8 DAYS YOGA RETREAT TO BHUTAN & NEPAL 14 – 21 DECEMBER 2019
ITINERARY
JOURNEY TO THE HIMALAYAS, ONE TRIP WITH TWO COUNTRIES
Lush Greenery, Snowcapped mountains/Everest, Valleys, Happiest people,
Happiest place on earth to the Highest place on earth………… All in one trip!
SYNOPSIS: Arrive in Kathmandu capital city of Nepal and enjoy touring its surrounding valleys, a mixture of the old and the new. We will visit historic UNESCO Heritage protected sites with myriad of temples, monasteries, ancient palace squares and also enjoy views of the majestic Himalayan snow peaks.
Travel on to the beautiful kingdom of Bhutan – Voted the Happiest place on earth.
Experience a journey to a quaint and charming world. Enjoy the cultural, natural heritage of the country where progress is measured by its unique ‘Gross National Happiness Index” standards. Visit the present day capital Thimphu and the former capital Punakha. Bhutan is one of the rare countries to be titled carbon neutral.
14 Dec / Day 01: ARRIVE KATHMANDU
A traditional garland welcome on arrival in Kathmandu, capital city of Nepal. Transfer to hotel, rest and relax.
Overnight Hotel (B)
15 Dec / Day 02: KATHMANDU
Visit Bhaktapur, the third of the medieval city-states in the Kathmandu Valley. It is a living museum with some of the valley’s finest art and architecture. Founded in AD 889 by King Anand Malla, it has many palaces and squares with exquisite artwork in woods and bricks. Visit the clay potter square and witness painters at work. Enjoy the famous maharaja yogurt.
Bhaktapur is also renowned for its architecture, inspiring the pagoda styles architecture throughout Asia. It is a well preserved old city that famed director; Bernado Bertolucci chose to film “The Little Buddha”. Its squares and unique styles of building are magnificent.
Bhaktapur, Kathmandu
Visit Bodhnath stupa, the largest Buddhist shrine with a base of 82 meters in diameter. This stupa was built in the 5th Century by King Manadev. It is a historical site associated with the Buddha’s teachings. Many monasteries surround this holy place and pilgrims circle this holy place to gain merit by chanting prayers and spinning worry beads.
Overnight Hotel (B)
Boudhanath Stupa
16 Dec / Day 03: KATHMANDU – PARO FLIGHT
Transfer to airport for flight to Bhutan by Druk Air KB401.
Welcome on arrival and transfer to hotel.
Visit Kyichu Lhakhang, built in the 7th century by the famous Buddhist Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo. This is one of the oldest and holiest temples in Bhutan. The Jho is the main statute of the temple.
Visit Rinpung Dzong, which means fortress. Some of the scenes from the film
'Little Buddha' were filmed at the Paro Rinpung Dzong
Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)
Rinpung Dzong
17 Dec / Day 04: PARO – PUNAKHA
After breakfast, depart hotel early for 3.30hrs drive towards east to Punakha, the former capital, passing through small villages and Dochula Pass at an elevation of 3,100 meters. On a clear day, one can see Mount Gangkhar Punsum, the highest mountain at 7541m. The Punakha Dzong enjoys a warmer temperate climate and farmers can grow warm weather crops like rice and fruits - orange, mango, avocado, kiwi and banana etc.
Dochula Pass
Nalanda Buddhist College, locals call this place Dalayna. Very often prayers and rituals are observed and one can join in the sessions. The monks here enjoy speaking with visitors to practice their English. There are sweeping views of the Punakha valley.
Visit a nunnery, Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup. It is built on a hill overlooking the Punakha and Wangduephodrang Valleys. The nunnery has a temple that houses a 14 foot statue of Avalokiteshvara, “Chenrizig Chagtong Chentong”, Guru Padmasambhava, Gautama Buddha and the 21 Taras and several significant others. The beautifull Nunnery has the patronage of the Royal Grand Mother.
Punakha Dzong which once had more than 500 monks is the winter home of His Holiness Jhey Khenpo, Chief Monk of Bhutan. Situated at the confluence of Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers, it was built in 1637 to serve as the religious and administrative seat of the region. Also the dual system of government was introduced in 1907 and the first King Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck was enthroned. Their Majesties the King and Queen were married at this landmark venue.
