Bhutan. Khandro-la invites you on an intimate. Into the Heart of the Dragon

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1 Bhutan Into the Heart of the Dragon Khandro-la invites you on an intimate and deep pilgrimage to know the heart of Bhutan special ceremonies, meeting locals and experiencing the depth of this ancient land. 2 distinct trips 11 or 21 days 1

2 Bhutan Journey to the heart of this ancient kingdom of the Thunder Dragons guided by Khandro Thrinlay Chodon, a genuine lineage holder of this ancient tradition. You are invited to be her personal guest as she travels through this land with which she has a deep connection. Take the full pilgrimage from east to west (21 days) or experience only the west and centre of the country (11 days). in the East to the majestic Tigers Nest in the West. You will see places rarely visited by westerners, special ceremonies and masked dances. You will see gigantic mountains, luscious rhododendron forests and local crafted architecture. Meet local people from high Rinpoches to simple farmers. Eat local food and mingle with the spiritual depth of this great country. Khandro-la is in a unique position to show you this land. She is the consort of the late His Holiness Ngawang Jigme, the ninth Shabdrung of Bhutan an indispensible figure the great granddaughter of the renowned yogi Togden Shakya Shri an integral master of the esoteric meditation lineage of the Thunder Dragons. With her deep spiritual knowledge, her connections to the Land of Thunder Dragons as well as her understanding of the Western world, Khandro Rinpoche is the perfect host for this very special journey. Join us on this unforgettable journey. 2 trips 21 days 20 th April 10 th MAY Entire Pilgrimage (East, Central and West) 11 days 30 th April 10 th May West & Central Bhutan This intimate journey of the heart will take you from the true ethnic heart of the country in the history of Bhutan. In addition she is 1 2

3 20 th apr Gauhatti to Samdrup Jongkhar 5 hrs Arrive at Gauhatti Airport in India from Bangkok and transfer by car to Samdrup Jonglkhar in Bhutan - the border overnight stopover point. 21 nd APR Samdrup Jongkhar to Pemagatshel 3 hrs After breakfast drive 3 hrs to arrive at Jashar Gompa (Shakya Shri nunnery/hermitage) Here guests both join Khandro Rinpoche and meet HE Gyeltshen Trulku Rinpoche (a senior Buddhist Master) who will be hosting and guiding Rinpoche and her group in eastern Bhutan. 22 nd & 23 rd Apr Jashar Gompa (2 day special programme) This is a special 2 day programme of prayers and rituals including masked dances by the nuns. (Called Tshokhor (Ganachakra) with brief Tshechu) Guests will receive blessings and teaching from H.E Gyeltshen Trulku and will be the personal guests of His Eminence and Khandro Rinpoche at the dances 24 th APR Pemagatshel to Trashiyangtse Today we will travel all day to arrive at Trashiyangtse. We will go via Tashigang ( 5 hrs) and 23 kms after this town we will stop to visit the Gomkora, Lhakhang and its surroundings. We continue on (2 hrs) for overnight stay at Trashiyangtse. 25 th APR Trashiyangtse sightseeing A beautiful town, which has deep connections to the lineage of His Holiness Shabdrung Rinpoche (founder of Bhutan). Visit both the old and new Trashiyangtse Dzongs, as well as the dazzling white Chorten Kora (stupa) on the Kholongchhu riverbank below the town, which hosts a beautiful dakini who sacrificed her life for her community. We will also visit the Institute for Zorig Chusum, where students are trained in the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. 26 th APR Trashiyangtse to Manla We travel to the small village of Manla - the rural birthplace of HH Ngawang Jigme Rinpoche the 9th Shabdrung of Bhutan (Khandro Rinpoche s husband) 3 4

