THE ITINERARY BHUTAN SOJOURN Friday 28 th September Tuesday 9 th October 2018 l Association les Nouveaux Mondes 'A life of only a single day spent in meditation conjoined with wisdom is better than living a hundred years unbalanced and confused' - Buddha (Dhammapada) Friday 28 th September DAY 1: Delhi Paro Thimphu Druk Air flight departs Delhi at 12:20pm, arriving Paro 3:10pm. Warm welcome and drive to Rinpoche s hotel in Thimphu Evening walk to the Memorial Chorten for circumambulations around the temple with the locals, good luck and blessings for the journey ahead. Welcome dinner and introductions with the group Massages and Spa treatments available at the hotel to help with any jetlag. Hotel Pedling, Thimphu Saturday 29 th September DAY 2: Thimphu Punakha Spiritual sights in Thimphu; including Kuensel Phodrang (the Buddha Point), Tashi Chhodzong, and Changangkha Temple or the Institute of 13 Arts & Crafts if time permits. Drive Thimphu to Dochu-La Pass (45mins) where we stop to enjoy the views of 108 stupas and grand lookout to Himalayas. Continue the drive (1h45) to Punakha. Lunch at a restaurant en route. Visit the grand Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lhakhang, with meditation and talk at the temple before checking into our hotel in Punakha. Vara Hotel, Thimphu Sunday 30 th September DAY 3: Punakha Gangtey Morning hike to Khamsum Yuelley Drive to Gangtey (3h) along the beautiful winding roads through forest and mountains. Introduction to Gangtey Gompa, visit the temple and meet Khenpo. Purchase Tsok for tomorrow s ceremony before taking the nature trail to our hotel. Monday 1 st October DAY 4: Gangtey Retreat (Gangteng Tulku Rinpoche Monastery) Climb to a sacred meditation site of Rinpoche s with Khenpo for Riwoe Sangchoe, meditation and hoisting of prayer flags. This is truly an unforgettable day full of blessings; an opportunity for reflection, contemplation and ceremony to instill a deep sense of inner peace and purification. Picnic lunch with Khenpo and the monks in this magical setting surrounded by sacred mountains.
Tuesday 2 nd October DAY 5: Gangtey Retreat (Gangteng Tulku Rinpoche Monastery) Early morning meditation with Khenpo at the meditation room in the monastery. Receive blessings with a Tulku ( precious one ). Talks on compassion, inner peace and any topics of interest with Khenpo. Visit the Shedra and join the monks in prayer and chanting practice in temple. Traditional lunch near the monastery. Afternoon at leisure. Guests may spend the afternoon at Gangtey Gompa and surrounds, or take the nature trail back to the hotel, visit the incense factory, go for a bicycle ride in the valley, visit the black-necked crane centre, or take time for rest and contemplation at the hotel. Wednesday 3 rd October DAY 6: Gangtey Trongsa Bumthang Early morning meditation with Khenpo at the meditation room in the monastery. Depart by 8:30am for the drive to Trongsa (3h40). Sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery as we weave through stunning cliffside mountain roads, deeper into the spiritual heartland of Bhutan. Arrive in Trongsa in time for lunch. Take your time exploring the incredible Trongsa Museum detailing the history of Bhutan and this region, and the impressive Trongsa Dzonga with views to the valley below. Afternoon drive to Bumthang (3h30), enjoying this afternoon for relaxation, contemplation and beautiful scenery. Arrive at the hotel in time for dinner and an early night in. Thursday 4 th October DAY 7: Bumthang Pilgrimage Today we set out on a pilgrimage by foot, visiting Jampel Lhakhang and Kurje Lhakhang, one of the most sacred Guru Rinpoche sights and temples in Bhutan. Walk across a swinging bridge adorned with many prayer flags, for traditional Bhutanese farmhouse lunch. All dishes are made according to tradition, with everything grown and produced on the farm itself. Hot stone baths are also available for anyone so inclined. Continue to Tamshing Temple, then either head back to the hotel for an afternoon rest, or take some time to explore the streets of Bumthang. Friday 5 th October DAY 8: Bumthang Tang (Pema Chholing Nunnery) Drive (2h) to the Pema Chholing Nunnery, hidden away in a beautiful valley near Bumthang. Guests are invited to temple with the nuns for Chöd Puja and offering of butter lamps. Picnic or lunch at the nunnery Mebar Tsho (the Flaming Lake) followed by a visit to Bhutan s only organic strawberry farm if time permits, to collect some beautiful fresh organic strawberry jam.
