Marieke's Art of Living

HIGHLIGHTS:

The People.
Bhutan is a country like no where else and a still relatively unexplored destination. For centuries, Bhutan has remained shrouded in a veil of mist and very little about it was known to the outside world until the 1970's. This isolation has given the proud people of this country the opportunity to view the world in a unique and still spiritual way. Many consider it the last Shangri-La: an exciting, soulful, soothing and wondrously beautiful, unique destination.
This is a country that mixes tradition, myths and legends with new learning with comfortable ease. The people are inquisitive, well-educated, vibrant, fun-loving and the overall mood within the country is very relaxed, happy and welcoming, as well as extremely safe. They are also grappling with immense change and modernisation.

Astounding Natural Beauty.
Bhutan is the size of and as glorious as the Swiss Alps, (with soaring Himalayan peaks separating Bhutan from Tibet) with fertile lush valleys, abundant forests and dramatic peaks and passes. At this time of year expect blood red rhododendrons, soaring white magnolia tress and large drifts of perfumed luburnum and carpets of primula to be in flower.

Remarkable Art + Craft Traditions.
Arts and crafts are exuberantly and widely practised. Ancient skills in bronze, wood, clay, iron and silver have been preserved. Festivals, religious ceremonies, and folk traditions are represented in dance. Painting, sculpture, weaving and embroidery of textiles continue in high order. Bhutan also boasts one of the most vibrant remaining textile traditions of any country in the world. Its highly decorative architecture also boasts unique charm.

Ancient Spiritual Traditions.
An understanding of Bhutan's Buddhism will immeasurably enrich your experience of the people, the cultural institutions, monasteries, and temples. Fluttering prayer flags, whirling prayer wheels and imposing hilltop dzongs are everywhere a reminder. Fundamental to their beliefs and way of life is the sanctity of life, protecting nature for future generations, not exploiting the earth, and maintaining culture and heritage. Increasing population, a difficult terrain that limits farming land, modern infrastructure and communications now all challenge these precepts. Television and the internet are recent arrivals set to change the country permanently. Bhutan represents the last unspoiled remnants of the quickly disappearing Himalayan culture.

Fly along the Himalayan range to Paro with its impressive Dzong, watchtower museum, with a special entry into Kyichu Lhakhang and Taktsang ('tiger's lair'), one of the Himalayas' most venerated pilgrim sites.
Then on to the capital of Thimpu. Immerse yourself in the perfectly preserved Bhutanese culture, astonishingly vibrant textiles and wondrous landscape. Hike to Cheri Goemba.
Special entry into the Changanggkha Lhakhang, a private performance with Mr Jigme Dukpa, the country's leading exponent of Bhutanese music, cocktails, and private Bhutanese banquet in the home of Ashi Khendum.
En route to Wangdi, visit the majestic Punakha Dzong (winter home for the monks) on the confluence of two rivers.
Continue to Phobjikha Valley, the most important wildlife preserve in the country with special entry to the extensive Gangtey Monastery where traditional craftsmen may be observed in elaborate restoration works.
The second half of the tour into central Bhutan, the spiritual heartland of the country is for the truly adventurous who can sustain longer travel days and features Trongsa where the Kingdom's most impressive Dzong and Royalty's ancestral home can be visited.
Continue to Bumthang valley with its great concentration of sacreded sites and temples. Return to Paro via a night at the very scenic Wangdue Phodrang.

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