Most tours of Bhutan begin in the capital city Thimpu and venture East. But I’m going to take you West toward China, to the hidden paradise of Haa. This serene, peaceful valley was once known as the “hidden-land rice valley” and was closed to tourism until a few years ago. Quaint guest houses have been built with local farm-to-table food, traditional architecture, and endless nature. It’s remote, isolated, and the perfect place to begin our journey. You will have no choice but to leave the world behind, and immerse yourself in Bhutanese culture, acclimate to the altitude, and allow the adventure to begin. But don’t worry, East we will go! Take a look below at the detailed itinerary and get ready for the trip of a lifetime.
Why Bhutan? My first trip there was in 2006, on a whim, to join a friend who was traveling in Nepal and India. Suffice it to say that there were so few tourists there, that when I returned with a group in 2016, a hotel manager remembered me - and my name! I fell in love with the uniqueness of this place. Wild white rivers rush around huge boulders, Monks scurry along to prayers and study, Nuns meditate, strangers bow and you feel like you have reached the end of the world — in a good way! On my first trip, my friend Sue and I sat in a shack on the edge of a town, the only place with an internet connection, and tried to send emails home. Sometimes it worked, sometimes not. That may be the last time I was so disconnected from the world.
Now the internet, and wifi are pervasive, but that feeling that you are far far away is still there. And you are!
This journey is designed to get the most out of the trip but at a more relaxed pace. We will spend multiple nights at most hotels and guest houses so you won’t be packing and unpacking all the time. You can settle in and allow me and our guide to take you on walks, hikes, visits to monasteries, and festivals. Soak in hot mineral water. See the monkeys in the trees. Watch the flora and fauna pass by. Fly over the most spectacular mountain ranges. And write. Most days we will have 2 hours of writing salon, which you will be guided into through meditation and prompts. When you allow the mind to rest and reset, the theta waves take over and creativity flows. With no distractions, no goals, and no pressure, you will find your voice. And you will hear the voices of others. In the Himalayas.
Remember this is a high-altitude trip. If you are concerned please check with your health care provider for any issues that might arise when travelling over 13,000 feet. There are medications like acetazolamide, which can help you to acclimate.
Our trip is 11 days and 10 nights in Bhutan.
COST: $6489. The final payment is due by July 1, 2024, but if needed, a payment plan can be made.
An $850 partially refundable deposit will hold your place. Credit Card payments include a 4% processing fee. You can pay via Venmo to susan-weis-bohlen (last for of cell are 2096); Zelle: 4109792096; PayPal using Send Friends Money option to susanweisbohlen@gmail.com; or check to Breathe Books, 20 Clarks Lane, Reisterstown, Md 21136.
Single supplement Bhutan: $55 per night ($555)
Price includes a Bhutanese travel Visa; dedicated guide and driver; 10 nights hotels; 3 meals a day; water; entrance and festival fees; all travel within the country including the Bumthang-Paro flight; exceptional writing salons; personal one-on-one session with Susan for an Ayurvedic or writing consultation; extraordinary sights; a once-in-a-lifetime experience; new friends!
Not included: Flights to Bhutan; additional hotel nights before or after scheduled program dates; Nepal, Thai, or Indian visa depending on where you are flying through; tips for guide and driver; alcoholic drinks; espresso drinks; snacks; laundry services; mineral hot baths and spa services.
Most people will need to depart the US on September 5 to arrive in Paro, Bhutan on Sept. 7. Departure from Bhutan is on Sept. 17. I will tell you the recommended flights when you sign up. The cost ranges from $1000 round trip economy to $4000 business roundtrip. Flights from connecting cities to Bhutan vary in price. If traveling from Europe, Asia, Africa, or Australia, please make arrangements to meet us in Bhutan by 10:30 am on September 7 or we will make arrangements to join the group at your expense. Travel insurance is highly recommended. We use https://www.travelinsured.com/agency/.
Trip Details:
Saturday, Sept. 7: HAA: The flight into Paro begins our journey to the spectacular beauty of Bhutan. In clear weather, magnificent views of the world’s highest peaks give way to the lush green Paro Valley as you land. Hint: Those seated on the left side of the flight will have a magnificent view of the snow-covered peaks of Mt. Everest. The first gift from Bhutan will be the cool, clean fresh air as you step out of the plane. After clearing customs and visa control we will meet our guide Ugeen Tseewan, who escorted my group in 2016. We will have lunch in Paro.
After lunch we will drive over the Chelela pass, one of the highest points (3,780 m/12401 f) of drivable road in Bhutan. You will see incredible views of the highest mountains of Bhutan and the scenery is magnificent. Then onto the Forbidden Valley of Haa (which only opened to tourism in 2002), which borders Tibet. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Risum Resort
Sunday, Sept. 8: Haa. We will continue sightseeing with a visit to the Dzong of Haa and the temples of Haap Chhundu (guardian deity of the valley). In the late afternoon, we will settle in for our first writing session at the hotel, Risum Resort.
Monday, Sept. 9: Haa. In the morning drive a short distance to hike (45 minutes) to the Juneydrak hermitage from Katsho village. This Cliffside retreat also houses the right footprint of Machig Labdron, a female Tibetan tantric practitioner whose practice of Chod, a spiritual practice, has heavily influenced all schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Picnic lunch and refreshments will be served and we will learn more about the mystical meditation practice. After being inspired by the sights and sounds, we will write in the afternoon together. Dinner and overnight at the hotel, Rigsum Resort.
