Bhutan & Beyond
Alison Keane’s Yoga & Mindfulness Meditation Tour
Kingdom of Bhutan
10-19 June, 2016.
Introduction
‘I’ve just returned from Bhutan. It’s a magical place where yoga and meditation blend
seamlessly amidst the dazzling scenic Himalayas, awe-inspiring high altitude Buddhist
temples, and a vibrant local culture filled with centuries old mysticism and nature-inspired
folklore. Rejuvenate and rediscover yourself, life and the unfolding present with stunning
Bhutan as a backdrop. Join me in 2016 for a mindfulness experience like no other in the
Land of the Thunder Dragon.‘ Alison Keane.
Join Australian mindfulness educator, Alison Keane, on our Yoga & Mindfulness Meditation tour to Bhutan 10-19
June, 2016. Don’t miss out on this most rewarding experience which caters for a group of maximum 12 persons.
The first 4 nights are spent at good quality Bhutanese traditional style 3 star hotels (with private bathrooms) in
the Thimphu and Punakha valleys before meeting up with Alison for a very special 6 day/5 night Mindful Yoga &
Mindfulness Meditation workshop. You will delight in staying at the upmarket heritage style Zhiwa Ling Resort in
the beautiful Paro valley for the 6 days/5 nights workshop.
Alison’s Bio
Australian mindfulness educator and hatha yoga teacher, Alison Keane studied under the direction of Professor
of Medicine Emeritus Jon Kabat-Zinn in California in 2007. Her work has been showcased in an award-winning
television documentary, The Silent Epidemic. Alison brings an engaging, lively yet compassionate presence to
her yoga and mindfulness retreats inspired in part by her teacher, Dr Kabat-Zinn, and also by insights from her
own yoga and meditation practice and life journey. Alison has been a presenter at Yoga Australia’s national
conference and Yogafest. A former ABC producer and television journalist, she continues to write about
mindfulness, and general lifestyle and well-being matters for magazines including Australian Yoga Life.
Bhutan & Beyond
Email: enquiries@bhutan.com.au T: 1300 367 875 (toll free) T: 07 5522 9734 Fax: 07 5559 2642
Website: www.bhutan.com.au PO Box 691, Robina DC, QLD 4226, Australia
Bhutan & Beyond
Tour Costs:
All-inclusive Bhutan land tour arrangements @ US$3669.00 per person - share twin/double.
Single room supplement
@ US$ 570.00 per person.
Airfares to/from Paro are additional.
Bhutan Tour Package Inclusions
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English speaking guide, driver & private coach.
All touring & transfers throughout your journey.
All entrance fees and sightseeing.
4 nights in traditional style 3* hotel accom.
5 nights at the upmarket Zhiwa Ling Resort Paro
7 workshops of Mindful Yoga & Sitting Meditation.
All meals and bottled water daily.
Lhab Sang Puja (long life ceremony) with monks.
Traditional lunch at a Bhutanese farmhouse.
Bhutan Visa Fees & processing.
Government Tourism Royalties & local taxes.
A donation to our Bhutan charity.
A comprehensive pre-departure trip planning kit.
Operated by Bhutan Tourism Corp & Zhiwa Ling Resort.
Exclusions:
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Personal items: drinks, laundry etc.
Tipping – please refer to our tipping guide.
Travel Insurance – mandatory to enter Bhutan.
Airfares to/from Paro are additional.
Additional Options:
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Upgrade to business class on Drukair/Bhutan Airlines.
Ex-Australia stopovers & additional Asian arrangements.
Bhutan & Beyond
Email: enquiries@bhutan.com.au T: 1300 367 875 (toll free) T: 07 5522 9734 Fax: 07 5559 2642
Website: www.bhutan.com.au PO Box 691, Robina DC, QLD 4226, Australia
Bhutan & Beyond
Tour Land Itinerary
Friday 10 June, 2016
Paro Valley to Thimphu Valley (1 hr 15 min drive time)
Arrive at Paro airport and, after clearing immigration and customs, you will be
greeted by your BTCL guide and driver and transferred by coach to the capital
Thimphu. Enjoy the beautiful scenery en-route and you will note all the houses and
buildings are painted and constructed in traditional Bhutanese style.
