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TMI: Bike Ride to the land of Happiness - Bhutan from 8th to 19th April '16.

Hey Mates, Get your Bikes ready, and Leaves Sanctioned, as Trek Mates India Organizes a Ride to the land of Happiness – Bhutan from 8th  to 19th April 2016.

Bhutan - The land of Happiness, where the wealth is measured by your happiness quotient. Yes Bhutan is the only country in the world which measured GDH (gross domestic happiness). Surprised don’t be… Gross National Happiness is a term coined by His Majesty the Fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck in the 1970s. The concept implies that sustainable development should take a holistic approach towards notions of progress and give equal importance to non-economic aspects of wellbeing.



Bhutan is built on its core culture, heritage & values. Bhutan offers many cultural & natural offerings which are quite unique. Food in Bhutan is a complete surprise. The diversity of the landscape at Bhutan varies from Samdrup, Bumthang, Phobjika, Thimpu, Paro & Haa. You would get to witness the diverse culture of Budhism & its roots. The Culturally rich & humble bhutaneese people will mesmarise you with their charm.Words would be less to explain more about Bhutan & will be apt to say – “Come & experience the land of Happiness”

The itinerary for the event will be as follows:
Day 1, 8th April:
Guwahati to Samdrup (75 Kms, 3 hrs ride)
Report at Guwahati Airport by 10.30 am.
Depart from Guwahati to Samdrup by 12.30
Reach Samdrup by 5 pm.
Monastery visit, Dinner and Retire.

Samdrup Jongkhar is the gateway of the country’s east and shares borders with Assam. It is by far the largest urban center in eastern Bhutan. Jongkhar town holds the distinct honor of being the oldest town in Bhutan. This border town is a bustling little settlement packed to the brim with shopkeepers and hawkers from across the border. Dzong at Jongkhar is known for its heritage value.

Day 2, 9th April:
Samdrup to Mongar (290 kms, 11hrs ride)
Start Early morningand reach Mongar via Trashigang.
Evening free for shopping (specially traditional clothing)


Trashigang is set on a scenic hillside & was once a bustling trade center for merchants looking to barter their goods in Tibet. It is the junction of the East-West highway, with road connections to Samdrup & then into the Indian state of Assam.  Trashigang is also the principle market place for the semi-nomadic people of Merak and Sakteng, whose unique way of dress stands out from the regular Bhutanese Gho & Kira.
The road approaching Mongar is one of the most spectacular journeys, It passes over sheer cliffs and through beautiful fir forests and green pastures. Passing this way will have the opportunity to see countless varieties of rhododendrons, on clear days you can even catch a glimpse of Gangkhar Puensum (7541 meters), the world’s highest unclimbed mountain. The region is known for its weavers and textiles and fabrics produced here are considered some of the best in the country.

Day 3, 10th April:
Mongar to Bumthang (190kms, 6hrs)
Start early and Ride to Bumthang
Enroute halts at photographic locations

Bumthang is known as the Switzerland of Bhutan, todays Destination as well as the journey is full of photographic locations. Don’t forget to keep you camera handy, and batteries charged.

Day 4, 11th April:
Leisure day to enjoy the Bumthang valley & Local sight seeing
Bumthang Valley consists of 4 main valleys Ura, Chumey, Tang & Choekhor. Choekhor. The valleys are broad and gentle carved by the ancient glaciers. The wide and scenic valleys draws a large number of tourists each year. The name Bumthang has two probable origins; the first is that it is named after a Bumpa, a vessel for holy water which the valley resembles in shape. The second origin implies that it is the Valley of Beautiful Girls as Bum translates to ‘Girl’ and Thang means ‘flat piece of land’.These fertile valleys are covered in fields of buckwheat, rice and potatoes. Apple orchards and dairy farms are also common sights here. This serene region is one of the most peaceful places in the kingdom

Day 5, 12th April:
Bumthang to Punakha (220 kms, 7 hrs ride)
Ride from Bumthang to Punakha Valley.
Enjoy the scenic beauty and take a leisure photography tour.

Punakha Dzongkhag has been inextricably linked with momentous occasions in Bhutanese history. It served as the capital of the country from 1637 to 1907 and the first national assembly was hosted here in 1953. It is the second oldest and second largest dzong in Bhutan and one of the most majestic structures in the country. Two major rivers in Bhutan the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu converge in this valley. Punakha Dzong is built at the confluence of these two rivers and is an especially beautiful sight on sunny days with sunlight reflecting off the water onto its white-washed walls. In addition to its structural beauty, Punakha Dzong is notable for containing the preserved remains of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the unifer of Bhutan as well as a sacred relic known as the Ranjung Karsapani. This relic is a self-created image of Avalokiteswara that miraculously emerged from the vertebrae of Tsangpa Gyarey the founder of the Drukpa School when he was cremated.

Day 6, 13th April:
Punakha to Thimphu (135 kms, 7 hrs ride)
Start riding towards Thimphu.
Enroute visit chimi lhakhang Monastery, the only monastery which celebrates reproduction and life
Reach Thimphu late evening and retire

Chime Lhakhang or Monastery is a Buddhist monastery Located near Lobesa, it stands on a round hillock and was built in 1499 by the 14th Drukpa hierarch, Ngawang Choegyel, after the site was blessed by the "Divine Madman" the maverick saint Drukpa Kunley (1455–1529) who built a chorten on the site. In founding the site He is also the saint who advocated the use of phallus symbols as paintings on walls and as flying carved wooden phalluses on house tops at four corners of the eves. The monastery is the repository of the original wooden symbol of phallus that Kunley brought from Tibet. This wooden phallus is decorated with a silver handle and is used to bless people who visit the monastery on pilgrimage, particularly women seeking blessings to beget children.The tradition at the monastery is to strike pilgrims on the head with a 10 inch (25 cm) wooden phallus (erect penis). Traditionally symbols of an erect penis in Bhutan have been intended to drive away the evil eye and malicious gossip.

