A TASTE OF BHUTAN Especially Designed For: xxxxx 2016 Trip Dates: May 12-26 MythsandMountainsisaproudcorporatesponsorofREADGlobal(www.readglobal.org). We contribute a portion of our profit on behalf of each traveler to READ Global, which builds library/community centers and seeds rural businesses to fully sustain and support the libraries. Its pilot site, READ Nepal, was the winner of the Bill Melinda Gates Foundation2006AccesstoLearningAward. ion1s2006accesstolearningaward.
A Taste of Bhutan DAY DESCRIPTION HOTEL MEALS May12 DepartfromJFKonTK12departingat2355forIstanbul. None None May13 ArriveIstanbulonTK12at1645. ConnectwithflighttoDelhionTK716departingat1955. None None May14 May15 May16 May17 May18 May19 ArriveDelhionTK716at0435.VIPgreetingandtransferVIPloungeifyou wish,andthenmetandtransferredtoindigoairdeskforflightto Kathmanduon6EP31(1105/1300).OnarrivalinNepal,clearcustomsand immigration.metandtakentodwarikas.optionalafternoonwalkdown AsanToltoDhurbarSquaretogetasenseoftheeffectoftheearthquakeand stateofrebuilding.thalidinneratdwarikaskrishnapanrestaurant FlyKathmandutoParoonB3772(1020/1145) businessclass. Afterclearingimmigrationandcustoms,drivetoThimphu. StopatSisinaFarmhouseandIronBridge Mandalamaking,VisitMemorialChorten,textilemuseumandpaperfactory. Afternoonwalktovillageschoolforartsandcrafts. VisitZuletaNunnery.Dinnerwithlocallawyer InthemorningvisitEthoMethoSchooltowatchmorningexercises.Headto READLibraryinChangijiandseesuburbsofThimphu.NextdrivePunakha overdochula.optionalhikeuptolungchuzeykhatemple. TsaTsaMakingandPrayerFlagHoistingatdzongandatChimiLhakang withatalkbyaseniormonk.visithomeandadzong. DriveBumthangviaTrongsaandMuseum. PrivatetourwiththeDirector Dwarikas Deluxe HeritageRoom TajTashi Deluxe RoomwithaSitOut TajTashi Deluxe RoomwithaSitOut UmaPunakha ValleyViewDouble UmaPunakha ValleyViewDouble AmankoraBumthang May20 VisitJakarValley Jakar,Kurjey,cheesefactory,Tamshing. AmankoraBumthang B,L,D May21 VisitTangValley. AmankoraBumthang B,L,D PrivatetourofOygencholingwithfamilymemberandlunchthere. VisitMebartsoforchantingandmeditationguidedbyamonk. May22 DrivebacktoGangteyValleyandexploreastimepermits. GangteyGompa B,L,D May23 DrivetoParo,withlunch,weatherpermitting,attheBotanicalGarden. WalkaroundtownandvisitDungtsetemple. UmaParo ValleyViewDouble B,L,D May24 May25 May26 TaktsangPilgrimageeitheronfootorbyhorse.VisitKyichuGompa. Farewelldinner. DepartBhutanforDelhionKB240(0730/1050). Onarrival,metandtakentotheOberoiGurgaonfortherestoftheday. TransfertoairportwithVIPassistance.DepartDelhionTK717at0615. ArriveIstanbulonTK717at1035.ChangetoTK1(1340/1735)forJFK. SALESCONTACT: ToniNeubauer toni@mythsandmountains.com 800.670.6984 UmaParo ValleyViewDouble OberoiGurgaon DeluxeRoom None D B,L,D B,L,D B,L,D B,L,D B,L,D B,L,D B B 976TeeCourt,InclineVillageNV,89451 800S670SMYTH(6984) 775S832S5454 Fax775S832S4454 www.mythsandmountains.com travel@mythsandmountains.com 2
