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| 2008/03/28 11:59:49瀏覽6297｜回應1｜推薦28 | |
| 搭晚上十點多的飛機，凌晨一點多，抵達曼谷，然後再轉搭明天清晨六點的不丹航空（Druk Air），飛往不丹的百羅（Paro）。 為什麼去不丹呢？一來，我對藏文化區，一向很有好感，故早就嚮往不丹。二來，是今年的年假實在很短，亞洲地區國家大多去過了，不丹就成了很好的選擇。 有人說，不丹很難前往。其實一點都不會。在二十一世紀，地球上大約沒有什麼地方到不了的了，南極、加拉巴哥群島、還有我曾前往潛水的巴布亞新幾內亞……。只要有錢，有閒，哪裡都去得了。這是一個沒有探險家的時代。想來，也是有一點諷刺。 不丹之所以給人很難前往的印象，是因為不丹政府為了保存傳統文化，不受資本主義的過度污染，故嚴格限制旅遊業，目前，一年止開放七千名（一說是九千名）旅客前往。每位旅客的旅費，也是有政府的公定價格，按天數、人數計算，一人一天200美金，包括食、宿、導遊和司機、車等。而飛往不丹的飛機，只有不丹航空http://www.drukair.com.bt/（據說，全公司僅有兩架飛機。）一天一班，從曼谷起飛，在加爾各答或是孟加拉的達卡停留，約半個小時後，再飛往不丹的百羅。尤其是從加爾各答起飛時，一定要坐在靠左排窗邊的位置，可以觀賞到壯麗的喜馬拉雅山景致。因為重重的限制，故要去不丹，必須早早預定，否則機票一位難求。 我偏好自己行走，而不喜歡跟團，於是我開始上網查詢不丹的旅遊資訊。國內有旅行社代辦不丹的自由行，然而，我也查了不丹的旅行社，網站上的資訊非常詳細，http://www.bhutantravelers.com/、http://www.bhutanadventure.com/，發覺同樣天數（八天六夜）的行程，國內代辦自由行，居然要比直接向不丹接洽，多出20000-25000元左右。於是二話不說，我便和不丹聯繫，從此開啟了我和Karma Tashi 漫長的email，討論行程、各種疑難雜症。Karma非常有耐心，總是在第一時間就回信，回答我各式奇奇怪怪的問題，如要求住帳棚、寄行李、改時間、如何取得不丹的機票，參加Punakah的祭典……等等。數十封的信件往來後，我還沒見到他本人呢，但感覺就已經很熟悉了 後來，才聽嚮導說，Karma是一個非常有趣的人，私下抽煙（不丹不准在公開場合抽煙，對於我這種不煙族而言，真是一大福音），喝酒，很會說笑話……。 Karma Tashi Founder and Managing Director: Life has been one big journey for Karma Tashi; from a tiny village in Khaling, Eastern Bhutan to the capital and eventually the travel business. In the interim, he has traveled every nook and corner of the nation as a tour guide. His vast experience and knowledge gave him to confidence to set up his own business. Karma is very flexible about the personal needs of his clients but extremely rigid when it comes to the quality of service that his staff must provide. Although desk-bound, he still takes every opportunity to guide clients himself. 7-Day Bhutan Cultural Tour with Festival and Camping (6-12 February 2008) Day 1 (6 Feb, Wednesday): Arrive Paro The flight to Paro crosses the Himalaya Mountains, affording spectacular views of the awesome peaks, including the sacred Jumolhari and Jichu Drake peaks in Bhutan. If you arrive via Kathmandu, which offers the most breathtaking view of the range, it's possible to see Mount Everest and Mount Kanchenjunga as well. On arrival you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon you can visit the Paro Dzong. It was built in 1646 and now houses government offices and religious institutions, as do all the dzongs (forts) currently. You'll cross a traditional wooden bridge on the way to the dzong. Afterward you will visit Kyichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the country. From there you will be taken to the Drugyel Dzong (Bhutan Victory Fort), which was built in 1646 to commemorate Bhutan's victory over Tibetan invaders during the 1600s. On a clear day you can see Mount Jumolhari, Bhutan's second-highest mountain at 7,329 meters, from the village below the dzong. In the evening you can stroll through the Paro market and town. Overnight in Paro. Day 2 (7 Feb, Thursday): Paro-Thimphu After breakfast hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan's most famous monastery. Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown on the back of a tigress from Singye Dzong in Lhuntse to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands. It is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. The hike to reach the viewpoint to the monastery makes for a nice half-day excursion. In the afternoon you will drive to Thimphu. In the evening you can explore Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, and absorb the lifestyle of the people. You can also visit some interesting handicraft shops. Overnight in Thimphu. Day 3 (8 Feb, Friday): Thimphu – Wangdi After breakfast you will drive to Wangduephodrang, with a stop en route for tea at Dochu La (3,100 meters), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas. After lunch you will continue driving to Wangdi and visit Wangdi Dzong, which is located on a spur overlooking the river and the surrounding villages. Overnight Hotel in Wangdi. Day 4 (9 Feb, Saturday): Wangdi-Gangtey You will begin the day by driving to Gantey. You'll pass through dense forests of oak trees and rhododendrons and arrive at Gantey village, where you'll visit Gantey Gompa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan. From Gantey, you can see the picturesque Black Mountain range as well as Phobjika Valley, the winter habitat of the black-necked cranes. Overnight Camp in Phobjika Valley. Day 5 (10 Feb, Sunday): Gangtey-Punakha You will begin the day by exploring the glacier valley of Phobjika. Then you will drive to Punakha with stop in Wangdi for lunch. After lunch drive to Punakha and on the way to Punakha, you will stop at Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to Chimi Lakhang, which is a fertility temple, where you may receive a special fertility blessing if you wish. Overnight Camp in Punakha. Day 6 (11 Feb, Monday): Punakha – Paro Morning attend the Festival in Punakha Dzong. Evening, you will drive to Paro. Overnight hotel in Paro. Day 7 (12 Feb, Tuesday): Depart Paro Drive to the airport for departure. |
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| ( 休閒生活｜旅人手札 ) |
