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Yoga holiday at Bhutan - Land of the Thunder Dragon
8 Mar – 15 Mar 2008
Click here to download brochure and registration form |
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Bhutan is a country known to be the last “shangri-la” in the world. For centuries, forbidden to foreigners, the environment remains untouched and inaccessible to people outside of Bhutan. Today, the people of Bhutan can still be seen living in the most ancestral way of life practicing its seasonal ritual and rites based on its Buddhist culture – Tibetan Buddhism.
Bhutan is a country covered with more than 60% forestation. It is well know for its well preserved nature and an excellent site for eco-tour. Rare sights of cranes, animals, flowers, plants and trees can be seen in different parts of Bhutan. At the same time, snow mountains from the Himalayan ranges also surround this land.
Culturally, Bhutanese is still leading a self-subsistence way of life, where traditional farming, woven garments, wood carving, silver wares and statue making can be found in almost every family. Religion is the central event for festivals. Bhutan is the only country where the entire nation practices Tibetan Buddhism. During festivals, you will be able to experience traditional folk dance and songs by the commoners as well as mask dance by highly accomplished lamas. Many Tibetan yogis, enlightened masters, saints and pilgrims had left their marks on this land to demonstrate their enlightened qualities. Many sites in Bhutan are considered holy and high power sites for meditation. Therefore, a Bhutan is also a place to discover spirituality within oneself.
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8 Mar 2008 |
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Arrive at Bangkok |
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Fly to Bangkok. Upon arrival check into hotel at Bangkok. Free and easy for the day.
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9 Mar 2008 |
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Depart for Thimphu |
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Early flight to Paro from Bangkok. Upon arrival, lunch will be prepared at Paro and a slow drive to the capital
city Thimphu. Check into Hotel and Yoga starts at late afternoon. Early rest after dinner.
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10 Mar 2008 |
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Thimphu Sight-seeing |
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The day starts with early yoga in the morning and a trip to town after breakfast. Visit to:-
- National Arts School
- Major Arts Shop/Textile Musemum
- Motithang Zoo (Bhutan National Animal Takin)
A late after yoga session will be conducted.
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11 Mar 2008 |
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Thimphu to Gantsey |
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Early morning yoga and driving out of to Gantsey after breakfast. Will pass by Dochula Pass, one of the high
peak. Gantsey is where the famous "black crane" visit and pay salutation to the monastery. Gantsey monastery houses one of the most respected lamas, Gantsey Tulku, and he will be giving Buddhist teachings to the group. It is a beautiful site over-looking a valley
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12 Mar 2008 |
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Gantsey to Punaka to Wangdi |
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No morning yoga. After breakfast, we will drive to Punaka Dzong, an old monastery in the confluence of two
rivers. After lunch, we will visit an old temple built by the "crazy yogi" – Drupa Kunley. Need to walk across a
vast padi field to reach a hill-top for the temple. Back to hotel for yoga session in the afternoon
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13 Mar 2008 |
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Driving to Paro |
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No yoga in the morning. Set out to Paro, passing by Dochula Pass again. Check-in to Zhiwaling Resort. Visit Kiychu Monastery and National Library. Afternoon yoga.
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14 Mar 2008 |
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Paro Takstang |
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No yoga in the morning. Early walk up to the famous and most holy mountain in Paro. Paro Takstang Monastery was build uniquely off the cliff. The walk will take about two hours to reach this ancient monastery. This is the most holy site where Tibetan
yogis lived and meditated in the past. Most of the spring-water comes off the ground spontaneously under the
powers of these yogis. A magnificent mountain view awaits
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15 Mar 2008 |
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Paro to Bangkok |
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No yoga in the morning. Check –out from Zhiwaling to Airport. Arrive later afternoon at Bangkok. Midnight flight back to London.
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Key Highlights
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i. Motithang Zoo
A natural reserve park that houses a unique animal, Takin, a half sheep and half cow creature. Takin is believed to be created out of the magical power of the yogi Drukpa Kunley, and is Bhutan’s national animal.
ii. Tashichchodzong
Tashichchodzong is on the banks of Wang Chu (river). It is Bhutan’s administrative and religious centre. It houses the throne room of His Majesty, the King of Bhutan, Government Ministries, the Nation’s largest Monastery and headquarters of His Holiness the Je Khenpo (chief abbot) and the central monk body.
