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BEADS AND BLESSING TOURS
Kuzu zangpo! Bhutan Pelri Tours and Om Tara! invite you on a cultural and spiritual journey through the magical lands of Thailand and Bhutan. We will travel together from the hustle and bustle of city life in Bangkok to the pastoral valleys of Bhutan, visiting local markets with traditional handicrafts and ancient sacred temples. In Bangkok you will explore gem and amulet markets as well as cultural and historical sites. Journeying from western to central Bhutan, the spiritual Heart of the country, we will travel through lush river valleys, over steep slopes and high peaks, accompanied by the ever-present snow covered approaches of mystical Druk Yul - the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Between eternal snows and jungle-clad foothills you will enjoy modern and traditional crafts, breathtaking scenery, temples, shrines, and dzongs that are the focus of this tour. It is our intent that you return home with an open heart and mind and memories that will last a lifetime.
DETAILED ITINERARY OF BEADS AND BLESSINGS TOUR
We will begin our trip together in the bustling city of Bangkok. Visit Chatuchak Weekend Market or Banglamphu and Wat Ratchanada and neighboring Loha Prasat amulet market.
Embark on day trip featuring visits to Wat Phra Kaew – home of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Po - with its colossal reclining Buddha image, and the Amulet Market adjacent to Wat Mahatat. Explore the famed Mahesak Road area, which is most famous for its jewelry shops. It is considered the hub of jewelry shopping in Bangkok. Mahesak also has a wide variety of art shops where you can purchase everything from antique sculptures to authentic Thai paintings. If time permits, visit to the Jewelry Trade center or Gem Emporium where you can see the artistry of the local craftsmen and also shop for colorful gems. (Shopping destinations are subject to change.)
Travel to Ayutthaya Historical Park, 76 km north of Bangkok. Ayutthaya was the Thai capital for 417 years until 1767 when it was destroyed by Burmese invaders. It was one of the largest cities in the world, a center for civilizations and the major power in Southeast Asia. Ayutthaya's historic temples are scattered throughout this once magnificent city and along the encircling rivers. Several of the more central ruins – Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Mongkhon Bophit, Wat Na Phra Meru, Wat Thammikarat, Wat Ratburana and .Wat Phra Mahathat – can be visited on foot. The surrounding area of Ayutthaya is a good source of crafts and antiques. Bang Sai Arts and Crafts Folk market, allows villagers to make living and preserve their traditions. We will visit Bang Pa-In – summer palace on our way to Ayutthaya.
In Paro
From Bangkok to Paro it is a spectacular flight across the magnificent Himalayan range into the Paro Valley. Our guide from Bhutan Pelri Tours, who will attend us throughout our journey, will greet us at the airport and facilitate an easeful transition into the Kingdom of Druk Yul – Land of the Thunder Dragon.
We will stay in our newly completed family guesthouse overlooking the lush paddy fields of the Paro valley – Bondi Goma Guesthouse. Visit Paro Ta-Dzong (National Museum), built in 17th century as watchtower for Paro Dzong from Tibetan invasion; the museum’s collection includes traditional Thangka paintings, textiles, crafts, arms, stamps and a shrine representing the four schools of Mahayana Buddhism; Sakya, Gelug, Nyingma and Kagyu; The majestic Paro Dzong, built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, who unified Bhutan from tribal states is now used as the administrative centre and home of the monastic body.
Take a leisurely walk around Paro town, a simple Bhutanese town built in traditional style of ornately painted wooden and rammed earth buildings. Hike to Taktsang Lhakang, Tiger’s Nest Monastery and lunch at viewpoint cafeteria. It is said that in the 8th century Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan to this place and mediated there for 3 months.
Drive to Chela-la pass (12,136ft), highest point on the Dantak roads and enjoy spectacular views overlooking Ha valley. See yaks on the way as well as Kila Gompa perched on the mountainside. Fire puja at Chela-la for purification, prosperity and fortune. This is a great opportunity for people to write down those things they would like to release and others they would like to bring into their lives.
Visit Drugyel Dzong, a ruined fort that was built in 1649 to mark the victory over the Tibetan invasion and to further build up security from Tibetan forces. Make offerings at Kichu Lhakang, built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. This monastery is one of the 108 monasteries built across the Himalayan region by the Tibetan king to subdue the Demoness that lay across the Himalayan region attempting to prevent the spread of Buddhism.
In Thimphu (Capital city of Bhutan)
Thimphu is a 2-hour journey from Paro on newly constructed roads. Experience the revival and preservation of sacred Bhutanese arts at The National Institute of Zorig Chusum – the school for the 13 Sacred Arts. See students hard at work; shop at the school store and nearby handicraft emporiums such as Norling handicrafts, a reliable dealer of semi precious gemstones. Visit Folk Heritage Museum, a restored 19th century rammed earth and timber farmhouse that offers a detailed look into Bhutanese daily life. The splendid Textile museum displays Ghos and Kiras – traditional Bhutanese dress and offers exhibits such as textiles from indigenous fibres and the royal collection. If time permits, visit Tashicho Dzong, the medieval fortress that serves as government offices and houses the monastic body and king’s Throne room. Venture into the hills to the Takin Preserve to see Bhutan’s national animal.
