Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Bhutan... & you never thought about it ...  

Ladies - on the Textile Trail

Asia sticks to you. Ancient Civilisations | Vast Landscapes | Food to Live By | Glimpse of the Future. From the nomadic steppes of Kazakhstan to the frenetic streets of Hanoi, Asia is a continent so full of intrigue, adventure, solace & spirituality that it has fixated and confounded travellers for centuries. Bhutan, the Happy Kingdom is no ordinary place. It is the last great Himalayan kingdom, shrouded in mystery & magic, opened to outsiders & tourism in 1974, where a traditional Buddhist culture carefully embraces global developments. Come…..experience ‘the Land of the Thunder Dragon with us……

From sublime coastlines to snow-capped mountains, the majestic Mekong River to wildlife infested jungle, Asian landscapes hold an immediacy & vibrancy that captivates & enchants. Immense expanses of desert flow down from inhospitable mountains, which in turn give way to seemingly impenetrable forests. In a land where tigers still roam free (though far from noisy tourists) nature continues to be the driving force in many peoples’ lives. Virtually every climate on the globe is represented here; take a trek over the Gobi’s arching dunes or sun yourself on the sand-fringed tropical islands of the South China Sea.

Asia has contributed a cast of villains & heroes to global history. Most of the significant achievements of the modern world had their infancy in Asia. Historic trading routes sliced across epic terrain as expanding empires competed to trade goods and ideas throughout the continent & beyond. Asia’s ambitious civilisations ultimately gave rise to some of the world’s most revolutionary ideas & important technology. Ancient wonders & sacred spaces abound across the continent, from the Great Wall of China & the temples of Angkor to lesser-known marvels in Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan & so many more.

How can we forget the cuisine ? Is there any greater place to eat than Asia? The continent has exported its cuisines the world over: India’s red hot curries, China’s juicy dumplings, Vietnam’s steaming bowls of pho soup & Thailand’s heaping plates of pat tai (pad Thai) noodles are known & loved across the globe. Eating here can be both a joyous & chaotic affair: forks are forsaken in favour of fingers or chopsticks & food is enjoyed with unrivalled gusto. Whether settling down for a Michelin-starred meal in one of Singapore’s finest restaurants or pulling up a plastic stool on a Bangkok street, hungry travellers will never be bored by the diversity of Asia’s gourmet cuisines.

And now, let us talk about the Happy Kingdom - Bhutan.

Landscapes & Biodiversity | Joie de Vivre & the Rhythms | Treasure house of Buddhist Art | Mountains & Monasteries | Magic…..

Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon, is no ordinary place. It is the last great Himalayan kingdom, shrouded in mystery & magic, where a traditional Buddhist culture carefully embraces global developments.

Bhutan holds many surprises. This is a country where buying cigarettes is illegal, where the rice is red and where chillies aren’t just a seasoning but the entire dish.

It's also a deeply Buddhist land, where men wear a tunic to work, where monks check their smartphones after performing a divination, and where giant protective penises are painted on the walls beside the entrance of most houses & where Gross National Happiness is deemed more important than Gross National Product.

Gross national happiness” is His Majesty’s description of the kingdom’s development goals & an apt reflection of the vibrant combination of Bhutan’s medieval & modern histories.  Although one of the most isolated & least developed nations in the world, Bhutan has been described as the happiest least developed country on Earth.  Off-limits to visitors until 1974, the country has carefully preserved its traditional culture & lifestyle.

Yet while it visibly protects its Buddhist traditions, Bhutan is not a museum. You will find the Bhutanese well educated, fun loving & well informed about the world around them. This is not just a nation of saintly, other-worldly hermits. Bhutan is straddling the ancient & modern world and these days you will often find monks transcribing ancient Buddhist texts into computers as traditionally dressed noblemen chat on their mobile phones.

It is this blending of the ancient & modern that makes Bhutan endlessly fascinating.

The privileged few who visit this Himalayan kingdom encounter a land of serene monasteries, robed monks, welcoming people & breathtaking natural beauty.  The Bhutanese have treasured their natural environment, as it is viewed as the source of all life in accordance with Buddhist principles.  This harmony with nature has ensured a pristine environment with an astonishing variety of plants and a rich wildlife. 

First off, there are the early Buddhist sites in the cultural heartland of Bumthang Dzongkhag & the undisturbed traditional Tibetan-style culture that sets Bhutan aside as the last remaining great Himalayan kingdom. Then there are the textiles, outrageous trekking as well as the stunning flora & fauna of Phobjika Valley. Trashigang is an interesting town, also convenient for launching into a trip in eastern Bhutan.

Environmental protection goes hand in hand with cultural preservation in Bhutan. By law, at least 60% of the country must remain forested for all future generations; it currently stands above 70%. Not only is Bhutan carbon neutral, but it actually absorbs more carbon than it emits! For the visitor, this translates into lovely forest hikes and superb birding across a chain of national parks. Whether you are spotting takins or blue poppies, trekking beneath 7000m peaks or strolling across hillsides ablaze with spring rhododendron blooms, Bhutan offers one of the last pristine pockets in the entire Himalaya.

So why spend your money to come here? Firstly, there is the amazing Himalayan landscape, where snow-capped peaks rise above shadowy gorges cloaked in primeval forests. Taking up prime positions in this picture-book landscape are the majestic fortress-like dzongs & monasteries. This unique architecture sets the stage for spectacular tsechus (dance festivals) attended by an almost medieval-looking audience. Then there are the textiles & handicrafts, outrageous archery competitions, high-altitude trekking trails, and stunning flora & fauna. If it is not 'Shangri La', it's as close as it gets.

