Sacred spaces - Kingdom in the Clouds

Transcription

1 (Druk Wangyal Chortens, Dochula Pass) Sacred spaces - Kingdom in the Clouds A Journey to Western Bhutan (The Jomolhari Trek) Trip Highlights Haa Valley (8,758 feet): Haa is the smallest Dzongkhag (district) in the country. This tiny region is one of the most beautiful and isolated areas in the kingdom, adorned with pristine alpine forests and tranquil mountain peaks. Haa is the ancestral home of the Queen Grandmother and the illustrious Dorji family. This valley remains one of the least visited areas in the country and retains the air of an unspoiled, primeval forest. The wooded hills of Haa provide an ideal location for hiking.

2 Chelela pass & Kila nunnery: Chelela pass, at 13,083 feet is the highest motorable pass in Bhutan. From Chelela pass one can have superb views of Haa Valley, the smallest regions in the country and surrounded by tranquil mountain peaks such at the majestic Mt. Jomolhari (24,035 feet) & Jichu Drakey (22,930 feet). Bhutan's oldest nunnery, the Kila nunnery, dates back to the ninth century. Thimphu (7,800 feet): The Kingdom s capital city is home to approximately 100,000, including the Royal family. This bustling little city is the main center of commerce, religion and government in the country. One of the most curious features of Thimphu is that it is the only capital city in the world that does not use traffic lights. Instead a few major intersections have policemen standing in elaborately decorated booths (small pavilions), directing traffic with exaggerated hand motions. The juxtaposition of ancient tradition and modernity makes Thimphu the ideal location for visitors to immerse themselves in the lifestyle of contemporary Bhutanese. Punakha (4,265 feet) The Ethereal Ancient Capital: has been inextricably linked with momentous occasions in Bhutanese history. On October 13, 2011 the district of Punakha was home to the auspicious and historical Royal wedding. Punakha served as the capital of the country from 1637 to 1907 and the first national assembly was hosted here in The Punakha Dzong (Fort) is the second oldest and second largest in Bhutan and one of the most majestic structures in the country. The Jomolhari Trek (6 days): The Jomolhari trek is one the most popular treks in Bhutan. With altitude differences of 8,000 to nearly 14,370 feet, it offers a wide range of landscape and fauna and flora. The highlight of this trek is the spectacular view of Mount Jomolhari from basecamp and Tshophu Lake. Paro (7,200 feet): The valley extends from the confluence of the Paro Chhu (river) and the Wang Chhu rivers at Chuzom up to Mt. Jomolhari at the Tibetan border to the North. This picturesque region is one of the widest valleys in the kingdom and is covered in fertile rice fields and has a beautiful, crystalline river meandering down the valley. Paro, Taktsang (Tiger s Nest) Monastery (10,200 feet): Bhutan s most iconic landmark and religious site. The name Taktsang translates to The Tiger s Nest. This monastery is one of the most holy sites in the kingdom and clings impossibly to a sheer cliff face about 3,000 feet above the Paro Valley. It was first built in 1692 at a cave where Guru Rimpoche meditated in the 7th century A.D. Legend states that Guru Rimpoche flew to the site atop the back of a tigress and meditated in the cave for 3 years, 3 months, 3 days in order to subdue evil demons residing within it. PROPOSED ITINERARY Day 1: Depart Bangkok for Paro on Flight. Drive to Haa: The flight into Paro, Bhutan provides opportunities to see spectacular views of the great Himalayan peaks The highlight being Mount Kanchenjunga (28,169 feet), the world s third tallest mountain for unobstructed views, try to get a seat on the LEFT side of the plane. Upon arrival into Paro, and completing your visa & customs formalities, a representative of The Noble Traveller Bhutan will be there to receive you as you exit the Airport. Begin your journey to Haa (via Chelela Pass), driving through blue pine & rhododendron forest for about an hour to reach Chelela pass (13,083 feet). Chelela pass is the highest motor pass in Bhutan and from here, weather permitting; one can have superb views of the majestic Mt. Jomolhari (24,035 feet) & Mt. Jichu Drakey (22,930 feet). Upon arrival in Haa, you will check into Lodge. (Overnight Soednam Zingkha Lodge All meals, no drinks).

