Pilgrimage to Bhutan
Join us in pilgrimage to the last surviving Mahayana Buddhist kingdom, where from the 7th century it has been the cornerstone of every aspect of their culture. You will visit sacred places and monasteries, listen to the stories about Guru Rinpoche, Yeshe Tsogyal and Pema Lingpa, meet Buddhist teachers and participate in ceremonies.
While on this pilgrimage, you will have access to sacred places and monasteries that are not usually open to foreign visitors. You will have the opportunity to meet Buddhist teachers from Bhutan and participate in ceremonies. There will be time to wander independently, to meditate daily and to discuss the various aspects of Buddhism. The pilgrimage is being done outside the regular tourist season in order to support the time needed for quiet reflection and contemplation. There will be a considerable amount of hiking to sacred sites.
Day 01 Fly to Paro , Bhutan
Your arrival point into Bhutan is Paro, an enchanted valley blessed by the most prominent saints of Buddhism. After lunch and a leisurely afternoon, Himalayan Kingdom Tours will conduct an orientation course.
Day 02 Paro
Visit the National Museum , once the watch tower for the Rinpung Dzong. Visit Kyichu Lhakhang, built in 659AD by the first Buddhist king of Tibet , Tsrongtsen Goenpa.
Day 03 Paro
After an early breakfast, drive to the foot of the Taktshang cliff before walking uphill for 2 hours to reach this monastery, giddily perched on a sheer 800m rock face. Taktshang means ‘Tiger’s Nest’ as legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava flew to this spot on the back of a tigress in the eight century. He meditated here making this temple a sacred pilgrimage destination for Buddhists. Lunch at the Taktshang Cafeteria. The trip to and fro takes four hours for which riding ponies can be arranged.
Day 04 - Drive to Thimphu
Visit the School of Arts and Crafts , the Memorial Chorten and Changangkha Lhakhang.
Day 05- Thimphu
Visit Tango and Chari Goemba, sacred sites where eminent Buddhist masters meditated. Today, these palces continue the tradition of meditation.
Day 06 - Punakha
Drive to Punakha over Dochula pass where on a clear day one can enjoy spectacular views of the eastern Himalayan range. Puhakha was the former capital of Bhutan and is presently the winter residence of the head abbot and the monastic school. Visit Punakha Dzong which was built in 1637.
Day 07 - Trongsa
After an early breakfast, begin the journey to central Bhutan which takes about 7-8 hours passing through alpine and coniferous forests across three districts. While the drive can be arduous, there are, however, splendid views of mountain ranges, village hamlets and two high passes. Pack lunch will be served at Chendebji, an ancient Newari stupa like those found in Nepal . Halt at hotel in Trongsa.
Day 08 Jakar
Drive to Jakar in Bumthang Valley Drive through the most beautiful countryside to the spiritual heartland of the nation. Bumthang was the host to the first visit of Guru Padmashambhava to Bhutan . The visit of the guru and other eminent saints have filled every corner of the valley with sacred shrines and temples. Visit Tamshing Lhakshing, established by Pema Linpa in 1501.
Day 09 Jakar, Membartsho, Karchau Dratsang
Day 10 Jakar, Kurjey Lhakhang
Day 11 Drive to Wangduephodrang
Day 12 Thimphu
Drive to Thimpu late in the afternoon. In the morning, drive north for a short excursion to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten. This temple stands majestically on a strategic ridge above Punakha valley. Prophesied in the scriptures by Thragthung Dudjom Lingpa, the temple was built by the queens. It is intended to ward off negative forces, promote peace, stability and harmony in a changing world. The unique architectural design has been drawn from the scriptures.
Day 13Thimphu
Day 14 Paro
Drive to Paro for departure home