutan: In Bhutan one must be prepared for unsophisticated facilities. The rooms are simple but comfortable with private bathrooms and electric lighting. The voltage (240 v) often fluctuates and power cuts are a frequent occurrence, despite the increasing number of hydro-electric projects. You are therefore advised to bring a torch for such emergencies. When this affects the supply of hot water to the rooms, freshly boiled water is available on request.

The best time to visit Bhutan is during the dry season, which lasts from October through to May with March, April, October and November being the optimum time. Touring is possible during the winter months of December and January although it can be very cold at night, with moderate daytime temperatures and beautiful clear views.

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