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Exploring the Hidden Kingdom of Bhutan
16 - 30 November 2011
A brief introduction - full details will be available shortly...
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INTRODUCTION
The hitherto hidden Kingdom of Bhutan is a destination of great diversity and unparalleled beauty. Your first glimpse
of Bhutan as you fly in will be of scattered farmhouses on the mountains with monasteries perched on hilltops.
But particularly exciting is the approach through the Himalayan foothills with the opportunity to see some of the
highest peaks of the world, including Mount Everest, Kanchen Junga and Lho Tse, on the way.
Our tour takes in all of the most significant sites, including Thimpu (the capital city), and a number of important monasteries, temples,
palaces and chortens.
We drive across high mountain passes, pausing to enjoy magnificent views or take tea with friendly locals, and travel
through wide meadows and valleys filled with wildflowers, fragrance filled forests, orchards and golden rice fields.
Our itinerary covers the main tourist sites, but also takes us off the beaten track. We stay in hotels, from where
we walk out each day to visit villages, farms, monasteries perched on high hills and ancient temples from the towns
of Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, and Wangdi Phodrang, travelling as far as Bumthang district. Walking is undoubtedly the best way
to enjoy and experience Bhutan. The walking is moderate and this programme has been thoroughly tested and recommended by
previous guests.
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The undoubted highlight is Takstang Pelphung, literally meaning Tiger's nest. It is is one of the most venerated
and famous of Bhutan's monasteries. Located on the face of a sheer 1000m cliff above Paro valley, it is an
impressive sight and is accessible only on foot or by riding on a pony, whichever you prefer.
The initial trek to the Tea house is a steep one hour uphill climb(about 350m ascent), made easier by the need to take frequent stops to absorb the incredible surroundings. Horses and ponies can only take you as far as the tea house, and you must return on foot. From the tea house (2940m) is a breath-taking close up view of Takstang.
After savoring the much deserved tea and some snacks, you can choose to trek further uphill for another 45 minutes or enjoy the views from the cafeteria. The trail further uphill ascends steeply to a high observation point (3140m) where there is a Chorten (stupa), then descends a flight of cliff-hanging steps to a beautiful waterfall that plunges down the deep chasm. Alongside is a retreat hermitage.
Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the great Buddhist master who spread Buddhism across the entire Himalayas,
flew here on the back of a Tigress in order to subdue negative spiritual forces that were hostile to spread of
Buddhism. In 853, one of his students, Pelgyi Senge, meditated here in the main cave. A Stupa at the main cave
contains his mortal remains and therefore the cave is known as Pelphung or Pelgyi's cave.
Subsequently many great spiritual masters passed periods here in profound meditation. In 1692, Gyelse Tenzin Rabgye
built a two storey temple here, which over the period of time was expanded and refurbished. In April 1998, tragically,
two of the three temples were completely burnt by fire, but happily they have now been resorted to their original
splendor.
Bhutan is a recent newcomer to international tourism, & has learnt from the experience of others. Hotels
are clean, attractive and welcoming, and we make a point of staying in the best available. Bhutan's strong cultural
heritage is well preserved and an integral part of every day life. We are offered a range of local and international
food, all beautifully prepared. The country's tourism organisation maintains strict control over tourism, thus ensuring all guests have the best possible experience.
More details of this trip are available by contacting us, and we will be adding to the information available here on a regular basis, so please do get in touch or bookmark the page and come back to it.
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