9 Days Black-Necked Crane Festival

9 Days Black-Necked Crane Festival Tour

(NOTE: We can also organize a private trip for this festival tour).

12 Days Black-Necked Crane Festival in Bhutan

The annual Black-Necked Crane festival is celebrated at the courtyard of Gangtey Goenpa in Phobjikha valley. The festival is an occasion for the locals to rejoice and celebrate the arrival of this endangered and majestic birth which becomes an inseparable part in their daily lives during the winter months. The annual black-necked crane festival is organized to generate awareness and understanding on the importance of conserving the endangered Black-Necked cranes.

Venue: Gangtey Gompa, Gangtey.

Festival dates: 11^th November 2020.

Tour starting date: 7^th November 2020.

Tour ending date: 15^th November 2020.

Group size for this Tour: Minimum 3 pax & Maximum 14 pax.

Hotels used: All Hotels used in this itinerary will be 3 star category approved by the Tourism Council of Bhutan.

Flight Options: You have the option of entering (Paro) Bhutan from Bangkok, Singapore, Kolkotta (India), Delhi, Kathmandu, Dhaka and Bagdogra (India).

Flight fares for the various sectors are below and are Round trip fares:

Kathmandu – Paro – Kathmandu: USD 443 per person.

Bangkok – Paro – Bangkok: USD 985 per person.

Kolkotta – Paro – Kolkotta: USD 437 per person.

Delhi – Paro – Delhi: USD 632 per person.

Singapore – Paro – Singapore: USD 1007 per person.

Dhaka – Paro – Dhaka: USD 442 per person.

Price: USD 1840 per person on Twin sharing basis. NOTE: International Flight fares not included in the price.

Single room Supplement: USD 40 per room per night.

Sketch Itinerary

The festival includes cultural programs such as folk songs and dances (some with black-necked crane themes) and mask dances performed by the local people, cranes dances and environmental conservation-themed dramas and songs by school children.

Sketch Itinerary:

7^th Nov. Arrive Paro – Thimphu: (2320 m) (Distance: 56 km, 1 hr drive).

8^th Nov. Thimphu Sightseeing.

9^th Nov. Thimphu – Punakha:(Altitude 1310 m) (76 Km, 3 hrs drive).

10^th Nov. Punakha – Gangtey:(Altitude 3120 m) (128 km, 4 hrs).

11^th Nov. Gangtey: Witness the Black necked Cranes Festival.

12^th Nov. Gangtey – Thimphu:(128 kms – 6 hours).

13^th Nov. Thimphu – Paro:(56 kms – 1 hour).

14^th Nov. Paro Sightseeing: (Altitude 2280 m).

15^th Nov. Paro (Departure).

View Road travel map of 12 days Black-Necked Crane festival in Bhutan in Google Map.

Detail Itinerary

Detail Itinerary for 9 Days Black-Necked Crane Festival Tour

7^th Nov. Arrive Paro – Thimphu: (2320 m) (Distance: 56 km, 1 hr drive).

Meet and greet Airport and drive to Thimphu. On the way,

Tamchog-Lhakhang

View Tamchog Monastery built by Thangthong Gyalpo (Popularly known as Lama Chazampa, which literally means, the Iron Bridge builder) in the 15^thThang Thong Gyalpo (1385 – 1464) was a wonder working saint from Tibet who came to Bhutan in 1433 looking for Iron Ore. He built 108 bridges across Tibet and Bhutan, out of which 8 were built in Bhutan. His only surviving bridge is in Duksum (Tashi Yangtse in Eastern Bhutan).
Visit Tashichho Dzong, seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan).

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

8^th Nov. Thimphu Sightseeing:

After breakfast, visit to:

Buddha-Point-in-Thimphu

National Postal Museum.
National Memorial Chorten (1974) built in honour of our 3^rdKing, late His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (The Father of Modern Bhutan).
Tallest Statue of Buddha, Changangkha Lhakhang, Takin Preserve center, Sangaygang view point, and the Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan.

