BEYOND THE CLOUDS A Spiritual Journey in Yoga and Bhutan Seven-night Yoga Retreat & Exploration of Bhutan in October 2012 Travelers in the magical Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan find themselves in a land of pure, exotic mysticism and spirituality that stirs the imagination like few places in the world. Our very own Shangri La is textured with crimson-robed monks, votive juniper smoke, imposing fortresses, mysterious tales of flying tigers and fleeting yeti. For our seven-night Himalayan Yoga Retreat, we have partnered with old friends and yoga teachers Christina & Andrea Curry to offer an incredible glimpse through the looking glass into Bhutan's inimitable Buddhist soul. The Curry sisters will guide participants of all levels and practices through a transformative week of meditation, pranayama and asana, bound together by unique sequencing and intention. Meanwhile, our experienced, English-speaking Buddhist guides are on hand to lead short walks and pujas between key, sacred temples, ancient monasteries and villages dotting the pristine landscape. Join us for this once-in-a-lifetime chance to fully immerse yourself in this land beyond the clouds.
21st October DAY 1 Arrival, check-in, easy walk, briefing & Welcome Dinner Your guides and drivers will welcome you and your teachers at Paro International airport for the 10-minute transfer to the hotel for the first night. After a short briefing and perhaps lunch, we invite you for a guided walk in Paro Town for orientation and acclimatisation purposes or you may wish to rest after the flight. You are invited to join Christina and Andrea for a welcome dinner at Uma’s Bukhari restaurant.
YOGA SCHEDULE Morning Yoga 08:00-10:30 + Brunch 10:45-12:00 + Outing 12:30 - 17:00 + Afternoon Yoga 17:30-19:00pm + Spa/Dinner 19:15 On Day 7 no morning yoga as we start early for the puja to Taktsang, returning for an extended restorative class in the afternoon
22nd October DAY 2 Zurig Dzong Walk & Ta Dzong museum Wind through pine forests high above Uma Paro and Rinpung Dzong to the pretty grounds of the fortress-like monastery of Zuri Dzong. Traverse across to visit Ta Dzong, housing Bhutan’s National Museum with magnificent views over Paro, and on to our waiting vehicle to be whisked back for afternoon yoga. 23rd October DAY 3 Paro town & Rinpung Dzong Through Paro Town, past Ugyen Pelri Palace and the main archery ground we start our walk across the traditional covered bridge Nyami Zam over the Pa Chhu (river) and join devotees on their way up to Rinpung Dzong (Fortress on a Heap of Jewels). 24th October DAY 4 Traditional Farmhouse & Kyichu Lhakhang We pop in to meet our friend Farmer Tshering and his family and take tea with them in his traditional farmhouse. Then we take some offerings for a puja (pilgrimage) at Kyichu Lhakhang one of the oldest temples in Bhutan with its magic orange tree that bears fruit all year round. 25th October DAY 5 Dzong Drakar, Chele La Pass, hike to Kila Nunnery Seemingly suspended in rock crags almost on the brink of the highest road pass in Bhutan (Chele La 3,988m), Kila Goemba has been a retreat for meditation since the 9th century. These days it is an Anim Dratshang or nunnery; lofty retreat, place of worship and home to about 30 hardy nuns. Towards the summit of Chele La we pop out of the blue pine and rhododendron forest into windswept highlands much favoured by yaks and dotted with azaleas and edelweiss. With tantalizing glimpses of Mt Jhomalhari (7,314m) at every other hairpin bend we finally reach the summit and western Bhutan is laid before us with the unspoilt Haa valley and the mountains of Sikkim to the west, Tibet to the north and the patchwork fields of the Paro valley to the east. Leaving the prayer flag swathed pass behind we strike off on foot, plunging into primeval forest, reaching the nunnery after around two hours. Having paid our respects at the temple and maybe even received a blessing it is time to say farewell to the nuns and drop further into the valley to our waiting vehicle. 26th October DAY 6 Free for shopping, guided nature walks Your friendly Bhutanese guides are on hand to assist with a shopping excursion in Paro for souvenirs perhaps including prayer flags, fierce demon masks, woven fabrics etc or you may wish to head for the hills on a guided nature walk with your guide. 