This itinerary combines touring & walking to best appreciate the forts, monasteries, markets & mountains of the legendary Dragon Kingdom. The Journey will take you to the most popular tourist destinations in the country including Thimphu, Bhutan's capital, Wangdue & Paro, Bhutan's only international airport. Also included is an easy hike to the Taktsang Monastery which is a charm to visit regardless of the time of the year.

This unique experience is an opportunity to learn about the Textiles, which today are an art form that is representative of the very heart & soul of the country, carrying almost ‘religious’ connotations. 

Drive through the Valleys of Bumthang, the hub of pilgrimage in Bhutan & get an up-close experience of Bhutan’s main textile center. May be, interact with the weaver & try your hand at the looms. You wil get a first hand experience of weaving at Pema Gatshel. Radi, Khaling & Trashigang.

Weaving is an ancient art in Bhutan. Taking root in a rural & rustic setting, a uniquely rich tradition of weaving has evolved and flowered over time. With skills handed down from generation to generation, mother to daughter, from family to family. Fabrics fashioned in the looms, a veritable feast of magical colors and intricate designs and patterns, are symbolic of the Bhutanese society and the Dragon Kingdom.

The art of weaving although widespread is particularly impressive in Central & Eastern regions of Bhutan. In the villages of these regions, the “thump thump” of the handloom is a common sound & it will be an exceptional household where a woman does not weave clothes for the family & for earning extra income. But essential as these tasks are to the family, they do not convey the actual significance of weaving in society. So deeply is weaving ingrained in the psyche of the Bhutanese people that the woven cloth & dress is closely associated with status, etiquette, as well as social, cultural & religious events as well as occasion of import of textile.

Cotton, silk, wool and yak hair are used to weave fabrics on back strap looms for different types of uses such as men’s dress (Gho), women’s dress (Kera), shoulder cloth, ceremonial cloths, bags, etc., of a great variety of intricate patterns.

You will experience at first hand skills of dyeing & spinning of yarn, sheep wool & Yak hair. The loom & weaving kit, warps and wefts, weaving techniques & fruits of the loom. On the Master Weaver’s Trail Tour you will visit the heartland of the weaving country.

A country of surprises. Get ready to experience a sensory overload as you visit the Land of the Thunder Dragon. And, of encounters with history & culture, the new & the old, at just about every turn, with the power to enthral even the most jaded traveller, it offers so much more. Take the plunge now & yep….Bhutan is waiting. A warm welcome awaits you & The Journeys is ready to take you on well, a journey (or journeys) of discovery.

Come……be inspired & discover the World with us

Mystical Bhutan & yours to discover…now

Ladies - on the Textile Trail

Paro * Thimphu * Punakha * Wangdue * Trongsa * Jakar * Mongar * Khurbazam * Trashigang * Rangjung * Bumthang * Wangdue * Paro

17 Days | 16 Nights

Mystical Bhutan....  prepare to be charmed…

Ladies Special- on the Textile Trail

*Seat in Coach. Guaranteed departures with minimum 4 guests. There may be other participants & group size may vary.  Participants may come from all over the world and most of them will be English speaking. Private Tour with English speaking Guide & vehicle can be arranged with a supplement cost.

 

**Please note that the Program highlights the main attractions that are to be visited each day. Some Monuments / places may require an extra Entrance Fees to be paid for accessing some of the areas.

 

*** It is extremely rare that Programs need to be changed but it can occur. We reserve the right to change, amend or alter the Itinerary if required, for example, occasionally the tour sequence & duration of time spent in each place / city can change due to local conditions which are out of our control or due to heavy traffic conditions or bad weather. The Price will not be affected.

 

Conditions related to specific Tours will be advised in due course.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mystical Bhutan....  prepare to be charmed…

Ladies - on the Textile Trail

And last but not least:

Departures:

Arrival in Paro on 14 September 2021 (minimum 4 guests)

Validity:

→ September 2021

Prices:

We offer several accommodation choices for this Journey. The price varies by selected accommodations. The itinerary remains unchanged.

Exchange rates fluctuate on a daily basis. Please contact us for current pricing and we will respond within 24 hours.

Some important notes

• Flights are subject to constant modifications / delays and cancellations.  In such cases, we will do all possible to find the best available alternative / solution but will not accept any liability, whatsoever.
• Our rates only include those items which are specified in the Itinerary / Inclusions.
• The cost has been calculated on the existing tariffs / conditions and in case of any currency fluctuations or amendment in local Government taxes, or any fuel hike, we reserve the right to revise the tour price accordingly.
• Our quotations are calculated on base category of accommodation at each property and are subject to modification, if the same hotel / category of room not available at the time of reservation. In that case, we will confirm a superior category of room at a comparable or better hotel and supplement charges, if any, shall be advised accordingly. Final Itinerary will illustrate updated information and / or it would be furnished at the time of confirmation.
• All prices are per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability at the time of booking. The from price reflects the lowest available price at time of publication, which is valid for a specific start date or dates and also based on availability at the time of booking.
• Room availability is getting saturated due to heavy demands from the tourism industry, international Fairs and Congresses. Due to these constant sold- out situations the hotels are applying the cancellation rules more stringently. Once the reservation is guaranteed, the booking will be subject to full cancellation charges as per our Terms & Conditions (details will be advised at the time of deposit). We strongly recommend obtaining Insurance to protect yourself against any unforeseen scenarios.
• Additional services including Optionals, if any, can be paid directly by the clients to our local offices.