| Fri
17th Sept. |
International
flight Vienna/Amman/Kolkata
by Royal Jordanian, departure 14.00 |
| Sat
18th. Sept. |
Kolkata:
arrival
at 14h15, transfer to Airport- Hotel |
| Son
19th Sept. |
Kolkata/Paro/Thimbu:
Morning
flight by Drukair to Paro. Drive to Thimbu
(ca. 60 km), the
capital of Bhutan ( 2300m), the only city in the world without traffic lights,
overnight in hotel |
| Mon
20th Sept. |
Thimbu:
Visit
the capital (Memorial Stupa of the 3rd King), the National Art School, the National Library,
Museum
of Textiles, Zulikha Nunnery),
in the evening leisure for a visit to the local bazaar. |
| Tue
21st Sept. |
Thimbu/Gangteng:
In the morning departure for Gangteng (135 km), crossover Dochula
pass ((3050 m); on a clear day you have a panoramic view of some of
the highest peaks of Bhutan: Gangkhar Pünsum (7540m), Jejekhang
(7158 m), Zongaphu Gang (7060 m), Masagang (7194 m) a.o. The descend
from the pass is through temperate forest coloured with
rhododendrons and magnolias in the spring, then enter the semi
tropical zone of oranges, bananas and cactuses in Wangdi Phodrang
area. After Wangdi Phodrang the drive takes you through the Black
mountain ranges, which divide western and central Bhutan
where the valley
of Phobjikha (2900 m) is situated. Here
lies Gangteng.
It is the
winter migration place for the endangered Siberian Black Necked
Cranes. Overnight in the guesthouse of Gangteng Monastery. |
| Wed
22nd Sept. |
Gangteng:
Today
we see the famous Tsechu mask dances honouring Padmasambhava. At the
same time we have the possibility to observe one of the most
ambitious renovation projects of Bhutan at the monastery under the guidance of Gangteng Tulku. |
| Thu
23rd Sept. |
Gangteng/Bumthang:
Morning
departure for Bumthang (170 km). About 11km from Gangteng lies
Pele-La-Pass (3300 m), in this area the forest is entirely of rhododendrons and
if the winter has been cold, you will see herds of Yaks. Prayer
flags mark Pele-La-Pass and the ground is covered with high altitude dwarf bamboos. You will
pass through the villages Rukubji, Nikkachu and Chedebji, where the
great white washed stone Chorten built in 18th century lies on the
bend of the road.. As you approach Trongsa, you cannot miss viewing
the never reaching Trongsa Dzong in the distance. Drive further on
to Bumthang over Yotong-la Pass (3600 m) and you will be passing a weaving center of the famous Yata
textile often used for making jackets and scarves. Overnight in
hotel. |
| Fri
24th Sept. |
Bumthang:
This
day we see the Tamshing Festival, celebrating the great "Treasure
Finder" Terton Pema Lingpa. In the evening back to the hotel. |
| Sat
25. Sept. |
Bumthang:
Bumthang
(2600 m) is also known as the Swiss valley, as it is an open and
spacious valley with rich pine forest. Visit Jampay Lhakhang, the
oldest temple in Bhutan (7th cent.), as well as Kuje Lhakhang (8th
cent.), where the famous saint Guru Padmasambhava has left his body
imprint on the rock. Then visit a Swiss farm where you can buy good
Swiss cheese, fruit brandy, ciders, etc. Overnight in hotel. |
| Son
26th Sept. |
Bumthang/Wangdi/Punakha:
Drive
back to Wangdi Punakha (210 km) with lunch at Trongsa. Overnight in
hotel. |
| Mon
27th Sept. |
Wangdi/Punakha/Paro
via Thimbu:
Drive (135 km) towards the northern end of the valley to visit the
old capital Punakha and the beautiful Dzong. Drive via Thimbu to Paro. Overnight stay in Hotel. |
| Tue
28th Sept. |
Paro
: The
ancient winter residence of the Bhutanese kings, visit Drukgyal
Dzong, Kichu Lhakhang (8th cent.) and hike to Tigernest
Monastery. It is the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 800 m above the
floor of Paro valley. Lunch at Tigernest Cafeteria. It is a
memorable spiritual journey (in total
3h walking). Fair well dinner at the hotel. |
| Wed
29th Sept. |
Paro/Kolkata:
Departure
by Drukair to Kolkata. Transfer to Vedic Village (12 km from airport) |
| Thur
30th Sept. |
Vedic
Village : Enjoy
Vedic village life at the lake side with the option of spa and
Ayurvedic wellness vacation. |
| Fri
1st Oct. |
Vedic
Village
: Visit the farm
sites of the Vedic Village, option for a guided city tour to Kolkata or take advantage of the
Wellness Centre. |
| Sa
2nd Oct. |
Vedic
Village Kolkata/Amman:
Relax
at the Vedic Village. In the evening proceed to the airport and board the plane of Royal
Jordanian at 23.00. |
| Sun
3rd Oct. |
Amman/Vienna:
Arrival at Amman
at 05.55 and departure for Vienna at 09.35, with arrival 12.20 |