Mastering the Buddha Nature Within

Transcription

1 Mastering the Buddha Nature Within Dec 7 to Dec 18th 2014, Bhutan A bit on Bhutan itself... On this tour we are going to travel to the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. Yet we aim for it to be a journey inward as much as it is an outward journey of the physical. For simply by being in a country as sacred as Bhutan you will be forever changed. Acting as a catalyst for internal alchemy it is rightly believed that those of us with fortunate karma travel to the land otherwise known as the Land of The Thunder Dragon. Bhutan is a small country surrounded by China and India. Tourism is strictly regulated in the Buddhist country of Bhutan with only about 100,000 visitors in In 2006 it was declared the happiest Asian country (eighth happiest in the world) and those who have been there will tell you that they don t measure their Gross National Product, but instead measure their Gross National Happiness. Known as an innovator and leader of biological conservatism, the diverse plant life fuels their rich medical heritage known as Sowa Rigpa (similar to Tibetan medicine). In a time when small or developing countries are being overtaken by tourism (and the garbage, destruction, and dependence that tourism brings), Bhutan stands on rareuied ground, literally and Uiguratively, in its governmental push to introduce tourism slowly, smartly, and with an eye to preserving the ecology. You ll Uind many similarities between life in Bhutan and life in India or Tibet. The language of Bhutanese stems from the Tibetan language family, both love and arranged marriages are common, the national dish is known as Ema Datshi, a spicy concoction with cheese and chilies, and the Ngultrium, the national currency, is tied to the Indian Rupee.

2 But these are just facts about the mysterious country of Bhutan. This is not what draws the atypical traveler to The Last Shangri- la. Similar to Tibet, Bhutan was largely isolated from the world until the 1960ʹ s. This isolation has allowed the country s history and culture to remain a major and integrated part of modern life. And what is the core of that culture? Deeply rooted Vajrayana Buddhism, a living knowledge that nature and the environment are the source of life and therefore something to be protected, a strong, beloved, and ecologically forward thinking monarchy, and a belief that true connection with the divine is possible through regular retreat and meditation. This is what those that want off the beaten path are looking for. Pilgrims seek Bhutan in part to gain a more expansive understanding of Buddhism. Brought to Bhutan in the 7th century, roughly two- thirds of the population practice Buddhism. Ancient fortresses, also known as Dzong s, are scattered throughout the country and are now centers of religion for these simple people. Among the most famous is Taktsang, or the Tigers Nest which we will gently hike up to at the end of our trip. As we spend our time in the larger towns like Paro, the country s capital or trekking to ancient Dzong s like Taktsang or Punakha or communing with nature in Black Neck Crane Valley, you will not fail to notice the deep peace that permeates Bhutan. Bhutanese people regard all sentient life as precious. This stretches beyond humans and animals to include the smallest insects as well as Mother Earth herself. This careful regard and sacred way of being in the world permeates modern life, making Bhutan the destination spot for the spiritual pilgrim.

3 What traveling to Bhutan has to offer you... Our eleven days in Bhutan will be overulowing with amazing sights and experiences. The spiritual energy and growth you will feel in just a short time will grow exponentially each day. Which sights, treks, and experiences will have the most impact will vary from person to person. Perhaps two of the most powerful days will come toward the end of the tour when we attend the Dulchuka Tshechu Festival and then later when we visit Taktsang Monastery. Since 2011, by order of the Queen Mother, Bhutan has held the Dulchuka Tshechu Festival on December 13. This day marks the commencement of military action in 2003 by the Royal Bhutan Army against anti- India terrorist groups. These groups had been using the dense forests of south Bhutan as base camp for twelve years. As safety continued to decrease in this region, and as diplomatic efforts with the camps continued to fail, Bhutan was left with little option but to expel the insurgents forcefully. It might seem strange to celebrate a military action with a day long festival, but it is important to keep in mind that Bhutan is primarily a Buddhist and peace keeping nation. Their modern army was established in the 1950ʹ s after the People s Liberation Army invaded Tibet. Since that time, the small army of 6,000 has never engaged in active military action. For six years Parliament tried to negotiate a peaceful removal to no avail. Only eleven soldiers were killed and the return of safety to this area was much for the Bhutanese to celebrate. The festival is unique in that it is not the monks who perform the day- long dancing, but the soldiers themselves. They train in folk and masked dancing and it is their honor to perform for the people they protect. Though it is cold in December (six degrees is the average temperature), the mood is always joyful and light. The festival is a beautiful way to experience the personality of the Bhutanese. Through dance and song they come together in community to express gratitude for their many blessings. So we will be encouraged to pack something smart in your bag for this wonderful event!

