Saturday, June 16 Pre tour night in Bangkok

Transcription

1 Tex les and Cra s of Bhutan with Diana Myers June 17-July 2, 2018 Saturday, June 16 Pre tour night in Bangkok Monday, June 18 Thimphu Tonight s hotel accommodations are not included. However, we recommend staying at the Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel tonight in order to easily meet the group tomorrow morning. Sunday, June 17 Bangkok Paro - Thimphu We will gather at the Bangkok Airport for the early flight to Paro. Flight and meeting information will be advised. Nancy and Diana will meet you at the airport. Flying west with the morning sun, we turn north from the Indian plains for a dramatic landing in the Paro Valley. After clearing customs and completing immigration formalities, we ll be greeted by our Bhutanese guide and staff, who will accompany us throughout the trip. Bhutan s arts and crafts will be all around us. En route to Thimphu, the capital, our winding road passes by the 15 th- century Tamchog Lhakhang (temple), built by Druptho Thang Thong Gyelpo, a skilled blacksmith who is famously known as the great iron-bridge builder. We will reach Thimphu in time for lunch and a leisurely afternoon, exploring the weekend market or walking to the Memorial Chorten, honoring Bhutan s third king, which Bhutanese circumambulate morning and evening, saying their prayers. Welcome dinner. Meals included today: Lunch and dinner Our exploration of Bhutan s Thirteen traditional crafts Zorig Chusum begins today. The government of Bhutan is well-known for its policy of pursuing development, while preserving and nurturing traditional culture. We begin with a visit to the government-sponsored School of Arts and Crafts, which offers six-year courses in painting, drawing, and sculpting. After lunch, we will visit the Royal Textile Academy and Textile Museum to learn more about weaving, the only traditional craft that is predominantly practiced by women. We will enjoy a personal tour from the RTA s executive director, Rinzin O. Dorji. Our day will wrap up with a visit to a producer of traditional Bhutanese paper, made from the Daphne plant, and a visit to a well-known contemporary weaving workshop run by Ao Kesang, an awardwinning weaver/designer from Eastern Bhutan. We may enjoy a sunset drive to Khunsel Phodrang, a recently built Buddha statue perched on a ridge with a wonderful view of Thimphu. Meals included today and throughout our time in Bhutan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

2 Tuesday, June 19 Thimphu Paro Bumthang (Jakar) We rise early this morning to return to Paro for a 25- minute flight to Bumthang in central Bhutan, a journey that would otherwise take two days! Bumthang ( plain of the vase ) is one of the most beautiful and sacred areas in Bhutan, and was the site of Bhutan s royal court in the early 1900s. The region was converted to Buddhism by Bhutan s patron saint, Padmasambhava (Guru Rimpoche), who made frequent visits to Bhutan in the 8 th century. Bumthan s four valleys Chokhor, Tang, Ura, and Chume ( m) - are studded with monasteries and temples of great historic importance. Bhutanese say the Chokhor Valley, where we land, is shaped like the holy vase for saffron water found on every Buddhist altar. After settling into our hotel and having lunch, we will take a short walk to the Wangdicholing Palace, a 19 th century manor house that was a summer home for Bhutan s royal family. Dozens of women were once engaged here in preparing yarns for weaving and producing textiles for the household. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to explore the market or visit the Jambey Lhakhang, one of the two oldest temples in Bhutan. It was built circa 750 by King Srongstan Gampo of Tibet as part of his pledge to build 108 temples to the Buddha during his lifetime. Jambey is one of the holiest of Bhutan s religious sites, and one can visit the courtyards of the ancient temple and see people circumambulating from dawn to dusk. The temple is a wonderful example of Bhutan s carpentry and masonry arts. Wednesday, June 20 Jakar Bumthang is famed for its sheep, as well as for the local nobility s patronage of weaving. This morning we visit the temple complex of Tamshing, which was founded in 1501 by one of Bhutan s most famous saints, Pema Lingpa ( the treasure discoverer ). Richly decorated with thangkas and statues, Tamshing is home to many young monks in training and has lovely 19 th -century wall paintings depicting local villagers in the traditional dress of that time. Our destination is a weaving workshop at Dorjibi, still sponsored by a local noblewoman. Dorjibi is known for fine, handspun sheep wool which has become very rare We will be treated to a lunch featuring Bumthang s specialty buckwheat pancakes - at a local home. After lunch, we enjoy a walk across a suspension bridge spanning the rushing Chamkhar Chu (river) to Kurjey Lhakhang, a 17-century temple next to which a spectacular new monastery has been built in traditional style. At tonights dinner we will also sample their homemade cheese, beer, apple juice and honey. Thursday, June 21 Jakar to Chume After breakfast we set off down the Chokhor Valley and across the Kiki La (9,515 feet, La means pass ), toward the Chume Valley. We have the opportunity for a short hike through pine forest to Tharpaling Monastery.Our vehicles will meet us at Tharpaling and drive us to our accommodation for the night.