INCLUDEDINCOST AirfarefromAsiatoParo Brokenoutseparately Accommodationsaslisted,includingallservicechargesandtaxes Allgroundtransfers AllprivateexcursionswithexpertEnglishSspeakingguides AllmealsasindicatedwithBSbreakfast,LSlunch,DSdinner Bhutanvisa VIPgreetingonarrivalinDelhionMay14andondeparturefromDelhionMay26. NOTINCLUDEDINCOST TravelInsurance Internationalairfare LodgingbetweenyourdestinationandUnitedStates MealswherenotindicatedwithaB,L,D Tips/gratuity(porters,drivers,localguides,etc.) Domesticandinternationalairporttaxes Otheritemsofapersonalnatureincludinglaundry,alcoholicbeverages,etc. ITINERARY MAY12:DEPARTJFKFORISTANBUL DepartfromJFKonTK12departingat2355forIstanbul. HOTEL NONE MEALS NONE MAY13:ARRIVEISTANBUL,CONNECTWITHFLIGHTTODELHI ArriveIstanbulonTK12at1645.ConnectwithflighttoDelhionTK716departingat1955. HOTEL NONE MEALS NONE MAY14:ARRIVEDELHI.VIPGREETING.CONNECTWITHFLIGHTTOKATHMANDU.UPON ARRIVAL, MET AND TRANSFERRED TO HOTEL. OPTIONAL AFTERNOON WALK THROUGH TOWN. ArrivinginDelhionTK716at0435,asyoudisembarkfromtheplane,youwillseesomeoneholdingasign withyournamesonitforaviparrival ourgiftforyou.theywillhelpyouthroughformalitiesandwith thechecksinforyourflighton6ep31(1105/1300)tokathmandu. ArrivinginKathmandu,youwillclearcustomsandimmigration.Leavingtheairport,youwillbemetby ouroperatorholdingasignwithmythsandmountainsonit.hewilltransferyoutothehoteltowashupand breathe. Lateafternoon,ifyouwish,youwilltakeawalkalongAsanTol,themarketstreet,andvisitDurbarSquare. Afterwards,youwillbereturnedtothehotel. 976TeeCourt,InclineVillageNV,89451 800S670SMYTH(6984) 775S832S5454 Fax775S832S4454 www.mythsandmountains.com travel@mythsandmountains.com 3
Tonight,youwillhaveatraditionalwelcomedinneratDwarikas. HOTEL DWARIKAS DELUXEHERITAGEROOM MEALS DINNER MAY 15: FLY KATHMANDU TO PARO, BHUTAN. UPONARRIVAL,DRIVETOTHIMPHUVIASISINA ANDTHEIRONBRIDGE. This morning, you will be picked up about 7AM and taken to the airport to catch B3772 (1020/1145) BUSINESS CLASS to Paro. Be sure to bring your visa letter and your e;ticket. At the Bhutan Air counter, you will receive your business class seat assignments. On arrivalinparo,yourvisaisthenfinallystamped. Afterclearingcustomsandimmigration,youwillbemet by your guide representing Myths and Mountains in Bhutan. Paroisatanaltitudeof7545,andservesasanidealspotforricegrowing.Thespecialredricefromthis valleyhasfoundahomeinsomeoftherestaurantsinourcountryalso.thevalleyisalsofamousforits fruits strawberries,apples,pears,plums,andpeaches.thetowncenter,builtin1985,isquitenew,andthe mainstreetisparalleltotheparochhu(river). Onarrival,youwillheadtolunch.ThenyouheadoutalongtheParoSThimphuRoad.Alongtheway,you willstopatanancientironbridge,builtbyoneofbhutan sgreatleaders. As you near Thimphu, you will stop at a private home the ancestral home of one of Bhutan s cultural writersandtravelexperts.heretheownerisbuildingasmallmuseumandifpossible,youcanstopfortea andlearnaboutfamilycustoms. Dependingontiming,youmightwanttoenjoysunsetattheGreat Buddha. HOTEL TAJTASHI DELUXEROOMWITHASITOUT MEALS BREAKFAST,LUNCH,DINNER MAY 16: MANDALA MAKING. VISIT TOWN AND CRAFT SCHOOL You start the day with a cleansing ceremony. A Buddhist monk will be requested to conduct the ritual, and you do this before breakfast. Afterbreakfastyouhaveapresentationbyanexpertoncolorsand its interpretation in Bhutan. The presentation will talk about the spiritual journey we are on (specially the participation in rituals, ceremoniesandfestivals).afteraquestionandanswersessionyou willwatchthemonksstartamandalausingcoloredrockpowder. 4 976TeeCourt,InclineVillageNV,89451 800S670SMYTH(6984) 775S832S5454 Fax775S832S4454 www.mythsandmountains.com travel@mythsandmountains.com