Day 7, 14th April:
Leisure Day at Thimphu (40 kms)
A day at leisure in Thimphu, covering local site seeings like –
Buddha point
Monastery
Zoo
Thimphu Local Market

Thimphu is the most modern city in Bhutan with an abundance of restaurants, internet cafes, nightclubs and shopping centers, however it still retains its’ cultural identity and values amidst the signs of modernization. Thimphu is one of the few towns in Bhutan that have been equipped with ATM banking facilities and is a good place to stock up on some currency. One of the most curious features of Thimphu is that it is the only capital city in the world that does not use traffic lights. Instead a few major intersections have policemen standing in elaborately decorated booths (small pavilions), directing traffic with exaggerated hand motions. The juxtaposition of ancient tradition and modernity make Thimphu the ideal location to break away from the itinerary and just immerse in the lifestyle of contemporary Bhutanese

Day 8, 15th April:
Thimphu to Haa Valley (130 kms, 4hrs Ride)
Start early for a beautiful ride to Haa Valley
Enjoy the Serene nature of the valley
Take a walk across the small town. Enjoy the breeze, lots of photography.


Adjoining the districts of Paro, Chhukha and Samtse, Haa valley is one of the most picturesque places in the Kingdom, spread over an area of 1706 sq. km.

Day 9, 16th April:
Haa Valley to Paro
Start at leisure to head for a beautiful drive to Paro through the valleys.
Walk around the beautiful town & visit the Dzong & do shopping
Paro is a place where let your pocket loose. This is where you shop.

Day 10, 17th April:
Paro – Tiger’s Nest – Paro
Wake up early for a the best visual treat of Paro – The TIGER’S NEST.
This will be a 3 to 4 Hours of Hiking uphill based on your fitness. This is a must if you are visiting Bhutan
We will be back in Paro town by noon for a late lunch.
You are free for the rest of the day to explore Paro & shop & shop & shop



Tigers Nest - perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is called "Tiger's Nest". This site has been recognized as a most sacred place and visited by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 and now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime. On 19 April, 1998, a fire severely damaged the main structure of building but now this Bhutanese jewel has been restored to its original splendor.

Day 11, 18th April:
Paro to Phuetsholing (161kms, 5 hrs ride)
Start early to reach Phuetsholing, The border town to india.
Here is where you will be shocked to see the cultural differences in india & Bhutan
The discipline, the cleanliness & focus on hygiene
Enjoy the last day at the Happy Bhutan & relax

Day 12, 19th April:
Depart to airport
Start at 4 Am in the morning to reach Airport by 9am.
Depart for your respective locations.
Tour Ends with Happy memories.

The cost for the event will be INR 35000/- Per Participant
Inclusions
Ø  All Veg meals,
Ø  Double Sharing Accommodations
Ø  Non AC Back up Vehicle
Ø  All Permits

Exclusions :
Ø  Bike Transportation /renting charges
Ø  Fuel and Maintenance charges
Ø  Any airfare or Train tickets
Ø  Any Expenses of Personal nature such as Travel and medical insurance, Laundry Telephone/Fax, Calls, Additional Porter or transportations, additional tips, monument / museum / park entries. Camera & Video Camera Fees.
Ø  Any additional Expenses caused by reason beyond our control such as Natural Calamities (Land Slides, Floods etc.), any accidents, medical evacuations, riots, strikes, evacuation costs, Etc.
Ø  Any other tax or service charge, Accommodation charge that could be enforced.
Ø  Any service not specifically mentioned in the Includes sections.

Please Note:
Ø  All programs are subject to change without prior notice.
Ø  Extra porter can be provided at extra costs, if stated in advance

Payment details:
One needs to pay full amount as advance at the time of booking.
Account Details
ICICI Current Account No: 148805000123
Name: Trek Mates Outbound Services Pvt. Ltd.
Ifsccode: ICIC0001488
Branch: Kalwa, Thane

Please Note: 
It is very important that you line the inside of your bags with a big polythene sheet. Doing so will ensure, that in the event of rain, even though your bag may get wet, your clothes will still remain dry!
Ø  Registrations are done only on phone calls and will be confirmed only after the receipt of advance.
Ø  Registrations will be on first come first served basis.

For more details and Registration, Please feel free to contact us on:
Trek Mates India office: 8422 888 006 / 007 / 008
OR

Please check the details of Registration Process, Payment Terms & Refund policy

Last but not the least, Any adventure activity is a disciplined fun so please check our "
Rules and Regulation" page.

Medical Disclaimer:
 It is most essential to be fit and fine before heading for trekking. While planning your trekking trip, it is preferable to have a medical fitness check up done. If suffering from any kind of allergy or ailment, do carry proper prescribed medicines to prevent serious health problem including heatstroke, sever headache, cough, dehydration and hypothermia. Participants suffering from chronic conditions like asthma, bronchitis, blood pressure, migraine, diabetes etc should seek their physicians advice before coming.

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Regards,
Trek Mates India.
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