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BEST OF BHUTAN

8 Days & 6 Nights

Starting at $2,100.00

Price Per Person Based on Double Occupancy

Valid:

October 1, 2009 - December 31, 2010

*PRICES DO NO INCLUDE AIRFARE BECAUSE DRUK AIR (OFFICIAL AIRLINES OF BHUTAN) OPERATES FROM BANGKOK, DELHI, OR KATHMANDU. PLEASE CONTACT SAYANG HOLIDAYS TO CUSTOMIZE YOUR AIRFARE.*

Day to Day Itinerary:

DAY 1: PARO The first thing you will notice as you disembark is the transparent purity of air and the absence of noise. The Paro valley has kept its bucolic nature inspite of the airport and the existence of development projects. Paro is believed to be one of teh first valleys to have received the imprint of Buddhism. In the afternoon, visit, the National Museum and Paro Rinpung Dzong. Overnight in Paro.
DAY 2: PARO In the morning, drive to Drugyal Dzong. It was from this fortress that the Bhutanese repelled many Tibetan invasions. This spot offers a magnificent vista of Mount Chomolhari, "Mountain of Goddess". Then visit a typical Bhutanese farmhouse on the way back. In the event, tea at the hotel and drive for two hours to reach the capital city of Thimphu. Overnight in Thimphu.
DAY 3: THIMPHU Thimphu lies in a wooded valley, sprawling up a hillside on the West Bank of the Thimphu Chhu River. It is often said that Thimphu is the only world capital without traffic lights. Thimphu's main shopping street is a delight not so much for what you can buy there, but for the picturesqueness of the architecture and national costume. In the morning, visit the Memorial Chorten, a huge stupa built in memory of the third King who reigned from 1952-1972. Visit the National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved. Visit the Painting School where traditional art is still preserved. Visit the Handicrafts Emporium where one can buy Bhutanese textiles and other arts and crafts. Visit teh weekend market where vendors from throughout the regions arrive on Friday afternoon and remain till Sunday. In the afternoon, visit Semtokha Dzong. This is the oldest fortress in Bhutan. Visit Tashichho Dzong, the main secretariat building. Visit Pangri Zampa Monastery, situated just beyong Dechencholing Palace. In the Evening, enjoy dinner. Overnight in Thimpu.
DAY 4: THIMPU-PUNAKHA/WANGDUEAfter breakfast, transfer to Punakha/Wangdue. En route stop at Dochula Pass, for tea and biscuits and enjoy a view of the Eastern Himalayan Mountains. From Dochula to Wangdue, its another two hours drive. After lunch in Lobesa, visit the Punakha Dzong. This is the winter residence of Bhutan's spiritual leader, the Head Abbot, and the Central Monastic Body. Overnight in WANGDUE.
DAY 5: WANGDUE-THIMPU After breakfast, drive to Metshina. On a hillock in the center of the valley below Metshina is Chimi Lhakhang, built by lLama Drukpa Kunley in 1499. A wooden effigy of the Lamas thunderbolt is preserved in the Lhakhang, and childless women go to the temple to receive a wang (blessing) from the saint. Its a 20 minute walk across the rice fields from the road at Sopsokha to the temple. The trail leads across rice fields to teh tiny settlement of Pana. There are very few monks at the temple which is surrounded by a row of prayer wheels and some very beautiful slate carvings. Continue drive to Thimphu across the Dochu la pass. Afternoon free for shopping. Overnight in Thimpu.
DAY 6: THIMPU-PARO (EXCURSION TO TAKTSANG MONASTERY) Transfer to Paro for 3 hour hike to the Taktsang Monastery. Taktsang is the most famous of all Bhutanese monasteries. It is perched on the side of a cliff 900 meters above the floor of the Paro valley, where the only sounds are the murmurs of the wind and water and the chanting of teh monks. THe monastery itself is closed to tourists except by special permit. However the one hour walk to the viewpoint, where there is a small wooden teahouse provides a close up view of the monastery.. Its also a good warm-up hike if you are going trekking. In the eveing, visit a farmhouse for "traditional hot stone bath" and local hospitality. Overnight in Paro.
DAY 7: DEPARTURE Transfer to airport for flight to next destination.

City	Nights	Hotel (Deluxe)
Paro	02	Janka Resort/Hotel Gantey Palace/Tandling Resort
Thimpu	03	Hotel River View/Hotel Jumolhari
Punkha/Wangdue	01	Hotel Zangtopelri/Puna Tsangchu Cottages/Dragon next Resort

Package Includes	Package Excludes
English speaking local guide Bhutan Visa Fee FIT surcharge Meals according to itinerary	Airport Taxes *International airfare (Contact Sayang Holidays to customize your airfare.) Fuel Surcharges Tipping

DOMESTIC ADD ONS VIA SFO/LAX

PLACE	PRICE
San Diego, Denver, Phoenix, Seattle, Salt Lake City	$200.00
Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio	$300.00
Chicago, Kansas City, Minneapolis, St. Louis	$350.00
New York, Boston, Florida, Washington DC, Hartford	$375.00
Atlanta, Miami, New Orleans	$400.00

DOMESTIC ADD ONS VIA JFK

PLACE	PRICE
Philidelphia, Boston, Washington DC	$130.00
Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis	$180.00
Minneapolis,Miami, New Orleans	$220.00
Denver, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Phoenix	$350.00