BhutanEcoRetreat

• Kathmandu’s Durbar Square:
  • Hanuman Dhoka: We will visit this ancient palace named after the monkey God, Hanuman. This is the historic seat of royalty and the Kings of Nepal are crowned inside its courtyard.
  • Statue of King Pratap Mall: We will visit the stone pillar and the temple of Jagannath, built in the medieval period. Next, we will walk over to the temple of Taleju from 1549 AD, the large stone statue of Kal Bhairav, the God of destruction, the Big Bell and Big Drum, and Hindu Lord Shiva with his consort Parvati peeping from the window.
  • Temple of Kumari: We will explore the residence of the Living Goddess: Kumari. Kumari means “the virgin girl,” who is selected from a devout Buddhist family. This temple has beautifully carved wooden balconies and window screens, where the Living Goddess “peeks” through. 

We will end our evening enjoying the many offerings of the city and either walk through the now “car-free” streets of Thamel or enjoy a Rikshaw (bicycle on 3 wheels) ride. For dinner, we will explore some local culinary delicacies as simple as “Dal Bhat” or if your taste calls for another kind of food, be insured Kathmandu’s restaurants have an abundance of varieties.

Day 3 | Saturday, March 16 | KTM/Thamel

• Swoyambhunath Temple: This beautiful temple is also known as the Monkey Temple and literally means ‘Self-Existent One.’  The history of Kathmandu Valley is said to have started with the beginning of Swoyambhunath. 

It is the best place to observe the religious harmony in Nepal and is believed to have been established more than 2,500 years ago. An inscription dated 460 A.D. states that the construction was carried out by King Mandela and by the thirteenth century Swoyambhunath had developed into an important Buddhist learning site.

 We will visit the monastery next to the stupa and experience the largest image of the Sakyamuni Buddha in Nepal. Next, we will explore a temple dedicated to Manjushree of Saraswati – the goddess of learning. On this majestic hilltop, we will see many statues and shrines of Buddhist and Hindu deities. Large numbers of Buddhists and Hindus alike visit Swoyambhunath.

The remainder of the day is free to explore the surrounding area, partake in a Nepali cooking class, get a massage, or simply relax at the hotel.

Day 4 | Sunday, March 17 | KTM/Thamel

• 
Pasupahtinath Temple: This famous, sacred Hindu temple is one of the four most important religious sites in Asia dedicated to god Shiva and is where devotees, pilgrims and wandering saddhus (holy men) gather. This stunning two-tiered golden roof and silver doors is situated at the bank of Bagmati river where one can also observe the cremation taking place.

The remainder of this evening is free for you to explore the surrounding area, get some last minute shopping done for Bhutan or simply relax at the hotel and get ready for tomorrow as we change hotels. (Any gift shopping is better to do in Nepal as Bhutan has only a few traditional crafts to offer. Anything you see in a shop in Bhutan might come from Nepal. Kutira will be happy to advise you with your needs).

Day 5 | Monday, March 18 | KTM/Bhouda After check-out we will leave for Bhouda: the center of Tibetan culture in Nepal with a wonderfully vibrant and interesting community.  We will enjoy our lunch on a rooftop at the stupa.

• Bhouda: This is the largest stupa in Nepal and truly a magical place. It is one of Kutira’s favorite sacred places in the world and we will take time to walk around and explore. Join her in experiencing this very special place by sitting in one of the rooftop coffee shops, watching the many pilgrims prostrating and circumambulating the stupa. 

Our evening is open for whatever magic our time may bring.

Day 6 | Tuesday, March 19 | KTM/Bhouda As we enjoy our stay right in the outer ring of the stupa, we will have mornings that are purely magical. You may find yourself exploring the morning circumambulation of the stupa or simply watching the many activities from the hotel.

 In the afternoon we will visit Kutira’s Tibetan/Muslim healer, Fatima. You can get a traditional foot massage, acupuncture or any healing you may seek. Kutira has seen many miraculous healings, including herself, and she always values this special time. 

The remainder of this evening is free and to get ready for your departure the next day.


Bhutan 


Day 7 | Wednesday, March 20 | Nepal to Bhutan/Paro

Overnight at the famous historical Olatung hotel built for the coronation of the 4th King in the late 70’s. 

