Bhutan Yoga Adventure April 6-16, 2018
Clockwise from top: The impressive Punakha Dzong; a panoramic view of Gangtey Valley; Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest) in Paro.
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Visit the amazing Tiger's Nest Monastery that Trip Highlights rises 2,900ft above the valley floor
Experience 'Gross National Happiness' in action
Explore ancient monasteries and impressive forts of Paro, Punakha, Thimpu and Trongsa
Experience Bhutan's natural beauty in the Phobjikha Valley
experience a uniquely proud and traditional Gross National Happiness culture. The term 'gross national happiness' was coined The natural environment is an overarching by Bhutan's fourth king, Jigme Singye highlight in this land with its stunning Wangchuk, in 1972. With this phrase, he Himalayan setting, scenic deep valleys, committed to building an economy that would tremendous forests and rare wildlife. The serve the country's unique culture based on Bhutanese people are passionate about the Buddhist spiritual values. preservation of their highly-valued treasures, The Bhutanese believe that beneficial including their environment, traditional development of human society can occur only culture and overall well-being. The capital when both material and spiritual development city, Thimphu, is a gallery of traditional occur side by side. The four pillars of Gross Bhutanese culture. Explore the Thimphu National Happiness are: market to shop for handicrafts and immerse i. sustainable development with locals in their daily routines. Visit the ii. cultural preservation large Memorial Chhorten or Drubthop iii. environmental conservation Lhakhang, the nunnery temple. Also learn iv. good governance. more about the local culture through visits to Although grounded in Buddhist origins, Gross the Bhutanese Indigenous Hospital and National Happiness reflects universal beliefs of Traditional Painting School. Immerse in a happiness, positive psychology, and well-being. wondrous environment on hikes to some of the holiest places in the country. Continue You will experience Gross National Happiness across the country to the serene views in action every day on your journey in Bhutan. throughout Phobjikha Valley. Get an introduction to Bhutan in the National THE JOURNEY Museum near Paro where you will view The ma t chless beauty and tranquility of excellent displays of Bhutanese handicrafts, Bhutan make this country a treasure in the costumes, and ancient weapons. Then hike to Himalayas, and in the world. Fervent storms the legendary Taktshang Monastery, also in these dramatic mountains gave Bhutan its known as the Tiger's Nest, on a trail through name which means "Land of the Thunder pine trees festooned with Spanish moss and Dragon." Closed to the outside world until occasional fluttering prayer flags. The 1974, the government enforces maximum tranquil kingdom of Bhutan is often called the tourist numbers to ensure preservation of a 'Last Shangri-La'. Come see why Bhutan is lifestyle that is famously measured as 'Gross one of the most intriguing and unique of the National Happiness.' Being one of the few world's destinations. visitors to Bhutan is an opportunity to
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TRIP SUMMARY Day Program Overnight Meals Fri 4/6 Arrive Paro. Transfer Hotel Osel L, D to Thimpu. Sat 4/7 Hike to Cheri -"- B, L, D Monastery. Evening talk on GNH. Sun 4/8 Thimpu Sightseeing. -"- B, L, D
Mon Drive to Punakha. Hotel B, L, D 4/9 Zhinkham
Tue Hike and raft. -"- B, L, D 4/10
Wed Drive to Phobjikha Dewachen B, L, D 4/11
Thu Explore -"- B, L, D 4/12
Fri Drive to Paro Tashi Namgay B, L, D 4/13 Resort
Sat Sightseeing in Paro -"- B, L, D 4/14
Sun Sightseeing in Paro -"- B, L, D 4/15
Mon Final departure B 4/16
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Glossary of Some Bhutanese Terms chhorten: religious structure containing Buddhist relics and used as a place of worship. Druk: the 'Thunder Dragon' of Bhutanese mythology. It is the Bhutanese national symbol. Druk Yul: the Land of Druk Dzongkha: official language of Bhutan dzong: fortress lhakhang: temple Rinpoche: literally 'precious one'; Buddhist lamas and other high-ranking or respected teachers
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY Friday 4/6 Day 01 THIMPU (2,320m/7,656ft) (Not sure of the flight time yet since the schedules haven’t been released, but likely you will be arriving in Bhutan before noon.) Your guide will receive you at the Paro airport. Drive to Thimphu (one hour). On the way, get out of the van to stretch your legs and view a monastery built in the 15th century. You have time in the evening to stroll the streets of Thimpu, the capital city of Bhutan! Overnight: Hotel Meals: L, D Saturday 4/7 Day 02 THIMPU (2,320m/7,656ft) Meditation and Yoga at the hotel.
