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| Welcome to Bhutan | |
Welcome to Bhutan - the 'Land of the Thunder Dragon'. Perched among the peaks of the mighty Himalaya, the tiny kingdom of Bhutan has been described as the last Shangri-La, shrouded in centuries of mystery. Bhutan offers a fascinating insight into a Buddhist culture where time has stood still and the chance to experience Himalayan landscapes of astounding, untouched beauty. |
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We are pleased to profile the opportunity to visit a very special off-season festival which we can offer on a tailor made basis as part of a 14 day cultural tour of Bhutan. The 2nd Matsutake Festival will take place in Ura, Bumthang from 5 to 7 August 2009, organised by Bhutan's Ministry of Agriculture in the Thrumshing La National Park. The objectives of this festival are stated to be to celebrate mushrooms, celebrate culture and celebrate life! In addition to showcasing mushrooms and associated delicacies, the organisers promise to bring out the best of local culture through sacred dances and folk music. You can try mushrooms cooked either by professional Japanese Chefs or in the Bhutanese way. At the same time there are opportunities to experience farmstays, horseriding, trekking and hot stone baths. For more information have a look at the programme or contact us. |
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Based both in Bhutan and the UK, Blue Poppy Tours and Treks has many years of experience revealing to clients the mysteries of Bhutan’s traditions and majestic landscapes. Whether you’re interested in visiting ancient Buddhist monasteries, experiencing a traditional Bhutanese festival, or trekking in stunning mountain scenery, our speciality is to tailor your trip to your needs and make it an unforgettable holiday. We pride ourselves on our extensive local contacts and on going the extra mile to make each trip special. We can arrange stays in traditional Bhutanese farmhouses, bird-watching, mountain biking, archery lessons, tours focusing on local textiles, photography, filming, Buddhist meditation and much more. Let us help you to see Bhutan through Bhutanese eyes. |
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We specialise in tailor made itineraries for independent travellers, but we do run group trips for the main festivals. There are still places available for our Thimphu festival tour in September 2009. Paro festival is scheduled for the end of March 2010 and once the winter flight schedule has been released we will start taking bookings for our Paro festival tour as well. We are also pleased to announce that we are able to offer a 15% discount on rooms at Hotel Zhiwaling which is a locally owned luxury hotel in Paro - let us know if you would be interested to stay there for a few days during your holiday and we would be happy to arrange it for you. |
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For another special off-season festival we can arrange for you to visit the Bhutan Folk Festival which takes place in Punakha from 13 to 15 December 2009. The festival is arranged to offer guests a chance to "experience, learn, interact and discover the living tradition and cultural heritage of Bhutan," particularly highlighting local traditions from the Punakha district. It is intended to open a window on daily life in Bhutan and promises the opportunity to see and try traditional games such as darts, archery and strong man competitions, to watch dancing and drama, to experience the magic of astrologers' rituals, to try local delicacies and spirits, and to gain the benefit of prayers and ceremonies conducted by local teachers. We would be happy to design an itinerary for you to incorporate some time at the festival. Please contact us for more details. |
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We are often asked if we can assist with tours in neighbouring countries and regions. We have worked with the following agents in Nepal, Darjeeling and Mongolia whom we are happy to recommend:
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