Day 8 | Thursday, March 21 | Tschechu Paro We will continue taking part in the Tschechu Festival. 

 We will enjoy lunch in town and in the afternoon we will visit a nunnery located on top of a mountain with a beautiful view into two valleys. This is the perfect place for a meditation and some reflection time.

Our evening is open for relaxation and daily recap with dinner at the hotel.

Overnight: Olatung Hotel

Day 9 | Friday, March 22 | Paro Thongdrel Final day of the Festival and  the hanging of the 3 story tall Thanka of Guru Padmasambhava. After lunch we visit the Kyichu Lhakhang Temple: This is one of Bhutan’s oldest temples, dating back centuries. We will also be exploring the small village of Paro during our time here.
 We will have dinner in Paro at Kutira’s old friend’s restaurant. She makes the best fried ginger potatoes and is also known for her delicious momos. You are in for a culinary treat! After a stroll through the town and visit of the local Dzong we may still have time to stop by the tower museum.
Evening: Massages and hot stone baths are available at the historical Olatung hotel for those who wish.

Overnight: Olatung Hotel

Day 10 | Saturday, March 23 | Paro Tigersnest: Pilgrimage to Tiger’s Nest, One of Bhutan’s Most Sacred Places

Tiger’s Nest Temple: Our journey in the kingdom culminates with a hike to the most famous pilgrimage site in Bhutan: Taktsang Lhakhang, or the Tiger’s Nest Temple (9,300 feet). Visible from afar, this stunning monastery clings to a vertical granite cliff 2,000 feet above the valley floor. Kutira has been visiting Tiger’s Nest for many years and each time it is a new breathtaking experience that will stay with you for rest of your life. Ponies or hiking sticks are available for those who wish to ride or walk up. This pilgrimage route invites us to explore with sitting and walking meditation of our inner landscape and gives us solo reflection time.
Dinner at the hotel, optional massages/hot stone baths, relax and pack.

Overnight: Olatung Hotel

Day 11 | Sunday, March 24 | Thimphu This is a day of cultural experiences including the Saturday farmers market. We will visit the site of the largest Buddha statue, overlooking the Thimphu Valley. No evening program – open for whatever magic Bhutan provides
.

Day 12 | Monday, March 25 | Thimpu Excursion

We will stop at the the Nuns Foundation Project.

• 
Nuns Foundation Project:“The Bhutan Nuns Foundation’s mission is to work for the benefit of the nuns country, to empower them and to enable them to become positive agents of change in society. As women with deeply embedded spiritual values, the nuns have the capacity to nurture and inspire others, especially those of the younger generation, to lead more balanced, meaningful lives. It is, therefore, our responsibility as a foundation to help the nuns identify this potential, and acquire the life skills necessary to not only to achieve their own aspirations, but also to fulfill this special role as educators and mentors of their communities.”

Kutira has been on the advisory board since the beginning of the Nuns foundation’s creation. She’s especially excited to share with you the Training & Resource Center Project.

Overnight: Thimphu 

Day 13 | Tuesday, March 26 |

Group One: This will be our last day to shop and enjoy the capital. We will decide the day before how to create the final time for you in the Dragon country according to your needs and meet Dr. Tashi Zangmo, director of  the Nuns Foundation Project:“The Bhutan Nuns Foundation’s mission is to work for the benefit of the nuns country, to empower them and to enable them to become positive agents of change in society. As women with deeply embedded spiritual values, the nuns have the capacity to nurture and inspire others, especially those of the younger generation, to lead more balanced, meaningful lives. It is, therefore, our responsibility as a foundation to help the nuns identify this potential, and acquire the life skills necessary to not only to achieve their own aspirations, but also to fulfill this special role as educators and mentors of their communities.”

Kutira has been on the advisory board since the beginning of the Nuns foundation’s creation. She’s especially excited to share with you the Training & Resource Center Project.

Group Two will be leaving early in the morning  to catch a flight into Eastern Bhutan.

Overnight: Thimphu 

Day 14 | Wednesday, March 27 | We will be leaving for the Paro Airport to return either to Kathmandu, New Delhi, or Bangkok.