After breakfast, hike to Cheri Monastery. The trailhead at Dodena is about 30 minutes drive from Thimphu city. Altitude: 9,185 feet. Elevation Gain: 1,300 feet In 1627 the first Buddhist Monastic school in Bhutan was started here, which has become a Meditation center for higher-level Buddhist studies. The Monastery contains many sacred relics from the past. A visit to this sacred place is purifying and refreshing. From the road head at Dodena it is about an hour’s hike to reach Cheri Monastery. The trail leaves Dodena bridge and gently goes up through forests of blue pine, Oak trees and Rhododendron. After lunch, visit the National Memorial Chorten built in honor of the 3rd King, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (The father of modern Bhutan). Continue to the Takin preserve center to get a view of the Takin, a half-goat, half-antelople, the National animal of Bhutan and learn about its
5 Breathe Together Yoga in Bhutan - strange mythology. (It’s a real animal!). This evening, learn about Gross National Happiness from a government expert. Overnight: Hotel Meals: B, L, D
Activity Level This trip is designed with light activity such as walking and short hikes. Travel is exciting and fun, but it also takes energy to journey from one place to another and to acclimate to new environments. We recommend that you have a fitness ability that allows for a walk of three continuous miles. There will be time for relaxing and independent exploring, in tandem with the leadership of our energetic guides. Bring your spirit of adventure, positive attitude, patience and good humor. Our experienced staff will always be there to assist you.
Sunday 4/8 Day 03 THIMPU (2,320m/7,656ft) Meditation and Yoga at the hotel. Visit the Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan. Then visit the Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thangkas (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls) and Folk Heritage Museum. In the afternoon, visit the Tashichho Dzong, seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan) and finally visit the Handicrafts Emporium followed by shopping for souvenirs in the shops of Thimphu. Evening free to visit the Thimpu market. Overnight: Hotel Meals: B, L, D Day 04 PUNAKHA (1,200m/3,940ft) Meditation and Yoga at the hotel. After breakfast, drive to Punakha via Dochula pass and stop for a while to view the higher Himalayas. Continue down the pass to Punakha. On the way, visit Chimi Lhakhang, which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley (popularly known as “The Divine Madman”) in the year 1499. He subdued the demons with his “Magical Thunder bolt” and built the temple on top of a hill. The Temple is also known as “the Temple of Fertility”. He travelled throughout Bhutan and Tibet as a “Neljorpa” (yogi) using songs, humor and outrageous behavior to dramatize his teachings of salvation through sex. The Divine Madman is a legendary fixture in Bhutanese folk stories! After lunch, visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 and situated between Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the Government. The construction of the Dzong was foretold by Guru Rimpoche, who predicted, “ a … person named Namgyal will arrive at a hill that looks like an elephant”. There was a smaller building here called Dzong Chu (Small Dzong) that housed a statue of Buddha. It is said that Shabdrung ordered the architect, Zowe Palep, to sleep in front of the statue, while Palep was sleeping; the Shabdrung took him in his dreams to Zangtopelri and showed him the palace of Guru Rimpoche. From his vision, the architect conceived the design for the new Dzong. The war materials captured during the battle with Tibetans are preserved here. Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo.
6 Breathe Together Yoga in Bhutan - Overnight: Hotel Meals: B, L, D
What You Can Expect Bhutan is an intriguing and unique country. This Bhutan Yoga Adventure gives you the opportunity to have a rare experience in one of the most stunning places in the world. Accommodations have been selected with your utmost comfort in mind. The meals included in the tour offer an experience of authentic, flavorful and healthy Bhutanese cuisine. Western cuisine is also available. You will be sightseeing with a Bhutanese tour guide who has completed an extensive course of study in culture, religion, history, geography and the English language. Our guides are passionate about their country and have a vast depth of local knowledge.
Day 05 PUNAKHA (1,200m/3,940ft) Meditation and Yoga at the hotel.
After breakfast, hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal which stands majestically on a strategic ridge above the Punakha valley. Built over a period of 9 years, Bhutanese craftsmen including carpenters, painters, and sculptors consulted holy scriptures rather than engineering manuals, to construct this 4-story temple.
It is a splendid example of Bhutan’s fine architectural and artistic traditions and the only one of its kind in the world. Built by Her Majesty the Queen Mother, this temple is dedicated for the well being of the kingdom and in particular he long life of our beloved King. A 30-minute drive from the Punakha Dzong will bring you to the base of the hill on which this temple is built. From the car park, you have to cross a suspension bridge and walk through rice fields before you start climbing a moderately inclined trail surrounded by pine trees. It takes about 1 hour from the car park to hike up to the temple, and 30 minutes to hike down. During the summer, the walk could be a bit muddy, so be prepared. A hiking pole is recommended.
The best view of Punakha is enjoyed from the top of this temple. If the caretaker is convinced that you will not take pictures inside the temple, and only shoot out of the temple, you will be allowed to take your cameras. On the top floor, you can step outside and enjoy the view. After the hike, drive to Shenanga village for a two-hour rafting experience on the Mo Chu. The rafting is rated 2+ to 3+. Exit near the Punakha school and be picked up and brought back to your hotel. Overnight: Hotel Meals: B, L, D
Day 06 PHOBJIKHA VALLEY Meditation and Yoga at the hotel.
