Spiritual Holidays - Sacred Journeys - Spiritual Retreats

What are Sacred Journeys? -  this is when souls in a pre-soul agreement have agreed to combine their energies and journey together to a particular part of the world to assist in the planetary ascension at this time.   It is not a conscious thing.  You just find yourself drawn. If you are reading this then you are drawn to this particular sacred journey and you are one of those souls.  Just come and let go, and reconnect to your own positive past life energies and transform not only yourself but perhaps those of the soul group  you carry in your DNA.

BHUTAN and Nepal  4 - 19 September  2010
Join us on the holiday of a lifetime.   Our physical journey will take us from the sacred Hindu and Tibetan Buddhist sites and crafts of Katmandu to the hidden kingdom of Bhutan (known as the land of the thunder dragon).  Nestling in the Himalaya between India, Nepal and Tibet.  

Traveling with our own Bhutanese guides, we will experience the local culture and customs as well as attending the annual Techu festival.  We will visit a number of sacred sites and explore our individual energetic and group connection to them.   We will share prayers and meditation with Buddhist monks as well as having our own prayer flag ceremony.   We will visit the Taktsang monastery.  The place where the Guru Rimpoche flew over the Himalaya from Tibet on the back of a flying Tigress and where on my last trip everyone received a personal blessing from the head lama in the temple.  

If you are drawn to this part of the world then you probably had a past life in this area and when you return the natural healing that takes place is transformational.   Many have life changing experiences. 

Our visits to the sacred sites will be very special. As well as experiencing, at first hand the culture of these beautiful places, we will be progressing our soul's journey through this and other lifetimes. Connect to the ancient energies of the spiritual sites and reaffirm and plug into the Universal Cosmic Web. Release and strengthen the sacred feminine within each place. We will celebrate the New Moon on 8th September (the New Moon represents a moment of renewal and beginning of a cycle and the hidden feminine).
 

We will also be re-enforcing the connection of these sacred sites with Universal energy and the cosmic crystalline grid.  As a group we will raise both our personal, planetary and cosmic consciousness in preparation for the new consciousness in 2012. No experience  is necessary, just a joy of travel, the curiosity of a child, an open heart and mind, and a desire to explore and play on the roof of the word.    

Led by Joylina Goodings - 07702 956 928  -  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Arranged by Justina Pettifer  01380 725558 The Healthy Life Company

Experience the Multidimensional Crystal Grid as you travel across the roof of the world visiting many Sacred Sites, raising your own vibrations and clearing past lives.    f you are drawn to this part of the world this is the trip for you.

Visiting some of the finest temples, Stupa and Monasteries on the roof of the world including entering 

The Taktshang Goemba (Tiger's Nest Monastery)

Membar Tsa (the Burning Lake)  

Our own prayer flag ceremony, 

There are no extras to this trip.   Everything is all inclusive except beverages and souvenires.

ITINERARY

Spiritual Holiday (Journey) into Bhutan / Nepal - 16 days

Day 1/Sep 04: Fly London to Katmandu
On arrival at Kathmandu International Airport you will be received with traditional flower garlands and transferred to your hotel.  Free time till ; 1900 hrs: Transfer to an old Rana Palace for a Gala Nepali dinner with Nepalese folk dances.

Day 2/Sep 05: Katmandu Valley Tour
visit Durbar Square, the historic centre of Kathmandu in which the Temple of the Living Goddess is located. In this temple a small girl is selected from a particular clan of craftspeople after extensive ritual, and is declared a goddess. She lives in the temple until puberty, after which she is given a life pension and a new goddess is found. The central courtyard of the temple is superbly crafted, with extensive carving on windows and balconies and an elaborate shrine.   Nearby is Hanuman Dhoka, a restored palace and temple complex, devoted to the famous monkey-god Hanuman.  Then proceed to Patan Royal Palace and museum restaurant for lunch.  Patan, which is separated from Kathmandu by the Bagmati River and is the second largest city in the Kathmandu Valley. Patan was once an independent Malla kingdom, its origins dating back 2,000 years. The city houses the fantastic 12th century Buddhist Monastery, Hiranya Varna Mahavihar, which is among the finest in the country.  Finish the day at the wonderful Buddhist temple of Boudhanath. It is the largest stupa in the Valley, at 36 meters and presents one of the most fascinating specimens of stupa design. Bouddhanath, a World Heritage Site,