YourfirststopwillbetheMemorialChortentojointhelocalpeoplewhobegintheirdaybyhonoringthe gods. NextyouheadtotheTextileMuseum,whereyoucangetlearnhowtextilesarewoveninBhutanandthe designsthatareparticulartodifferentpartsofthecountry. Therewillalsobetimetovisitthetraditionalpaperfactory. Afterlunch,youcantalkawalkthroughasmallvillagenearThimphutoalocalschoolforArtsandCrafts. Iftimepermits,aftervisitingtheschool,youdriveuptotheZilukhaNunnery. Byeveningthemonkswillhavefinishedthemandalamaking.Afteradmiringthebeautyofthepiece,you destroythebeautifullycraftedmandala,emphasizingthethemeofimpermanenceinlife. ReturnfordinneratalocalrestaurantcalledZsa.Ifpossible,youwillbejoinedbyalocalmemberofthelegal profession. HOTEL TAJTASHI DELUXEROOMWITHASITOUT MEALS BREAKFAST,LUNCH,DINNER MAY17:VISITETHOMETHOSCHOOL,READLIBRARYINCHANGIJI,SEESUBURBOFTHIMPHU ANDLATERDRIVETOPUNAKHA.OPTIONALHIKETOLUNGCHUZEYKHA. ThismorningyouwillvisittheEthoMethoSchooltowatchmorningexercises. JustoutsideofThimphuisamoreheavilypopulatedareacalledChangiji.Hereyoucanstopandvisitthe READ Library. READ (www.readglobal.org) is a nonsprofit begun by Myths and Mountains almost 30 yearsago.today,itisaseparate501c3housedinsanfrancisco,withitsownboardandexecutivedirector. The goal is to use rural library community centers, combined with a business, to help make villages in Nepal, Bhutan and India viable places for locals to live, learn and prosper. This library in Changiji is a modellibraryforbhutan. Next, you will drive out to Punakha. The road heads back towards the Simtoka Dzong and then pickuptheeastswesthighway.perchedonahill abovetheroad,youcanseethehongshogompa, built in the 15 th century by Ngawang Choegyal, a cousin of one of Bhutan s favorite saints Lama Drukpa Kunley. After passing through the Hongshu check post, the road climbs up through maple and blue pine forests to the 10,334 Dochu La.Here,iftheskyisclear,youcancatchbeautiful views of the Bhutan Himalaya. According to the Bhutanese, the area around the pass is holy, and inhabited by avarietyofspirits.bewareone of thespiritsisamanseatingdemoness. Once on the top of the pass, you have an opportunity for a gradual hike up the southsface through thick 976TeeCourt,InclineVillageNV,89451 800S670SMYTH(6984) 775S832S5454 Fax775S832S4454 www.mythsandmountains.com travel@mythsandmountains.com 5
rhododendrontrees.theyarenotbushesasthetreesstandalmost20s30metershigh.threequartersoftheway up,thetrailgetsnoticeablysteeperandyouneedtoslow%down,inordertoavoidproblemswithaltitude. YourfinaldestinationistheLungchuzeykhaTemple,standingat11,811ft.Lungchuzeykhaisabeautifultemple, restoredbythequeenmotherhmgyalyumdorjiwangmowangchuck.thewoodworkinsideismostlyfrom cypresstreesandhasantisbugproperties.thehighlightoflungchuzeykhaisthe360sdegreeviewofallthesnows cladpeaksofbhutan. Onthetop,youcanhaveapicniclunchbeforestartingbackdown.Theentirehikeshouldtakeabout3hours. Backinthecar,youbeginyourdescentfromthepassandcanclearlyseethechangeinvegetation.Your maplesandpineshavegivenwaytorhododendrons(ourscameoriginallyfromthehimalayas),magnolias, cypress,hemlockandfir.alsoprominentisthedaphne,relatedtoourlaurelandusedforpapersmaking. Droppingfurtherinaltitude,youbegintoseetropicalvegetationsuchascactus,bamboo,andcitrus.Don