iii. Gongzhu Chorten (Stupa)
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This stupa was built in 1974 in memory of the Third King of Bhutan; His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. The stupa houses a chapel. On each floor, you’ll find magnificent Bhutanese arts of Tibetan statue deities of the Nyingmapa traditions of Buddhism. |
iv. Tibetan Medicine Centre
Tibetan medicine has its lineage from Ayurveda from India and Traditional Chinese Medicine from Taotist tradition. With its unique terrain at Bhutan, special herbs have been cultivated over the centuries. In this medicine centre, you will learn more about how diseases are being diagnosed according to traditional Tibetan medicine. |
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| Paro |
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You will be staying at Zhiwaling Hotel – A Bhutanese Style Hotel with elegance
i. Takstang Monastery
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Taktsang (Tiger's Nest): The trail to the monastery climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, with an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. We stop at the cafeteria for a rest and refreshments, and continue our hike for a short while until we see - clearly and seemingly within reach - the Taktsang monastery. Dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. The history states that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric master who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, had taken the wrathful form of Guru Dorji Drolo to subdue the demons that were obstructing the spread of Buddhism in the Himalayas. On the left side of the monastery is the retreat place where the famous Tibetan Yogi Mache Lhabdenma attained enlightenment. |
ii. Kiychu Monastery
Kichu Lhakhang - to subdue demon in the entire region of Himalaya, a Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century miraculously built 108 temples. Kichu is considered one of them and is one of the most sacred shrines in Bhutan.
iii. Ta Dzong (Bhutan National Museum)
Ta Dzong, overlooking the Rinpung Dzong, was built in 1951 as a watchtower. Unlike the rectangular shape of the Dzongs, Ta Dzong is round, and resembles parts of a European castle. From 1967, the Dzong was re-established as the National Museum by the third king. It holds fascinating collections of arts, relics, religious thangka, weaponries, statues, remains of animal, and stamps. |
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| Thimphu - Punaka - Wangdi |
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i. Dochula Pass
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During a clear weather there is a splendid view of the distant Himalayan snowcapped peaks at Dochula Pass on Thimphu - Punakha road. Takes about two and half hours to reach from Thimphu. Also at the pass, 108 stupas were built by the Majesty, upon request of an enlightened Tibetan yogi – Sonam Sangpo (before he left his body) for the protection of the country. We will take a short break at a nearby café to behold the magnificent view at the pass. |
ii. Punaka Dzong
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Punakha Dzong, "palace of great happiness" was built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal after Simtokha Dzong. It is located strategically between the confluence of Pho Chu and Mo Chu Rivers. The Dzong, which was damaged by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, has been fully restored by the present King. Punakha served as the capital of the country until the second king moved the capital to Bumthang for summer and Trongsa for winter. It was here on 17th December 1907, Bhutan's first king, Sir Ugyen Wangchuk was crowned as the first hereditary ruler of Bhutan. It is also the venue where the Punakha Festival is held in February or March. |
iii. Chhimi Lhakhang
Chhimi Lhakhang is a 20 minutes walk across fields through the village of Sopsokha from the roadside to the small temple located on a hillock in the centre of the valley below Metshina. Ngawang Chogyel built the temple in 15th century after the 'divine Madman’ Drukpa Kuenlay built a small chorten there. It is a pilgrim site for barren women. |
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| Departure from Singapore (include 2-way air ticket from SIN – BKK) |
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Itinerary |
Twin Share |
Single Supplement |
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7 Day 6 Nights |
S$4,950 |
S$500 |
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| Departure from other country (exclude 2-WAY AIR-TICKET FROM SIN – BKK) |
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Itinerary |
Twin Share |
Single Supplement |
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7 Day 6 Nights |
USD 3,300 |
USD 150 |
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Tour prices include:
- 2-way ticket from Singapore to Bangkok
- 2-way ticket from Bangkok to Paro
- One night stay at three star hotel at Bangkok
- 6 nights stay at government approved hotel at Bhutan
- Hotel transfers to airport both at Bangkok & Bhutan
- All meals while at Bhutan (breakfast, tea, lunch and dinner)
- English Speaking Guide at Bhutan
- Transportation while at Bhutan for all sight-seeing
- All permits for entrance to major sites
- Visa to Bhutan
- All yoga classes |
Tour prices DO NOT INLCUDE:
- Bangkok International Airport tax (500 Baht)
- Meals and sight-seeing at Bangkok
- Travel insurance
- Excess baggage charges
- Restaurant beverages
- Laundry
- Bar Bill
- Room Service
- Tips to driver and guide
- All items of personal nature |
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Yoga Course
As part of this vacation, we also take time to practice yoga on a daily basis. All yoga works will be targeted to enable one to walk up to Paro Taktsang smoothly. To successfully hike up to the monastery, it will take about 2 hours from the base. It requires endurance and strength & flexibility on the hips, knees and ankles. At the same time, it will also require good breathing capacity due to high altitude. The course will adopt both Yin and Yang Yoga which creates flexibility of the joints, strength and endurance. It will be a step-by-step approach building towards sophistication. |
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About Victor Chng
Victor has been practicing and teaching yoga for the past six years. He drew his influence from various styles of yoga from classical to modern yoga systems. His style is goal oriented and precise. He believes in sequencing the practice to achieve specific goals. At the same time, a complete practice requires exploring both the polarity of Yin and Yang yoga to bring oneself back to "centre". Victor met Paul Grilley – the founder of Yin Yoga in 2004 Dec and has completed a teacher training with Paul on Yin Yoga. Since 2005, Victor has been teaching Yin Yoga in Singapore and China. He has also trained Yin Yoga teachers in both countries. Contact Victor at 65 98260088, email : info@yogainasia.com and website : www.yogainasia.com.
Click here to download brochure and registration form |
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