Led by Grandmaster Dr. Jes T. Y. Lim

13 days / 12 nights in Nepal and Bhutan

(15^th to 27^th March 2019)

Organized by Asia Entrepreneurs & Innovations Sdn Bhd (Co. No. 1149793-M)

INTRODUCTION

Qi-Mag Nepal-Bhutan Pilgrimage Experience 2019 is specially packaged for the Qi-Mag participants, their family and friends from all over the world, looking to experience more than just sighting the cultures, historical temples and interesting places in Nepal & Bhutan. 

During the whole experience in Nepal and Bhutan, while we are guided by the local tour guide, Grandmaster Dr. Jes T. Y. Lim will be leading us through the spiritual and sensitivity qualities of the shrines and holy places we will be visiting during the 11 days in Nepal and Bhutan.

This pilgrimage package is SPECIALLY designed to HEIGHTEN, in whole or partially, the 4 important qualities of life for the participants:

1. Spiritual & Sensitivity Quality (SSM),
2. Emotional & Maturity Quality (EMQ),
3. Intellectual & Rational Quality (IRQ); and
4. Love & Compassion Quality (LCQ).

During the pilgrimage experience, participants will receive many activations and transmissions from Grandmaster Dr. Jes T. Y. Lim as a BONUS!

ITINERARIES

Day 1 (15^th March 2019): Arrive in Kathmandu, Nepal

Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal.  In Kathmandu, we will be spending our time mostly in the Kathmandu Valley, which is often been described as an open-air art gallery with thousands of sacred shrines in brick, stone, metal, and wood scattered throughout it.  At Kathmandu Valley, we can explore thousands of years of culture there, while making our way through historic temples and monasteries that belong to Hindus and Buddhists alike.

Day 2 (16^th March 2019): Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

(B,L,D)

Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Bhaktapur is an old Newar town in the east corner of the Kathmandu Valley. The square houses the 55-window palace, which was home to royalty until 1769 but is now a National Gallery. Close by is the Golden Gate, which leads into Mulchok Court, home to the Taleju Temple. This temple, like others in the main towns of the Kathmandu Valley, is dedicated to the goddess Taleju. Entrance to the temple is restricted to Hindus.

Boudhanath Stupa
Boudhanath Stupa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and also one of the biggest in the world. It is the most important pilgrimage site for Tibetan Buddhists, who come here by the thousands during the winter festival to pay their respect.

Pashupatinath Temple
Pashupatinath is a temple of Lord Shiva and the most sacred of the 275 Shiva temples worldwide. It is also the oldest temple in Kathmandu. The Bagmati River runs alongside the temple, and is the site not only of pilgrims who bathe in the river, but also contains a special area where members of the royal family are cremated.

Day 3 (17^th March 2019): Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

(B,L,D)

Swayambhunath/Monkey Temple
Swayambhunath / Monkey Temple is a 2,500-year-old Stupa situated overlooking Kathmandu Valley. Its name comes from the holy monkey living in part of the complex. The painted eyes on 4 sides symbolize the all-seeing eyes of Buddha, and the site is one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites.

Patan Durbar Square

The ancient Royal Palace of Patan faces on to a magnificent Durbar Square.  This concentrated mass of temples is perhaps the most visually stunning display of Newari architecture to be seen in Nepal.  Temple construction in the square went into overdrive during the Malla period (14th to 18th centuries), particularly during the reign of King Siddhinarsingh Malla (1619–60).

Day 4 (18^th March 2019): Depart from Kathmandu, Nepal & Arrive in Paro, Bhutan

(B,L,D)

Everyone will take the flight to Paro, Bhutan.  

Paro Dzong  

Our first visit is to Paro Dzong.  Located above the river the temple is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture.  Driving up through the Paro Valley we come to the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong.  It was from here that the Bhutanese repelled Tibetan armies in the 17th C.  Before returning to Paro, we will visit the Kichu Temple, one of the 108 temples built in the 7th C by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo.

