Kingdom of Tantra - 7 Days in Land of Thunder Dragon BHUTAN

Bhutan, Kingdom of Tantra with Cora Wen and India Supera

Oct 14-20, 2010, Price:$2,795, land only.

Deposit $500 by credit card, final payment by cash or check only. 5% discount if you come to Sikkim and Bhutan!

Bhutan is the last Shangri-La; a pristine jewel nestled in the Himalayas, east of Nepal, north of India and south of Tibet. It is the last Tantric Buddhist Kingdom, in a landscape dotted with a myriad of spiritual symbols. Chortens rise from hillsides, prayer flags flutter in the wind and prayer wheels, turned by the rushing waters of mountain streams, stand like sentinels at the entrance of most monasteries.Known for its pristine culture and spiritual heritage – this is a land of people fiercely independent and proud of tradition. Religious festivals and pilgrimages fuel the spirit of the Bhutanese and provide time for both rest and celebrations.Here is the plan for those continuing to Bhutan:

Driving in the Him

7 Days in the Kingdom of Bhutan, Land of Thunder DragonsOctober 14, Thursday Phuentsholing, border India and BhutanOctober 15, Friday Thimphu, BhutanOctober 16, Saturday Punakha, BhutanOctober 17, Sunday Paro, BhutanOctober 18, Monday Paro, BhutanOctober 19, Tuesday Paro, BhutanOctober 20, Wednesday Paro, Bhutan-HomeFor more information call 406-442-8196.Day 01. October 14 Arrive Phuentsholing Yoga and Meditation amOur guides pick you up from Phuentsholing border and check you in the hotel.Lunch and Dinner in hotel. Free afternoon in this border town of Bhutan.Day 02. October 15 Phuentsholing – Thimphu Yoga and Meditation amAfter breakfast we drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. Approx. 6 – 7 hours. Lunch will be served enroute at Bunakha. Upon arrival in Thimphu, check-in at the hotel and free afternoon.

The Kings Residence

The drive to Thimphu will be through some of the most beautiful terrain in Bhutan. You will see southern Bhutan as we wind up the Himalayas with spectacular views of waterfalls, lush vegetation and far flung villages.By afternoon we arrive at the King’s Memorial Chorten, continuously circumambulated by people murmuring mantras and spinning prayer wheels. This landmark was built by His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, the Father of modern Bhutan, who wished to erect a monument to peace and prosperity. It serves as memorial to the beloved King and as a monument of world peace.Visit the Folk and Textile Museum and Center School of Fine Arts (Thangka painting and traditional arts) where tradition and culture are kept vibrant by the government. The day ends with Tashichhodzong, “Fortress of the Glorious Religion”.

Colourful Prayer Wheels

This is the center of government and religion, site of the throne room and seat of Je Khenpo, Chief Abbot. Built in 1641 by the unifier of Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was reconstructed in traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans.Dinner will be served in hotel.Day 03. October 16 Thimphu – Dochula Pass – PunakhaYoga and Meditation am & pmBreakfast at hotel and visit National Library, along a scenic mountain route towards the former capital of Bhutan, Punakha. We will pass through Dochula ( 10,000ft) where a large Chorten and forest of prayer flags greet us high up on the Himalayan range!

Gross National Happiness

On a clear day you can see an endless chain of Himalayan Peaks including Gangar Punsum (24,000 ft), the highest unclimbed peak in the world, Ganchenta, Teri Gang, and others all above 20,000 ft. From there we descend 5,500 ft through temperate forests coloured with rhododendrons and magnolias down to the semitropical zone of oranges, banana and cacti.Upon arrival check–in at hotel and lunch.Afternoon visit to Punakha Dzong, the winter residence of Je Khenpo and monks of Tashichhodzong. The Dzong sits on the confluence of two mighty glacial rivers, the Mo Chu and Pa Chu, (Male and Female Dieties) which descend from the lofty heights of the Himalayas.

