| Ecotoursim Activities |
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Cultural Program To add to your experience in the valley, visitors can also enjoy local dances in the evening. The tour group leader should make an advance request (at least one to two days ahead) if they wish to see cultural program by the local communities in the evening. There is also an opportunity to experience a local party in a farm house, with lunch/dinner and dances. The cost will depend on the number of people in your group. Please note that the availability of community related programs will depend entirely on the local people’s participation and may not always be possible. Cultural Tours The valley is rich with cultural history and it is home to some of the most important and centuries old monasteries in Bhutan including the Gangtey Gompa. Local guides can be hired to help you discover the local history and heritage that make the valley more magical. Gangtey Tshechu The Gangtey Tshechu (annual festival) is performed every year on the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th day of the eighth month of the Bhutanese calendar. While the main festival starts only during the last three days the preparation begins three days earlier. They finish practicing on the 5th and on 6th and a rehearsal is done. Then on 7th they will celebrate the trhue during which the performers will go to Kuenzang Chholing Sheda to wash and cleanse their body and prepare for the main occasion.The mask dances are performed by the (gomchens) lay monks who are also residents of the Gangtey gewog. The main mask dances performed during these three days of the festival are Peling Ging Sum on the 1st day, Raksha Mangcham on the 2nd day and Guru Tshengye on the final day. Khewang Tshechu It was believed that in those days the construction of the Khewang temple was frequently obstructed by the demons in the valley. In order to stop these evils spirits, Trulku Penjor Gyeltshen created four types of dances. He performed the dances for three days to distract the attention of the spirits. This allowed the laborers to complete the temple without any trouble. To celebrate this victory of subduing the demons, Penjor Gyeltshen constructed the Gyalwai Rigna Chorten to the east of the temple. This age-old belief is still kept alive through the three day festival organized every year at the Khewang. Kewang Tshechu is celebrated from the 1st to the 3rd day of the ninth Bhutanese month. The four dances created by Trulku Penjor Gyeltshen are performed on the 3rd day, as a celebration of his victory over the evil spirits. Walking and Trekking Phobjikha valley probably provides the best opportunity for day walks in Bhutan. The broad valley provides some inviting terrain for those less keen on Bhutan’s traditional vertical climbs! There are many possibilities for easy day walks in the valley, few of which are described below. Depending on ones choice and convenience one can choose any of the walks and treks described below. It is difficult to lose oneself in the valley, as the open terrain gives you a clear view of where you have come from; we still recommend that you go with a guide to get the most enjoyment out of your walk. To get a better insight of the local history, local legends and stories of the valley a local guide can be arranged. By using local guides you will also help support and encourage local skills and contribute to local economy directly. For such requirements the travel agent should inform RSPN in advance. (For contact details please see the Useful Information section). Apart from the enjoyment that these trails offer to a visitor, they have also proved useful to the local community, especially for the local school children to commute. A piece of advice! The valley becomes quite windy in the late afternoons, so you may want to finish your walk by around 3pm. The valley provides beautiful views throughout the year, although we do not recommend walking in the height of the monsoon season unless you are a serious flower lover! Please keep in mind that by keeping to the trails you are also helping to protect the Cranes, by reducing the encroachment on the wetland. Enjoy your eco-friendly walk in the valley! Birding There are more than 88 species of birds in the area. For reference, CLICK HERE (Right-click & click save target as to download the document.) Mountain Biking Cycling provides a fun and an alternative way to see the valley. the relatively flat terrain and the scarcity of other vehicles on the trails make mountain biking a perfect to explore Phobjikha.Four bikes are available for hire from the crane information centre. We encourage bikers to use the paved motorable road for biking as it has very little traffic most of the time and so that you can enjoy a leisurely bike ride. Activity Menu Black-necked Crane introductory talk/ presentation: Nu 500 Mountain biking: Nu 700/day Local guide:Nu 300/day Local guest/farm house: Nu 500 /night Cultural activities (dances): Nu 150/dancer Riding Horse: Nu. 300/day Pack Horse: Nu.150/day |
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| Last Updated ( Monday, 13 August 2007 ) |