Wilderness-Travel-2017-Catalog

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With its deep rhododendron forests, lush mountains,
pilgrim trails, serene rural villages, and traditional
way of life, Bhutan is a hiker’s paradise.
We’ve created a journey of inspiring day
hikes that explore this rare Himalayan
world and reveal its unique cultural
heritage, from the pilgrimage sites of
Bumthang, Bhutan’s spiritual heartland,
to the cliff-perched monastic retreat
of Taktsang. Festivals are exuberant
manifestations of the Tibetan Buddhist
faith in this kingdom, and each trip will
witness a colorful Tsechu festival, an
event featuring an intricate Buddhist dance-drama
retelling ancient tales of demons and deities. Our
Bhutanese Trip Leaders add charm and expertise to
the trip and are wonderful ambassadors for their
extraordinary country.
BILL ABBOTT
QUESTIONS? 1.800.368.2794 OR EMAIL 96
“Loved this trip.
Such a great
combination of
hiking and cultural
activities, with
the comfort of
staying in hotels
and lodges.”
Andy C.
Carrboro NC
Our hikes bring us to stunning settings including the Tiger’s Nest, where Guru Rinpoche, the
Second Buddha, is said to have meditated. PHOTO: DEVENDRA BASNET
HIGHLIGHTS
• Hike and explore the ethereal Bumthang
region, the spiritual center of Bhutan
• Attend a wildly colorful Buddhist festival
• Meet artisans, farmers, Buddhist pilgrims,
and red-robed monks
• Overnights in a combination of deluxe
hotels and welcoming lodges
DETAILS
• 12-day trip begins and ends in Paro
• 4 nights deluxe hotels, 7 nights lodges
• All meals included
DATES
Nov 2-13, 2016 Jakar Festival
Dec 7-18 Nalakhar Festival
Mar 5-16, 2017 Punakha Festival
Apr 1-12 Paro Festival
Sep 30-Oct 11 Thimphu Festival
Oct 29-Nov 9 Jambay Festival
Nov 27-Dec 8 Nalakhar Festival
TRIP COST
$5795 (4-15 members)
Single supplement: $1470
Internal airfare: $950-$1450 (subject to
change)
Myanmar extension: from $2495
Bangkok extension: from $630
TRIP LEVEL
1 2 3+ 4 5 6 7
7 hiking days on moderate trails, 2-6 hours
a day, altitudes between 4,100-12,000 feet
Days 1-5 Paro / Thimphu /
Punakha and Phobjikha Valleys
From Paro, we head to Thimphu for
a hike up to Cheri, a 17th century
monastery and Buddhist university
where we’ll see monks studying and
carrying out their daily rituals. In the
lush Punakha Valley, we hike through
serene riverside villages and up
to charming Chimi Lhakhang, a
fertility temple dedicated to the
Tibetan Buddhist saint known as
“the divine madman” for his
unconventional ways. After exploring
the magnificent 17th century Punakha
Dzong, seat of the head abbot of
Bhutan, we head to scenic Phobjikha,
a remote glacial valley and winter
home of migrating black-necked
cranes. We hike in the pine-forested
hills and visit gold-spired Gangtey,
an important monastery of the
Nyingmapa sect of Buddhism.
Days 6-12 Bumthang / Tsechu
Festival / Paro The Bumthang region
of central Bhutan is renowned for
its extraordinary concentration of
venerated temples and monasteries.
We hike to some of the country’s
most sacred sites, including the 17th
century Kurjey Lhakhang, whose
three temples are the resting place
of Bhutan’s first three kings. This
peaceful place also holds the earliest
Buddhist site in the country, associated
with Guru Rinpoche, the saint who
brought Buddhism to Bhutan. Flying
back to Paro, we take the pilgrimage
hike up to Taktsang, known as the
Tiger’s Nest, a spectacular monastery
clinging to a cliff at 3,000 feet above
the Paro Valley. Depart on Day 12.