3 Day 2: Explore Haa Valley: In the morning explore Lechuna Village and embark on a leisurely walk up to the Jamtey monastery above Haa town, following which visit Wangcha village. In the afternoon, enjoy a beautiful walk, or you have the option to drive to Takchu Goemba - Located in Lungse Kha village. Lama Sangay Jamtsho who served as Lam of Nub Dali Dzong founded Tagchu Goemba. On your return, visit Haa town prior to dinner at the Lodge. (Overnight Soednam Zingkha Lodge - All meals, no drinks). Day 3: Haa Valley to Thimphu: After early breakfast in Haa, begin your three- hour picturesque drive to Thimphu. There is much to explore in Thimphu. Visit the Simthoka Dzong, believed to be the first Dzong built in Bhutan. Today, it houses a traditional Bhutanese school of religious and classical studies. Visit the Royal Textile Academy, weaving an integral component of the culture and tradition of Bhutan. With the aim to preserve and promote this living art, the Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan was instituted in May 2005 under the patronage of Her Majesty Gyalyum (Queen Mother) Sangay Choden Wangchuck. Complete your day with a visit to Tashichho Dzong; this impressive fortress houses the secretariat building, the throne room of His Majesty the King, as well as various government offices. It is also the summer residence of the Chief Abbot and the central body of monks. (Overnight Galingkha Hotel - - All meals, no drinks). Day 4: Explore Thimphu. Start your day with a hike (about an hour) to the historic Cheri Monastery; built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1620, this is where the first community of monks in Bhutan was established. Upon return from your hike, visit many of Thimphu s cultural sites. The Folk Heritage Museum, which is set inside a 19th century traditional three- storied building. The museum houses different tools, materials, objects, equipment and artifacts from rural Bhutanese households. Visit the Jungshi Handmade paper factory and the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, where we will learn about traditional systems of healing. Traditional Bhutanese medicines are produced here from various herbs and plants that are grown on premises, and there is a training school on premises for budding practitioners. In the afternoon, visit the Buddha Dordenma Statue, this massive statue of Shakyamuni measures in at a height of 51.5 meters, making it one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world. On your return to your hotel, visit the Memorial Chorten built in memory of the third King of Bhutan here you will see many local people circumventing the Memorial in prayer and respect, you are welcome to join them too. (Overnight Galingkha Hotel - - All meals, no drinks). Day 5: Thimphu to Punakha (4,265 feet): Begin your journey to Punakha, the Ethereal Ancient Capital. The drive will take about 3 hours. Enroute you will stop by the Dochula Pass (10,100 feet) - this pass is a popular location among travellers as it offers a stunning panoramic view of Bhutanese Himalayan range. The view is especially scenic on clear day with snowcapped mountains forming a majestic backdrop to the tranquility of the 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens (Stupas) gracing the mountain pass. The eldest Queen Mother, Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk, commissioned the 108 Chortens. From Dochula Pass, you will begin your hike (optional) of the day to the Lungchuzekha Monastery - a beautiful three to four hours round trip walk (about 4.5 miles) through rhododendron forests, offering fascinating view of the Himalayas and the Punakha Valley below from the Monastery. Picnic lunch at the monastery. Upon returning to Dochula Pass, continue drive to Punakha enroute, visit Chimi Lhakhang and learn about Bhutan s most beloved saint, Drukpa Kinley, the Divine Madman. (Overnight Meripuensum Hotel All meals, no drinks). Day 6: Explore Punakha: Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, built by Her Majesty the Queen Mother, this temple is dedicated for her son Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk and for the well being of the Kingdom and the benefit of all sentient beings. Khamsum Yulley stands majestically on a strategic ridge above the Punakha valley. Built over a period of 9 years, Bhutanese craftsmen including carpenters, painters, and sculptors consulted Holy Scriptures rather than engineering manuals, to construct this 4- story temple. It is a splendid example of Bhutan s fine architectural and artistic traditions and the only one of its kind in the world. Lunch in town, followed by a visit to the Punakha Dzong, the most spectacular Dzong in Bhutan, built at the confluence of the Mo Chhu (Female river) and Pho Chhu (Male river) in This huge fortress/monastery was the National Capital until 1966 and is the place where the country s Kings have been crowned and the site for the 5th King s Royal Wedding in Oct After visiting Punakha Dzong, take a walk on Mendagang suspension bridge, Bhutan s longest suspension bridge. Prior to returning to your hotel, visit the Wolokha Nunnery. (Overnight Meripuensum Hotel All meals, no drinks).