To Bumthang and back
On the way to central Bhutan the road climbs to Dochu-la pass (10,332ft), where we will stop for spectacular panoramic views of the snow capped mountain ranges of Bhutan (weather permitting!). At the top of the pass there are 108 chortens (or stupas) and hundreds of prayers flags fluttering in the wind.
Visit Wangdi Dzong built in 1638 and stroll through the semitropical town of Wangdi. Travel to Gangtey, and explore the Phobjikha valley, the chosen winter home of the very rare and endangered black-necked cranes. The Cranes arrive around November and stay through March. This hidden valley in the Black Mountains is one of the most beautiful valleys in Bhutan. It is surrounded by mountains with rhododendron, Himalayan pine and dwarf bamboo, which is a favorite food of the Yaks. The famous Gangtey Gompa, the oldest and largest Nyingma Buddhist monastery in Bhutan, is located on a hill overlooking the beautiful valley.
Drive to Trongsa, the canyon town, across Pele-la pass (10,824ft). This pass is traditionally considered the boundary between western and central Bhutan. The landscape around Trongsa is spectacular and its impressive Dzong, built in 1647, stretched along a ridge above a ravine, first comes into view about an hour before the winding road suddenly leads you into the town. Travel the road as it winds steeply up to Yutong-la pass (11,152ft), then runs through dense coniferous forest and enters the picturesque Bumthang valley. Along the road you may see the hives of beekeepers that are unique to Bumthang. Potato fields rather than paddies abound here.
In Chumey stop by the handicrafts store and factory where traditional weavings of Yak wool, sheep wool and silks are found. Antique and new pieces are available for sale. Visit Bumthang Cheese factory and store where you can find organic honey, cheese, handmade Bhutanese beers, apple juice and kadola (sake). Visit Jakar Dzong, “the castle of the white bird”, then stroll through Bumthang market browsing shops.
Visit Kurje Lhakang, one of the most sacred places in the kingdom as Bhutan’s “patron saint”, Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) mediated here. On the way we will take a short walk to a Guru Rinpoche’s sacred spring. Then visit Jambey Lhakang, erected by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century, houses three stone steps inside believed to represent past, present and future. They are slowly sinking into the ground. The faithful say that when all the steps disappear the future Buddha will arrive and we will all gather in Bumthang Valley to receive his teachings. Visit Tamshing Lhakang, which contains some of the oldest wall paintings in Bhutan. Visit Me Bar Tso – Fire Burning Lake, one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in Bhutan. Here in the 15th century, Pema Lingpa, one of the great Tertons, “Discoverers of Hidden Treasures", of Tantric Buddhism, jumped into the lake with a lighted lamp, and later emerged with the lamp still burning holding a statue and a treasure chest containing sacred texts. Visitors make wishes, say special prayers and often float small, lighted lamps on the water.
Visit Punakha Dzong, built in 1637, is situated at the confluence of two rivers, Pochu – the male river and Mochu – the female river. Locals say it was built on an elephant’s trunk as the surrounding hillside looks like a sleeping elephant.
We will end our Bhutan journey in Paro with a farewell dinner and native dance celebration.
Tariff and Tour Fee
Land Cost: US $3500 per person for tariff and expenses
Single supplement: $560
The Royal Government of Bhutan sets minimum selling prices for packages to Bhutan and all fees must be paid in US dollars prior to arrival in Bhutan.
The price includes:
All internal taxes and charges (including royalty)
Accommodation
All Meals
All Travel with a licensed Bhutanese tour guide
All internal Transport
Camping equipment and haulage for trekking tours
Admission fees to the temples and sites are included. All tips for the drivers, guides, maids and bellboys are included.
Land cost does not include airfares; your roundtrip air flight to Bangkok and to Paro, Bhutan is not included in the cost of the journey. Non-included lunches and dinners during your trip to and from Bangkok may need to be paid for in cash so plan accordingly. Other non-included items include travel insurance, excess baggage charges – can be pricey so pack lightly (Druk Air has lighter load restrictions than other airlines), beverages (alcohol, water, soda), personal items and souvenir shopping!
Also please note you need approximately two-to-three days to fly to Bangkok and one to two days to fly home. Make sure you account for these days in your scheduling of this journey. For example, if you take a flight leaving the USA on Thurs, March 20th from Los Angeles to Bangkok leaving at 11:00pm, you will arrive in Bangkok on March 22nd at 11:00am. You lose a day in travelling to Asia. Flying home you will catch Druk airlines flight on April 4th leaving Paro at 11:35am arriving in Bangkok at 3:45pm. (Druk air schedules are subject to change) We will overnight in Bangkok together. You will catch an international flight on April 5th to the US arriving the same day that you departed (you get your day back here). You will be responsible for letting us know your flight information so we can know when to expect you at our Bangkok hotel.
