| [Update:15Aug 2008] | ||
| Tour Name | 8 Days 7 Nights MAGICAL BHUTAN | |
| Tour Code | KTM8DMB | |
| Validity
|
Fly
By SilkAir:- Minimum 2 person to depart Depart Every Saturday Book by 31Aug 2008. Ex-Sin On/Before 31Dec2008 |
from
$3218 |
 |
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| Day 1 | SINGAPORE Q KATHMANDU (Saturday) | (Meal-On-Board / Dinner) |
 Upon
arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to hotel for check-in. Thereafter,
explore historic city of Kathmandu include Kathmandu Durbar square
(Kumar’s place and Swayambhunath Temple). Said to be a 2,500
years old stupa on a hillock. Enjoy the breathtaking view of Kathmandu
City and watch the beautiful sunset. Dinner will be at a local
restaurant. Evening free to explore & stroll the busy streets
of Kathmandu. Overnight stay at Kathmandu. |
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| Day 2 | KATHMANDU Q Paro (by Druk Air, Sunday) | (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) |
| After
breakfast, take a flight to Paro. Upon arrival
at Paro airport, meet and greet by our 
representative and drive you to your hotel for check-in. After
tea, drive to the ruins of the Drukgyai Dzong,
built in 1647 by the Great Shandrung Ngawang Namgyai, father and
unifier of medieval Bhutan, the dzong was destroyed by accidental
fire and left in ruins as an evocative remainder of the great
victories it was built to commemorate. Explore the ramparts and
on a clear day experience an unforgettable view of Mt. Jhomolhari
(7,314m). On the way back, visit Kichu Lhakhang
built in659AD by the Tibetan King to subdue the Demoness that
lay across the Himalayan region. The rest of the monasteries lie
in other neighbouring countries. Dinner and overnight stay in
Paro. |
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| Day 3 | Paro ~ Excursion to Taktsang Monastery / Thimphu | (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) |
 After
breakfast a short drive takes us to Satsam Chiorten,
the trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees
festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering
prayer flages.We stop for a rest and light refreshments at the
Taktsang Jakhang (cafeteria) and then walk a
short distance until we see clearly and seemingly within reach
Taktsang Monastery. The primary Lhakhang was
built around Guru Rimpoche’s mediation cave in 1684 by the
Penlop of Paro, Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay this incredible monastery
clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters
into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambjava,
the tantric mystic which who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in 747
AD, flew here on the back of a flying tiger, Dorji Drolo said
to be his favourite consort. After lunch, visit Ta Dzong (built in1656 and renovated in 1968) and ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. Below the museum is the Rimpung Dzong (literally meaning “Heap of Jewels”), the centre of civil and religious authority in this valley, built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. In evening, drive to Thimphu. Overnight stay in Thimpu. |
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| Day 4 | Thimphu Sightseeing | (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) |
| After
breakfast, visit to the National Memorial Chorten
(1974) built in honour of or late King  Jiagme
Wangchuk and the Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries
in Bhutan. We then visit the National Library,
stocked with ancient Buddhist manuscripts and the Painting School
where traditional art is still alive through instructions in the
art of painting Thangkas (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls) After
lunch we drive to the Traditional medicine Institute
where medicines are prepared according to ancient practices and
to Lungtenzampa to observe the Royal silvers smiths and Bhutanese
paper factory at work. Other highlights include the summer residence
of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). We finally visit the
Handicrafts Emporium followed by shopping for
souvenirs in the shops of Thimphu. Overnight in Thimphu. |
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| Day 5 | Thimphu / Punakha (72Kms, 3hours drive) | (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) |
 After
breakfast, drive to Punakha via Dochula
pass. If weather is clear we stop for a while at Dochula
pass to view higher Himalayas. On the way visit Chimi
Lhakhang which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley. He subdued
the demons with his “Magical Thunder Bolt”.
The temple is also known as “the Temple of Fertility”.
