Bhutan Pilgrimage Tour Led by Shangpa Rinpoche Karma Kagyud Buddhist Center Singapore 8 Days, 7 Nights 16-23 June 2013 www.karma-kagyud.org.sg
Essence of Bhutan (7 nights / 8 days) Bhutan is the last Mahayana Buddhist Kingdom, and the teachings of this school of Buddhism are a living faith among its people. Spirituality exists even in the urban centers where the spinning of prayer wheels, the murmur of mantras and the glow of butter lamps in the houses are still important features of their everyday life. Bhutan's unique architecture is one of the most striking physical features; the color of house and buildings is a distinct source of aesthetic pleasure. The Dzongs (Bhutanese fortress), which are 300 to 400 hundred years old, are built on a scale without the help of any drawings and hammering a single nail. Bamboo, ornaments of gold and silver and highly developed weaving skills represent an advanced art form. Various cultural trips into Bhutan introduce visitors to the unique aspects of Bhutanese culture, including sacred masked dance festivals and pilgrimage sites. Day 1: Arrive Paro (by Druk Air) Transfer to Thimphu Morning flight from Singapore to Paro by Bhutan national carrier, Druk Air. On this flight, you can see breathtaking views of the Great Himalayas. In clear weather, magnificent views of the world's highest peaks give way to the lush green Paro valley as you land. First gift from Bhutan will be the cool, clean fresh air as you step out of the plane. After clearing customs and visa control you will meet our guide. We will first visit Paro Dzong, one of Bhutan's most impressive and well-known fortress. After lunch you will be transferred to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. The drive will take around 1 hour and spectacularly scenic. Thimphu (2300m) has a population of about 100,000. The town is made up of just three lines of shops and is the only capital in the
world without traffic lights. We will visit Buddha Kuensel Phrodrang, Thimphu Memorial Chorten and Tashi Chho Dzong. Overnight at Thimphu. Day 2: Drive from Thimphu to Trongsa Sightseeing at Trongsa Today begin the day by traveling a distance of 199 km (about 6 hours) to Trongsa at an altitude of 2200m. En route stop at Dochula pass (3050m) which is 16 km from Thimpu. The hilltop s main attraction is the Druk Wangyal Chortens (108 stupas) and fluttering prayer flags. Continue to Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, founded in 1638, which is perched on a ridge overlooking the Punakhachhu and Dangchhu Rivers. Head to Chunzom, from where the highway ascents passing through Nobding village and Pelela Pass (3300m). This pass is an important dividing range that separate western from central and eastern Bhutan. Late afternoon you will visit Trongsa Dzong and Ta Dzong (ancient watch tower), the ancestral home of the present Royal Family. Overnight at hotel in Trongsa. Day 3: Trongsa to Bumthang Attend the Guru Rinpoche (Kurje) Festival This morning after early breakfast you will transfer to Bumthang, the most beautiful valley and cultural heartland in the Kingdom, which is 68 km from Trongsa (2 hours drive). After reaching Bumthang, we drive straight to attend the Kurje Tshechu Festival. Kurje Tshechu is annually celebrated on 10 th day of 5 th months in Bhutanese calendar. The complex is surrounded by 108 chortens, transforming it into a three dimensional Mandala patterned on the lines of the Samye Monastery in Tibet. We also visit Jakar Dzong built in the year 1549. Overnight at hotel in Bumthang. Day 4: Bumthang sightseeing & Tshog offering. Different from all the other valleys in Bhutan, Bumthang is very spacious and open ranging in altitude from 2600m o 4000m. Bhumtang is a heaven for hikers and trekkers, not to mention the numerous beautiful and important Buddhist monasteries and pilgrimage sites, making it the Cultural and Historic center of Bhutan. Almost every little valley or hill has a background of interesting myths and legend about Kings, Buddhist masters, and Serpents. Bumthang is combined of four main valleys: Chumey, tang, Ura, and Choskhor. Choskhor is commonly known as Jakar valley where you can see a little bit of modern touch with Swiss influences. After breakfast, we will visit Kurje Lhakhang for Tshog offering ceremony. It was built in 1652 and named after the body imprint of Guru Rinpoche who introduced the Buddhism in Bhutan. We will continue to visit the important historic sites, such as Bumthang Tsikyi Lakhang
