In-Country Itinerary
Day 1: Group one arrives in Paro and meets a representative of RTC at the airport. Drive to Thimphu (1 hour) and have welcome tea/snacks at the EC. Settle into the RTC Executive Centre Guestrooms, rest, have lunch, and explore Thimphu city. Dinner at Upstairs Restaurant in town. Return to RTC for the night.
Day 2: Group one visits Thimphu and the Centennial Market, and then returns to RTC. Group two arrives in Paro and meets a representative of RTC. Drive to Thimphu and have welcome tea/snacks at the EC. Both groups eat lunch at the EC, tour the campus, and meet with the President of Royal Thimphu College. Welcome dinner in the EC. Attendees will include management and student leaders, and the night will feature cultural performances by local performers, singers, and students.
Day 3: Participants meet with the RTC management team. Attend a lecture by Dr. Gado Tshering on medical emergencies and the health system in Bhutan. Drive to town for lunch at Coffee Culture. Tour the Folk Heritage Museum, and explore Thuimpu, visiting Buddha Point, the Memorial Chorten, and the Crafts Bazaar. Return to RTC for dinner.
Day 4: Lectures and discussions on Engaging Local Communities for Local Solutions: 1) Introduction to indigenous art, crafts and culture – by Mrs. Tshering Pelden, CEO of Agency for Promotion of Indigenous Craft, 2) Bhutan: Choices and Challenges – by Karma Phuntsho, Founding Director of the Loden Foundation and the Shejun Agency. 3) Advent of Modernization – by Dasho Paljor J. Dorji, Special Advisor, National Environment Commission. Lunch will be served between lectures. Dinner will follow as convenient.
Day 5: Drive to Paro and attend the Paro Tsechu Festival. Lunch at a restaurant in town. Explore Paro town. Return to RTC for dinner in the EC Cafeteria.
Day 6: Lecture and discussions: 1) Gross National Happiness – by Dr. Saamdu Chetri, Executive Director of the GNH Centre in Bhutan. 2) Rural and Community Development –by Chimi P. Wangdi, Director General of the Tarayana Foundation. 3) Engaging Rural Communities in Conservation – by Mr. Tshering Phuntsho, Program Coordinator of the Conservation and Sustainability Livelihoods Program. Lunch will be served between lectures. Dinner will follow as convenient.
Day 7: Drive to Phobjikha (6 hours). Students will arrive early, check into homestays and interact with host, locals and monks. Lunch will be eaten on the road. Dinner will be provided at the homestays.
Day 8: Walk around the valley. Visit the Black-Necked Crane Centre. Students will interact with conservation officials. Students will either eat lunch in their homestay, or will leave early to have lunch just before Wangdue, in Chusomsa, Kichu resort by the river. Drive back to Thimphu afterwards (6 hours). Farewell dinner in a Thimpu restaurant, with cultural performances.
Day 9: Check out of the RTC, and have a feedback session along with breakfast. Drive to Paro. Two options for the day: 1) Hike to Taktsang. Lunch at the Taktsang Cafeteria. Walk around town. Visit the Ta Dzong Museum. Check into Hotel Olathang. 2) Visit Ta Dzong Museum. Visit Drugyel Dzong. Lunch. Paro sightseeing. Check into Hotel Olathang. Both options will conclude with dinner at the Hotel Olathang.
Day 10: Check out of the Hotel Olathang. Farewells, and boarding of Flight Bhutan Airlines B3700 to Bangkok.
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