1. Educational Tours
Bhutan is a treasure trove for those interested in delving into a little known world that has fiercely withstood change and the dictates of time. Under the theme “Education by Touring,” we offer you the opportunity to undertake tours suited to your field of interest. Unlike your average travel itinerary, these tours allow you more time and access to the subject of your choice. The hallmark of this educational tour will the interaction with knowledgeable resource people, who will share their perspective on various issues ranging from Buddhism, Bhutanese History, Polity, Society, Governance and cultural heritage and more.
2: Bhutan Legendary and Festival Tours
Bhutan is a country of festivals. The most important are Tshechus or religious dance festivals, commemorating the great deeds of Guru Rimpoche, the founding saint of Buddhism here. These Tsechus are held in different districts at different times. Masked dancers will intrigue and beguile you with performances that are actually annual blessings for the locals. Important Dzongs (fortresses) also have their own festivals called Dromche, held in honour of Yeshi Gompo (Mahakala) or Peldon Lhamo (Mahakali) the two main protective Deities of the nation. Rare mask and sword dances and other rituals are performed in the courtyards and the Temples of the Dzongs. The origin of the most of the Dances can be traced beyond the middle ages and are performed once or twice a year. Many visitors come to Bhutan to witness these festivals.
The most popular festivals are those held in spring at Paro and Thimphu and in autumn in Bumthang. They are not somber formal religious affairs but occasions to get together, renew acquaintances and to make merry.
The Atsaras [traditional clowns of the Tshechu] add colour and merriment to the festival by their bawdy antics. Each valley has its own special celebrations and guardian deities. Tshechu attract the crowds that sometimes travel from the remotest of villages. In a swirl of colours and noise, the gods and demons of the Buddhist mythology come to life.
3. BHUTANESE TEXTILE TOUR
“THE LIVING ART OF WEAVING”
The art of weaving is an integral part of Bhutanese society. Today, every Bhutanese home is equipped with a loom for weaving. Since time immemorial, Bhutanese women have adopted weaving as a respectable profession for eking out a living. Young girls begin learning the art of weaving from their mothers at an early age and attain proficiency before they reach the age of twenty.
Considering the societal and religious values associated with weaving in Bhutan, Bhutanese textiles have received wide accolade and recognition for its unique quality across the world.
To help you see and appreciate the beauty of Bhutanese textiles, Thunder Dragon Treks, offers this very unique tour centered exclusively on the intricacies of weaving in small villages. In the course of your visit, you will have the opportunity to interact and meet various segments of people involved in weaving and eventually learn the advancement of this industry in Bhutan. In order to help you see the manifestation of these textiles, we will take you to at least one festival where men and womenfolk attend in their best outfits embedded with intricate Bhutanese patterns.
4: Pilgrimage Tours
Bhutan is dotted with stupas and temples, caves and innumerous other sacred sites where the founders and propagators of Buddhism have left their indelible imprints. Under pilgrimage tours, we offer you the opportunity to retrace the history of Buddhism in Bhutan since its arrival here in the sixth century.
Also part of the package, you will get to witness the role of Buddhism in the everyday lives of the Bhutanese. There is perhaps no other country where religion plays a more central role in people’s lives and governance than Bhutan. Indeed, in Bhutan the head Buddhist monk, called the Je Khempo, is considered the equal of the king and they are the only two people in the country entitled to wear the yellow scarf. Prior to the start of the current royal dynasty in the early 20th century, the head monk ruled the kingdom.
While spending time with ordinary Bhutanese people, who are living examples of this concept, may provide us with the most powerful examples of the meaning of the Buddhist way of life, we will also have audiences with several monks to gain further insights. One of these audiences will focus on the practice of meditation, and how monks and lay people alike can use it to better understand themselves and the world around us.
5: Bhutanese Community based Tours emphasizing on local festival in remote places.
In Bhutan, every district, community and village have their own unique festivals that are little known even to the urban Bhutanese, leave aside tourists. Under this programme, Thunder Dragon Treks offers this rare opportunity to travel to a distant community/village and not only witness the festival but also become completely immersed into the life of the people there. This is a very good opportunity for those interested in indigenous communities, anthropological studies and in general those who really want to wander off the beaten track.
NATURE BASED TOURS
1. Birding Tours
Bhutan has been declared one of 10 global Hot Spots for environmental conservation in view of its amazing diversity in flora and fauna. Leading the world in pristine, intact forest cover, the Bhutanese environment is extremely wide ranging for a nation of its size, with environ and habitat ever changing from subtropical to alpine in between 200mts to 7000mts. Climatic conditions, natural species and topography are as varied. So far 616 species of birds have been identified with countless more remaining elusive to the ornithologist. Of these 15 fall among the highly endangered. These include the White-bellied Heron, Phalli’s Fish Eagle Rufous-necked Hornbill, Grey-crowned Prinia and Beautiful Nuthatch. Bhutan is also a winter roost for the rare Black-necked Crane as it makes its yearly migration from the Tibetan plateau. Bhutan is a true paradise for birdwatchers and ornithologists and still holds the promise of any lucky person to discover yet another new species.
Birds have never been hunted for food in Bhutan; indeed they make up an important part of Bhutanese culture and tradition. Be it through mask dances or traditional games like archery, birds have always been depicted.
2: BOTANBICAL TOURS
Bhutan
has been described as a natural paradise for its rich and pristine biodiversity.
Even as the world mourns the loss of its ecology, this small Himalayan kingdom
is emerging as an example to the international community, with more than 72
percent of its land still under forest and a great variety of rare plant and
wildlife species.
Among them, Rhododendron of numerous shades and the Blue Poppy, the national
flower, are visual delights across the country. The dense forest, also ranging
from the sub-tropical to the temperate, are home to numerous rare and endangered
species of wildlife like the blue sheep, the elusive Snow Leopard, the Himalayan
Black Bear, the Golden Langur, the Takin. Several northern valleys are home to
the Black Necked Crane in winter. With the beauty of the majestic snow-capped
peaks and fertile valleys, the clean crisp air, unpolluted habitats, and large
tracts of virgin forest, Bhutan is, indeed, a unique world.
3. Walking Tour
Unlike other tours, this “ “walking tour” provides the perfect opportunity for clients interested in perusing the challenge and fun of adventure travel by walking. It enables one to explore and experience in-depth insights of the country, interact with local people and be a part of Bhutanese culture.
4. Mountain Biking Tours
For the avid mountain biker, Bhutan is a literal paradise. There are several routes that could match the toughest in Asia but Bhutan will surpass all in terms of its intact pristine environment and the abundant flora and fauna. These tours are designed to allow the biker maximum exposure to the environment and the vibrant traditional way of life of the locals.