In Punakha, visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyai and is situated between Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the Government. The construction of the Dzong was foretold by Guru Rimpoche, who predicted “a person named Namgyai will arrive at a hill that looks like an elephant”. There was a smaller building here called Dzong Chu (Small Dzong) that housed a statue of Buddha. It is said that Shabdrung ordered the architect, Zowe Palep, to sleep in front of the statue while Palep was sleeping the Shabdrung took him in his dream to Zangtopeiri and show him the palace of Guru Rimpoche. From his vision the architect conceived the design for the new Dzong, which in keeping with the tradition was never committed to paper. The Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). The war materials captured during the battle with Tibetans are preserved here. Punakha is still in winter residence of Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the new national Assembly here in 1952. After lunch, excursion to Khamsung Yulley Namgyai Choling Monastery. Dinner and overnight in hotel in Punakha. |
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| Day 6 | Punakha / Gangtey / Thimphu | (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) |
| After
breakfast drive to Gangtey. Enroute sightseeing
in the valley of Wangdiphodrang.  It
include visit to Wangdiphodrang Dzong (View from
outside) built in 1638. Legend relates that as the people were
searching for the site of the Dzong, four ravens were seen flying
away in four directions. This was considered auspicious sign,
representing the spread of Duddhist religion to the four points
of the compass. The Dzong is situated at the confluence of Mo
Chu and Tang Chu rivers. Drive further to Gantey. While in Gangtey visit Gangtey Gompa. Gyaltse Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation of Peme Linpa founded the temple in 1613 and Tenzin Legpai Dhendup, the second re-incarnation built the temple. The present Abbot, Kunzang Pema Namgyai is the ninth reincarnation. It is a Nyingmapa monastery and is affiliated to the other Nyingmapa monasteries including Tamshing in Bumthang. Explore Phobjikha valley famous for the Black Necked Cranes during winter. After lunch, explore the valley. Dinner and overnight in Thimpu. |
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| Day 7 | Thimphu / Paro Q Kathmandu (By Durk Air, On Friday) | (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) |
Early morning
transfer from Thimphu to Paro airport for your flight back to
Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to hotel for check-in
and free at own leisure. |
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| Day 8 | KATHMANDU Q SINGAPORE (Saturday) | (Breakfast) |
| After
breakfast, free at leisure till your transfer to the airport for
your flight back to Singapore, with fond memories of Bhutan
& Nepal. |
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| Itinerary
is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, e.g. weather, to ensure the safety and/or smooth running of the tour. |
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| Flight schedule - By SilkAirs | |||
| Departure Every | |||
| Tue, Thur & Sat | MI412 | SINGAPORE - KATHMANDU | 0910 - 1205 |
| Return | |||
| Tue, Thur & Sat | MI411 | KATHMANDU - SINGAPORE | 1305 - 2015 |
| Package Includes : | |
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Return Airfare on SilkAir GV2 |
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Return Domestic Air fare KTM - PARO - KTM by Druk air. |
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Tours and Meals as per itinerary; |
| ~
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3 Star hotel accommodation based on twin or triple sharing room |
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Transfer as per above itinerary |
| Package Excludes; | |
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Personal travel insurance, cold drinks, mineral water etc. |
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Kathmandu Airport departure tax US$24; |
~ |
Bhutan tourism development fee: US$10; |
~ |
Airport tax before depart for PARO (Bhutan) US$21; |
~ |
Nepal On Arrival Visa - USD30 per person |
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Bhutan Tourist Visa ~ US20 per person (Requirement as mention below) |
| VISA,
PASSPORT & CUSTOM A
visa is required for traveling to Bhutan and it is processed and
arranged by us. No foreign mission grants tourist visa. Please
fill up the visa application form and forward it to us at least
three weeks prior to date of travel, for processing visa with
the concerned authorities.
In addition, four copies of original passport size photographs should be mailed to us along with these information. Actual visa is stamped on arrival in Bhutan while visa is cleared in advance and a visa clearance number issued. For all travelers, entering Bhutan by Druk Air, the visa clearance number is forwarded to concerned overseas Druk Air stations and without the Clearance Number; passengers are not allowed to board the flight. Visa Clearance Number is also required while issuing Druk Air tickets. For
all travelers, entering into the country by surface through Phuntsholing
(the border town south of Bhutan), the visa is stamped on arrival
and Clearance Number is forwarded to Foreign Ministry's office
for references and record. |
|
**Please
take note that the final pricing is subjected to changes. The
prices at our retail counters will be taken as the final in the
event of any discrepancies. Prices above are subject to changes
and do not include airport taxes, insurance charges, visa fees
and other incidentals ** |