27th October DAY 7 Taktsang Hike, Drugkyel Dzong & Farewell Dinner The hike to the iconic Taktsang Goemba or Tiger’s Nest Monastery provides a fitting climax to our adventure. Otherworldly forces seem to be at work to keep the monastery clinging to its perch in the rockface so it comes as no surprise to discover that this cliffside was where Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) landed on the back of a flying tigress, bringing Buddhism to Bhutan from Tibet. To avoid the hot sun an early start is advisable for the two-hour climb to the viewpoint. Descend steeply, then climb up to the monastery, passing a waterfall and entering through the main gates. On the way back to Paro for last minute shopping we may take a stroll in the grounds of His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the fourth
King’s former schoolhouse nestled in the forest. On the last evening of the retreat, Christina and Andrea invite you for a firelit farewell dinner in the courtyard at Uma. 28th October DAY 8 Depart Bhutan or continue to Thimpu & Punakha Druk Air normally departs in the morning to avoid adverse weather conditions so after breakfast, your transfer to the airport will be arranged depending on the flight schedule. Alternatively the Curry sisters would like to invite you to venture deeper into the Kingdom for an additional three nights. For those accompanying Christina and Andrea onwards to Punakha we depart for the 50-minute drive to the weekend market in the capital Thimpu (please email us [email protected] for the add-on itinerary and rates) ABOUT THE TEACHERS Christina Curry Christina has trained with David Goulet and Marina Hallerman, Ana Forrest, Ganga White and Tracey Rich, Noah Maze, as well as taking retreats and workshops with many of the world’s great Yoga Masters. Her passion for Yoga led her to Thailand in 2002; she has since taught in Thailand, Maldives, Bhutan (at Uma Paro, the venue for this retreat), Bali, the US and Europe. Her style is grounded in Vinyasa Yoga, with an enthusiastic exploration of physical alignment, pranayama and meditation, Her experience, ranges from Restorative Yoga to Ashtanga, contributing to her unique approach. Christina encourages the liberation of the body and mind from blockages so that the practitioner feels free to live life to the fullest - www.christinacurry-yoga.com.
Andrea Curry Andrea has been practicing yoga for over 19 years, teaching internationally since 2000. She has taken teacher trainings, retreats and workshops with David Goulet, Marina Hallerman, Ana Forrest, Seane Corn, Noah Maze and many other great Yoga Masters. Her devotion to outreach work has led her around the world with all kinds of work in several different cultures. Her passionate and focused style draws inspiration from many traditions including Vinyasa, Anusara, Forrest, and Iyengar yoga. Her classes integrate relaxation, strength and flow with the application of precise alignment, breath and meditation. She invites people to explore their limits, embrace their intuition and relax deeper into their practice. Andrea's mission is to share her passion with others in a joyful and challenging yet nurturing way - www.andreacurryyoga.com. RETREAT PACKAGE INCLUSIONS
• Bhutanese Government Visa Fees, Taxes and Royalties • Inclusive of 10% sales tax & service charge at Uma Paro • Accommodation on a full board basis throughout (excluding beverages) • Complimentary mineral water on all days out • The exclusive services of two experienced English-speaking, Buddhist, Bhutanese Guides Of Bhutan • Entry permits and fees to all temples, museums & monasteries in the itinerary • Private transport throughout including airport transfers • Daily, privately guided excursions including three walks • Five and a half days of Yoga classes lead by Christina and Andrea Curry at Uma Paro’s yoga studio • One COMO Shambhala Massage per person • Complimentary use of Uma Paro’s facilities including indoor swimming pool, gym, archery ground, library & WI-FI
Beyond the Clouds – A Spiritual Journey in Yoga and Bhutan - Sunday 21st October to Sunday 28th October Package Rate Options Roundtrip Druk Air Flight Costs (Bangkok-Paro)
Room / Occupancy All-Inclusive Package Price
Ticket Category Rate