Day 5 (19^th March 2019): Paro Tshechu (3rd Day of the Tshechu)

(B,L,D)

Paro Tshechu

Paro Tshechu (festival) is one of the biggest religious celebrations of the Bhutanese year. It has been held annually since the 17th century when Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the founder of the state of Bhutan, and the Ponpo Rigzin Nyingpo initiated the festival together with the consecration of Paro Dzong (fortress) in 1644.  The 5-days festival is observed in three parts-prefestival rituals a day before the festival, ceremonies are undertaken on the first day inside the Paro Dzong, and the main festivities on the festival ground on the remaining 4 days.

Today we will experience the colour, excitement and spectacle of the Paro Tshechu Festival.  It is the most divine and deeply symbolic of all the Buddhist festivals celebrated in Bhutan. Dressed in traditional finery, devotees flock to the Paro Dzong to proclaim their faith and receive blessings. Monks and lay people, dressed in elaborate silk brocade costumes perform festive dances of good triumphing over evil to the haunting sounds of trumpets, cymbals and flutes. The dances and costumes have survived unchanged for thousands of years, each dance is an exact re-enactment of visions seen by Bhutan’s great Buddhist saints and any changes would be seen as sacrilege. Many dances will be performed today including: Lords of the Cremation Grounds. Terrifying Deities, Heroes, Novel Man and Ladies Lencham , Stag and Hounds.

The dances are interspersed with folk songs and clowning aided by copious amounts of butter tea and a locally produced potent alcoholic barley spirit.

Day 6 (20^th March 2019):  Taktsang Goempa (Tiger’s Nest Monastery) in Paro

(B,L,D)

Taktsang Goempa (Tiger’s Nest Monastery)

The hike up to Taktsang Goempa, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest Monastery’ will take about 3 hours.  We will take about 1 ½ hours climb up to the viewpoint and from there we will first enjoy the spectacular view of the monastery, clinging to the side of the cliff!  We have our refreshment at the View Point Cafeteria before we continue our climb up to the monastery, which will take about another 1 hour.  

It is said that in the 8th century Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan to this place and meditated in a cave here for 3 months.

The principal Lhakhang (monastery) of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. Taktsang was damaged severely by fire in 1998 but has now been fully restored to its former beauty.

Day 7 (21^st March 2019): Paro to Thimphu  

(B,L,D)

Paro to Thimphu (54km or 1.5 hours drive)

Thimphu, lying in the lap of Northern Himalaya has been inhabited since the 13th C but it did not really begin to be fully established until 1961 when it was pronounced the capital of Bhutan.  It was only in 1962 that the first vehicles entered the city and now, although a bright modern city, it has the accolade of being the only capital city in the world without traffic lights!

Today we will visit Zilukha Nunnery, which still houses over 70 nuns, the Memorial Chorten, built in memory of King Jigme Dorji Wngchuck and Tashichoe Dzong, constructed in 1641 and housing a magnificent throne room.

From here we will move to Keuselphodrang to see the Bhutan’s largest Buddha statue perched on a hill overlooking the city. 

Day 8 (22^nd March 2019):  Thimphu to Punakha

(B,L,D)

Thimphu to Punakha (71km or 2.5 hours drive)

We will travel through the southern Thimphu Valley and ascend Dochula Pass to 3088 meters.  On a clear day, we can enjoy spectacular views across the Himalayan Mountain ranges.  

Along the way, we will stop at the beautiful 108 chortens (Buddhist monuments) built on a hill, enjoy our refreshment, which is served at Dochula Resort, a beautiful example of Bhutanese architecture with amazing views across the mountains.  

Along the mountain pass, we should be able to see range of colours of forest flowering trees in full bloom: Magnolias, wild cherry blossoms and besides many other varieties. 

Then we will travel onto Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan.

In the afternoon, we will visit the Punakha Dzong, located on the island of the Pho-Chu (male river) and the Mochu (female river).  Built in 1637 the Punakha Dzong served as a religious and administrative centre for the region.  

To complete the day, we will visit Dho Jha Lam Temple, the winter residence of the Holy Monk Body of Bhutan.

Day 9 (23^rd March 2019): Punakha & Wangdue

(B,L,D)

Punakha to Wangdue

As we pass through the upper Punakha Valley, we will see traditional villages and farmlands before taking a pleasant short trek to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, built by the Queen of Bhutan for peace and stability in a changing world.