(ancient temple built by the first great Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo), and Konchongsum Lakhang (temple built by 4 th Shamarpa). Day 5: Drive from Bumthang to Punakha Sightseeing at Punakha After breakfast drive from Bumthang to Punakha valley which takes 7 hours drive and around 212 km distance. Visit to Chendib Ji chorten on the way. Punakha was the winter capital for over 300 years until the time of second King. Punakha Dzong, which dominates the whole area, was built in 1637 by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel, and established the central monastic body with 600 monks. Today, Punakha is still the home for Je Khempo (Chief Abbot) and the central monastic body. Punakha valley is blessed with a temperate climate and fed by the Pho Chu (male) and Mo Chu (female) rivers, Punakha is the most fertile valley in the country. No visit to Bhutan would be considered as complete without a trip to the famous Chimmi Lhakhang (temple) especially for honeymooners. The temple is located near Lobesa on a round hillock and is popularly known as the fertility symbol built by Lama Drukpa Kinley (the Divine Madman), who was fond of women and adopted unorthodox ways of teaching Buddhism. Legend has it that the couples wishing to have a baby from across Bhutan and occasionally from overseas are blessed with a child after visiting the temple Japanese and several American couples visited this temple and were blessed miraculously with children. Couples who visit the Lhakhang are blessed by a replication of the iron bow and arrows of Drukpa Kunley, his scriptures and the phallus, which is the symbolic representation of fertility. Overnight at hotel in Punakha. Day 6: Punakha - Thimphu - Paro. After breakfast, we drive over the Dochhla pass (3050m). Lunch stop and shopping at Thimpu, and continue drive to Paro for more sightseeing. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Paro. Day 7: Paro hike to Taktsang After breakfast drive the winding road to Drukgyal Dzong, the ruined fortress, which was once defended this valley from Tibetan invasions. We then drive to Ramthangkha, the terminating point of the motorable road and then hike up to the Taktsang monastery (Tiger's Nest). The hike up to the cafeteria will take around two hours of average walking speed and is located above 2950m above sea level. At the view point enjoy the stunning view of the monastery, where
Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigeress in the 8th century. Taktsang is one of the most venerated pilgrim site of the Himalayan World. The monastic complex clings to the rock towering 900m above the valley. After the visit to the temples walk back to the cafeteria for your lunch. After lunch we then walk back to the road point and then visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. In the evening, you will be lavish with a grand diner with Buddhist/ Traditional Dance Festival Program. Overnight at hotel in Paro. Day8: Depart from Paro (by Druk Air) After breakfast, transfer to Paro International Airport for your departure to Singapore. Safe Journey! Tashi Delek! Flight Schedule: Departure Sunday 16 June 2013 Druk Air KB501 Singapore Kolkata 06:30 08:05 Kolkata Paro 08:45 10:25 Return Sunday 23 June 2013 Druk Air KB500 Paro Kolkata 07:20 08:00 Kolkata Singapore 08:40 15:15 Cost Details: Land Tour 8 days x USD 215 = USD 1,720 Return tickets by Druk Air = USD 1,180 Bhutan Visa Fee = USD 20 Cost Sharing for Rinpoche & Lama = USD 105 ------------------- Total USD 3,025 (SGD 3,800) For non-member, admin fee of SGD 30 will be applied Single Room, additional USD 220 (total USD 3,245 or SGD 4,070) Trip Cost Includes Air tickets Singapore Paro Singapore by Druk Air All meals, tea & snacks Government approved A & B category hotels on twin sharing basis All airport pickups and drops Ground transport in comfortable private vehicle Experienced English speaking guides and local staff
1 Mineral water per day All city tour with permits and entrance fees for museums and monuments All government taxes Bhutan Visa fee A Grand Diner with Traditional Dance Admission to Annual Kurje Tshechu (Guru Rinpoche) Festival Trip Cost Does Not Include Items of a personal nature (telephone calls, mini-bar, internet, laundry, etc.) Travel Insurance Tips for Staff (guide and driver) Kurje Tshechu (Guru Rinpoche) Festival, Bumthang Mask Dance (18 June 2013) Contact Details Telephone: +65 6749 1103 Email: kkbcs@karma-kagyud.org.sg Address: No. 38, Lorong 22 Geylang, Singapore 398695 For Registration, kindly submit the following: A Color Scan copy of passport Visa Application Form + photo (scan copy is ok) KKBC Bhutan Trip Registration form + Deposit of SGD 500 -----ooo-----