3 Friday, June 22 Chume Ogyen Choling After breakfast, we take a short drive to Nimalung Monastery to witness the annual dances that celebrate the conversion of Bhutan to Buddhism by Guru Rimpoche. Monks in elaborate masks, appliquéd boots and bright silk robes re-enact the subduing of local spirits, and young women from nearby villages, dressed in their hand-woven finery, perform folk dances. After lunch, we head east, past the Chokhor Valley and up the scenic Tang Valley to the aristocratic manor house of Ogyen Choling. Our hosts, Kunzang and Walter Roder, will greet us and share their wonderful efforts to preserve Kunzang s ancestral property as a heritage home destination for local and international visitors. Ogyen Choling s history begins with the visit of the great Tibetan masters of Buddhism Longchen Rabjampa ( ), a celebrated writer and philosopher. We will learn how this site became important for the saint Dorji Lingpa, whose descendants have the responsibility of upholding religious traditions (see for more information). Kunzang is also a renowned Bhutanese author of books on topics from cooking to fairytales. Saturday, June 23 Ogyen Choling - Mongar After an early breakfast, we continue east through the Ura Valley with its neat, sloping fields, and into more rugged terrain toward the highest pass in Bhutan. The virgin Himalayan forests in this region are within a national park massive rhododendrons, pine, and holly-leafed oak. Crossing the Thrumshing La (12,300 ) marks our entry into Eastern Bhutan. Although the east is the most densely populated part of the country, it has steep terrain and few good roads. Many regions are accessible only on foot. Eastern Bhutan also has relatively few facilities for visitors (all are primitive), and is visited by very few tourists. As we descend from Sengor village, lovely waterfalls plunge from the cliffs as we approach the Kuri Chu bridge (1,864 ). The road then ascends another 3,000 to the market town of Mongar, where we will stay for the night. Sunday, June 24 Mongar Khoma/Lhuntshi Our destination today is Lhuntshi (formerly known as Kurtoe) District. Considered remote even by Bhutanese standards, Lhuntshi is the ancestral home of Bhutan s royal family and features scattered villages high above its steep river valley. The princesses of the royal family were famous as patrons of fine silk and cotton weaving, and popularized the most elegant style of wraparound dress (kushuthara), decorated with a distinctive style of extra-weft patterning, that is still favored for formal and festive occasions in Bhutan. We head for the village of Khoma, where weaving remains a major source of income for many women, who produce textiles for sale and for clients in Thimphu. A cluster of stone and wood houses built close together, on a rough road off the main road, Khoma has no hotel, so we will have the privilege of staying in homes. Explore the village this afternoon, and enjoy a unique evening, being welcomed in the traditional manner by women bringing home-made ara (moonshine) to offer us, as they dance and sing.