t forgetthatbhutanisaboutthesamelatitudeasflorida,soitisaltitude,notlatitude,whichdeterminesthe vegetation. Your drive takes you past Thinleygang, with its holy spring lining the roadside to the road junctionatmetshina.fromhere,itisaboutahalfanhourtopunakha. HOTEL UMAPUNAKHA VALLEYVIEWDOUBLEROOM MEALS BREAKFAST,LUNCH,DINNER MAY 18: TSA TSA MAKING AND PRAYER FLAG HOISTING. VISIT CHIMI LHAKANG AND PUNAKHADZONG TodayyouvisitthePunakhaDzong.ThisdzongservedasBhutan scapitalfrom1637until1955,andwas thebirthplaceofmanycultural,social,economicandpoliticalfoundations. NextyouwillvisittheTempleoftheDivineMadman.ThistempleknownasChimiLhakhangisdedicated to Drukpa Kinley, a popular lama known for a radicalapproachtobuddhisminthe15 th century. Thetranslationofhisstoriesisfoundinthebook, The Divine Madman by Keith Dowman. A visittothistemplewillanswerallthequestions as to why some Bhutanese have phallic images painted on their houses. The less dramatic ones arewoodencarvingshangingdowntheroofsat eachcorner. You gather here at Chimi to hoist prayer flags. Herewewillbebuildingatemplelikestructure usingprayerflagsincolorsofyellow,green,red, whiteandblue.thisstructurewilluseverylittle wood,andcouldbecalled thegreatecosfriendly prayerflag. After finishing the structure, you drive to the riverside and engage in making TsaPtsa. TsaStsa is a little monumentthatbuddhistsuseasanoffering.tsastsacanbemadetobenefitasufferingsoulofadeceased relative,petoranybody.itcanalsobemadetoincreaseoneslucksforce.aseniormonk(ateacher)willgive atalkonthebenefitsandreasonfortsastsamaking.wheatflourwillbeusedtomaketheseofferings,so thatthefinishedtsastsacouldbethrownintherivertobenefitcreaturesintheriver. 976TeeCourt,InclineVillageNV,89451 800S670SMYTH(6984) 775S832S5454 Fax775S832S4454 www.mythsandmountains.com travel@mythsandmountains.com 6
Ifthereistimeandyouwish,perhapsyoucanvisitalocalhome. HOTEL UMAPUNAKHA VALLEYVIEWDOUBLEROOM MEALS BREAKFAST,LUNCH,DINNER MAY19:DRIVETOBUMTHANGVIATRONGSAANDVISITMUSEUM Rising early in the morning, you have about a 7S8 hour drive todaytobumthang.thedistanceisnotgreat,buttheroadsand terrainarea happening. The morning part of the journey climbs until the Pelila pass (10,827 feet). This pass divides western Bhutan from east, and passesthroughseveralvillageswithdifferentdialects.afterthe pass, you can enjoy the landscape that is mostly pastoral. Travellers Magician, a Bhutanese film of international fame wasmostlyfilmedhere.thechendebjichortenaddsacoloron yourdrivetoday.stopbyandtakeashortwalkaround. Afewswitchbacksandyouappearattheviewpoint.Everything including the Trongsa Dzong looks magnificent from here. TrongsaDzong,stretchingacrossthehilltop,hascarvedanimportantseatinthecountry spoliticalhistory. From1637untiltheendofthe19 th century,fourchiefgovernorsruledthecountry,overwhosattheelected headofthestate.theappointmentorelectionofthestateheadbecameamajorpowerstruggleandagrave situationforbhutan.seeingtheimportanceononestrongruler,the19 th centurygovernoroftrongsawas the firsr to press for a hereditary monarchy. Incidentally it was this governor s son (Drukgyalpo Ugyen Wangchuck) who became the First King of Bhutan in 1907. Traditionally, today, the Crown Prince must