Check-in to your hotel and take lunch before afternoon sightseeing including the National Memorial Chorten
and the Takin Preserve, home to Bhutan’s most unusual national mammal. Take a wander along main street
Norzin Lam via the Craft Bazaar.
Overnight Thimphu – Traditional Bhutanese 3 star hotel (hotel names to be advised 4 weeks before arrival)
Saturday 11 June
Sightseeing & Hiking in the Thimphu Valley
This morning visit the awesome Golden Buddha (with 3 km hike option) offering spectacular city & valley views.
Continue on and view the celebrated Royal Textile Academy before taking lunch in a local restaurant.
This afternoon view the majestic Tashi Chhoe Dzong; the recently consecrated Tara Lhaden Zhingkham lhakang
(temple) and the Folk Heritage Museum. For those keen on weaving check out the Gagyel Lhundrup weaving
centre where you can interact with the weavers. Next door is the S. Bishwa art gallery which may also hold
appeal.
Overnight Thimphu – Traditional Bhutanese 3 star hotel
Bhutan & Beyond
Email: enquiries@bhutan.com.au T: 1300 367 875 (toll free) T: 07 5522 9734 Fax: 07 5559 2642
Website: www.bhutan.com.au PO Box 691, Robina DC, QLD 4226, Australia
Bhutan & Beyond
Sunday 12 June
Thimphu Valley to Punakha Valley (3 hrs)
This morning visit the colourful weekend markets before travelling eastwards to the Punakha Valley passing the
Semtokha Dzong en-route. Built in 1629, and once the oldest fortress of its kind that guarded the Thimphu
valley, it is now a monastery. Stop at Dochu La (pass-3116m) to view the 108
Stupas, erected in 2005 as a memorial for the Bhutanese soldiers and Indian
separatists who died during a short war of ‘eviction’ in 2003, and on a clear day you
will witness a breathtaking view of the eastern Himalaya.
On arrival in the Punakha Valley stop for lunch in a local restaurant followed by a visit Chimi Lhakhang, a
monastery built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley (also known as the Divine Madman) with a very colourful history. The
Lhakang is a short walk, from the road at Sepsokha, across the rice paddies to the temple. It is believed that
childless women who visit the temple will conceive after receiving a “wang” (blessing) from the resident Monk.
Continue on and visit the local nunnery and temple and, time permitting, the very traditional village of Talo
where you can wander the serene gardens of the local monastery.
Overnight Punakha Valley – Bhutanese 3 star hotel
Monday 13 June
Activities in the Punakha Valley
This morning visit the very impressive Punakha Dzong which previously served as the
seat of the government. Punakha Dzong is still the winter residence of the Dratsheng
(Central Monk Body) and holds the title as the winter capital because of its more
temperate climate.
This afternoon enjoy a fascinating hike through fields and small hamlets to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten.
This beautiful structure was built by the current King’s mother for his protection from evil.
Overnight Punakha Valley – Bhutanese 3 star hotel
Bhutan & Beyond
Email: enquiries@bhutan.com.au T: 1300 367 875 (toll free) T: 07 5522 9734 Fax: 07 5559 2642
Website: www.bhutan.com.au PO Box 691, Robina DC, QLD 4226, Australia
Bhutan & Beyond
Tuesday 14 June
Punakha Valley to Paro Valley (4 hrs 45 mins)
Early this morning transfer westwards to the Paro Valley and enjoy lunch at a local Paro restaurant before
checking in at the beautiful Zhiwa Ling Resort.
After check-in familiarize yourself with the resort facilities including Spa, Tea
House, Meditation House and Temple. At approx 3.30pm meet Alison for an
introduction session & briefing of your Mindfulness Retreat in the Yoga Room
& Meditation Centre followed by a Welcome Dinner in the Gawa Restaurant
at 7.00 pm.
Overnight Paro Valley – Zhiwa Ling Resort
Wednesday 15 June
Mindful Yoga & Mindfulness Meditation Workshops & Paro Sightseeing
7.30-9.30am – Mindful Yoga Session
4.00-6.00pm – Mindfulness Meditation Session
Depart at 11.00am for a visit to the temporary mini version of the National Museum in Paro (the main museum
is under reconstruction). Here you can view the fine collection of ancient Thangkha paintings, weavings,
costumes, weapons, art and other artifacts from Bhutan’s rich past.