4 Just three days after the festival, we will arrive back in Paro and will trek to Taktsang Monastery. Also known as The Tigers Nest, this holy place is both haunting and powerful. The monastery is perched 900 meters above the valley jutting out from the cliffs edge. Many days a low hanging fog give the grounds an air of mystery and beauty. Built high up on the sheer edge of a cliff ten kilometers north of the capital city of Paro, Taktsang is one of the most sacred sites in all of Bhutan. Originally it is the site of a cave where Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) is said to have meditated for three years, three months, three weeks, three days, and three hours. After meditating in a cave on the cliff, he went on to establish The Nyingmapa school of Mahayana Buddhism in the country. Each year in March or April, a festival is held to honor Guru Padmasambhava and all he did for the Bhutanese. Guru Padmasambhava Uirst brought Buddhism to Tibet and is considered by many to be the protector saint of Bhutan. Legend has it that he Uirst came to the cave on the back of a Ulying tigress. A monastery was then built around the cave in 1692 by Tenzin Rabgye, who is believed to be a reincarnation of Guru Padmasambhava. It has been a site of holy pilgrimage ever since. In 1998 the building suffered from a Uire most likely caused by an electrical short. Many relics and sacred art where lost and well as the life of one monk. The hike to the monastery is breathtaking and inspiring. About halfway up there is a smaller monastery that also serves as a viewing stop for travelers and pilgrims. As you continue up you also ford a 60 meter waterfall and walk through forest blanketed with prayer Ulags. The serenity of the place is palpable and your Uirst up- close sight of the cave and grounds is one of large colorful paintings that welcome you. Once we reach our destination we will meditate together as a group to draw upon the sacred energy of this holy place so it become forever engrained in our hearts and beneuit our loved ones when we go back home to them. As a well deserved treat we will spend our last two night staying a the 5 star hotel Zhiwa Ling which is pictured on the right. It is divine! Check it out their website to see more of its magic...

5 Exploring Buddhism... When designing our tours we love to weave teachings in that will enhance and deepen your journey. To feed your soul and relax your mind so that you bring home both internal & external souvenirs. The theme of this tour will be to explore what is known in Buddhism as the Noble Eightfold Path. One of the main teachings of the Buddha it aims to help us Uind peace in our daily lives and to assist us in ultimately achieving enlightenment. Sounds good right? We thought so too! In a nut shell this principle teaches us to be kind. Kind to yourself, kind to others & kind to the environment. It teaches what we really need to be focusing on and what elements of our behavior are beneuicial and what elements are not. It teaches us how to go about our daily lives. How to speak to others, how to behave and also to explore what is it we do for a living and if that truly serves. Then Uinally it moves us to a place of wisdom. Teaching us how to view the world and have the right intentions behind all that we do. So together we will explore these principles and no doubt we will have a wonderful mix of people who will all have their own take on it and will be able to add by sharing their experiences and valuable world views. We will also be chanting & meditating on Guru Padmasambhava s mantra which assists in removing obstacles in our lives so we can reach our highest potential: Om Ah Hung Benza Guru Pema Siddhi Hung