Contemplation in the Mountains

Hike on to Chhimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple, on a small plateau set amongst rice paddies. It was built by the famous “divine madman” Drukpa Kuenley; and is a sacred pilgrimage for women who wish to bear children. you can receive blessing from the great Vajra.Dinner will be served in the hotel. Overnight in Punakha.Day 04. October 17 Punakha – ParoYoga and Meditation am & pmAfter breakfast, on to Paro enroute visiting Simthoka Dzong and see the gorgeous landscape and beautiful traditional architecture.Lunch served enroute.Upon arrival in Paro, check in at hotel and relax. Free afternoon to walk around town.Dinner in hotel.

Taktsang Monastery ~ Tigers Nest

Day 05. October 18 In Paro Kichu ResortYoga and Meditation amAfter breakfast, we hike up to Taktsang monastery (The Tiger’s Nest). For people unaccustomed to the altitude it takes about three hours at an average walking speed to reach the temples.Enroute up the mountain, a stop at teahouse for refreshments and a classic view of the monastery. The path may appear somewhat hair-raising at times, but it is well groomed and worth the views!Taktsang monastery is one of the most venerated pilgrim sites of the Himalayan world and it contains 13 holy places. Taktsang, the “Tiger’s Lair”, gets its name from the story of its birth.In the 8th century, Guru Rinpoche came to Taktsang in a miraculous manner, flying on the back of a tigress from Khenpajong in the region of Kurteop. According to Bhutanese legend, the tigress was a form taken by one of the Master’s consorts for the occasion. Guru Rinpoche meditated for three months in a cave at Taktsang and converted the Paro valley to Buddhism.

Flying into Tigers Nest

Lunch will be served in Takstang. Return walk is all down hill and takes about 1 1/2 – hour.NOTE: THIS IS A VERY STEEP HIKE OF AT LEAST 3 HOURS. IF YOU FEEL YOU CANNOT DO IT, WE SUGGEST ALTERNATE VISIT TO KYICHU LHAKHANG.Dinner will be served in the hotel.Day 06. October 19 ParoYoga and Meditationam & pmTour Ta Dzong, built as watchtower, now the National Museum. The extensive collection of antique Thangka paintings, textiles, weapons & armour, household objects provides a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts. Visit Paro Dzong, called Rinpung Dzong – Fortress of a Mountain of Jewels, which is the seat of administration and an institute for monks. Proceed North to Drukgyel Dzong ruins, once a strategic post withholding invading Tibetan forces from the north.Breakfast and Dinner in the hotel. Final gathering in afternoon

Meditation in Mountains

Day 07. October 20 Paro/Bangkok Breakfast at the hotel and proceed to airport to connect flight home.7 Days in Bhutan1 nite Phuentsholing1 nite Thimphu1 nite Punakha3 nites Paro7 Days in Kingdom of Bhutan, Land of Thunder DragonsAll levels encouraged. Yoga practice will accommodate daily excursions:leg focus for hiking, back focus for jeep journeys, breath awareness for altitude

Walking Meditation

October 14, Thursday Phuentsholing, border India and BhutanOctober 15, Friday Thimphu, BhutanOctober 16, Saturday Punakha, BhutanOctober 17, Sunday Paro, BhutanOctober 18, Monday Paro, BhutanOctober 19, Tuesday Paro, BhutanOctober 20, Wednesday Paro, Bhutan-Home

For more information call 406-442-8196.

Touch Earth - Enlightenment Mudra

Programme includes:Accommodation on twin sharing basis for 6 nights.All meals as indicated in the program.Transfers, sightseeing and excursions as per above program using twenty seat Toyota Coaster Buses.Services of English speaking 02 guides from arrival till departure.Entrance fees to all monuments during the trip.Government Royalty Tax.Bhutan Tourism Development fee per person.Visa Fee per person.Not included are any expenses of personal nature such as laundry, table drinks, telephone calls etc. Any tips or gratuities either at airport or hotels or to drivers or accompanied Guides. Airfare on sector Paro – Transfer City quoted separately.

We made it up the Tigers Nest!