Day 3/Sep 06: Bhaktapur  & Dhulikhel  Meditation Caves
In the morning visit Bhaktapur city - one of the three queen cities of the valley, the other two being Kathmandu and Patan. Bhaktapur is the city of devotees, where lifestyles still continues to be similar to that of the 18th century. As you walk through the main gate, you cannot help but be overcome by the art, architecture and the spatial layout which invokes a feeling of peace and harmony.
Next visit Thimi, another small city quite close to Bhaktapur, famous for potteries and local handicrafts.
 Lunch will be served at Cafe Nyatapola. This typical Pagoda temple was renovated in 1977 and converted into a restaurant. Nyatapola Temple is the highest in Nepal.  After lunch drive to the small township of Dhulikhel.  At an altitude of 6000 ft it offers superb views of the Himalayan mountains where we will have a meditation session with a Yoga master before returning to Kathmandu.
 
Day 04/Sep 07: Flight Kathmandu to Paro Arrive in Bhutan
On arrival your guide for the whole trip will receive you at the gates of Paro airport and escort you to the hotel.  After lunch visit the National Museum and Rinpung Dzong, the seat of provincial administration and monastic school. Welcome cocktail and dinner tonight. Your guide will brief you on the upcoming programs.

Day 05/Sep 08: Paro – Thimphu (46m/1 ½ hrs)
Sights along the route include 15th century Tamchog Temple, old Buddhist Stupas and a 17th century fortress - Semtokha Dzong.  Thimphu is like no other capital city – the valley is unique, including architecture, displaying harmony of tradition and modernity. There are no traffic lights and police still direct traffic at intersections. After lunch visit Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Traditional Arts and Folk Heritage Museum.   Followed by a talk by a local expert on Buddhism.

Day 06/Sep 09: Thimphu Halt
Visits to Textile Museum, Handmade Traditional Paper Makers, Weavers’ Center,- (remove) from itinerary National Animal Sanctuary,  If we have time I would like to do this we could all do some animal healing Handicrafts Emporium and Trashi Chhodzong (seat of the government and the Golden Throne).  Dinner with local invitees from different walks of life accompanied by traditional dance and music performed by a local dance troupe.

Day 07/Sep 10: Thimphu Halt
This will be a free day for shopping, independent exploration, hiking and if there are any special requests.

Day 08/Sep 11: Thimphu - Punakha (51 m/2 ½ hrs)
After breakfast drive to Punakha valley crossing over Dochula Pass (10,300 feet) from where you can see the highest unclimbed mountain in the world, Gangkhar Puensum.  At the pass raise our own prayer flags called Lundhar (wind flag), invoking prayers and blessings for good health, luck, happiness.  After lunch visit the great fortress of Punakha. And Chimi Lhakhang, a temple dedicated to the Divine Madman.

Day 09/Sep 12: Punakha – Trongsa - Bumthang (122 m/7 hrs) 
After a short stop in Wangdue town and the local fortress perched on a ridge, proceed through black mountain range where you will see blooming giant rhododendrons and grey langur primates in the right season.  Stop for lunch at Chendebji with its giant stupa adorned with Buddha eyes. Trongsa is the ancestral home of the Kings. Trongsa fortress is the largest in the country spanning a whole hill and has 21 temples.
A watch tower above the fortress houses the new Royal Heritage Museum. It also has a beautiful temple dedicated to epic king, Gesar of Ling.  The sights in Trongsa will be visited on the way back on Day 11/Sep 16.  Stop at weavers’ center in Chumey on the way to Bumthang   