serveunderthetitleoftrongsapenlopbeforeascendingthethrone. AfterlunchyouvisittheTadzong.Tadzongisafortressturnedintoabeautifulmuseum,wherecollectionof items belonging to kings of Bhutan is on display. You will have the opportunity to visit the museum with the director. Next,youdriveonthroughthespectacularmountainscenery,crossingtheYotunglapass.Continuedown thechumeyvalley.fromheretheroadtobumthangrisesrapidlytillthekikilapassinaseriesofhairpin turns.lookingaheadacrossthevalleyandthedzong,theviewisincredible. OvernightinBumthangatanaltitudeof9,186feet. HOTEL AMANKORABUMTHANG MEALS BREAKFAST,LUNCH,DINNER MAY20:VISITBUMTHANG You have a full day to spend in Bumthang and explore some of the valleys four in number, including Chummi,Jakar,Tang,andUra. Many of the small villages you see along the way have retained their centurysold way of life, and the handicraftsfromthisareaareexceptional.bumthangboastsarichreligiousandpoliticalpast.thevalleys werethehomeofthemostfamoussaintsofthenyingmaspatradition,particularlypemalingpa,whowas 7 976TeeCourt,InclineVillageNV,89451 800S670SMYTH(6984) 775S832S5454 Fax775S832S4454 www.mythsandmountains.com travel@mythsandmountains.com
bornintheregionandwasaterton,adiscovererofreligioustreasures.thevalleywasaseparatekingdom until the middle of the 17th century, when it was conquered by the Drukpas. There is much to see. In the Jakar Valley, you will visit the temple dedicated to Jampa, the Buddha of the Future Jambey Lhakhang. Believed to have been built by Songtsen Gampo in 1659 and visited by GuruRimpochewhenhecametoBumthang,thetempleisoneoftheoldest inthecountry.inthisvalleyoftemples,oneofthemostfamousandmost lovediskurjeylhakhang,builtin1652bythepenlopoftrongsa.acave beneaththeoldestlhakhangissaidtocontainthebody(kur)print(jey)of GuruRimpoche,whomeditatedhereonhowtosavethelifeoftheKing, SindhuRaja,andconvertthearearulerstoBuddhism. Afterlunch,youwilldrivetothebridgeabove Kurjey.Ontheway,you canstopatthecheesefactoryandpickupsomedeliciousnibbles. ThenyouwalktoTamshing.TamshingLangrubChholing,orTempleof thegoodmessage,wasestablishedbytertonpemalingpain1501,andis themostimportantnyingmaspagompainthecountry.thewallpaintings areoriginalsandover300yearsold.alittledistancefromthetempleisa watermill,wherepeoplestillmakeflourfrombarleyandwheat. HOTEL AMANKORABUMTHANG MEALS BREAKFAST,LUNCH,DINNER MAY 21: VISIT TANG VALLEY AND OGYENCHOLING. OPTIONAL CHANTING AND MEDITATIONATMEBARTSO. Today,youvisitthemostremoteoftheBumthangValleys thetangvalley.theareaisthebirthplaceof oneofbhutan smajorsaints,tertonpemalingpa,thediscovereroftreasureshiddenbygururimpoche. Theroadpasseshisbirthplace,Chel,markedbyasmallchorten. YourfirststopistheOgyenchholingPalace,todayanexcellentmuseumofferingwonderfulinsightsinto theworldofthenoblefamiliesofbhutan.youwillbeescortedbytheheadofthefamilythatusedtoliveinthe Palace.Aftervisitingthemuseum,youcanhavelunchinthegarden. Inordertostretchyourlegs,youcantakeawalkfromthemuseumdowntotheriverandmeetyourcarand driver.thenyouheadtomebarptsolake,averyholysiteandadeeppartofthetangriver.here,the15 th centurymaster,tertonpemalingpadiscoveredseveralrelics.youwillvisitthisspecialplacelateinthe afternoon,toenjoythequiet.here,ifyouwish,youcansitquietlyanddosomemeditationandpossibly chanting.amonkwillbetheretohelpwiththemeditationandtheguidewilltranslate. HOTEL AMANKORABUMTHANG MEALS BREAKFAST,LUNCH,DINNER 976TeeCourt,InclineVillageNV,89451 800S670SMYTH(6984) 775S832S5454 Fax775S832S4454 www.mythsandmountains.com travel@mythsandmountains.com 8