4 Day 7: Punakha to Paro: This morning, you have the option of resting at your hotel for some personal time and departing to Paro at a leisurely pace post lunch. Upon arrival in Paro, visit key cultural sites: Paro Dzong - built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan, the Dzong houses the monastic body of Paro, the office of the Dzongda (district administrative head) and Thrimpon (judge) of Paro district. The approach to the Dzong is through a traditional wood covered bridge called Nyamai Zam. Drukgyel Dzong - built in 1649 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders. The glory of Drukgyel Dzong remained even when its was destroyed by fire in After Drukgyel Dzong, drive a short distance to Kyichu Lhakhang (temple), one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom dating back to the 7thcentury (the other is Jambey Lhakhang in Bumthang). (Overnight Dewachen Hotel - All meals, no drinks). Day 8: Jomolhari Trek Begins. Sharna to Tshema Marp (Red Forest 10,500 feet apprx): Start from Paro at 7:00 am. Approximately 1.5 hours later we will reach the trailhead at Gunitsawa. At Gunitsawa Army Camp, we will register at the check post. Horses will be waiting at the trailhead to carry our luggage, food and other provisions. It is advisable that you only carry a daypack on you with your personal effects (camera, water bottle, sunscreen, raingear, medication and snacks). Tents, clothes, and other provisions will be transported on horses. We will cross the footbridge at Sharna. We will now follow an old trading route that goes to Phari in Tibet. In the olden days, the Sharna Drungpa would collect taxes at his house at the bridge in the form of salt that traders returning from Tibet would bring with them. About 2 hours into the trek, we will reach Shingkharap, the lone house on the way. This is a little wayside shop and rest house for weary travellers. You can get noodles, beer, cold drinks and minor provisions here. We will hike for another hour or so and then stop for a picnic lunch along the side of the trail. After about 5 hours from the beginning of the trek today, we will reach our destination for the night, Tshema Marp. We will set up camp by the trail and the river. (Overnight Tent). Day 9: Tshema Marp to Hesithangka (12, 500 feet apprx): After breakfast we will hike for about an hour before we pass come to the last bridge on the Pachhu. After crossing this bridge we will stick to the trail on the left side of the river. Soon, you will see another bridge leading across the river to the trail that will go towards Yaksa village. We DO NOT want to cross that bridge towards the chorten. After 20 minutes, we will cross Thangthangka campsite that has toilets and a small shop run by the caretaker. On a clear day, we will get a great view of Mount Jomolhari from here. A half hour past here we will come across a small Royal Bhutan Army outpost. Guests will normally have to register their permits here (the guide will carry with him/her an army hiking permit). Today we will gradually ascend above tree line and the landscape becomes more open and refreshing. Today is a relatively shorter hike of about 4.5 hours. We will camp in an open meadow, Hesithangka, next to a single chorten. (Overnight Tent). Day 10: Hesithangka to Jangothang (Base Camp - 13,385 feet): After breakfast today, a pleasant, gradual walk will bring us to the main village, Dangochong, in about 2.5 hours. This is the local government headquarters. We will visit the Jomolhari School and also meet with village leaders. At about midday, we will break for a picnic lunch at the village, joined by the teachers, the village headman, and other officials based here. In the afternoon we will have time to relax and walk around the village from the village we will continue a short distance, about 25 minutes to our high camp of the Trek at Jangothang Base Camp. (Overnight Tent). Day 11: Jangothang to Tshophu Lake (14,370 feet) to Dangochong: At 7:00 am we will hike up to the Tshophu twin lakes (about 1.5 hours). We will have a picnic lunch at the lake. Chance of seeing blue sheep is high here. Marmots will still be underground in hibernation. Return to Dangochong (Overnight Tent). Day 12: Dangochong to Thangthangka: Retrace our hike back to Hesithangka where we will stop for lunch. Go past the army outpost, hike past and set up camp at Thanthangka campsite. (Overnight Tent). Day 13: Thanthangka to Sharna, and exit to Paro. It is worth getting out of your tent early morning for another view of Jomolhari basked in alpenglow. After breakfast, retrace our trek back to Sharna stopping along the way for lunch. Upon arrival in Sharna, say goodbye to your trekking staff and continue drive to Paro. (Overnight Dewachen Hotel - All meals, no drinks).

