Wedding Ceremony-THUNDER DRAGON

The Traditional Bhutanese Wedding tour provides an opportunity to experience a local wedding ceremony featuring a number of religious rites performed by Buddhist monks and lamas representing the importance of the bond between a husband and wife. Traditional wedding and vow renewal blessing ceremonies can be easily customised to include western elements such as ring exchange, or more elaborate local features such as masked dances, archery, offering of butterlamps and special fertility blessings. This tour also explores the highlights of Bhutan’s culturally rich western valleys of Paro, Punakha and Thimphu visiting ancient fortresses, temples, monasteries, farm houses and meeting with the hospitable locals.

Overview

The Bhutan honeymoon tour will let you experience real Bhutanese lifestyle and culture. We will arrange the Bhutanese traditional way of marriage and let you experience romantic stay in the Bhutanese way. You can also visit many beautiful places for photography and do short hikes through pristine nature to enhance your trip pleasure.

Traditional wedding and vow renewal blessing ceremonies can be easily customised to include western elements such as ring exchange, or more elaborate local features such as masked dances, archery, offering of butterlamps and special fertility blessings. This tour also explores the highlights of Bhutan’s culturally rich western valleys of Paro, Punakha and Thimphu visiting ancient fortresses, temples, monasteries, farm houses and meeting with the hospitable locals.

Trip Highlights

Taste authentic Bhutanese Cuisines & Watch Bhutanese Traditional cultural show
Wear Bhutanese National Traditional Dress ”Being a new different person”
Leisure Hikes, a chance for your heart to talk with the Nature
Visit Bhutanese local farm stay , try farm stay cuisines or picnic in the Nature
Play National Sports: Archery and Darts (Khuru)
Experience traditional Bhutanese Herbal Hot Stone Bath
Bhutanese traditional wedding ceremony in one of the ancient temple
One day local professional photographer service for wedding

Day 1 :

ARRIVE PARO

The flight to Paro valley gives breathtaking views of the world’s highest peaks. Our representative will be there to receive you and escort you to your hotel in Paro. In the evening you will be presented with welcome cultural show followed by delicious local food.
Overnight stay in hotel, Paro.

Day 2 :

PARO (TRADITIONAL WEDDING CEREMONY DAY)

The most valuable and important thing in life is marriage and family, so we start the day with a wedding at a local home.
In Bhutanese traditional marriage the bride and groom dress up in expensive hand woven silk costumes called Gho and Kira. The marriage ceremony starts with good luck traditional rituals by a monk. The couple then makes commitment, exchange well wishing Khadars (scarf), offer gifts, drink wine and later visit some sacred temples.
Visits will include Kyichu Lhakhang, built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gonpo, ruins of Drugyel Dzong, which kept at bay invasions from Tibet in the 17th century, Paro Rinpung Dzong built in 1646 and Ta Dzong, which now serves as the national museum. The museum highlights various aspects of Bhutanese culture and history dating back to the 7th century.
Overnight stay in hotel, Paro.

Day 3 :

PARO – THIMPHU. 54KM/1 HRS APPROX

Drive to Thimphu, stop en-route to view the picturesque Tachog Lhakhang, the hereditary place of worship of Bhutan’s Iron Bridge Builder. Short hike down to Iron Bridge made by iron chains.
On arrival in Thimphu, visit the National Memorial Chorten, dedicated to world peace and prosperity. It was built in 1974 in memory of the Third King of Bhutan. You will find Thimphu residents circumambulating the Stupa throughout the day praying for universal harmony and all sentient beings. Visit Buddha point to see the Buddha Stupa and get a bird’s eye view of Thimphu valley.
Your next visit is to National Library that holds thousands of ancient Buddhist texts and scriptures. It also has a small but growing collection of modern books.
Also visit the National Institute of Zorig Chusum where students train in Bhutan’s thirteen traditional arts and crafts and the Folk Heritage Museum, which will provide insight into a traditional Bhutanese farm house and Bhutan’s fast disappearing rural past. Later in the afternoon visit Changangkha Lhakhang, a fortress like temple perched on a ridge above Thimphu city. Toward the northern end valley of Thimphu, is a preserve for Takin, the kingdom’s national animal.
Overnight stay in hotel, Thimphu.

Day 4 :

EXCURSION TO PUNAKHA

Morning drive to neighbouring Punakha valley crossing Dochula pass (3,050 m), which offers stunning views of the Himalayan Mountain ranges on a clear day. Explore the 108 Druk Wangyel Stupa and wind down through agricultural fields to valley of Punakha.
En route hike to Chimi Lhakhang through rice fields in the local village of Sopsokha. After the hike drive to visit Punakha Dzong, the winter seat of the Je Khenpo (head monk) and the central monastic body, located between the rivers of the Mo (Female) Chu and Pho (Male) Chu. Evening, drive to back to Thimphu.
Overnight stay in hotel, Thimphu.

Day 5 :

HIKE TO TIGER’S NEST

After breakfast you will drive to Paro to do the hike to the Taktshang monastery. The hike, which is all the way uphill through pine forests, takes about 2 hours at moderate pace. You can ride up if hiking uphill is too challenging.
The Monastery, which clings to a huge granite cliff 900 meters above the valley floor, is the place where the Indian tantric saint Padmasambhava meditated in the 8th century. It is a pilgrimage site for every Bhutanese. Evening, explore Paro town.
Overnight stay in hotel, Thimphu.

Day 6 :

DEPARTURE

Early morning, drive to the airport, for your onward journey.

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How fit do I need to be to do this trek?

Annapurna Base Camp is a Grade B or a moderately difficult trekking route. So any fit person can do this trek, even if you do not have any previous experience. You should be aware of what to expect and mentally prepare for it. Then, as long as you will to, you can.

How long do we walk every day when doing Annapurna Base Camp trekking?

On average, you walk about 4 to 6 hours per day. One or two days can be as less as 3hrs and one or two days can be as long as 7hrs.

What is the highest altitude reached in this trek?

The highest altitude reached is 4190m. This is the elevation of Annapurna Base Camp. ABC is the highest we will climb in this trek.

What about battery charging and hot shower facilities?

Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay certain amount for both ($1-$2). Negotiate. Also, hot water facility could be free at lower elevation.

Are there ATMs on the way to Annapurna Base Camp?

No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in Pokhara or Kathmandu. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.

What about internet access?

Yes. Internet can be accessed in most places. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems. Internet in Nepal is not as fast as you are used to and at times you can just lose connection.

Is it necessary to hire Guides/trekking agency for Annapurna Base Camp trekking?

Not really. It depends on you. If you want, ABC trekking can be done independently. You could hire a guide and a porter by yourself instead of going through an agency or not hire a guide at all. Although, not having a guide can be a little problematic during off season.

It really depends on you. Is it your first time in Nepal? How confident are you of being able to find your way around? How pressed on time are you? If you go through an agency, it will be costlier but everything will be planned. You will only have to come, trek and return.

How much do guides and porters cost?

For Annapurna region, pay for guides range from $20 to $30 per day and porters take $15 to $25 per day.