exploring the dharma in bhutan...see the oldest cypress tree in bhutan, beside the pangrizampa...

BHUTAN

© PONTE TRAVELS 2018

WISDOM ADVENTURES: EXPLORING THE DHARMA IN BHUTAN

September 9 – 21, 2018

Dzongs—Guided Meditations—Nuns

Bumthang—Monasteries—Stupas

Gross National Happiness—Buddhism & Dharma

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Welcome to Ponte Travels! JoinusforaveryspecialmeditativeadventuretoBhutan,theKingdomoftheThunderDragon,ledbyJoelandMichelleLeveyforasmallgroupoftravelers.ThefoundersofWisdomatWork—JoelandMichellearepioneersinthecontemplativesciencesandmindfulnessmovement,andlong-timestudents,practitioners,andteachersintheTibetanBuddhisttraditions.TogetherwewillexperienceBhutaninaprofoundlymeaningfuland"enlightening"waythroughBuddhistpracticeaswemeditateinaweinspiringmonasteries,uncovertheancientstoriesandwisdomteachingsinsacredart,andtakeaspecialjourneytotheverdantvalleysofBumthang—birthplaceofBuddhisminBhutan.

JoelandMichelleLeveyhavespentthelast45yearsbringingthefruitsofinnerspiritualpractices,backedbyscientificinquiry,toorganizationsandcommunitiesacrosstheworld.Theyhavepublishednumerousbooksontheirwork,mostrecentlyMindfulness,MeditationandMindFitness,ConariPress(April2015).Inparticular,MichelleandJoelhavestudiedcloselywithmanyremarkableteachersinthefoundationalmindfulnesstraditions,includingTheDalaiLama,KaluRinpoche,16thKarmapa,ZongRinpochealongwithmanyothers.NobelLaureate,theDalaiLama,anadvisoronanumberoftheLeveys’projectsoncewroteinalettertotheLeveys:“YouarepresentlyengagedinworkthathasgreatprospectsforbringingtheDharma(theinnersciencesofhumantransformation)toaverywidesectionofpeoplewhomaynotunderordinarycircumstancescomeintocontactwiththeseteaching.Iamverypleasedabouttheworkthatyouaredoingandsendyoublessingsandprayersforyoursuccess.”JoelandMichellewillcallupontheirworkas“mindfulnesspioneers”,thedeepknowledgetheyhaveofthetraditionsthatunderlieBuddhisminTibetandtheirdedicationtosharingthisknowledgewithotherstoleadaprofoundlymeaningfuljourneytoBhutan.MoreinformationabouttheLeveysisavailableathttp://www.wisdomatwork.com.Thereisaslideshowfromlastyear’sWisdomAdventureinBhutanhere:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLA7NtEiwIE&t=813sPre-requisitesandFitnessCapabilityTheonlyprerequisiteforparticipationistobeopenandinterested.Nopriormeditationexperiencerequired.Whiletherearenotmanyhikesandnotreksonthistripandnoelevatorsinourhotels,werecommendthatyoubeactive,ingoodhealthandarestrongwalkersand/orhikers.Thosewhoaremoderatelyfitwillbecomfortablewithmostoftheseactivities.Whereavailable,transportationoptionsarenotedforthosewhomayrequirealternativestothehikes.

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HowisPonteTravelsdifferentfromothertravelagenciesandtouroperators?Unliketravelagencies,wespecializeinoff-the-beatenpath,custom-designeditinerariesforindividualsandsmallgroups.Ourfocusisonsustainabletourism,withlowenvironmentalimpactandhighculturalinteraction.24-hourlocalsupport&assistanceWepartnerwithexpertagentsandguidesinthecountrieswevisitwhoarespeciallytrainedtodealwithunexpectedissuesandcanassistyou24/7intheeventofanemergency.Safeandreliablecars&drivers:Yoursafetyisourprimaryconcern,whichiswhyweonlyworkwithpartnerswhoshareourhighsafetyandqualitystandardsforthedriversandvehiclesused.Hotels:Allourhotels,homestays,guesthouses,eco-lodges,tentedcampsandhouseboats(basedonlocationanditinerary)havebeenselectedtoofferahighlevelofuniqueexperience,service,cleanlinessandvalue.Localguides:WeuseEnglish-speaking,certified,localguideswhoarepassionateaboutsharingtheircountrywithyou.Givingback:Webelievethatresponsibletourisminvolvesgivingbacktoorganizationsthatareworkingtoimprovethelivesofthepoorestcitizensinthecountrieswevisit.WemakeadonationfromeverytourtocarefullyselectedNGOswhowebelievearemakingadifference.Learnmoreaboutwhowesupportatwww.pontetravels.com.

