BHUTAN Festivals and Mountaintop Temples of Bhutan DATES Sep 28–Oct 06, 2017 COST 3,999.00 USD ITINER ARY 9 days, 8 nights BOOK YOUR TRIP Be one of the lucky few to experience this tiny, landlocked nation during its lively festival season. Celebrate the Land of the Thunder Dragon alongside locals through traditional Bhutanese dance, song, and cuisine. Perhaps best-known for its chart-topping measure of Gross National Happiness, this Himalayan nation is home to dramatic landscapes, mystical temples, and fewer than one million people. On this unique trip, you’ll see firsthand how Bhutan is one of the greenest and most sustainable countries on the planet. This adventure is designed for travelers of all ages and most levels of physical ability and is limited to 25 explorers. (See “Note on Hiking and Health” in the Fine Print.) HIGHLIGHTS National Festivals: Experience the sights and sounds of two teschus (festivals)—the first, in Thimphu, is the largest of Bhutan's Buddhist festivals. The second, in Gangtey in the Phobjikha Valley, is less frequented by tourists. At each, you’ll see traditional religious and tantric dance performances and celebrate, pray, and receive blessings for the year ahead. Wildlife and Conservation: The Bhutanese constitution mandates that 60 percent of the country remains forested. During this beautiful time of year, we’ll hike through Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Park, explore the Royal Botanical Park, and spot birds, wild goats, and grey langurs. the Royal Botanical Park, and spot birds, wild goats, and grey langurs. Spiritual Practice: Raise peace flags on the Dochula Pass, meet with Buddhist spiritual leaders, and take in the evening chants at historic temples. Cultural Exploration: Sandwiched between two of the largest and most quickly growing countries in the world —India and China—Bhutan has preserved its unique culture. Stay in a local farmhouse, get a traditional hot- stone bath after a long day’s hike, and meet with locals to learn about a fast-growing economy that prioritizes “values-based development.” Optional Extension to Nepal In these four extra days of exploration, you'll see Mount Everest from the air (if you dare), visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites, temples, and royal squares in Kathmandu, and learn about how this ancient country continues to rebuild and transform after 2015's earthquake. NOTE ON FLIGHTS Flying in and out of Bhutan is an adventure in itself! Flights to Bhutan will be arranged through Delhi and are included in your trip costs. For travelers staying for the extension, all inter-country flights are included; your flight path will be: Delhi–Paro–Kathmandu–Delhi. The early morning flight over Mt. Everest is optional and not included (estimated cost $200). PAYMENT A $250 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit is required to secure your spot, as we have a very limited capacity, and we expect this trip to fill quickly. The trip will cost $3,999—the $250 deposit plus the $3,749 final payment—and will cover all fixed costs including all hotel accommodations, all meals, and all the activities listed in the itinerary below. For an additional $1,789, you can join us for our three-day extension in Nepal. Itinerary Day 1 Arrive in Delhi & Begin Your Adventure THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 Arrive in Delhi before 5 p.m. If you’ve never been to India before, consider coming in a few days early to explore its bustling capital city and to acclimate. (Perhaps a visit to the Sulabh Museum of Toilets?) This evening, we’ll jump right in at a welcome reception with your fellow travelers. Dive into the flavors of India, sampling biryani, chat, and daal before heading back to the hotel to get a good night’s sleep before the next day’s flight to Bhutan. Day 2 Arrival in the Land of Thunder Dragons FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 After some morning chai at the hotel, head to the airport in Delhi for a direct flight to Paro. As we head to Bhutan, enjoy spectacular views as you cross the Himalayas (including views of Mount Everest, depending on cloud cover) and begin your dramatic descent into Paro Airport, one of the most technical landings in the world. Mount Jhomolhari, standing at 23,999 feet, looms above the runway, with the glacially formed Paro Chhu River running down its slopes. From Paro, which has a population of roughly 20,000, we’ll make our way into Thimphu Valley, about an hour’s drive. Most of our journey through Bhutan will be on the one road through the Kingdom. Just 1.5 lanes wide, with as many as a dozen hairpin turns in a mile, the drive itself is an adventure. Take in stunning views as we drive through scenic countryside, rare pine forests, small villages, and breathtaking mountain passes. Before dinner, we will head to Terton and VAST