After lunch,

Hike to Cheri Monastery (18 kms – 20 ).
In the evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

9^th Nov. Thimphu – Punakha: (Altitude 1310 m) (76 Km, 3 hrs drive):

After breakfast, drive to Punakha.

Dochula-Pass-at-Thimphu-Bhutan-Travel

Visit Dochula pass with its 108 stupas and the beautifully arranged Himalayan mountain ranges.
Chimi Lhakhang, which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley (Popularly known as “The Divine Madman”,in the year 1499. The Temple is also called “the Temple of Fertility”. Lama Drukpa Kuenley (1455 – 1529) was one of the Bhutan’s Favourite Saints who was born in Tibet, trained at Ralung Monastery and was a contemporary and a disciple of Pema Lingpa. He Travelled throughout Bhutan and Tibet as a “Neljorpa” (Yogi) using songs, humour and outrageous behavior to dramatize his teachings of Salvation through sex.

After lunch, visit to:

Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Punakha is the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the First National Assembly here in 1952.
Walk the Suspension bridge across Pho Chu River. The longest Suspension bridge in Bhutan.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

10^th Nov. Punakha – Gangtey: (Altitude 3120 m) (128 km, 4 hrs):

Places-to-visit-in-Bhutan-Khamsum-yella-Temple

Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Choeten

Hike to Khamsung Yulley Namgyal choling Monastery.
Visit the Wangdiphodrang Dzong built in 1638. (Razed by fire in 2012), now in ruins & under construction.
Gangtey Gompa monastery.
Black Necked Crane information center.

After lunch:

Explore the beautiful Phobjikha valley (Upper part of the valley is called Gangtey and lower part is called Phobjikha.

Dinner and overnight in Guest house.

11^th Nov. Gangtey: Witness the Black necked Cranes Festival:

After breakfast:

Witness the Crane festival (Full Day).

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

12^th Nov. Gangtey – Thimphu: (128 kms – 6 hours).

After breakfast, drive to Thimphu.

Lungchutse hike (3 hours): This is a beautiful hike and you can see a very good view of the Himalayas including Gasa Dzong and Mt. Masagang and other mountains.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

13^th Nov. Thimphu – Paro: (56 kms – 1 hour).

After breakfast visit to:

Attractions-in-Haa-Chelela-Pass

Chelila pass to view the beautiful Himalayas, with highest Motorable road in Bhutan at 3856 meters above the sea level.

After lunch, visit to the Ta Dzong, the National Museum.

Paro Rimpung Dzong built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the administrative centre of Paro district.
Evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

14^th Nov. Paro Sightseeing: (Altitude 2280 m).

After breakfast:

Places-of-interest-in-Paro-Paro-Taktshang

Hike to Taktsang Monastery or the Tiger’s Nest built in1684 by the Penlop of Paro Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay.
Drukgyal Dzong 16 km up the valley built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal,
Kichu Lhakhang built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Srongsen Gampo.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

15^th Nov. Paro (Departure): After breakfast, drive to the airport and farewell.

Value Added Services

Tour Cost Includes / Excludes

Tour Cost Includes:

a. All Meals [Breakfast /Lunch/Dinner]
b. Accommodation in 3 star Hotels (Twin / double sharing]
c. All transportation within the country including airport transfers. Toyota Hiace Bus for 3 – 7 pax) & Toyota Coaster Bus for 8 – 14 pax.
d. Royalty & Govt. Taxes.
e. Entrance fees for Museums and Monuments.
f. Visa Fee.
g. English speaking Local guide.
h. Sightseeing.
i. Bottled Water.

Tour Cost Does Not Include:

* Druk Air fares (International).
* Insurance Premiums.
* Payments for service provided on a personal basis
* Cost for any services not mentioned in the “Cost Include head”
* Cost incurred due to mishaps, strikes, political unrest etc.
* Personal expense in items such as laundry, soft drinks, Camera Charges. Incidentals, Portage, Bellboy charges tips or any other services.