YOUR PERSONAL TRAVEL CONSULTANTS

HEATHER MURCHISON MARTA RABINS

[email protected] [email protected] AstheCo-foundersandManagingDirectorofPonteTravels,it’sourpersonalmissiontopartnerwithyoutoensurethatyourentiretravelexperienceisrewarding,enrichingandascarefreeaspossible.

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ITINERARY SEPTEMBER 9 – ARRIVE BANGKOK

ArriveBangkokaccordingtoyourflightdetails.Afterclearingcustoms,takethe5-minutewalktotheairporthotel,orcatchthehotelshuttlebus.Overnight:NovotelAirportHotelorsimilarMeals:none

SEPTEMBER 10: PARO—THIMPU

EarlymorningdeparturefromBangkok.Asthehotel iswalkingdistancefromtheairport,youwillmakeyourwaythereonyourown,checkinginatleasttwohoursinadvanceofyourflight.Uponarrival inParo,transfertoThimpu,thecapitalcityofBhutan,approximatelyanhourbyroad.

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ThroughoutBhutanwewillencounterthreetypesofreligiousstructures:dzongs(monasteriesthatarealsofortresses,whichmayalsofunctionasgovernmentseats),lhakhangs(monasteriesortemples)andchortens(stupasorBuddhistshrines).Afternoonvisit to theNationalMemorialChorten.Built for the3rdKingofBhutan, thiswhiteand gold stupa is dedicated toWorld Peace. In the evenings, many locals walk around thestupa,offeringprayersandgarneringgoodkarma.Eachday,timepermitting,thegroupwillgatherforareflectionandmeditationsession.Overnight:HotelNorbuling,DeluxeRoomMeals:B,L,DAltitude:2,250m/7,382ft SEPTEMBER 11: THIMPU—TANGO LHAKHANG

Today,hiketoTangoLhakhang,consideredtobeaveryauspicioussite—theunifierofBhutanwassaidtohavemeditatedinthenearbycaves.Participateinaprayerceremonywithalamafrom the monastery who will share his insights on Bhutanese Buddhism, its practices andphilosophywithus.Afterwards,meditateateitherTangoorCheriMonastery.Enjoyalocal,organicpicniclunchonourwaybacktoThimpu.Afternoon at leisure. Visit a local café, browse for spectacularly colorful Bhutanese postagestampsoroutfityourselfasthelocalsdowithabeautifulhandwovengho(formen)orkira(forwomen).Optional visit with Tachi Zangmo, founder of the non-profit organization The Bhutan NunsFoundation.ThemeetingwilltakeplaceatalovelytempleinThimpu!

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Thisevening,dinewitharepresentativefromtheCenterforBhutaneseStudywhowilltalktothegroupaboutGrossNationalHappiness.Overnight:HotelNorbuling,DeluxeRoomMeals:B,L,DAltitude:2,250m/7,382ft

SEPTEMBER 12: THIMPU—BUDDHIST HIGHLIGHTS

TodayweexploreBuddhaPoint–siteofoneofthelargeststatuesoftheBuddhaintheworld.Afterwards,we’llmeditateatZilukhaNunnery—thelargestnunneryinBhutan.We’ll light108butterlampstobringallbeingsgoodkarma,healthandhappiness.After lunch in a local restaurant we’ll visit several important places illustrating BhutanesecultureandBuddhism.TaschichhoDzong,setalongtheWangchhuriver,isthecurrentseatofthe Bhutanese government. See the oldest cypress tree in Bhutan, beside the PangrizampaAstrologyschool,whereShabdrungRinpoche,thefounderoftheBhutanesestate,wascalledtocomebyavision.TaraLhadenZhingkhamLhakhangTemple,dedicatedin2014bytheKingandQueenofBhutan,houses21claysculpturesofTara,craftedbymasterBhutaneseartists.Overnight:HotelNorbuling,DeluxeRoomMeals:B,L,DAltitude:2,250m/7,382ft

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SEPTEMBER 13: THIMPU—GANGTEY

Depart forGangtey,consideredoneof themostbeautifulvalleys inBhutanandhometo theendangered black-necked cranes. Along the way, stop at Dochula pass, a beautiful site thatfeatures108stupas.Walkaroundthestupas,hoistprayerflagsandperformasmokeofferingtotheMountaingods.Weatherpermitting,takeinthespectacularviewsofthepeaksfromthepassandpauseforabriefsessionordharmatalk.ArriveinGangteyandrestbeforedinner.Overnight:HotelDewachen,DeluxeRoomMeals:B,L,DAltitude:2540m/8350ftDrivetime:approx.8hours

SEPTEMBER 14: GANGTEY - BUMTHANG

EarlymorningtransferfromGangteytoBumthang,passingthroughmanyvillagesontheway.ClimbmajesticPeleLapassandenjoysweepingviewsofthevalleysofBumthangbelow.