4 Our way to Manla will be marked by a horseride up the rural hillside to Ombha a sacred site of Guru Rinpoche and his consort Yeshe Tsogyal. At this place with right aspiration it is said that mantra will appear on the rock. This evening you will sleep rural farmhouses in traditional style. You will experience Manla local life. 27 th APR Stupa Consecration Ceremony - then Manla to Tashigang The newly constructed 13ft stupa marks the birthplace of HH 9th Shabdrung. It was constructed in 2011 by Khandro Rinpoche in memory of her late husband. Today will be the consecration ceremony of this important and heartfelt stupa. In the afternoon travel to Tashigang (2 hr walk and 1.5 hr by car) for overnight. 28 th APR Tashigang to Khapte Bhekher Retreat Centre In the morning we visit the important Trashigang Dzong then travel 1.5hrs to HE Gyeltshen Trulku s retreat centre where we will stay the night. You will experience retreat life and have an opportunity to meditate in a place where the view is unsurpassed. 29 th APR Khapte Bhekher Retreat Centre to Tshenpu Retreat Centre then onto Mongar After breakfast we will travel to Tshenpu Retreat Centre many yogis and masters have meditated in this holy place. We are invited for a meditation session and for lunch. After lunch we will travel onto Mongar. (1 hr) On way we will visit a special place, named Venkhar, which is connected with one of the Shabdrung s (Jigme Drakpa). Overnight in Mongar. 30 th APR Day trip to Lhuentse It is about 76-km or 3 hours journey to Lhuentse which sits at an altitude of 1,700 m. This is one of the most rural and isolated districts in the Kingdom of Bhutan. The Kurtoe region of Lhuentse is the ancestral home of the Royal Family of Bhutan. Visit the Lhuentse Dzong, built in the 17th century and then continue into the countryside to Khoma village, where intricate patterns are woven into Kira s which are worn by ladies in Bhutan. Kushuthara (silk textile) is woven there. Overnight is again in Mongar. 5 6

5 1 st MAY Mongar to Bumthang Day 12 Early morning visit to Kurizampa established recently by HE Gyeltshen Trulku Rinpoche as a training centre for the yogic tradition in Bhutan. Following our visit we will continue for an all day drive through majestic mountains to central Bhutan and its main mountain city of Bumthang at 2,800m. (198 km or 8 hours) Descending down the road to Lingmithang (700 m) we will cross the Kurichhu River, and see the largest hydroelectric power in the east. En route stop in Namling and Sengor village where you can view the breathtaking landscapes and cascading waterfalls. We then climb to the highest point on Bhutan s lateral road - Thrumshingla pass (3,800 m). From the lookout at Ura Shelthangla, you will enjoy a magnificent view of the Bhutan s highest peak, Mt Gangkar Puensum (7,500 m). Arriving at Bumthang you will rest the following day and enjoy four nights in total to explore this beautiful and very sacred mountain valley. 30 th APR / 1 st May West Bhutan Group Day 1 and 2 After arrival in Paro sightsee archery, local town and surrounds. Following day travel to Bhumthang. Both groups have now joined in Bumthang and will travel the remainder of the journey together with Khandro Rinpoche 2 nd May Bumthang Day 13 or Day 3 Morning is allowed for free time to rest or walk. The afternoon is for receiving introductions and meet others in the group as well as make visit to the holy site of Memba Tso. 3 rd & 4 th May Bumthang Sightseeing Two full days sightseeing to experience the spiritual heartland of Bhutan. You will visit the following legendary places, as well as take small treks and meditation sessions - the Jakar Dzong, the Jambay Lhakhang, built in the 7th century by the King Songsen Gampo of Tibet, the Kurjey Lhakhang, built in 1652 surrounding the body imprint of Guru Rinpoche, the Tamshing Lhakhang, built in 1501 and the most important Nyingma temple in Bhutan. 7 8

