Bhutan Dancer
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Trekking in Bhutan:
Land of the Thunder Dragon
Bhutan 2008 &
Ko Samui, Thailand
September 5-23, 2008
For more information or to register email Kris.
A note from Kris King, President of Wings:
Having recently returned from my most wonderful trip to Bhutan ever, I have decided to return September 5-23, 2008.
I want to invite you to share this remarkable country with me and a small group of adventurous people. I have no idea how much longer I will be going...so if you have been waiting, wait no longer.
Bhutan offers so many enlightening experiences. We shared precious moments with monks, lamas, indigenous medicine physicians, everyday people, views of the Himalayas and with each other. Bhutan touched each of us and we transformed as a result...coming home and living our lives with an increased consciousness and spiritual awareness.
"Bhutan is a breathtakingly beautiful country, unspoiled and vulnerable. The people of Bhutan are peaceful, curious, open and charming. The effect of a non-violent lifestyle is reflected in the beautiful wide open eyes of their children, who connect so easily and respond so enthusiastically. Taking Polaroid pictures and then giving them to the Bhutanese children was the most wonderful exchange of sweet wonder and excited energy." -- Reatha Ryan, 2007 Trekker
I am so excited to share Bhutan with you for many reasons and here are a few...
Bhutan beckons and quenches my thirst for spiritual nourishment; the monks and monasteries, the Himalayas, the Bhutanese people sharing themselves and their culture so eagerly, the richness of Buddhist history surrounding us in vivid artwork everywhere, the festival dancers telling the story of the spread of Buddhism with their every move. Breathtaking!
The second is the deep and delightful camaraderie that unfolds in the group of travelers. Far ranging conversations, shared laughter and support, the rich silence walking on the paths together, and exploring an ancient kingdom are just a smattering of what we experience.
The third is relaxing and integrating the entire experience on Ko Samui, Thailand. Unstructured time in a tropical paradise, Thai food, massages, swimming, simply reading a book by the pool, and some of the best shopping ever! It's a delicious way to be rested when you get home. Come! Take the leap if your heart is touched by the thought of coming along...come!
"Sensual Ko Samuil. A place of renewal and relaxation. The perfect end to the Bhutan experience. A graceful way to bring us back to western civilization. The massages were superb, the beach beautiful and the cocktails thirst quenching." --Debi Kraal, 2007 Trekker
The maximum number on the trip is 17.
A $500 nonrefundable deposit is due by June 1, 2008. Full payment due by June 15, 2008.
Estimated cost based on 2007 actual: $7,300 (exact 2008 cost coming soon). Cost based on joint occupancy, includes all major expenses, airfare from Los Angeles, hotels, trekking and most meals. Estimated single occupancy is $8,150. This is arranged as a group fare only.
If your heart is calling you I hope you'll join me for this trip of a lifetime.
With Love & Gratitude,
Kris
What trekkers say about...
BHUTAN
"Blessed, Beautiful Bhutan. A place of wonder and magic. They burn incense to change the weather and it works!! The simplicity of their lives, their Buddhist faith and their happy smiles will be with me forever."
"My experience of trekking Bhutan was fantastic! I loved the unexpected beauty - waking up to tea served in our tent! Peering out the tent door in early morning to a shangri-la of mountains woven together by mist. The sounds of early morning village activity - children's laughter as they walk 3-5 km to school, cowbells ringing as villagers moved their cows to a fresh pasture and camp dogs, mules and horses getting a last roll-about before being saddled with our gear!"
"A land of brilliant colors; from the traditional dress of the Bhutanese, the numerous green hues of mountain vistas, forests and rice fields, to the highly colorful and decorated Dzongs and religious festival celebrations. Gentle, open and curious people who seem truly at peace with themselves and their lives. I felt well taken care of and honored to have experienced a little bit of Bhutan."
"There is in Bhutan a sense of peace and contentment that feels tangible in a culture whose slowed pace and deep respect for life is tied to the land, to family, to community and King, and to living a life in alignment with spiritual beliefs and values. "Atzi ganamay!" means "come smile a little while..." in the peaceful Land of the Thunder Dragon."
"Flying out of the clouds, there was Paro in the sunshine with 10,000 foot green foot hills surrounding it. So warm and so green! Everywhere throughout the country I experienced their Gross National Happiness in the faces of the women carrying their children, the monks smiling and serving us tea, rushing forward to have their photos taken and the sparkling, dark eyes of the children as they played with a simple balloon or rolled a hoop. Everywhere there were flowers, cosmos growing wild covering fields, beside fields of pink buckwheat blossoms and rice arching gracefully waiting to be harvested."
"I am in love with the way the people live their spirituality and belief system so openly with confidence as they spin their prayer wheels and make their way to the "Harvest Festival" to familiarize themselves with their own demons, dressed in their finest clothing and brightest smiles. I love how they love and trust their king, and even how they trust the world as they embark on changes, moving their country towards democracy. I take that trust as a lesson for my own life, to trust myself, to trust my own anchored belief in something greater that moves and lives within the world.
The path towards the "Little Monks" Tashigang monastery is beautiful and so easy at 10,000 feet. I feel almost like I could run along this path. I appreciated the opportunity to light a special butter lamp in the chorten remembering someone special, and the blessings chanted by the monks moved through and around me as I closed my eyes for this experience of blessing.
The time in Bhutan was a gift to myself and a gift to my marriage. It was an adventure to the other side of the world, filled with mystery and challenge, grace and love. Again, I am so happy to open myself to this gift, to say a great big YES to life and love and connection. YES to adventure and growth and learning."
KOH SAMUI
"What can you say about a little piece of heaven on the Bay of Thailand with white sandy beaches, eternal sunshine, food (and drink!) that makes you totally carefree amid some of the best shopping on the globe and the hospitality of the Thai people? I'll say no more. . ."
"Great to have an R&R before reentry. Length of time was plenty as well. Many of the insights, lessons of a trip such as this come for me as time goes on. I am humbly grateful for the experience. The "group" was great! FUN, caring, considerate, interesting, soulful, etc. The Trekking company...well, Unsurpassed in every aspect. I am VERY impressed!
A heartfelt "thank you" Kris for allowing me to join you all on this adventure."
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