MAY22:DRIVEGANGTEY Leaving Bumthang, you head back along the road you came to the GangteyValley.Gangteyishometothearistocraticandendangered blacksnecked cranes (grus nigriclis), who migrate to Bhutan in the winterfromtibetandchina.villagershavemanyfolkstoriesabout thesebeautifulbirds. In1992,about180birdsarrivedfromTibettofeedintheirtraditional valleyhome.inthefall,dependingonweather,onemayseethecranes. Whenyouarrive,youcanvisitthegompaandtakeawalkthroughthe smalltown. HOTEL GANGTEYGOMPALODGE MEALS BREAKFAST,LUNCH,DINNER MAY23:RETURNTOPAROVIABOTANICALGARDEN WALK AROUNDTOWNANDVISITDUNGTSETEMPLE ThedrivetoParotakesaround4hours,excludingstops.Ontheway, weatherpermitting,sinceyoulikeplantsandflowers,youcanstopat thebotanicalgardenforapicniclunch.iftheweatherisbad,lunch willbeinthimphu. Continuing on, you will arrive in Paro.Here you have time to walk around and do some last minute shopping.ifyouwish,youcanbuyprayerflagstotakewithyouuptaktsangtomorrow.todayyouwillalsovisit thesmalldungstetemple. HOTEL UMAPARO VALLEYVIEWDOUBLEROOM MEALS BREAKFAST,LUNCH,DINNER MAY24:TAKTSANGPILGRIMAGEANDVISITTOKYICHU Today,yourlastdayinBhutanisveryspecial.Youwilltakehorsesandrideup,orwalkifyouprefer,to TaktsangMonastery.Taktsangisasacredpilgrimagesitewherethegreattantricmystic,PadmaSambhava, flewonthebackofthetigerandbroughttheteachingsofthebuddhistdharmatobhutan.themonastery clingstoacliffsoaring3,000ft.abovethevalleyflooratanaltitudeof10,000ft. Lunchwillbeatthecafeteriaontheway.Theway issteepanditisdangeroustoridethehorsesdown thehill.assuch,youwillreturnslowly,walking downhillforapproximately2hours. Today,ifyouwish,youcanhangprayerflagswith multiple colors to wish others good tidings. In Bhutan,peoplerelateunhappinesstoimbalanceof greed, anger, ignorance, ego and jealousy. When colorfulflagsarehung,itisbelievedtoenhancethe balance of the above attributes and create happiness. The Bhutanese believe that others happiness creates the environment for our 976TeeCourt,InclineVillageNV,89451 800S670SMYTH(6984) 775S832S5454 Fax775S832S4454 www.mythsandmountains.com travel@mythsandmountains.com 9
happiness. When you finally reach the base of Taktsang, if you have it in you, you should stop at Kyichu Gompa, datingbacktothetimeofsongtsengampoandalsovisitedbygururimpoche. TonightyouwillhaveafinaldinnerinBhutan. HOTEL UMAPARO VALLEYVIEWDOUBLEROOM MEALS BREAKFAST,LUNCH,DINNER MAY25:DEPARTBHUTANFORDELHI,UPONARRIVALTRANSFERTOTHEOBEROI Risingatthecrackofdawn,yougrabsomethingtonibbleonandheadtotheairporttocatchyourbusiness class flight on KB240 (0730/1050) via Kathmandu for Delhi. On arrival, after clearing immigration and customsyouwillbemetandtakentotheoberoigurgaonforthenight. HOTEL OBEROIGURGAON DELUXEROOM MEALS BREAKFAST MAY26:DEPARTDELHIFORHOME Veryearly,youwillbedriventotheairport.HereyouwillbemetandhelpedthroughaVIPdepartureaspartof ourgifttoyou.departdelhiontk717at0615.arriveistanbulontk717at1035.connectwithtk1(1340/1735) forjfk. HOTEL NONE MEALS BREAKFAST 976TeeCourt,InclineVillageNV,89451 800S670SMYTH(6984) 775S832S5454 Fax775S832S4454 www.mythsandmountains.com travel@mythsandmountains.com 10