6 Climate In general, the valleys of Punakha and Wangdi with relatively lower altitude (4,500 ) are warmer than Thimphu and Paro. In Dec the temperature of Thimphu can range from - 1 C at night to 15 C during the day. For Paro it ranges from C to 11.2 C. In Punakha it ranges from 6.3 C to 19.1 C. Paro and Thimphu normally experience only light dustings of snow with mid December to mid- January normally offering cool, pleasant days and clear skies although temperatures fall below zero at night. Cuisine Traditional Bhutanese delicacies are rich with spicy chilly and cheese. The national dish, ema dates, features chilly, as a vegetable (not a spice) in a cheese sauce. Other typical Bhutanese dishes are kewa dates (potatoes with cheese sauce) and Phaksha/Nosha Pa (pork or beef slices). Several Indian and Tibetan dishes are also available. Our selected hotels and restaurants serve delicious and hearty Bhutanese, Chinese, Continental and Indian cuisine in buffet- style. Accommodation We use comfortable and clean government approved international tourist standard hotels and guesthouses with private bath on double occupancy basis. On our last two nights however we go all out and stay in the fabulous Zhiwa Ling 5 star hotel in Paro, Bhutan. Health and Safety In all the places we visit on this tour, there are good modern hospitals and medical facilities. We will provide you with a list of suggestions on keeping healthy in Bhutan when you book a tour. It covers things such as what to eat, water, sickness prevention and what to wear. Communication with Home Telephone, Fax & Mail Bhutan has an excellent all- digital telephone system for international direct dialling (both telephone & fax). You can send or receive mail but it takes approximately 5 to 7 days to receive mail from Thailand. Internet & Almost all other places have some basic internet/ services. Shopping You will Uind Bhutan's exquisite postage stamps and various handmade products hard to resist. Among the most fascinating products are thangkha paintings, wooden masks and bowls, bamboo products, silver and metal crafts, and the most beautiful handloom textiles - all made employing ancient technique and skill passed down the generations. Buying and selling of antiques is strictly forbidden in the country. Tour Sizes This tour will be approx 16 maximum with two tour leaders plus local guides. The age range is usually between late 20 s to early 60 s. Our main concern is that you are Uit and well to travel.

7 International Flights We will meet in Bangkok and then all Uly together to Paro the capital city of Bhutan. Your Ulight from Bangkok, Thailand to Paro, Bhutan is included in the trip price. Therefore you will be responsible for arranging your own international Ulight to Bangkok, Thailand. If you want we can book a hotel room for you in the Novotel Hotel in Bangkok as we advise you arrive the day before as we will catch an early morning Ulight to Bhutan. When you book we will give you full details and we can also put you in touch with our travel agent to help you arrange your international Ulights. Visa Requirements Entry into Bhutan requires a passport. Your visa will be arranged and fees paid in advance by the Insiders Bhutan. The actual visa will be stamped on your passport when you arrive at the airport in Paro, Bhutan. We Uly to Bhutan from Thailand. For a visa for Thailand you will get one stamped into your passport upon arrival at Bangkok. Introducing your Trip Leaders... Meet Sheri Rosenthal Sheri is from the US & is our dear friend. Her personal adventure began in 1998 when she was going through a challenging time in her life. She realized on some level that she had never been truly happy. Although she changed: husbands (twice), cities (&ive moves), podiatric practices (three different of&ices) and friends (should we go there?), she still had no real joy in her life. A leap of faith was the last resort she sold her practice, boy- friend (only kidding), and home and closed the surgical residency program she was director of (yes, that was a pretty big deal and yes, the medical community thought she was nuts). After leaving behind the world of medicine, she spent nearly 8 years on a transformative spiritual quest. She rolled across the western US in her car, and began to explore the landscape of her inner world. It was a rocky, unforgiving place. (Sometimes, it still is.) Her personal exploration and apprenticeship time with don Miguel Ruiz inspired her to write: The Complete Idiot s Guide to Toltec Wisdom, Banish Mind Spam! and to create the How to Forgive ecourse, a heart- opening online program. This journey is an invitation, from Sheri to you an opportunity to explore the quality of what you put forth in the world. And, if you re looking for a chance to escape the ordinary + step into a life of rare adventure this is the program for you. We have been collaborating with Sheri since Spiritual Quest Adventures Uirst began and feel truly blessed to be working with her and joining her on this magical trip to Bhutan.