5 Day 14: Taktsang Monastery (10,100 feet): In order to avoid the crowds and escape hiking under the day sun, you will begin our journey to Taktsang (Tigers Nest) by 7am. At a very moderate pace, you can be up at the monastery by 9:30am and back at the base by 1pm. Taktsang Monastery is Bhutan s most iconic landmark and religious site. The name Taktsang translates to The Tiger s Nest. This monastery is one of the most holy sites in the kingdom and clings impossibly to a sheer cliff face about 2952 feet above the Paro Valley. At about an altitude of 10,100 feet, Taktsang was first built in 1692 at a cave where Guru Rinpoche (learned reincarnate monk) meditated in the 7th century A.D. No trip to Bhutan would be complete without a visit to this remarkable heritage site. (Overnight Dewachen Hotel - All meals, no drinks). Day 15: Depart for the airport to catch your flight to Bangkok. Jangothang, Jomolhari Basecamp

6 Tshophu Lake (14,300 feet) (Prayer above Taktsang Monastery)

7 Key terms, phrases & notes: Dzong: Bhutanese architectural masterpieces built in the past to serve a number of purposes. They served as administrative centers and as houses for the clergy. They were also used as garrisons by the army and people gathered in the dzong courtyards during festivities. Stupa/Chorten: The stupa is a monument of peace, harmony and love. It symbolizes the essence of the five elements and the qualities of an awakened mind with the qualities of unlimited compassion and deepest wisdom. It contains many Buddhist scriptures and prayers and is built for world peace. Tsechu: A religious event celebrated on tenth day of a month of the lunar calendar corresponding to the birthday of Guru Rimpoche (Guru Padmasambhava). Tshechus are grand events where entire communities come together to witness religious mask dances, receive blessings and socialize. Lhakhang/Goenpa: Buddhist spiritual place of worship and learning. Mountain views (on flight): The flight into Paro airport, Bhutan provides opportunities to see spectacular views of the great Himalayan peaks The highlight being Mt. Everest (29,028 feet) and Mt. Kanchenjunga (28,169 feet) the world s tallest and third tallest mountains. As you enter Bhutan airspace, you will see many of Bhutan s majestic mountains such as the sacred Mt. Jomolhari & Mt. Jichu Drake for unobstructed views, try to get a seat on the LEFT side of the plane. Note: Mt. Everest views are great for flights coming in from Delhi and Nepal. Flights from Bangkok and those arriving from the east of Bhutan will likely not get views of Mt. Everest. Hotel: We will try our best to confirm hotels as listed in the itinerary, however, in the event we are unable to secure a room, we will book in the next available hotel in the same class 3 star. Note on itinerary: Please note the detailed day to day itinerary is just to give some structure to the day - once you arrive in Bhutan, we can adjust your day to day activities based on your experience once in country - at times, travellers prefer to do more days walks and less cultural activities and others the opposite. Once finalized, the only change we are unable to make is the night halt as hotels in Bhutan are paid for in advance per local norms. Time and distances mentioned in itinerary are approximate only.

8 Included: - Land cost, Visa, Government taxes. - Flight: Bangkok- Paro- Bangkok (Economy Class). - Accommodation as listed in itinerary. - All meals as listed in itinerary. - Ground transport/transfers. - Tourism Certified Guide (Trek & Tour). - Private Cultural and Jomolhari Trek (All meals). - All meals at local restaurants. - All trekking gear/supplies (tents, sleeping bag/mattresses). - Tip for cultural and trekking staff. - Bottled water throughout travel. Not included: - Meals at luxury hotels & restaurants not listed in the itinerary. - Miscellaneous expenses: Beverages, alcohol, laundry, intl. calls, spa, etc. - Change in itinerary beyond our control (including weather related delays). - Hotels/meals/transport should one return from trek earlier. Payment Schedule: - 10% non refundable deposit. - Final payment: 90 days prior to arrival. Cancellation Policy: - 30 to 60 days of arrival 50% fee. - Less than 30 days of arrival and no show 100% fee. Please secure comprehensive travel insurance from your home country.