Saturday 6 th October DAY 9: Bumthang Paro Explore sacred sights of Bumthang including Kencho Sum Lhakhang and Kharchu Dratshang. Lunch in Bumthang, exploring the streets for arts, textiles, spiritual objects and souvenirs. Afternoon flight departs the small domestic airport in Bumthang at 3:55pm. Arrive in Paro at 4:30pm. Dewachen Hotel, Paro Sunday 7 th October DAY 10: Paro / Bumdrak We have two options for today, depending on the physical abilities of the guests. It is possible to split the group in two for this day. Those who are fit and have displayed no challenges with altitude will have the option to climb Bumdrak with Natalie. Those who would like to spend the day in Paro exploring sacred sights with Isabelle and Sherab, or take the day slowly, can also do so. Option 1: Bumdrak Trek. Climb Bumdrak mountain to the sacred Dakini Temple, camping under the stars surrounded by Himalaya mountain vista. It is an extraordinary experience however due to the steepness of the initial ascent, and camping at altitude, it is only going to be available to those who can manage the climb and altitude. Option 2: Visit the sacred sights of Paro, including Paro Dzong, Drugyel Dzong, and the National Museum of Bhutan. Explore the streets of Paro, with many shops full of Buddhist art and textiles, spiritual objects, trinkets and souvenirs. Dewachen Hotel, Paro / Bumdrak Campsite Monday 8 th October DAY 11: Paro / Taktsang Option 1: Those who camped overnight will have morning meditation at the temple before making their way down to the famous cliffside Tiger s Nest Temple, Taktsang. Option 2: For those who spent yesterday in Paro, leave in the morning to hike up to Taktsang. Depending on physical ability and how each individual takes to altitude, some may wish to stop half way and take a coffee at the café. For everyone else, we will all meet within the Taktsang temple complex to sit in meditation and learn the stories and significance of this impressive sacred sight. Picnic lunch near Taktsang, before descending back down the mountain for an afternoon of relaxation (hot stone baths or spa treatments can be arranged). Final night dinner. Dewachen Hotel, Paro Tuesday 9 th October DAY 12: Paro Delhi Transfer to airport for 9:30am flight from Paro, arrive Delhi 11:20am. *This itinerary is the property of Natalie Prentice c/o Shyāmalā Travel (Eshvari Foundation)
THE FLIGHTS DRUK AIR EX DELHI FRI 28 SEP KB205 Depart Delhi 12:20 // Arrive Paro 15:10 TUE 9 OCT KB204 Depart Paro 09:30 // Arrive Delhi 11:20 Flight schedules to Bhutan from Singapore, Bangkok, and Kathmandu available upon request. DRUK AIR BHUTAN DOMESTIC FLIGHT SAT 6 OCT KB1003 Depart Bumthang 16:10 // Arrive Paro 16:50 INCLUSIONS Travel Bhutan with Natalie and Isabelle on a majestic spiritual journey of a lifetime! - 11 Nights, 12 days journey with Natalie and Isabelle in the Kingdom of Bhutan - Bhutan Daily Tariff, Visa fees, Government Tourism Royalties & local taxes - Druk Air Return economy airfares, Delhi to Paro & return, including all fees, taxes & surcharges - Bhutan Domestic Airfare Bumthang to Paro - English speaking Bhutanese guide, driver & private vehicle - All touring and transfers throughout the journey - Accommodation in beautiful 3 star hotels, government approved and recognised. - Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and bottled water daily - Donation to monastery for our special program including meditation, offering of butterlamps, ceremonies including Lhab Sang & Thruesel Puja (long life and purification ceremony in the monastery) and Riwoe Sangchoe with monks performing ritual ceremony and blessings - Donation to Rinpoche s Nunnery for Chöd Puja and offering of butter lamps - Hiking including trekking guide, ponies, horseman, helper, chef, all camping equipment and supplies (for optional Bumdrak trek, according to physical capacity) - All visitations, sightseeing and entrance fees throughout entire itinerary - Traditional lunch at a Bhutanese farmhouse; picnic with monks - Professionally operated by our trusted partner tour company in Bhutan, a registered tour operator with the Tourism Council of Bhutan, licensed in accordance with policies set by the government of Bhutan. EXCLUSIONS - Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry etc. - Tipping (approx. USD$20-$30 per person) - Donations at temples and monasteries throughout the itinerary is entirely optional and at the individual s discretion. If you would like to make a notable donation, Natalie can direct you of how to go about this. - Travel insurance mandatory to enter Bhutan, must include helicopter rescue cover
- Airfares to connecting city ie. Paris to Delhi - Accommodation, transfers, meals and any other travel arrangements outside of Bhutan ADDITIONAL OPTIONS - Upgrade to Business Class on Druk Air available - Single supplement for single occupancy in rooms enquire with Natalie. EUR prices are subject to change due to foreign currency fluctuations. USD or EUR accepted. Retreat limited to a maximum of 15. Booking terms and conditions apply. For further information please contact natalie@eshvarifoundation.com Photo journal can be viewed on Instagram; shyamala.travel // Facebook Shambala Sojourns Please do not distribute this document without prior approval from Natalie Prentice, c/o Eshvari Foundation