8 Meet Lisa Tully My travels to India and Asia Uirst began when I was 21. My spiritual awakening however I believe began when at the age of 25, when I spent a year living in the jungles of Bolivia in South America. A profound experience I am convinced it was the spark that ignited my spiritual growth in this lifetime anyway! Then I found meditation which changed everything. And I mean everything! Leading me to quit my corporate life it was the nectar my soul yearned for. Then one day after a hypnosis session I heard a deep calling in my heart to go see the Dalai Lama in India. It was like he had sent me a t- mail (telepathic mail!). With two mortgages to pay, living off credit cards (my savings were non- existent), no job to speak of & a desire to get traveling once again I booked a ticket to go see him. And things have never been the same since. As it was this trip that inspired me to set up this spiritual travel company. It was a clear case of divine intervention or more like divine instruction! When I am not running tours to far off lands I spend as much time as possible on personal retreat and attending Buddhist teachings and initiations to further my own personal practice. I also love to draw from the wealth of other traditions & great masters including SuUism, Hinduism, Christianity & Celtic spirituality to name but a few. All under the close guidance of my beloved teacher Hema Vyas who I have been working closely with for over eight years now as she unravels my false ego piece by piece (ouch!). Constantly working to raise awareness about the Chinese occupation of Tibet I also research and write about the Tibetan struggle for freedom. Click here to have a read! It is this work that has inspired me to study photojournalism so I can be of even more beneuit to my displaced friends and others in need. To have you come join myself and Sheri in Bhutan would be a wonderful gift. A gift for us that a beautiful soul like you has chosen and trusted us to bring them to a magical Himalayan kingdom. A gift for you as traveling to sacred places such as Bhutan will open you up in ways you would never have dreamed of. (This truly will be a trip of your lifetime!) And a gift for the people of Bhutan as they will make new friends & we will encourage you to bring donations that we know they truly need & appreciate.

9 Tour Highlights Fly over eight of the ten tallest peaks in the world including Mt. Everest Visit Rinpung Dzong the religious headquarters of Bhutan and also where Little Buddha was Uilmed See the 108 Chortens or stupas built for the Gross National Happiness of Bhutan Travel across the valleys of Bhutan and bear witness to it being one of the ten most important bio- diversity hot spots in the world Hike to the Chimmi Lhakang also known as the Divine Madman s temple and a famous pilgrimage site for childless couples Enjoy some of the best Tantric art in Bhutan Visit the stunning Punakha Dzong the most magniuicent architectural masterpiece in the kingdom nestled between two rivers Hike in the Black Mountains National Park to witness the beauty of the rare Black Neck Cranes, a symbol of peace for the Bhutanese Attend the Druk Wangyal Festival with its sacred folk & mask dances that depict the story the famous Buddhist saint Milarepa who attained enlightenment in one lifetime Explore the capital of Bhutan, Thimpu. The only capital city in the world with no trafuic lights! Attend a prayer ceremony with monks, have lunch with them after followed by a teaching on Buddhism by a high level lama Hike to the famous Takstang (the Tiger s Nest) temple situated on a cliff edge it is where Guru Rinpoche meditated for 3 years, 3 months & 3 days. We will do work with his mantra at this sacred spot with the intention of awakening our own Buddha nature Two nights in the stunning 5 star Zhiwa Ling Hotel at the end of our trip to nourish ourselves on all levels! Make friends for life with the other people you sojourn with to this magical Land of the Thunder Dragon