Drive to Gangtey (41 miles – 3 hours). Afternoon hiking, or relaxing. Proceed to the beautiful Phobjikha valley driving through the town of Wangdiphodrang. After crossing the Pele La pass, we
7 Breathe Together Yoga in Bhutan - will make a left turn on another road that will lead us to the expansive and beautiful valley of Phobjikha. The broad valley of Phobjikha is also home to the Black-Necked cranes, an endangered species of bird that migrate from the plateau of Tibet. The birds migrate sometime in late October and they return to Tibet in March. Overnight: Hotel Meals: B, L, D
Day 07 PHOBJIKHA VALLEY Meditation and Yoga at the hotel.
A peaceful hike leads us through a local village on the way to the Gangtey Monastery. Gyaltse Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa founded the Temple in 1613, and Tenzin Legpai Dhendup, the second re-incarnation, built the temple. The present Abbot, Kunzang Pema Namgyal is the ninth re-incarnation. It is a Nyingmapa monastery and is affiliated to other Nyingmapa monasteries including Tamshing in Bumthang. Continue downhill into the picturesque Phobjikha valley. We will continue our hike to the hotel where we will be served with our lunch.
After lunch, explore Phobjikha valley, with your guide by foot or relax at the hotel and have time for a second yoga class.
Overnight: Hotel Meals: B, L, D Day 08 PARO (2,200m/7,800ft) Depart early for your return to Paro today, which will take most the day. The driver will stop as requested and for lunch. (124 miles – 7 hours) Overnight: Hotel Meals: B, L, D
Day 09 PARO (2,200m/7,800ft) Meditation and Yoga at the hotel. Today you get to visit the crowning jewel of Bhutan, the Taktsang Monastery. This morning a short drive takes us to Satsam Chorten, from there a 2-3 hour walk to the viewpoint of the monastery. The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. We stop for a rest and light refreshments at the cafeteria and then walk a short distance until we see, clearly and seemingly within reach, Taktsang monastery. The primary Lhakhang was built around Guru Rimpoche’s meditation cave in the 1684by the Penlop of Paro Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, flew here on the back of a flying tiger, Dorji Drolo, said to be his favorite consort. Those interested may proceed to hike an additional one hour to the monastery – but be prepared for lots of steps! (IMPT: At this time, the monastery is open to the public, but there is some talk of changing it back to no visitors so this aspect may change.) After your exciting morning, have lunch at your hotel, relax in the hotel or stroll the streets of Paro. Overnight: Hotel
8 Breathe Together Yoga in Bhutan - Meals: B, L, D Day 10 PARO (2,200m/7,800ft) Meditation and Yoga at the hotel. After breakfast, visit Kichu Lhakhang, built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Srongsen Gampo. Enjoy a special blessing ceremony at the temple. After the blessing, enjoy your lunch at a farm-house with a local family.
After lunch, visit Ta Dzong (built in1656 and renovated in 1968), an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. Below the museum is the Paro Rimpung Dzong (literally meaning “Heap of Jewels”, built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the centre of civil and religious authority in this valley. A short walk takes you to the base of the dzong and across a traditional cantilevered, covered bridge.
Evening free for last minute shopping or gifts. Overnight: Hotel Meals: B, L, D Day 11 FINAL DEPARTURE Transfer to the airport for your return flight back home. Meals: B
PER PERSON COST (Double Occupancy): $5800 early bird pricing until June 1, 2017 $6800 pricing after June 1, 2017 $950 single supplement Bangkok – Paro – Bangkok airfare is extra: US$ 700 (current rates – subject to change)
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Insurance For this journey, we highly recommend travel insurance to cover you in the event of flight delays, medical emergencies, and lost luggage. Purchase of insurance is required within 21 days of making your trip deposit if you would like Trip Cancellation and Interruption Coverage in the event that you need to cancel your journey before traveling, come home early for a family emergency, or due to a pre-existing condition.
We can help you choose and purchase the right insurance for your specific needs. Please contact us for more information or a quote.
Questions? Please feel free to contact us with your questions or concerns. We are here to help you. Email: [email protected] Phone: 1-888-586-7750
References We organize treks and tours for hundreds of satisfied travelers every year. We are happy to provide you with recent references who will share with you their experiences with us.
TRIP COST* INCLUDES - Expe r t pre-trip a d vice and detail ed information - Meeting and assistance at airports and transfers to hotels - All in-country transportation - 10 nights twin-sharing accommodation - Meals as indicated on itinerary - River rafting - Tours and excursions outlined in itinerary - Other activities indicated in the itinerary - Bhutan Visa and Tourism Development Fee COST DOES NOT INCLUDE - Your internation a l airfare - Meals not indicated on itinerary - Tips and gratuities - Your travel insurance (highly recommended) - And other expenses of a personal nature (soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, mineral water, laundry, phone calls, internet, battery charging, comfort food, etc).