Itineraries — Fall 2010: Cross Country Cultural and Festivals Tour — Spring 2011: Cross Country Cultural and Festivals Tour

— Tiger’s Nest and Thimphu — Rise early and drive about one hour  to Chele La (la means pass) for one of Bhutan’s best views of the Himalayas.  Boxed breakfast will be served at the pass.  On a clear day, you can see panoramic views of the western Himalayan mountain ranges.  Then we return to Paro and spend the rest of the day hiking (or riding horses part way--you decide) up a forested path to Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest, Bhutan’s most famous and scenic icon.  (Robin wrote a story on Tiger’s Nest for Tashi Delek Magazine, which is posted on the Rainbow web site.)  The climb is steep and takes about 2 hours to ascend comfortably, but those who want to can ride sure-footed ponies up (but not down) and we will have our guides to carry our photography gear and urge us on.  An important place of pilgrimage and refuge for more than 1200 years, Taktsang Monastery clings to sheer cliffs two-thousand feet above Paro Valley, and from the most popular vantage points on a rocky ledges directly across a chasm from it we will still need a 200 mm lens and a steady tripod to get tight photographs.  As of 2004 we have received special permission to hike all the way to Tiger’s Nest, visit some of the altar rooms and maybe get a grand tour from Lam Renzin, the lama stationed there.  We have become friends with Lam Renzin, bringing him photographs from previous visits, gifts such as a Swiss Army multi-tool, and most importantly, cookies and fresh eggs for him and food for his cat.  In 2007 he requested we bring him a pair of binoculars to see who is coming and Robin delivered them in 2008, so he might be watching our ascent.

This sacred place got its name when Guru Rimpoche rode there on the back of a flying tiger and meditated in a cave behind the present-day monastery.  Sadly, in 1998, the central temple was destroyed by fire, leaving the country in mourning for their holiest of spiritual places.  But religious leaders and the King quickly developed a plan to rebuild Taktsang and donations poured in from Buddhist centers all over the world.  Today, the magnificent temple is completely rebuilt to its original glory.  Tiger’s Nest is once again the subject of cloud-shrouded posters that say, “Bhutan, Land of the Thunder Dragon.” 

Lunch halfway down the mountain at the “Cafeteria.”  After lunch we descend to the base of Taktsang where your transportation will take you back to your hotel for some refreshment before driving to Thimphu, (7,500 ft.) the capital city of Bhutan.  The drive will take you along Pachu and Thimchu Rivers.  Overnight: Kisa Hotel