10 11 Day Tour Itinerary Dec 4th 6th Bangkok Most folks will be leaving December 4th or 5th and will meet in Bangkok December 6th in the evening. Depending on where you live, you may need to leave on December 4th to make the Ulight to Bangkok. Those arriving on the 6th will stay overnight at the Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel (approximately $ USD for a double room we can match you with a roommate) near the new Bangkok airport (BKK) and wake up early for our Ulight on Druk airlines to Paro, Bhutan at 7:00am. Dec 7th Bangkok to Paro (altitude: 7,400 feet) We ll gather in the hotel lobby in the early morning and, as a group, proceed to the airport to check in with Druk Air. If we are lucky, we ll have glorious views of the snow capped Himalayas. On its way to Paro, Druk Air Ulies over eight of the ten tallest peaks of the world including Mt. Everest and Kanchenjunga. The remarkable and steep descent into the Paro Valley is an awe- inspiring beginning to our adventure. Already you can feel the pace of life slow down. After visa formalities and collection of baggage, at the airport exit door, we ll meet our guide and the driver. We begin our adventure in Bhutan with a drive through the valley, past small farming villages to visit the ruins of Drukgyal Dzong (the fortress of Victorious Bhutanese), built in 1647 to commemorate Bhutan s victory over the Tibetan invaders led by Mongolian warlord, Gushri Khan in On a clear day, Mt. Jumolhari (24,000 ft), Bhutan s most sacred mountain peaks that marks the border between Bhutan and Tibet, can be seen from here. After Drukyal Dzong, we ll check into our hotel where we ll spend the Uirst night. After lunch, we ll have an orientation meeting and trip brieuing. Later in the afternoon, we will visit the Rinpung Dzong (the full name of the Paro Dzong), which means the fortress of the heap of jewels. This complex houses the administrative and religious headquarters for the Paro district. A part of Bernardo Bertolucci s movie, Little Buddha, was Uilmed inside this dzong. We will then have the rest of the afternoon relax and connect as a group. Dec 8th Punakha (altitude: 4,500 feet) This morning we ll travel to Punkaha (approx. 3 hours). The road winds through pine forests and small villages, and passes by Chortens (Stupas) and prayer Ulags before heading up to Dochula Pass (10,000ʹ ). Here we ll see 108 special Chortens (Stupa) surrounded by thousands of prayer Ulags, dedicated to the Kingdom s Peace and Gross National Happiness. The prayer Ulags on mountain slopes, bridges and high passes, transmit prayers to the Gods and keep up a constant communication with the heavens. In good weather, one can view the entire range of the Bhutan Himalaya from the Pass. We continue our drive through a beautiful Himalayan Mountain forest. This is also a good bird- watching area. Bhutan has a stunning 770 bird species, including many that are globally threatened. The country has been identiuied as one of the ten most important bio- diversity hot spots in the world (those places that together constitute less than two percent of the globe s

11 surface area but contain more than 50 percent of its biodiversity). Its ecosystem harbors some of the most exotic species of the eastern Himalayas with over 2000 varieties of Ulowering plants including 50 species of rhododendron. In the village of Lobesa, we ll enjoy a relatively easy hike to visit Chimmi Lhakhang (Divine Madman). This is a 16th temple dedicated to Drukpa Kuenley, who as a favorite saint of the Bhutanese people is known affectionately as the Divine Madman. The temple is on a hillside in the middle of rice Uields and is famous pilgrimage site for childless couples. This is an easy hike: approx. 45 minutes gradual up to the temple & 30 minutes back to the road. Dec 9th Punakha This morning, we ll enjoy a hike to Khamsum Yuley Namgyal Chorten (Stupa). This is a moderate hike: approx. 1 hour up to the temple & 45 minutes down back to the road. A visit here is a good introduction to Tantric Buddhism in all its complexities. It contains some of the best Tantric art in Bhutan, and a visit there will serve as a balance to the more traditional Buddhist statuary and wall painting visible at the Punakha Dzong. The shapes and forms of the Tantric statues may surprise most visitors. The terrifying divinities are manifestations of peaceful gods, which assume these forms to subdue evil spirits that are hostile to Buddhist doctrine. The nudity of most of the deities show that this world s conventions are of no importance on higher planes, and the persons being crushed by the wrathful deities are either spirits hostile to Buddhism or primordial negative concepts such as ignorance, jealousy and anger. In Tantric Buddhism, numerous statues and paintings are also in the form of sexual union, which represents the union of compassion and wisdom that permits the attainment of sublime state of enlightenment. Later in the day, we will visit the Punakha Dzong, the Palace of Great Happiness built in 1647 by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel, the man who uniuied Bhutan. The Dzong lies between the Po Chu (male river) and the Mo Chu (female river), and is the winter home of the Central Monk Body. When the Shabdrung arrived in Punakha, he set up a camp at the conuluence of the two rivers and that very night had a dream in which he heard the prophecy of Guru Rinpoche. He then built a Dzong on that spot and placed the Rangjung Kharsapani there, the most sacred relic that he brought with him from his monastery in Tibet. A devastating Ulash Ulood in 1994 washed away a major part of the Dzong. His Majesty the King personally supervised the reconstruction of the Dzong, a project that has occupied thousands of skilled craftsmen and builders during the past twelve years. The results of the restoration are amazing. You will be seeing the most magniuicent architectural and artistic masterpiece in the Kingdom, just consecrated in an elaborate ceremony in May of Dec 10th Phobjikha (altitude: 9,000 feet) After breakfast, we ll drive to Phobjikha (approx. 3 hours) enjoying magniuicent views of small villages, terraced Uields, diverse forests of exotic Himalayan plants, trees and wildulowers. As we climb higher up and above the cloud the forest gets more beautiful with big feet rhododendron trees, and massive hemlock and Uir trees. Near the Phobjikha Valley, we ll see yaks in Uields of dwarf bamboo.

