Black Necked Crane Festival

DAY 1: PARO/THIMPHU

As you approach the Paro International Airport (2200 meters above sea level), you will have a spectacular—a real treat of beautiful land to your eyes—view. When you walk out of the plane, you will be greeted by an unusually fresh and clean breeze before your guide comes with a silken scarf to receive you.
From there, you will be transferred to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan.
In Thimphu (2300m), if time permits, take an orientation walk in town, do some shopping, and get settled.

Accommodations: Hotel Tara Phendeyling (or similar)

DAY 2: THIMPHU

This morning, right after breakfast, we will hike to Tango Monastery (2850m). Tango Monastery is the only tertiary education center for the monks and the seat of one of the holiest lamas of Bhutan, HH Gyalsay Tenzin Rabgay.
After offering our prayers and rambling through the deep wood, we will travel back to Thimphu.
In the afternoon, visit the National Memorial Chorten which was built to commemorate the life of His Majesty The Third King of Bhutan. Then, we will drive to Buddha-point where the tallest Buddha Dordenma Statue stands. Our next visit will be to Takin Park to see the national animal of Bhutan, the Takin.
In the evening, visit the traditional paper factory to see how traditional Bhutanese papers are manufactured.

Accommodations: Hotel Tara Phendeyling (or similar)

DAY 3: THIMPHU/PUNĀKHA

Today, we will leave Thimphu for Punakha.
We will first stop at Docula Pass (3150m) and visit Druk Wangyel Chortens. Here, there are 108 stupas and it was built under the command of Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, to celebrate the victory over Indian Militants in 2003.
Then, we will descend and stop at Chhimi Lhakhang. The temple here is known as the temple of fertility because it is strongly believed that all childless couples who seek blessings will be granted their wishes.
This afternoon, we will visit the majestic Punakha Dzong (1200m). This fortress served as the capital of Bhutan for years in the past. If time permits, we will visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery.

Accommodations: Zhingkham Resort (or similar)

DAY 4: PUNAKHA /GANGTEYC VALLEY

Travel to Gangtey or Phobjikha valley (3000m). This is the most important tourist site in Bhutan because it is not only the most beautiful valley that resembles a place or two in Switzerland, but it is the winter home to the endangered black-necked cranes.
There is also a sacred monastery founded and built by the HH Gangtey Tulku, the body reincarnation of the Great Terton Pema Lingpa.
After reaching the valley, we will hike through the Nature Trail. There we’ll visit an old temple and make an offering. This evening, stop at the village of kewa (meaning potato in the Dzongkha language) and visit a local family’s farm for a cooking demonstration and home-cooked dinner.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Local Homestay

DAY 5: BLACK-NECKED CRANE FESTIVAL

The black-Necked Crane Festival is one of the most appealing events for tourists in the country.
Every winter these endangered cranes migrate south to the valley from Tibet and fly back in early spring. In pursuit of Bhutan’s commitment to conserve and strengthen the ecological system, the winter habitat for these endangered birds has been identified and protected.
The festival is an occasion for the locals to celebrate the arrival of the majestic birds to their valley. The festival aims to raise awareness and encourage locals to conserve the environment for these endangered species and also offer economic incentives for the locals. The festival generally includes a cultural program such as folk songs, and masked dance performed by locals, students, and monks in the community.

DAY 6: GANGTEY/PARO

Visit the Black-Necked Crane Centre, one of the most ecologically sensitive areas in Bhutan, in the morning. If your visit coincides with the arrival of the cranes, you will get to see the unique and rare birds that migrate from Tibet to Bhutan in winter and fly back towards the end of spring.
Then, we will travel to Paro which is about six hours.
We will try to visit Paro Dzong, the National Museum, and one of the oldest temples built in the 8^th century, Kyichu Lhakhang, today.

Accommodations: Bhutan Mandala Resort (or similar)

DAY 7: PARO

Travel to Bhutan and if you go back without hiking to Tiger’s Nest Monastery, famously known as Taktsang Monastery (2900M), you have not completed your Bhutan trip. Thus, today, we will hike to the monastery. It will take at least 2 hours to reach the monastery.
The monastery was built by Guru Padmasambhava in the 8^th century. The legend has it that he came riding on the furious tigress and subdued a demon that devoured humans living in the valley.
After the hike, we will visit a homestay and enjoy the cultural program with dinner in pure Bhutanese style in the evening.

Accommodations: Bhutan Mandala Resort (or similar)

DAY 8: DEPARTURE

Today, sadly though, we will have to bid you farewell. We will drop you at Paro International Airport. We hope you have had a great trip and wish you would come tomorrow.

• Bhutan Royalties, tourist fees, Visa fees, and taxes.
• Accommodations in listed or similar hotels (pleasant hotels 3-4 star type) during the tour and in tents during the trek.
• All meals, including evening tea/coffee, etc throughout the trip.
• All land transfers, and sightseeing with entrance fees.
• Experienced Culture Tour Guide.
• Bottled water in the vehicle and other camp services.

NOT INCLUDED

• Flights in and out of Bhutan.
• Travel insurance, Drink, Visa fees, Laundry