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Bumthang,incentralBhutan,isthelandoflush,greenvalleysandisthespiritualcenterofthekingdom. Guru Rinpoche cured a spiritually ailing local king in the 8th century in Bumthang,whicheventually led to theentirekingdomadoptingBuddhism.Therearemanysacredrelicsandsiteshere fromthe timesofGuruRinpocheandother important teachers that followed,such as Pema Lingpa. The area is also famous for its apples and fresh apple juice. NyingmaBuddhism,themostancientformofTibetianBuddhism,ispracticedhere.UponarrivalinJakar,we’llexploreJampayLhakhangandTamshingLhakhang,whicharea30-minutewalkapartfromeachotherandnearbyourhotel.Tamshing Lhakhang holdsoneofmanychainmail coatsmadebyPemaLingpa.Carry the55-poundcoataroundthekorathreetimestogainmerit!Thisunusallyshapedstructureissaidtohave been built by and adorned with paintings made by Pema Lingpa himself. The innersanctuarycontainsastatueofGuruRinpochesaidtobesculptedbykhandromasorspiritsandisconsideredthemostimportantNyigmaGoempaintheentirekingdom.JampayLhakhang,builtin659,hasatrulyancientfeeltoitanditcontainstheoldesttempleinBhutan.VisitedbyGuruRinpoche,theinnsersanctumhousesaJampa-Buddhaofthefuture.Overnight:MountainLodge,DeluxeRoomMeals:B,L,DAltitude:2800m/9200ftDrivetime:approx.10hours

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SEPTEMBER 15: BUMTHANG – HIKE TO NGANG LHAKHANG

Thismorning,enjoyaneasy, three-hourhikeup theBumthang river fromThangbiGompa tothe charming region knownasNgangYul (‘Swan Land’). Begin thehikebypassing throughatraditionalstupa-likegateway,stoppingtoadmirearockpaintingandatraditionalwatermillasyouwalk.Upon arrival at Ngang Lhakhang, marvel at this temple, built in the 15th century by LamaNamkha Samdrup, contemporary of Pema Lingpa and known as the ‘treasure hunter. Theinteriorcontainsbeautifulstatuesandpaintings,includingastatueofGuruRinpochemadebyPemaLingpahimself.Theupperchapelisagoenkhang,withstatuesofthetrinityandprotectordietieslurkingintheshadows.Afternoon,exploreKurjeyLhakhang,namedforthebodyprintfromGuruRinpochethatoneofthetemplescontains.We’ll immerseourselves intherich legacyofGuruRinpoche,withtimeformeditationandcontemplation.Afive-minutewalkfromthetemples,you’llfindthesacredspringKurjeyDrupcchu,weremonksgotodowash! Overnight:MountainLodge,DeluxeRoomMeals:B,L,DAltitude:2800m/9200ftHike–norealelevationgain

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SEPTEMBER 16: BUMTHANG – THARPALING MONASTERY

Today we’ll explore Tharpaling Monastery, located on the hillside above Bumthang. Themonastery was built by the great saint Kuenkhen Longchen Runjam, whose teachings haveinspiredJoelandMichelleforthepast40years.Afterexploringthemonastery,we’llseekout,onfoot, themanysacredsitesandrelicstobefoundnearthemonastery.**Schedulepermitting -wewill try toorganizea visitwithChungRinpochewho is theheadlamaat theTharpalingMonastery.Thisalldependsonhisschedule,whichat this time isnotknown.Overnight:MountainLodge,DeluxeRoomMeals:B,L,DAltitude:2800m/9200ftDrive:2hoursoneway

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SEPTEMBER 17: BUMTHANG - PARO

Thismorning,we’llmakeourwaybacktoParobyair.UponarrivalinParo,visitTaDzong,theBhutaneseNationalMuseum,whichholdsafascinatingcollectionofBhutanseart,includingbronzestatuaryandpaintings.WewillthenwalkdownthetrailtovisitRinpungDzong,alsoknownas"FortressoftheHeapofJewels",notedforitsstunningarchitecture.Overnight:GangteyPalace,StandardRoomMeals:B,L,DAltitude:2,250m/7,382ft

SEPTEMBER 18: pARO— TIGER’S NEST

Thismorning,departfora*halfdayhikeuptotheiconicTiger'sNestmonastery,another1500mhighinaltitude.Enjoythespectacularviewsfromthetrailuptothemonastery.LunchafterthehikeinParo.RestoftheafternoonfreeinParotoshopthemarkets,sipteaatalocacaféorjustrelax.