Art Galleries, two of the country’s first and recently opened art galleries in the heart of Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital. At dinner, you’ll be joined by local Bhutanese to dive into discussion about the country’s Gross National Happiness while tasting Bhutanese dishes such as Ema Datshi, discussion about the country’s Gross National Happiness while tasting Bhutanese dishes such as Ema Datshi, made of spicy chilis, local cheese (sometimes made of yak’s milk), green beans, ferns, and other seasonal vegetables. Day 3 Markets, Temples, and Teschus SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 We’ll wake early to see the morning mist at the largest Buddha statue in the country at Kuensel Phodrang (or "Buddha's Point"). Then, we’ll head to Thimphu Tsechu, the largest religious festival in Bhutan. This Tsechu honors Guru Padmasambhava, “one who was born from the lotus,” an Indian saint who contributed enormously to the diffusion of Tantric Buddhism in the Himalaya regions of Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan around 800 A.D. We’ll see and experience the festival’s dances, such as the Dance of the 21 Black Hats, the Dance of the 16 Drum- Beaters from Dramitse, and the Dance of the Stag and the Hounds. During each, you’ll be amazed by the colorful skirts, animal masks, and swordsmanship. We’ll learn about the importance of this festival and the dance’s symbolism in Bhutanese life. After lunch, we’ll visit the Royal Textile Academy for a private tour to learn about the living art of weaving in Bhutan—important both for the economy and the preservation of Bhutanese culture. We’ll then explore the biggest and best farmer’s market in the country, Centenary Farmers’ Market, and have a discussion about food in the country, including the important role of red rice. Tonight, we’ll continue our culinary exploration of the Kingdom and be joined at dinner with local conservation experts who will share their knowledge about the country’s unique position of being the first carbon negative country on the planet—and the delicate role that tourism plays in the country’s economy and environment. Day 4 Prayer Flags and Peaceful Sunsets SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1 First, we’ll visit the National Memorial Chorten, built in 1974 in memory of the late Third Druk Gyalpo (King) of Bhutan. At the chorten, we'll continue our exploration of Bhutanese art, finding an extraordinary depiction of Buddhist teachings crafted in paintings and sculpture. As we head out of Thimphu town toward Punakha, we’ll first visit a paper factory. The factory is reliant on the health of the surrounding Daphne (evergreen) tree forest, and will offer an opportunity to reflect on the delicate balance between environmentalism, tourism, and the economy. Then, we’ll stop at the Dochula Pass, which offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Himalayan Mountain Ranges and Gangkar Puensum (24,734 ft), the world’s highest unclimbed peak. On top of the pass we will raise prayer flags in a ceremony dedicated to kindness, peace, compassion, and wisdom. Up the Dochula Pass, we’ll also observe the 108 chortens built by the Queen Mother to pay tribute to the visionary leadership of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo. This afternoon, we’ll explore the Royal Botanical Park at Lampelri and learn about the 46 types of rhododendrons, 115 ferns, and 46 bird species. The park, established in 1999 as part of the King’s Silver jubilee, is central to Bhutan’s conservation efforts, created to serve as a living museum of biodiversity and a rescue center for rare or threatened floral species. Tonight, with a deeper understanding of the environmental richness of this nation, we’ll take in the sunset views during dinner, looking out over the Punakha and Wangdue Valleys. Day 5 Through the Punakha Valley MONDAY, OCTOBER 2 This morning, we’ll explore the Mo Chhu River in the forest of the Jigme Dorji National Park, which spans all three climates of Bhutan. If you’d like, make the hour-long trek to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. A splendid example of Bhutanese architecture, this chorten’s details were drawn from religious scripture and took nine years to complete. If you choose not to hike, take the time to rest, meditate or explore the park’s wonders and perhaps catch a glimpse of one of the 37 known species of mammals living in the park, including the barking deer, the Bengal tiger, and the red panda. After lunch, we’ll follow the river to the impressive Punakha Dzong (the Palace of Great Bliss), the winter fortress of Je Khenpo, chief hierarch of Bhutanese Buddhism. Sitting at the confluence of the male (Pho) and female (Mho) rivers, the dzong was partially destroyed by climate change-induced glacial floods, but has since been carefully restored.