6 5 th May Bumthang Gangtey This morning we will travel to Gangtey (188-km or 5-6 hours) via Trongsa. En route we will stop for a quick visit to the Yathra Weaving Centre at Chumey, where they use yak and sheep wools for yathra products with patterns unique to Bumthang. Upon reaching Trongsa, visit the Ta Dzong (ancient watch tower) or the Trongsa Dzong, which is the most impressive dzong in Bhutan. Continue to Gangtey via Pelela pass at an altitude of 3,300m. The evening is at leisure to relax and to explore the delightful surroundings of Gangtey. Overnight Gangtey. 6 th May Gangtey to Punakha via Wangdue Phodrang After breakfast, our day starts exploring the Phobjikha valley (3,000 m) - the breathtaking glacial landscape on the western slopes of the Black Mountains. Phobjikha valley is one of the winter roosting grounds of the rare Black-necked Cranes. Visit the picturesque Gangtey Gompa. Later, we drive (65-km or 3 hrs) to Wangdue Phodrang with photo stops along the highway as there are loads of breathtaking views during the journey. At Wangdue, the Dzong structure was gutted by fire recently. Continue into Punakha for a distance of further 13-km journey for an overnight stay. 7 th May Punakha Thimphu Punakha, (1,300 m), was the old capital of Bhutan and the seat of government until Today you will visit Bhutan s most beautiful and majestic Punakha Dzong, - strategically located at the confluence of the Phochhu (male) and Mochhu (female) rivers. Now the dzong serves as the administrative centre of Punakha district and the central monastic body. It houses the holy body of the first Shabdrung of Bhutan. Now as we drive onto Thimphu we will stop after a short while to visit Chimmi Lhakhang. Known as the fertility symbol, it was built by Drukpa Kunley (the Divine Madman). Here you will receive a rare and special blessing. Later on our drive we stop at Dochula pass (3,050 m). On a clear day, you will enjoy a breathtaking view of the snow capped eastern Himalaya ranges and also a magnificent distant view of the Gasa Dzong. 9 10

7 8 th May Thimphu Sightseeing Today you ll explore the best of Thimphu. First stop is at the National Memorial Chorten, built in memory of the third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. Next, drive up to the Kuensel Phodrang (Buddha Point) offering a panoramic view over the Thimphu valley and visit the Mini Zoo for Takin, the national animal of Bhutan. (an animal created by Drukpa Kunley and till today it defies scientific classification!) After lunch, visit the Folk Heritage Museum, a showcase of the Bhutanese artifacts used in rural households and the Painting School to discover a glimpse of novices learning 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. Continue to the Tashichhodzong, which houses some ministries, the office and throne room of His Majesty the King and the central monk body. Overnight Thimphu 9 th May Thimphu Paro (Paro Taktsang) Following a short drive we hike to Paro Taktsang Monastery (Tiger s Nest). No visit to Bhutan would be complete without a trip to Taktshang. The monastery is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 m above the Paro valley. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche flew to Paro Taktsang cliff in the form of Guru Dorji Drolo, mounted on a flaming tigress in the 8th century. The evening is yours to relax or go for shopping to buy souvenirs. Overnight Paro. 10 th May Thimphu Paro (Paro Taktsang) Early morning transfer to Paro Airport an your journey home/onward. Should you wish you may organize to stay one extra night at Paro (additional). For Registration &more information Contact : Jane Miknius jane@khachodling.org (now in India on ) or in Australia contact Robyn North Zaman Cell : (61) Home: (61) robyn@khachodling.org 11 12

8 Cost 20 th April 10 th May 21 days Entire Pilgrimage (East, Central and West) AU$ TH April 10 th May 11 days West and Central Bhutan Only AU$3100 Khandro Thrinlay Chodon is a lay female Buddhist practitioner and teacher who was born in the Indian Himalayas to a family of great Tibetan yogis. Her great grandfather Togden Shakya Shri is renowned all over the Himalayas, including Bhutan. Khandro Rinpoche has since childhood been fully trained in her lineage and she later married His Holiness the ninth Shabdrung of Bhutan, living with him in exile and serving all his activities with full dedication, till his early demise in Khandro Rinpoche holds a Masters Degree in East West Psychology from the United States. She is devoted to bringing the wisdom of her ancient tradition alive in our modern world. She focuses on spirituality in daily life. After the passing of her late husband Khandro-la s life s work and vision Khachodling engages in spiritual and humanitarian projects in the remote Indian Himalayas. Khachodling translates as a place where the heart essence of wisdom, known as the feminine principle in Buddhism, is nourished and respected. Khandro-la is the embodiment of warmth and humanness and her teachings skilfully inspire us to deepen our awareness and courageously expand into the path of wisdom, joy and compassion. For more information on Khandro Thrinlay Chodon and her Khachodling organisation please visit her website :

9 In this chaotic time of our human history, it is necessary to bring the best of the Eastern traditions and Western technologies together, to heal our planet and bring about a more sustainable way of life ~ Khandro-la