India Eclipse Tours - Eclipse In Bhutan - 7 day tour

India Tours 2009 Total Solar Eclipse

Day 1: Kolkata

Sunday. Kolkata - Paro. Transfer to airport for you flight to Paro. The flight into Bhutan takes you over the great Himalayas, offering the scintillating scenery of the world’s highest glacial peaks. As you enter Paro valley, you will see the silvery Pa Chu (Paro River) meandering down the valley, the Paro Dzong (fortress) and Ta Dzong (watch tower). Transfer to Thimphu, the modern capital town of Bhutan. Nestled in the Eastern Himalayas, Bhutan has for centuries remained cautiously aloof from the rest of the world. Opening its doors to the world in 1974, Bhutan’s pristine environment, awesome scenery, architectural brilliance and the hospitable charm of the local people was revealed to travellers hungry for new experiences. Overnight - Thimphu.

Day 2: Thimphu Valley, Thangkha paintings & Buddhist philosophy

Thimphu - breakfast. Today’s full day of sightseeing in Thimphu valley includes the National Library which has a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts, manuscripts, modern academic books and printing blocks for prayer flags and the Thimpu Painting School, famous for traditional thangkha paintings. The Traditional Medicine Institute is where the rich herbal medicines abundant in Kingdom are prepared here. The institute also imparts the art of herbal medicines to would be practitioners. Memorial Chorten is the beautiful stupa built in the memory of Bhutan’s third King. The paintings and statues inside the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy. Trashichhodzong, the beautiful fortress/monastery which houses Secretariate building, King’s Throne room and other government’s offices, is also the summer residence of Chief Abbot. To see a wide assortment of beautifully hand-woven and crafted products, visit the Handicrafts Emporium. Overnight - Thimphu.

Day 3: Himalayan peaks and Himalayan passes

Thimphu - Trongsa - breakfast. After early breakfast, drive to Dochula pass (3,080m), to see a range of high Himalayan peaks towards the north east on a clear day - Masagang (7,158m), Tsendagang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m), Jejegangphugang (7,158m), Kangphugang (7,170 m), Zongphugang (7,060m), a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana and Gangkar Punsum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m. Continue to Wangduephodrang town with a descent of 1,700 metres and then on to Trongsa across Pelela pass (3,300m), the traditional boundry between east and west. The pass is marked by a large prayer flag and the ground is covered with high altitude dwarf bamboo. Stop enroute at Chendbji Chorten, which was built in 18th century by a Lama named Shida, Nepalese in style with eyes painted at four cardinal points. Overnight - Trongsa.

Day 4: ECLIPSE IN Trongsa

Trongsa - Punakha - breakfast. TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE 2009 - Rising early, we walk to the Trongsa Dzong built by Shabdrng in 1647 and visit the Ta Dzong (watch tower), dedicated to Buddhist epic hero, King Gesar of Ling. It is here by the watch tower in the calm of the early morning that we wait in awe for the event to unfold. At approximately 05:26am the 1st phase of the Total Solar Eclipse will begin, the sky will turn to a shade of deep red then dark purple, cobolt grey and eventually complete darkness will prevail.

After the event there is further time to explore the expansive complex of Trangsa Dzong and enjoy the scenic procession of the monks going about their daily rituals. Later we return to our hotel for breakfast and time to freshen up. Later in the day we travel onward to Punakha, visiting en route the 17th century majestic Wangdue Dzong followed by visit to local market. The district of Wangduephodrang is also famous for its bamboo products, slate and stone carvings. Overnight - Punakha.

Day 5: Punakha Dzong fortress

Punakha - Paro - breakfast. Morning visit Punakha Dzong, a massive structure built at the junction of two rivers. It was the capital of Bhutan until 1955, and still serves as the winter residence of the monk body. The first King, Ugyen Wangchuck was crowned here in 1907. The fortress has withstood several damages from fire, earthquake and flood. The latest flood of October 1994 caused great damages to the fortress but miraculously spared the statue of Buddha Jojampa. Proceed to Paro, en route visit traditional Bhutanese farm house which offers good insight into lifestyle of local people and their culture. Overnight - Paro.