In the afternoon you continue on to Wangdue to visit the Devine Madman’s Monastery – Chhimi Lhakang, famously known for its fertility shrine.  The monastery is dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley who used humour and outrageous behaviour to dramatise his teachings.  

The final visit of the day is to the ruins of Wangdue Dzong (destroyed by fire in 2012), situated on a ridge overlooking a river junction, it played an important role in unifying the western and southern regions of the country.  Before returning to the hotel, we will also visit local markets in Wangdue.

Day 10 (24^th March 2019): Wangdue to Thimphu

(B,L,D)

Wangdue to Thimphu (71km or 2.5 hours drive)

We will travel to Thimphu through Dochula pass stopping at Simtokha Dzong en-route.  

Simtokha Dzong was built in 1627 and it is often said to be the oldest dzong in Bhutan.  The site is said to have been chosen to guard over a demon that had vanished into a rock. The dzong was constructed to enclose the rock, to ensure that the demon would remain imprisoned.  Simtokah Dzong now houses as a monastic body.

Our next destination is the Takin Preserve which houses the national animal, the unique Takin, which lives in herds at altitudes of over 4000 meters and weighs as much as 220 kilos!

Our last visit for the day is the Government-run Handicraft Emporium and Craft Bazaar where we can find fine examples of locally produced woven textiles, thangkha paintings, ceramics, jewellery, slate and wood carvings.

Day 11 (25^th March 2019): Thimphu & Paro

(B,L,D)

Thimphu & Paro

We will continue to explore Thimphu and the surrounding area starting with The National Textile Museum, an excellent place to see traditional arts and crafts being perpetuated.  

We will also visit the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, where medicinal herbs are compounded and dispensed and where traditional practitioners are trained.

Given sufficient time, we will visit the outdoor National Folk Heritage Museum, displaying rural life in Bhutan, the Chengzamtok Weaving Centre to observe beautiful colourful silk and cotton textiles being woven into shawls, scarves and traditional Bhutanese dresses and a Bhutanese paper factory to see the hand-made traditional craft of paper-making. Good quality traditional paper is held in very high esteem in Bhutan.

We will leave Thimphu in the late afternoon and travel back to Paro.

Day 12 (26^th March 2019): Return to Kathmandu, Nepal

(B)

On this day, everyone will take their flight to Kathmandu, Nepal for a free & easy day with a good rest at a hotel in Kathmandu Valley.

Day 13 (27^th March 2019): Return home

(B)

ADDITIONAL NOTES TO EVERYONE:

1. Pilgrimage Participant Schedule for all interested persons:

1. Package Prices includes:
   1. Visa for Bhutan
   2. Package price include the night after arrival at Kathmandu on 15th / 17th Mar 2019 as well as the night on 26th Mar 2019
   3. All meals for breakfast (B), lunch (L) and dinner (D) as per above ITINERARIES Summary and Experience Program Summary, which will be provided upon receipt of full payment from participants
   4. Return flights (economy class) between Kathmandu, Nepal and Paro, Bhutan
   5. Land transport for trips according to the Experience Program Summary
   6. Entrance tickets & guides for places of visits
   7. Land transfers between airports and hotels during normal working hours
2. Package Prices excludes:
   1. Visa for Nepal.  Please prepare US$30.00 for visa on arrival to at Kathmandu Airport
   2. Tips for guides, drivers and others
   3. International flights from home city to Kathmandu & return
   4. Taxi fare for hotel transfer to airport for departure from Kathmandu, Nepal (Note: Hotel departure transfer to airport will incur US$3.00 per person unless if transfer is in a group of 3 persons)
   5. Personal expenses include laundry, drinks, optional activities, medicines etc.
   6. Travel insurances to cover flight delays, cancellation, trip accidents and medical emergencies
   7. All other expenses not covered under Experience Program Summary
3. Itineraries are subject to change (as deemed necessary) without prior notice and the prices are subject to change if confirmation is received after the above stated scheduled datelines.