WT18 catalog single pgs

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Emerald valleys rise up to pristine
rhododendron forests, serene villages
embrace a traditional way of life, festivals
honor the guardian deities, and “gross
national happiness” is one of the ways the
kingdom measures its wealth—Bhutan is the
perfect destination for a WT cultural hiking
adventure. In this rare Himalayan world, we’ll
discover Bhutan’s unique heritage as we
explore from the ancient pilgrimage sites of
the Bumthang Valley, the spiritual heartland,
to the cliff-perched hermitage at Taktsang.
Festivals are exuberant manifestations of the
Tibetan Buddhist faith, and each journey will
witness a tsechu festival, with its intricate
dance-dramas depicting age-old tales of
demons and deities. Lovely hotels and
mountain lodges keep us cozy at night,
and our Bhutanese Trip Leaders share their
passion for their extraordinary country.
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 see
monks carrying out their daily rituals. In the
lush Punakha Valley, we hike through riverside
villages to Chimi Lhakhang, a fertility temple
dedicated to the Tibetan Buddhist saint known
as “the divine madman” for his unconventional
ways. After exploring the impressive Punakha
Dzong, seat of the highest abbot of Bhutan, we
head to scenic Phobjikha Valley for a hike in the
pine-forested hills and a visit to gold-spired Gangtey,
an important monastery of the Nyingmapa sect
of Buddhism.
Days 6-12 Bumthang / Tsechu Festival / Paro
The tranquil Bumthang region of central
Bhutan has an extraordinary concentration of
venerated temples and monasteries. We hike to
some of its most sacred sites, including 17th
century Kurjey Lhakhang, whose three temples
are the resting place of Bhutan’s first three kings.
Flying back to Paro, our final hike is a spectacular
one as we head up the pilgrim trail to reach
Taktsang, known as the Tiger’s Nest, a centuries-
old monastery clinging to a cliff 3,000 feet above
the Paro Valley. Depart on Day 12.
Exhilarating day hikes bring us through Bhutan’s pristine landscapes and we’ll
witness a traditional festival. PHOTO: STEVE ALLEN
FESTIVALS AND HIKES IN THE LAND OF THE THUNDER DRAGON
DAN HELLER
HIGHLIGHTS
• Hike and explore the ethereal Bumthang
region, spiritual center of this Himalayan
kingdom
• Attend a wildly colorful Buddhist tsechu
festival
• Meet artisans, farmers, Buddhist pilgrims,
and red-robed monks
• Climb the ancient trail to the cliff-perched
Tiger’s Nest monastery
• Overnights in 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 27-Dec 8, 2017 Nalakhar Festival
Feb 23-Mar 6, 2018 Punakha Festival
Mar 21-Apr 1 Paro Festival
Sep 19-30 Thimphu Festival
Oct 19-30 Jambay Festival
Nov 6-17 Black-Necked Crane Festival
Nov 17-28 Nalakhar Festival
Dec 11-22 Trongsa Festival
TRIP COST
$5795 (4-15 members)
Single supplement: $1470
Internal airfare: $1150-$1850 (subject
to change)
Bhutan visa: $40
Temples of Angkor extension: from $925
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