12 The hidden valley of Phobjikha is located in the Black Mountains National Park. Circled by pine and rhododendron covered mountains, this is one of the most beautiful valleys in Bhutan. The rare Black Neck Cranes migrate from Tibet to Bhutan and use the swampy center of this valley as their winter residence from mid November to mid March. Considered a symbol of peace, black- necked cranes have been revered by Bhutanese people for centuries. Upon arrival in the Valley, we ll visit the Crane Information Center, run by a non- government nature organization, to learn more about the cranes. Dec 11th Phobjikha Black Neck Crane Valley (altitude: 9,000 feet) We ll spend the morning hiking, walking and seeing these rare and endangered cranes in their natural habitat. Later in the day, we ll also visit Gantey Gompa, one of the most important private monasteries in the country. Perched atop the ridge overlooking the valley, the Gompa is directed by Gantey Tulku, the ninth reincarnation (a tulku is a reincarnate) of Pema Lingpa. According to the Buddhist tradition and as a mark of their devotion, the cranes circle the monastery three times on their arrival in November and before they Uly back to Tibet in March. We may also have a chance to visit with some of the monks who reside in the monastery. Dec 12th Return to Wangdi/Punakha After a leisurely breakfast, we ll travel back to Wangdi/Punakha Valley. We may have an opportunity to visit the ruins of the Wangdi Dzong. Built by the nation s founder, Zhabdrung, in the 17th Century, it was one of the most sacred Dzongs. A devastating Uire, suspected to have started from an electric short circuit, destroyed the Dzong in June Bhutan had only just submitted Wangdi Dzong for World Heritage List consideration in March While mourning the loss of one of the architectural wonders of the nation, for the people of Bhutan it was painful reminder of the Buddha teaching of Impermanence. We ll spend the afternoon at the hotel at leisure. Dec 13th Druk Wangyal Festival On 13th December, the heavens descend on earth. The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, gods and goddesses, deities and demons, all come together to entertain the people who gather at 10,000 feet Dochula pass. The festival showcases many unique folk and mask dances including the story of Milarepa, one of the most inspiring Buddhist Saints who achieved enlightenment within a lifetime. The festival was inspired, guided and supported by Her Majesty the Queen Mother in commemoration of His Majesty the Fourth King and the Armed Forces for their bravery and seluless services in protecting the peace, security and sovereignty of our nation. Later in the day, we ll return to Thimphu, the capital city. Dec 14th Thimphu Special Prayer Ceremony (altitude 7,700 feet) After breakfast, we ll drive to Thimphu the only capital city in the world with no trafuic lights! This morning, we ll visit Kuensel Phodrang to see the world s largest Buddha statue. It is located on a beautiful hill overlooking the entire Thimphu valley. The hill is covered with magniuicent Himalayan blue pine.