After an authentic Bhutanese lunch in a local Paro restaurant explore the Paro Dzong complete with its
cantilever bridge. This Dzong still combines both monastic and secular departments to govern and administer
the Paro valley, as it has done for 100’s of years. Then enjoy a short wander through the streets and shops of
Paro town before returning to the Zhiwa Ling at 3.15 pm.
Dinner is at your leisure in the Lingka Restaurant at Zhiwa Ling.
Overnight Paro Valley – Zhiwa Ling Resort
Bhutan & Beyond
Email: enquiries@bhutan.com.au T: 1300 367 875 (toll free) T: 07 5522 9734 Fax: 07 5559 2642
Website: www.bhutan.com.au PO Box 691, Robina DC, QLD 4226, Australia
Bhutan & Beyond
Thursday 16 June
Mindful Yoga & Mindfulness Meditation Workshops
Puja Ceremony; Farm House Lunch & Paro sightseeing
6.30-8.30am – Mindful Yoga Session
4.30-6.30pm – Meditation Session
At 11.00am witness a Lhab Sang Puja at Zhiwa Ling’s private temple (Lhakhang). This Puja is a ceremony, guided
by two monks, to celebrate new beginnings and special occasions.
Enjoy lunch today in a traditional Bhutanese farm house followed by a visit
Kyichu Lhakhang, Bhutan’s oldest monastery, built in the 8th century and see
the amazing orange tree in the courtyard which perpetually bears fruit. Time
permitting visit the Drugyel Dzong ruins further up the valley. This dzong successfully repelled constant
incursions by the Tibetans before being tragically burned down in the 1950’s when a butter lamp overturned.
On a clear day you can witness sacred Mt Chomolhari at 7314 m. Dinner is at leisure in the Lingka Restaurant.
Overnight Paro Valley – Zhiwa Ling Resort
Friday 17 June
Mindful Yoga & Mindfulness Meditation Workshops & Paro Shopping/Archery Tournament
7.30-9.30am – Mindful Yoga Session
4.00-6.00pm – Meditation Session
Hit Paro town for some handicrafts & jewellery shopping this morning at 10.45am.
It’s fun and there’s no pressure to buy. The jewellery is inexpensive and unique
although you can expect to pay higher prices for quality textiles & carvings.
Alternatively enjoy the spa facilities at the Zhiwa Ling.
After lunch in the Lingka Restaurant at Zhiwa Ling enjoy an archery demonstration and mini-tournament with
your guide/driver and hotel staff. Dinner is at leisure tonight in the Lingka Restaurant.
Overnight Paro Valley – Zhiwa Ling Resort
Bhutan & Beyond
Email: enquiries@bhutan.com.au T: 1300 367 875 (toll free) T: 07 5522 9734 Fax: 07 5559 2642
Website: www.bhutan.com.au PO Box 691, Robina DC, QLD 4226, Australia
Bhutan & Beyond
Saturday 18 June
Taktsang Monastery Pilgrimage Hike & Stretch & Renew Session
6.00-7.30pm – Evening stretch and renew session.
At 7.30am commence your pilgrimage hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tigers Nest), one of
Bhutan’s most sacred sites. The 5 hours round trip hike can be quite strenuous in places
and at least moderate fitness is required. There are many steep steps in some parts
however it is a most rewarding journey and a very fitting part of your Bhutan experience.
Enjoy a late lunch at the Zhiwa Ling Resort.
For those of you taking the shorter viewpoint hike, of 2 hours maximum, head into the Paro weekend markets
before your hike.
Take the rest of the day at leisure to enjoy the Zhiwa Ling spa or head into Paro town before your evening
session. Enjoy a farewell gala dinner in the Gawa Restaurant at 7.00pm.
Overnight Paro Valley – Zhiwa Ling Resort
Sunday 19 June
After breakfast an early morning transfer to Paro Airport for your onward flight.
Thank you for joining Alison in Bhutan for this special Mindful Yoga & Mindfulness Meditation tour.
We trust you will enjoy a very rewarding experience
in The Land of The Thunder Dragon.
Bhutan & Beyond
Email: enquiries@bhutan.com.au T: 1300 367 875 (toll free) T: 07 5522 9734 Fax: 07 5559 2642
Website: www.bhutan.com.au PO Box 691, Robina DC, QLD 4226, Australia