SUPERIOR (Twin Occupancy) US$ 6,200 per person SUPERIOR (Single Occupancy) US$ 7,000 Business Class US$ 1,200 DELUXE (Twin Occupancy) US$ 6,600 per person DELUXE (Single Occupancy) US$ 7,900 Economy Class US$ 990
All inclusive package prices are per person for 7 nights / 8 days in Bhutan plus Rates for Suites & Villas available on request
PRACTICAL INFORMATION TRAVEL TO BHUTAN As a licensed tour operator Guides Of Bhutan handles the whole booking process on behalf of our guests, including flights and visa applications but it is advisable to book well in advance to secure hotel rooms and airline seats. Bhutan's national airline operates between Bhutan and Bangkok. On receipt of payment for the full fare, our guests will be sent a copy of their E-ticket via email. Druk Air’s policies are applied to this service and Guides Of Bhutan cannot refund tickets purchased on behalf of our guests. For up-to-date flight information please refer to the Druk Air website www.drukair.net To secure your booking we require the following:
• A scanned copy of the photo page of each guest’s passport (valid for 6 months) • A completed copy of the visa form which we will send you on request • A deposit of 25% of the package price is required. Full balance is due by 15th June and is then held by the Tourism Council of
Bhutan www.tourism.gov.net as security until after you have successfully completed your trip. Payment is fully refundable if written cancellation is received 45 days prior to arrival date.
PLEASE NOTE Minimum Group Size 8 – the retreat will be run on 8 people and above up to 20 - If minimum numbers do not reach 10 people by 15th June 2012 then the retreat will be cancelled and alternatives offered or a full refund given. ADVENTURE GRADE With short walks and tours plus the daily yoga element and with plenty of time to acclimatize to the altitude, this active cultural adventure has been graded as EASY to MODERATE so is suitable for reasonably fit guests who have some basic background in yoga or those who wish to really explore their limits with the Curry sister’s support and guidance.
WALKING CONDITIONS Our walks are mostly on established pilgrimage and village trails used by locals and monks, with no particularly difficult sections, although some of the trails are steep and rocky and can be muddy and slippery after rain. Boots with ankle support are recommended and Guides Of Bhutan can supply walking sticks. Any reasonably fit person will thoroughly enjoy the walks we have developed plus riding ponies can sometimes be hired for certain tougher hikes. Your guide carries extra mineral water, snacks and a comprehensive mountain first aid kit at all times. TRANSPORT & ROAD CONDITIONS For transfers and tours we use small nearly new private minibuses always with a designated, experienced driver. There is not a single traffic light in the entire country and in general the well-traveled roads around Paro and Thimpu are in good condition - there is even a double lane highway into the capital now. ACCOMMODATION Our Himalayan home for the retreat is COMO Hotels & Resorts, Uma Paro www.uma.paro.bz - a luxury hotel in the heart of the rugged wilderness of Bhutan with its world-class Bukhari restaurant and COMO Shambhala spa www.comoshambhala.como.bz offering treatment rooms, a Hot Stone Bath house, a large indoor pool with outdoor sundeck, steam rooms for men and women, a gym and a large, fully equipped, Yoga studio with sweeping views of the Paro Valley. IMPORTANT NOTE The information in these notes is given in good faith, and covers the average range of conditions likely to be found on this trip. In remote destinations abnormal conditions can prevail at any time, and all adventurous holidays can therefore be subject to unexpected changes; in order to enjoy them we request that you be prepared to be flexible where necessary.
To find out more about your yoga teachers please view their websites here - Christina Curry www.christinacurry-yoga.com & Andrea Curry
www.andreacurryyoga.com and to discover what your host resort and luxury COMO Shambhala Spa have to offer please refer to www.uma.paro.bz For more information about Guides Of Bhutan including the full range of adventures and services we offer (privately guided luxury or standard trips, tailor-made adventures
and special interest group departures) please refer to the website www.guidesofbhutan.com or email us at [email protected]
