Trip Overview

Ura Yakchoe - Ura is a beautiful village set amidst a pristine highland meadow across the Thumsingla Pass. The village has retained its traditional character and holds its own festival that offers an insight into lives of the rural Bhutanese.

The Festival of Ura is about an old woman; sitting outside her house, she had a mysterious visitor, a lama who asked her for a glass of water. While she got inside home and came back with a glass of water, the lama had vanished leaving a sack. Curiously, she opend the sack to find a Statue (relic). Eversince, this relic has been passed on from generation to generation, which is now owned by the descendants of the woman. This festival is organized annually and the relic is displayed to the public. You will see locals dressed in their finest clothes who have walked from miles around to attend the festivities. They come and watch masked dances, pray, and feast. While the underlying purpose of the festival is spiritual, dances are more often like plays, stories where good triumphs over evil and historical events especially encompassing the life Guru Rimpoche.

Day to Day Outline Itinerary

Day		Activities
08 May 2011	-	Arrival Paro from Bangkok & drive to Thimphu
09 May 2011	-	Thimphu Sightseeing
10 May 2011	-	Punakha-Wangdiphodrang sightseeing
11 May 2011	-	Punakha sightseeing & drive to Bumthang
12 May 2011	-	Bumthang sightseeing
13 May 2011	-	Attend Ura Yakchoe Festival
14 May 2011	-	Attend Ura Yakchoe Festival
15 May 2011	-	Drive back to Gangtey/Phobjikha
16 May 2011	-	Paro
17 May 2011	-	Paro sightseeing
18 May 2011	-	Departure for Bangkok

Cost Includes: -

1. Standard Twin sharing accommodation as per itinerary and hotel confirmed
2. Airport transfers and full surface transport as per itinerary.
3. All meals ( breakfast, lunch and dinner while in Bhutan.)
4. English speaking guide and sightseeing to places.
5. National Museum fee in Paro only.

Cost Does Not Include: -

1. Upgrade of airfare and type of accommodation.
2. Airport taxes and extra baggage.
3. Bhutan Visa fee on arrival USD 20.00 per person.
4. Tips to guide and driver and other services on tour.
5. Bottled drinks, water, laundry, telephone, internet and room service requested.
6. Separate car for individual and transport.
7. Horse for Tiger's Nest on personal grounds.
8. Other entrance fees in Thimphu and other places.
9. Travel insurance (buy insurance)
10. Tourism Development Fund $10.

Note: - This tour is based on Bangkok being the International flight connecting point. Book your international flights to meet the connection. Current schedule departs Bangkok for Paro at 2 different timings 4.35am and 5.50am Local time. The flight from Paro arrives in Bangkok on 2 timings 2.35pm and 3.00pm local time.

As festival times are the most popular times for visitors to come to Bhutan, flight seats and hotel rooms will be on high demand. Book early to avoid disappointment.