4 Monday, June 25 Khoma/Lhuntshi This morning we drive to Lhuntshi Dzong, a fortress/ palace dramatically situated on a hill overlooking the Kuri Chu. It was built in 1654 by Trongsa Penlop Chogyal Minjur Tempa on the site of an older temple built by Nagi Wangchuck, the progenitor of the royal family, in After visiting Lhuntshi Dzong, we continue north to the village of Dungkar, home of Bhutan s first king, on a recently constructed road. Leisurely exploration of this charming village and opportunity to see rural life, and uses of crafts, up close. Tuesday, June 26 Lhunste to Trashigang via Mongar Lhuntshi is known for preserving some pre-buddhist traditions, such as annually honoring the local mountain gods, which we may learn about while visiting Takila Tangmachu as we return to Mongar and continue to the east. The final leg of our journey to the east takes us over one more pass and across two rivers, before climbing the steep crag on which Tashigang is perched. The governor at Tashigang Dzong administered all of eastern Bhutan until the early 20 th century, and the town is still an important market for the region. Tashigang has a modest bazaar where hand-woven fabrics of wild silk and hand-turned wooden bowls made in the surrounding hills are sold. Wednesday, June 27 Visit Radhi village Nestled among terraced rice fields, Radhi lies on the traditional walking route to the high altitude valleys of Merak and Sakteng, whose inhabitants are herders known for producing butter, cheese, and wooden containers. The people of Merak Sakteng, called Brokpas, come regularly via Radhi to Tashigang to exchange their goods for textiles and other items; they also trade with Arunachal Pradesh in India. The Brokpas are easily recognized by their dress and unusual yak hair hats. The women of Radhi is famous for the skills of its weavers, women who work mainly with wild silk yarns and color them with local indigo, lac, turmeric, and other forest products. Women are at work on back-strap looms in almost every household. We may also be able to see the dyeing of yarns. Thursday, June 28 Trashigang to Mongar repeating the same road. Today we head back to Mongar, a 4-hour drive, climbing back up through banana groves and corn fields to the village of Ngatsang, with a lovely old manor house. We plan to reach Mongar in time to explore the town and its market. Friday, June 29 Bumthang Today is one of our longest driving days, as we retrace our steps back toward Bumthang. We have periodic stops along the way to break the journey, including an opportunity to walk ahead of the bus to stretch your legs. By evening, we arrive at a rustic but comfortable guesthouse, with a hot stone spa. Saturday, June 30 Jakar to Paro Our morning flight from Bumthang brings us to Paro in time to check into the Gangtey Palace Hotel before lunch. The hotel is the ancestral home of local nobility, where Bhutanese baskets and pottery and other crafts are on display in the home s temple and courtyard. The hotel s garden has a lovely view of Paro Dzong and town.

5 After lunch, we will visit Dungtse Lhakhang, an unusual three-story temple built in 1433 by the ironbridge builder Drupthop Thangtong Gyelpo. The three tiers represent hell, heaven and earth and the paintings inside are said to be some of the best in Bhutan. The National Museum was severely damaged in an earthquake a few years ago, and is under renovation, but we can view some of their collections in a smaller building nearby. A short walk takes us to the base of the dzong and across a traditional cantilevered, covered bridge. We walk by Ugyen Pelri, a small jewel-like palace that belongs to the royal family. Designed after the celestial paradise of Padmasambhava, the building was completed in the late 1800s. No alterations have been made to the structure of the building or the beautiful carvings and paintings within the palace. Nearby are some archery grounds, where Bhutan s national sport is practiced by men who grow up learning how to shoot with wooden or compound tension bows. Sunday, July 1 Paro We take a very short drive today to see or hike to one of the most important religious sites in the Himalayas, Takstang Lhakhang, known as the Tiger s Nest. This magical monastery clings to a vertical granite cliff 2,000 feet above the valley floor. holy cave here. According to Tantric Buddhist mythology, the vanquished local deities became the protectors of Buddhism. You have several options walking for about one and a half hours through blue pine forest to a teahouse and excellent vantage point. Some may want to continue another 45 minutes to the monastery itself, and return to the teahouse for lunch. After lunch, we hike down to our vehicles and visit Paro Town or Kyichu Lhakhang. This temple, built in the 7 th century by the Tibetan King Srongstan Gampo, pins down the left foot of the demoness whose left knee was held down by Jambey Lhakhang in Bumthang. We will return to the hotel in time for a farewell dinner. Monday, July 2 Paro Bangkok After breakfast we will report to the airport for our flight to Bangkok. The tour ends and accommodations are not included this evening The legend of Taktsang dates to 747 AD when Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhava), in the wrathful form of Guru Dorji Droloe, is believed to have arrived at this site on the back of a tiger and subdued the evil spirits in the region. The Guru then meditated in the

6 Tour informa on $7650 * per person trip es mated price includes the following: 15 nights hotel accommoda ons in carefully selected comfortable guesthouses and hotels, with one homestay. Hotel names will be advised in the final tour documents. Touring, transporta on and admissions per the i nerary Breakfast, lunch and dinner in Bhutan Round trip flight Bangkok to Paro to Bangkok Domes c flights in Bhutan Local transporta on and admissions per the i nerary A single supplement of approximately $450 will apply. Single rooms will not be available at the homestay Not included: Interna onal flights to and from Bangkok (We will provide the necessary informa on to book your flights) Accommoda ons before and a er the tour Personal Insurance for health, baggage and trip cancella on Items of a personal nature, including laundry, alcoholic drinks and ps to Bhutanese staff The i nerary will be finalized approximately 30 days prior to departure and is subject to change at any me. The tour is moderately strenuous and includes several long days of travel by road, and stops at high al tude. For informa on and registra on forms, contact Nancy Cra : nancy@espri ravel.com * Based on a minimum group of 10. The price may also be adjusted for fluctua on in the included flight fares.