BHUTAN – Land of the Thunder Dragon, is a Pristine Holy place of Pilgrimage. Kingdom home of a deeply spiritual people living in what may be the world's last true Shangri-La. There are more than 10,000 stupas and 2000 monasteries in these ancient lands standing in honor of the teachings of Tantric Buddhism and Bon Shamanism.

The daily rituals, Sacred architecture and fluttering prayer flags across the Kingdom, are constant reminders that in Bhutan - spirituality is a way of life.

Sacred Journey Bhutan will be as if traveling back in time, through the purity and sanctity of an extraordinary land and people, untouched by the ravages of modern society - very much like the Tibet of old.

~ Itinerary ~

DAY 1: May 5, Fly from Bangkok ~ Arrive Paro & Thimphu, 7,730 feet
Early morning flight from Bankgkok. Experience a spectacular view of Himalayan peaks including Mt. Everest and Kanchenjunga flying into Paro Valley. Arrival/ greetings/orientation.
Scenic drive to Thimphu, winding along the lovely Paro River. Explore Thimphu Valley.. Overnight in Thimphu.

DAY 2: May 6, Thimphu
Visit King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk Memorial Chorten, Dupthop Lhakhang Monastery, National Library, School of Traditional Art where Thangkha painting is alive and well and the Institute of Traditional Medicine where remedies are prepared according to ancient practices. Visit Lungtenzampa to observe the silversmith artists, as well as the handmade paper factory.
Stroll around the tiny capital city, enjoy the colorful Thimphu weekend market, with locally produced treasures, including religious objects, textiles, baskets and more.

DAY 3: May 7, Thimphu-Punakha, 4,162 feet
Drive to Punakha, enjoy spectacular views of Bhutan’s snowcapped Himalayan ranges as the road climbs and falls through forests of pine and cedar. Short hike to Chimi Lhakhang temple dedicated to the great Yogi Drukpa Kuenley “The Divine Madman”. Meditate in the main shrine. After lunch explore Punakha Dzong fortress. Meditate in the main shrine. Walk across the traditional bridge over the Mochu River. Return to hotel for overnight

DAY 4: May 8, Punakha – Trongsa, 7,259 feet
Drive to Trongsa. Enjoy the majestic fortress of Wangdue Dzong, then climb steadily passing through semi-tropical vegetation to Chendebji Chorten. Meditation and practice. Continue to Trongsa valley and its huge fortress. Overnight at Yangkhil Resort, with a superb views of the soaring mountains and Trongsa Dzong.

DAY 5: May 9, Trongsa – Bumthang (Jakar), 8,591feet
Drive to Trongsa Dzong, the largest fortress in Bhutan, and Taa Dzong, the ancient watch tower which houses Bhutan’s finest museum - including a lovely collection of ancient Thangkhas. On to Bumthang via Tsungney village, to share with the weavers of the Yathra. Continue to Chokhor Valley. Meditation and practice.                                                   Free time to explore or enjoy the Hotel Spa. Overnight at Yu-Gharling.

DAY 6: May 10, Bumthang
Chokhor Valley - Visit Holy temple Jambay Lhakhang. Sit for meditation in the powerful energies where Guru Rinpoche shared sacred teachings. On to Kurjey monastery another major Padmasambhva site. Meditation/practice at this cave.
Walk the bridge over Chamkhar River to Tamshing Lhakhang - Sacred Temple built by Terton Pemalingpa, (reincarnation of Guru Rinpoche). Meditation and practice. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 7: May 11, Bumthang
Drive to Tang Valley – Visit Tang Rimochen where Guru Rinpoche and Yeshi Tsogyal meditated. On to Membaar Tsho ‘The burning lake’ -where Terton Pemalingpa discovered many religious treasures. Meditation/practice. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 8: May 12, Bumthang – Trongsa
Drive to Trongsa, en route we stop at Gyetsa to visit Tharpaling Monastery (11,810 feet). Climb to Choedrak Monastery, mystical site where Guru Rinpoche meditated in the 8th century. Meditation/practice.
Drive back to Trongsa. Overnight at Yangkhil Resort.

DAY 9: May 13, Trongsa – Phobjikha - Punakha
Drive through beautiful glacial valley of Phobjikha. Prayer flag ceremony on route. Continue to Gangtey Monastery for meditation/ceremony. Walk in the lovely valley exploring nature at her most pristine. On to Punakha for the evening.

DAY 10: May 14, Punakha – Thimphu
Hike to the Khamsum Yuelley Chorten. The view of the valley from the stupa is spectacular - meditation and practice at the stupa. After lunch drive to Thimphu.

DAY 11: May 15, Thimphu
Hike to Tango Monastery. Meditation/practice at the main shrine. Evening dinner party at a private home where we will have several dignitaries join us - share Bhutanese folk dancing and music. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 12: May 16, Thimphu – Paro
Drive to Paro, visiting Drukgyal Dzong. Walk around the fortress exploring the beauty. On to Satsam Chorten, for meditation at the stupa that holds the remains of His Holiness Dilgo Khentse Rinpoche. Continue on to Kyichu Lhakhang, for meditation in front of Jowo. After lunch visit the National Museum of Bhutan, (Ta Dzong) Enjoy a lovely hike down to Rimpung Dzong.

DAY 13: May 17, Taktsang Monastery – Tiger’s Lair
Hike to Taktsang monastery, ascending through a beautiful pine forest of trees draped with Spanish moss and prayer flags. This incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges over 9000 feet into the valley below. Padmasambhava is said to have flown here over the Himalayas from Tibet on the back of a flying Tigress. Meditation and prayer. After lunch hike back to Paro valley where we have free time to explore and shop in the small Bazaar.   Final evening celebration.

DAY 14: May 18, Depart Bhutan - On to Nepal/Tibet or Home
After breakfast drive to Paro International airport for our flight back to Bangkok or on to Nepal and Tibet for our Extension. More info coming soon

~ Donation Bhutan ~
$5292.00 per person double occupancy

OR Mail a check

 

~  Nonrefundable Deposit ~
$ 801 To secure your place

OR Mail a check

 
~ Includes ~
Twin accommodations, all meals, all transfers as per our itinerary, roundrip airfare from Bangkok to Paro,
wonderful English-speaking guide, fees, and government taxes.

~ Not Included ~
International Airfare to Bangkok, excess baggage, laundry, visa fees, airport tax, air fuel surcharge,

airline insurance and any other personal expenses. Credit card transactions include Paypal fees.

~ Single Travelers ~
Single accommodations by request: $720 supplement.
If you are traveling alone and wish to share accommodations,we will do our best to match you with a roommate.
If a roommate is not available, you will be responsible for the single supplement.
Register early to avoid this possibility.

~ Please Note ~

Prepare: Attendees need to be in Bangkok no later than the evening of May 4th.
Itinerary subject to change due to factors such as weather, road conditions,
and the magic alchemy of the Journey’s moment. Expect the unexpected, surprises and miracles...

Space is limited, secure your place with a deposit as soon as possible.

~ Rates Are Subject To Change ~
For more information, please email info@divinelightsanctuary.org