A Cultural Tour of the Kingdom of Bhutan
Sunday, 17 - Thursday, 28 October 2010
Leader: Khun Bilaibhan Sampatisiri, President of the Siam Society
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Photograph by Mr. Michael Morrissey, Member of the Siam Society
As requested by many members, the Siam Society will conduct a study trip to the Kingdom of Bhutan from Sunday, 17 - Thursday, 28 October 2010. The itinerary will include visits to Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Trongsa, and Bumthang. The highlights of this trip will be two traditional festivals where dancers will recreate the myths and legends of Himalayan Buddhism in a swirl of colour, music and mystical power.
Khun Bilaibhan Sampatisiri, President, who has had a long association with the Kingdom of Bhutan, will lead the trip and will take members to one of Asia’s most unusual countries, offering extraordinary and interesting experiences.
Bhutan has long been regarded as a mysterious and elusive country by the western world. With a population of about 750,000 and roughly the size of Switzerland, it is a small and under populated country, especially when compared with its giant neighbours China and India. The group will starts from Paro Valley and continue east through the beautiful valleys of Thimphu, Punakha, Trongsa and finally to Bumthang. Members will spend 12 days visiting villagers, temples, monasteries, markets, historical buildings, museums, sites of interest and attend two most important festivals.
Jambay Lhakhang Festival. Locally known as Jambay Lhakhang Drub, this festival held in the picturesque valley of Bumthang gained its popularity from the visits of visitors in the recent years. In addition to the mask dances, Jambay Lhakhang built in the year 659 is known for its two special events. The first is "Mewang" (Fire blessing ceremony).
During the fire blessing, locals run underneath a huge flaming gate made out of dry grasses with ambers and piles of burning grasses falling on their heads (Locals may encourage tourists to join in the fire blessing, it is not advisable unless you are wearing heavy clothing that is non-flammable). The second event is "Tercham" (Dance of Treasure). Masked dancers perform this dance completely naked. Bhutanese believe that Tercham can bless infertile women with children, and is only performed at night around a bonfire.
Prakhar Tsechu Festival. This is a unique village festival celebrated every year in honor of Lama Thukse Dawa, son of the Treasure Discoverer, Pema Lingpa who lived in Bumthang Valley in the 15th century.
The group will depart from Bangkok to Paro, the Kingdom of Bhutan by Drukair flight KB131 on Sunday, 17 October 2010 at 06:50 a.m. and will return to Bangkok on Thursday, 28 October 2010 (11 nights and 12 days).
Booking
The estimate contribution for this trip is Bt. 159,500 per person, of which Bt. 30,000 (non refundable) is required at the time of booking. Royal Druk Air, the Bhutanese national flagship carrier, is the only airline operating in the country. Thus, seats are very limited, please book your place as soon as possible.
Please note that the reservation are on a first come, first serve basis, and that reservations are confirmed only when payment of deposit has been received and Druk Air confirmed booking only. Full details of this trip will be available at the Society later.
The Siam Society reserves the right to change the programme as necessary. Seats are limited. Please book your place as soon as possible.
For further information and bookings please contact Khun Prasert (ext. 504) or Khun Ekkarin (ext. 506) on 0 2661 6470-7, fax 0 2258 3491 or e-mail: ekkarin@siam-society.org. Office hours: 9:00am.–5:00pm. Tuesday–Saturday (except holidays).