13 Then we ll attend a special prayer ceremony with a Buddhist Lama (teacher) and monks and/ or nuns. The ceremony offers prayers and blessings to beneuit all sentient beings. Sharing a simple lunch with the monks and/or nuns who perform the prayer ceremony, we then have a rare chance to receive a special blessing and a brief introductory teaching on Buddhism from the Lama or Chant Master. You may join many elderly people making the Kora (pilgrimage circuit). We may also visit few interesting handicraft shops, where they sell masks, beautiful hand- woven textiles, carpets, jewelry, Bhutanese wooden products, and other gift items. For the rest of the day, we explore Bhutan s exotic capital city a fascinating combination of traditional and contemporary life. A number of options include: the Farmer s weekend market; the handmade paper factory along with some interesting handicraft shops, where they sell masks, beautiful hand- woven textiles, carpets and jewelry; a chance to see Bhutanese Archery Game Bhutan s national sport and an integral part of all festivities; and the Takin Preserve for a chance to see the Takin, Bhutan s national animal. There are also some very nice short day hikes. Dec 15th Thimphu After breakfast, we attend a special prayer ceremony with a Buddhist Lama (teacher) and monks and/or nuns. The ceremony offers prayers and blessings to beneuit all sentient beings. Sharing a simple lunch with the monks and/or nuns who perform the prayer ceremony, we then have a rare chance to receive a special blessing and a brief introductory teaching on Buddhism from the Lama or Chant Master. For the rest of the day, we explore Bhutan s exotic capital city a fascinating combination of traditional and contemporary life. A number of options include: the Farmer s weekend market; the handmade paper factory along with some interesting handicraft shops, where they sell masks, beautiful hand- woven textiles, carpets and jewelry; a chance to see Bhutanese Archery Game Bhutan s national sport and an integral part of all festivities; and the Takin Preserve for a chance to see the Takin, Bhutan s national animal. There are also some very nice short day hikes. This evening, we will have a farewell dinner of home cooked traditional Bhutanese foods together with a special cultural program of mask dances, folk songs and dances. Dec 16th Thimphu/Paro We ll have the morning free for independent sightseeing, packing, or shopping.after lunch, we ll return to Paro for our last two nights in Bhutan. Upon arrival in Paro, we will visit the 7th century Kichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred Buddhist temples in Bhutan. It was built in 659 by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet. It holds down the left foot of an ogress so huge that she covers Bhutan and most of eastern Tibet.

14 Dec 17th Paro Taktsang (Tiger s Nest Hike) After breakfast, we ll hike to the magical monastery known as Taktsang (the Tiger s Nest ). Taktsang is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in the Himalayan World. The monastery itself is perched on a granite cliff that drops 2,000 feet to the valley Uloor. The name is derived from a legend that Guru Rinpoche Ulew across the mountains to this spot on the back of a tigress, reaching a cave in which he meditated for three months, converting the people of Paro Valley to Buddhism during his stay. The path starts with a gradual climb through a forest of oak and rhododendron. After crossing a small stream with two enchanting water- powered prayer wheels, the climb gets steeper arriving at a small chorten surrounded by prayer Ulags near a teahouse and a spectacular view of Taktsang. That will be our lunch stop. Those who choose can hike further, all the way up, to visit the great temples and others can return after lunch at the teahouse. Dec 18th Paro Bangkok Back to the airport to depart from the Land of the Thunder Dragon and return to Bangkok. Today we leave our hosts and make our way back to the airport and get ready for our Ulights home. We say our last goodbyes, hugs and kisses as we prepare to take our new dream of heaven back to our lives. Dec 19th Bangkok to Home You will arrive back to your home, Uilled with the magic of Bhutan in your heart. Tour Price GBP 3430 / EUR 4065* / USD$5599* per person double occupancy Single occupancy for the trip is coming soon per person if the space is available. We are happy to match you with a roommate if possible! A deposit of GBP 490 / EUR 580* / USD$800* is preferred as soon as possible to secure your booking. Full payment is needed by 1st Sept *Prices in Euros & Dollars are a guide as we work off current GBP exchange rate at time of payment To book this tour please visit: To get in touch: lisa@spiritualquestadventures.com Tel +44(0) To join our mailing list send us your address via: lisa@spiritualquestadventures.com