Overnight Hotel (B, L,D)
Punkha Dzong
18 Dec / Day 05: PUNAKHA – THIMPHU
After breakfast take a scenic, 2.30hr drive to Thimphu, the present day charming capital of the country. Visit Tashichho Dzong, the impressive building of the Royal Government of Bhutan and religious centre. The Dzong houses the secretariat, the throne room and the offices of His Majesty the King. Visit Memorial Chorten built in the honour of 3rd King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk.
Memorial Chorten
Enjoy a pleasant walk on the main road of the city and visit Handicraft Emporium, which is a showcase for Bhutan’s very own handicraft items.
Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)
19 Dec / Day 06: THIMPHU TOUR - PARO
Visit Dordenma Buddha, which has the largest statue of Buddha in the whole kingdom. Get a Panoramic view of Thimphu valley.
Dordenma Buddha
Drive to Paro, hike up to the Taktsang, “The Tiger’s Nest” Monastery at the height of 2980m According to legend, Guru Rinpoche miraculously flew here on the back of a tigress, meditated in a cave here for three months and converted the whole of Paro valley to Buddhism. Resting at an altitude of 900 meters above the valley, Taktshang is an architectural wonder and the spectacular walk will be your most inspiring experience ever.
Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)
Taktsang “Tiger’s Nest” monastery
20 Dec / Day 07: PARO – KATHMANDU
Transfer to Paro airport for for Kathmandu.
Afternoon we tour the bustling city centre of ancient heritage which goes back to the 12th century former Palace Square. We visit Ktm Durbar Square, Kumari the residence of the revered Living Goddess, the landmark Swayambhunath stupa overlooking the valley through its all seeing eyes of the Buddha.
Optional: evening Nepali cultural dinner and performance (to pay direct)
Overnight Hotel (B)
21 Dec / Day 08: KATHMANDU – SINGAPORE
Visit the ancient city of Patan. It’s renowned for many squares built by master craftsmans, dating back to 1200AD. This is a UNESCO protected Heritage site.Visit the Golden Temple, Krishna Temple, Patan Durbar Palace Square and terracotta stupa ofThousand Buddhas Stupas.
Afternoon will be free and easy, shopping, massage and final packing.
Transfer to airport for departure
(B)
Bon Voyage
Services included:
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Airfare from Kathmandu-Bhutan-Kathmandu (worth USD $600)
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All transfers and tours as per itinerary by private bus
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All current Bhutan government taxes
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Accommodation specified in the itinerary
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All meals mentioned in the itinerary
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Yoga activities
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Bhutan visa
Services not included:
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Airfare from Singapore-Kathmandu-Singapore (can be booked on Air Asia, Silk air, Malindo air and Malaysian airlines- costing SGD $400-$900 depending on the time of booking)
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Bhutan tourism fee USD $45
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Nepal tourism fee USD $45
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Camera or videography fees inside temples and monasteries
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Expenses of personal nature; soft drinks, hard drinks, telephone calls, laundry and etc.
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Tips, gratuity to guide and drivers
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All expenses caused by factors beyond our control like flight cancellation, road blocks, vehicle malfunction and etc.
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Any travel, medical or evacuation insurance
Tour Cost:
USD $1968 / Per Pax based on twin or triple sharing.
USD 240 / Single Supplement
Nepal Visa:
Apply at the airport on arrival for 15 days multi re-entry visa. Cost USD $25 with 1 color recent passport photo.
Cash payment upon arrival in Nepal and Bhutan:
USD $45 for Nepal Tourism fee
USD $25 for Nepal visa fee at the airport
USD $45 for Bhutan tourism and visa fee
Mode of payment:
Fund transfer or Cheque (Fund transfer to BPS Wellness Centre,
DBS Current Acct 020-010913-0)
Contact Details:
Shashi 91016707
Lakshimi 97397006
Please visit our website for more details:
Accomodation:
Place Kathmandu
Hotel City hotel & Suites or similar
No. of Nights 03
Place Paro
Hotel Tenziling Resort or similar
No. of Nights 02
Place Punakha
Hotel Dhrubchu Resort or similar
No. of Nights 01
Place Thimphu
Hotel Hotel Galingkha or similar
No. of Nights 01
* If the listed hotels are unavailable, similar standard will be confirmed.
* Itinerary may change without prior notice.