Day 10/Sep 13: Bumthang Halt
Full day of sightseeing in the sacred Jakar valley. Bumthang consisting of four valleys is the heart of both religious and political history of the country. Visit 8th century Jamba Lhakhang, Kurjey - where imprint of Guru Rimpoche can be seen on a rock, At one of the temples offer thousand butter lamps in prayers for all sentient beings followed by tea with monks..    Then visit the Membartsho – the Burning Lake, the site of the first of many religious treasures.  local specialty Dinner

Day 11/Sep 14: Bumthang - Phobjikha Valley (108 m/5 ½ hrs)
Today, retrace the road back towards Paro.  Visit the local sights, at Trongsa and after lunch continue the Pelela Pass and the Gangtey/Phojikha Valley - a broad semi-alpine valley with rhododendrons, dwarf bamboos and scenic villages, ideal for long walks.  

Day 12/Sep 15: Phobjikha Halt
Free day in this beautiful alpine valley but with options of nature walks, exploration of the various villages, meeting the farmers, visiting the local school or visiting and talking to the monks at the local monastery college and the Gangtey Monastery (1613AD) which is has been currently renovated
 
Day 13/Sep 16: Phobjikha Valley – Punakha/Wangdue (42 m/2 hrs)
On arrival in the Punakha/Wangdue valley. We will attend the annula festival of Wangdue Fortress Monastery. Annual festivals called “Tsechu” are centuries old traditions centered around dances held annually at important religious sites.  Dances are enactments of visions of ancient saints and dharma lessons that remind people of the frailty of life and the need for proper living to attain a higher realm of existence in future lives. Shops, games and food stalls are set-up creating a country fair atmosphere.  Festivals in Bhutan are wonderful opportunities to witness authentic centuries old traditions. They are not are held for tourists, we are simply welcome guests at a sacred Bhutanese celebration.

Day 14/Sep 17: Punakha/Wangdue – Paro (78 m/3 ½ hrs)
After attending the festival again in the morning drive over Dochula Pass and descend towards Paro.   Free Evening

Day 15/Sep 18: Paro Halt
In the morning hike (or take a pony half-way  $15) followed by 30 minute walk to famous tiger nest monastery, Taktsang.  Once in the temple there will be at least one hour meditation. On the way out collect some sacred water from the pool outside the temple which is attributed to Khando Yeshey Tshogyal, the divine consort of Guru Padma Sambhava.    Returning after lunch, visit Drugyel Dzong in the northern valley and 8th century Kyichu temple.    Farewell dinner tonight. More questions for your guide or just reminiscence your trip into this mystical Kingdom.

Day 16/Sep 19: Depart

Group spiritual sessions will be taking place at the sacred sites along the route where guided and during the free time Joylina will  be offering individual sessions for those who would like them.   If you are interested in doing a 7 day extension to Tibet from Katmandu either before or after the trip then please let Joylina know when booking and we shall see what we can do. 

For a brochure or to book call or email us on

Justina at email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   or +44 (0) 1380 725558

Joylina at email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 07702 956 928

£3,445  +  flights.  UK to Katmandu return varies between £500-650 (flights can be arranged privately if you are coming from somewhere other than UK or they can be arranged through Veronica at Fairwise Travel. email.  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

A deposit of £600 will be needed on booking to secure a place as numbers are limited to 16 

Payment can be made by PAYPAL, CREDIT/DEBIT cards over the phone, or by cheque.

Other Journeys planned are   -  Peru & Bolivia   -   Chile  &
Easter Island  -   Mexico & Guatamala South Africa & Mozambique  
-    Australia  & New Zealand  Bali & Lombok & Hawaii
 
To find out more or to express an interest in any of the above  contact Joylina. 

Spiritual Holidays -Sacred Journeys - Spiritual Retreats