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Overnight:GangteyPalace,StandardRoomMeals:B,L,DAltitude:2,250m/7,382ft*Optionsincludehikingthefullwayupanddown,ridingaponyuptothecafeteriaandhikingtherestofthewayupandthenbackdownorridingtheponytothecafeteria,enjoyingacupofteaandhikingdown.SEPTEMBER 19: PARO— KICCHU LHAKANG

Thismorning,visit toKicchuLhakang,whereDilgoKhyentseRinpoche lived.Onourvisit, seethe famous JowoShakyamuni statue, completewithprostration footprints in the floorboard.Ask to seeDligo Khyentse Rinpoche's bedroom adjoining themain shrine room and visit hisformerhome,nowasmallmuseum.AfternoonfreetowalkaroundParo,dosomeshoppingorsipteainacafé!Learnabout theBhutanesenational sportofarchery thiseveningat thehotel, followedbyafarewelldinnerandwrapupsession.Overnight:GangteyPalace,StandardRoomMeals:B,L,DAltitude:2,250m/7,382ft

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SEPTEMBER 20: PARO—HOME

SaygoodbyetothefriendlypeopleofBhutan.Transfertotheairportforyourflighthome.OrextendyourstaywithourThailandexcursion!Askfordetails.Meals:BTOTAL COST OF (12 DAYS, 11 NIGHTS) (per person, double occupancy): $4390 USD Single supplement: $460 USD Airfare economy class, Bangkok – Paro - Bangkok (non-refundable fare, price subject to change until booked): $780 Airfare economy class, Bumthang - Paro (non-refundable fare, price subject to change until booked): $190 Price Includes:

• Allaccommodationatthehotelslistedorsimilar• Mealsasindicatedinitinerary(Breakfast(B),Lunch(L),Dinner(D))• Privatetransportation• Alltoursasindicatedinitinerary• Entrancefees• Allexcursionswiththeservicesofaregisteredandexperienced,English-speakingguide• Bhutanvisaandpermits

Not Included: • Internationalairfare• Airportdeparturetaxes• Anymealsunlessmentionedintheitinerary• Anyitemsofapersonalnature,includingportage,laundry,telephonecalls,tabledrinks.• Passportfees• Gratuitiestodrivers,guides,wait-staff,maidservice,porters

Thecost,hotelsandspecificsofthisitineraryarebasedoncurrentconditionsandaresubjecttochangeforanyreasonatthediscretionofPonteTravels.

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BENEFICIARIES Webelievethattotravelresponsibly,aportionofourtourcostshouldbenefitthecommunitieswevisit.Forthistrip,ourdonationwillgotoanon-profitorganizationwesupportthatishavingaverypositiveimpactinBhutan:BHUTANNUNSFOUNDATION—anon-profitworkingtoempowerandeducateBhutanesewomen.

ABOUT PONTE TRAVELS We'reculturaladventurersandwildlifeenthusiastswhohaveapassionfortheoutdoors,art,architecture,historyandagoodmeal!Weofferlifeenhancingtripstomanyoftheworld'smostfascinatingplaces-custommadejustforyou,yourfamily,non-profitorspecialinterestgroup.

Ourmissionistoexplore,connect,givebackandmostimportantly,enjoythejourney.Whetherbyhiking,sailing,hotairballooning,jeeporwalkingsafari,plane,trainorautomobile,choosingPONTETRAVELSisachoiceforresponsibletourism.Yourtraveldollarsbenefitlocalcommunities,safeguardwildlifeandhelpsupportNGOswhoareworkingtoimprovethelivesofmillions.

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• Morethan90days:ForfeitDeposit.

• Lessthan90days:Norefundoftripcost.• Norefundsforunusedtoursorservicesduringyourtrip.

VISAS AvisaisrequiredofU.S.citizenstovisitBhutanandmustbeacquiredforyoubyyourtravelconsultant.YourpassportmustbevalidsixmonthsfromdateofarrivalwithoneblankpagerequiredforBhutan. FINANCIAL PROTECTION AlldepositsandtourpaymentsmadetoPonteTravelsareplacedinatrustaccountuntilpaymentismadetosuppliers. TRAVEL INSURANCE Werequirethatalltravelerspurchasebasicemergencyassistance,medicalassistanceandevacuationinsurancewhentravelingwithourgroups.Wealsohighlyrecommendbuyingadditionaltravelinsurancethatcoverstripcancellationandinterruption,lostorstolenbaggage,terrorism,naturaldisastersandmore.TravelinsuranceisavailableforpurchasethroughPonteTravelsviaTravelex.Youarealsowelcometopurchaseyourowntravelinsurance.TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATION, REQUEST A LINK TO OUR BOOKING FORM BY CONTACTING:

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exploring the dharma in bhutan...see the oldest cypress tree in bhutan, beside the pangrizampa...

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