Day 6: Paro Valley

Paro - breakfast. Today’s full day sightseeing in Paro valley includes a visit to Ta Dzong, the National Museum, which in the past served as watch tower for the Paro Dzong. Then walk down the trail to visit Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong) built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. After lunch continue on to Drukgeyl Dzong, built in 1647 by the Shabdrung to commemorate Bhutanese victory over the Tibetans in war of 1644. Also en route visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom. Overnight - Paro.

Day 7: Kolkata

Saturday. Paro - Kolkata - breakfast. After breakfast we drive to the airport for our onward flight to Kolkata. Our tour concludes upon arrival to Kolkata. From here, connect with your onward international flight.

Transfers from the airport to a Kolkata hotel, return transfer the following day and overnight accommodation in Kolkata are available should you require. Please see Kolkata hotel and transfer costing on our Tour Price & Departure page.

Please note, that you will need to declare the following upon arrival as customs will check you are taking these items with you upon departure: personal cameras & video recorders, laptops, mobiles, or any other electronic device. If bringing in tabacco products to the country you will need to pay a tobacco tax upon arrival. Ensure that you have taken enough with you to last the duration of your visit as the sale of tobacco products in Bhutan is prohibited.

Nature of the Solar Eclipse

Perfect viewing conditions of the eclipse can not be guaranteed as July falls within Bhutan's wet season. Meteorologists suggest that there is a near 25% chance of cloudless, clear blue skies though there is a greater than 50% chance of mild cloud cover. On the days prior to the event all efforts will be made to give you with the most up to date meteorology information, based upon this and if possible we may slightly alter the location of our eclipse site for a more favourable viewing platform.

Tour Highlights

• Kolkata - upon arrival day 1 and departure day 8
• Paro - Pa Chu, Paro Dzing, Ta Dzong, Drukgeyl Dzong, Kyichu Lhakhang
• Thimphu - National Library, Thimphu Painting School, Traditonal Medicine Institute
• Dochula Pass - Himalayan peaks - Masagang, Tsendagang, Terigang, Jejegangphugang, Gangkar Punsum
• Punakha - Punakha Dzong

Solar Eclipse Tour includes

• Breakfast daily
• 6 nights - modestly appointed hotels 3 star hotels
• Return economy class flight from Kolkata - Paro
• Airport arrival and departure transfer from Kolkata and Paro
• Guided touring and sightseeing in Paro, Thimphu and Punakha
• Touring and excursions as per itinerary
• Local English speaking specialist guides Kolkata at local sights
• Entrance fees to all included sights and monuments
• All relevant transfers and transportation in private vehicles
• Procurement of Tourist visa for Bhutan. Payment of USD20 will need to be paid by you upon your point of entry to the kingdom

Solar Eclipse Tour does not include

• International flights, visa payment
• Tip kitty - an entirely personal gesture
• Laundry, drinks, items of a personal nature

For products over £350.00 per person we can take a non refundable deposit balance payable 11 weeks before departure.

This tour is a 'Guaranteed Departure' tour. This means that it will depart regardless of how many people are booked on to it. Have you considered your visa requirements? Tour Dates Departure Dates Year Dates 2009 Sun 19th July         Tour Prices Tour Prices and Single Supplements for dates starting From To Price SS All Travellers All Dates  £1179.00   £149.00  Make a Reservation Please use our online booking reservation service where available - if you need any further assistance or to book please feel free to call or email us with your booking. Until you have received a receipted invoice (by post fax or email) your reservation has been recorded but not been confirmed. This is similar to an airline wait-listing. This may only affect you if we have had major changes to the tour. Make a Reservation Tour Date [SELECT]Sun 19th July - 2009   Number of People   Single Supplement? (Check only if you require a single room) Payment Type [SELECT] Credit Card Online Bank Transmission Facsimile Credit Card DetailsDebit Card   When you click continue, you will be redirected to our secure sever at https://sslrelay.com/iah-holidays.co.uk/