Festival Tours of the Dragon Kingdom of Bhutan

Sept. 13, 2010 - PRLog -- Bhutanese festivals, known as Tsechus are about celebrating the great accomplishments of the Buddhist Saint, known as Padmasambhava in India and Guru Rinpoche in Bhutan and Tibet. Tsechus are celebrated annually in all the districts, Dzongs and large number of villages in Bhutan with active participation of people from far and wide. For the Bhutanese, participation in the festivals means a chance to absorb themselves in the essence of their religion and to gain higher merit. The festivals also provide opportunities for social exchanges, and for flaunting success. People wear their finest dresses and jewelry and picnic out with delicious food and drinks.

Highland Asia Travel, Inc. offers small group and private tours that features the highlights of Western and Central Bhutan with special focus on the festivals of Paro, Thimphu and Bumthang Valleys. The tour commences in the western, crosses the Black mountain range that separates Western Bhutan with the rest of the country and goes as far as Bumthang valleys in the central Bhutan. While western Bhutan is praised for its eye-catching landscape with paddy fields and orchards, spectacular mountains, pure rivers and typical two-story houses with distinctly painted window designs, Central Bhutan is  famous for apple and buckwheat production, apple Central Bhutan is known for its buckwheat and apple production, its well-built stone houses, and uncountable monasteries and temples.

This trip involves crossing of several high passes; Dochu La (3050m pass on the way from Thimphu to Punakha, Pele La (3300m, 10,825ft) pass at the Black Mountain, Yotang La (3400m, 11,155ft.) pass between Trongsa and Bumthang and Shertang La (3573m, 11,723ft) on the way to Ura Village. The passes are sacred places and marked with prayer flags and cairns and offers spectacular views of the mountains and the valleys.

Getting to and away from Bhutan:
You can fly into Paro, Bhutan from Kathmandu (Nepal), Delhi or Kolkatta (India) and Bangkok. You should allow minimum one overnight stay in the gateway city before and after the trip for safe connection with your international flight.

Visa:
We will take care of Bhutan visa which is part of the tour package. Thai visa is not required for US and many European countries for the first 30 days. Nepal visa is also simple as you can obtain it upon arrival at Kathmandu airport. If you are traveling via or intend to take pre-trip or post trip extension in India, then you must obtain Indian visa beforehand as India does not grant visa on arrival.

International and Internal airfare
You will book your international airfare to and return from the gateway city and we will take care of the internal airfare onward.

Some of the famous festival tours are listed below.

Highlights of Western and Central Bhutan with Paro Tsechu
11 Days/10 Nights:  Land Cost from US$ 2050

Grandeur of Bhutan with Bumthang Valley Festivals
12 Days/11 Nights:  Land Cost from US$ 2250

Dragon Kingdom Festival Tour (Thimphu Tsechu)
11 Days/10 Nights. Land Cost from US$ 2050

Visit http://www.highlandasiatravel.com/destination/bhutan/bhut... for details.

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Highland Asia Travel, Inc is specialized in small group and custom itineraries for adventure travel to Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet and Indian Himalayas.