Tuesday, Sept.10: We will gather for writing this morning after breakfast and then drive to the capital city Thimphu where we can visit the market, do some shopping, and visit a cafe. This offers us an insider view into life in the city. We’ll see the “Buddha Droendma” one of the biggest Buddha statues in South East Asia, which I saw being constructed in 2016! From here the view of Thimphu valley is magnificent. If time permits visit the School of Arts and Crafts, where children are taught the traditional art of wood craft and painting. After lunch at a local place, we will depart to Punakha, an ancient capital of Bhutan, and visit the National Memorial Chorten (a huge Stupa ) built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned the Kingdom from 1952-1972. Leaving Thimphu the road climbs steeply through a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochula Pass (3,050 m), and see panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges. After stopping for tea and the view, we descend along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha and then drive to visit the iconic Punakha Dzong, located between the rivers of the Mo (Female) Chu and Pho (Male) Chu. Dinner and overnight at hotel, Bhutanic Resort/Rivervalley.
Wednesday, Sept.11: Today is Festival Day! We will drive to the Wangdue Tsechu Festival. Along the way, we will visit the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong dramatically located on the spur of a hill at the confluence of the roaring and roiling Tsang Chu and Dang Chu rivers. At the festival, we will see religious dances and folk songs where the Bhutanese people come in their best attire and rejoice at the festival with picnic lunches, as we stroll around the festivities. The festival is known to bring enlightenment for onlookers while also acting as ritual purification to ward off the evils! After the festival drive back to our hotel for dinner at Bhutanic Resort/Rivervalley
Thursday, Sept. 12: Travel through Gangtey and Trongsa to Bumthang, one of my favorite places in Bhutan. We will see the Gangtey Valley and have a short nature hike (45 minutes) and continue on to Bumthang. This evening you can book an herbal mineral bath and relax in the gorgeous scenery at the Rinchhenling Resort as we settle in for three nights here.
Friday, Sept. 13: After breakfast and a writing session, we will venture out to Bumthang Valley, one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the heartland of Buddhism. Many great teachers meditated here and left in their wake sacred grounds. The Guru and his lineage of Tertons (treasure finders) have led to the sprouting of many temples in the valley. We will visit Kurje Lhakhang (where the Guru Rinpoche subdued a local demon and left his body imprinted on a rock) and Tamshing Monastery (one of the oldest monastic schools built by Terton Pema Lingpa). We also visit Jambay Lhakhang built in the 7th century, and Jakar Dzong, the seat of the district administration. If time permits visit the Swiss farm where you can buy cheese and local fruit products. Dinner and overnight at the hotel, Rinchenling Lodge
Saturday, Sept. 14: Today we will spend the day at the Lodge, after a morning writing salon. You can use this time for spa services, to relax, take a solo hike, and soak up the beauty. You can also schedule a one-hour session with me to talk about your writing or Ayurveda! Overnight at Rinchenling Resort.
Sunday, Sept. 15: After breakfast, we will fly to Paro and check into our hotel. In the late afternoon, we will have a writing salon. Dinner and overnight at Metta Resort.
Monday, Sept. 16: This morning we will hike to the truly magnificent Tiger Nest Monastery (4 miles round trip, elevation: 3,120 meters/10,232 feet). As we will be thoroughly acclimated to the altitude, the climb will be easy! No worries if it feels challenging as there is a cafe about one and a half hours up and I’m happy to rest there with you. At the top, you will see the stunning view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in the 8th century. After the visit, we will head back to the hotel to rest and pack and have one last session together. You can also take an optional walk through Paro’s main shopping district. Dinner and overnight at the hotel, Metta Resort.
Tuesday, Sept. 17: On our last morning in Bhutan, we will soak in the beauty as we drive to Paro and fly home.
I am only taking TEN people on this trip! To reserve your space you can send me a nonrefundable deposit or $850 to Venmo: susan-weis-bohlen (last four of cell are 2096); Zelle: 4109792096; Paypal using the send friends money option to susanweisbohlen@gmail.com; or send a check to Breathe Books, 20 Clarks Lane, Reisterstown, MD 21136. If you would like to use a credit card, a 4% fee will be added.
About Susan:
After the extraordinary experience of running my bookstore, Breathe Books, for 10 years, I closed the shop in 2014 to concentrate on my Ayurvedic practice. Little did I know that publishers who once asked me to sell their books would now be asking me to write them! I wrote three books on Ayurveda between 2018 and 2023. That incredible adventure led me deeper into creative writing and I began taking classes, workshops, and retreats. I started with a deep dive into a retreat with Suzanne Kingsbury, founder of the Gateless Writing. My interest in this type of writing (memoir, fiction, non-fiction) was not only sparked – it was set on fire! During COVID I took so many online classes, including with iconic writing teacher and author Natalie Goldberg, best-selling author Laura Munson, and Diablo Writers Workshop, learning craft and structure.
I have spent hundreds of hours learning the art of creative writing and teaching it as well. It’s almost as if I had a mini-MFA during COVID, and I continue every day to hone the craft and I love teaching others. In April 2022 I led my first writing retreat in West Virginia, which was followed by retreats in Frederick and locally in the Baltimore area. In October 2023, I led two groups in Iceland. It was an extraordinary experience and I can’t wait to show you why! (see testimonials below). I have been leading international trips (England, Peru, Bhutan, and India) since 2007.
Additionally, if you are interested in publishing I am happy to talk to you about my path and how you can make it happen. From the query letter to the proposal, finding an agent, going the traditional publisher route, or checking out the incredible new options for self-publishing, I can help you find your way. My books are with Simon & Schuster and Quarto Group, published in the US and foreign language editions. I’ve had great success and I can’t wait to share with you everything I have learned.
Testimonials:
“What a glorious week! I’ve just returned from Casa Om Potomac after a few days of a writing retreat led by Susan Weis-Bohlen. It was a fun, inspiring, and a safe space to be creative. I made new friends and they are all goddess warriors. We laughed, cried, and danced. Share your story. Open your heart. You will find magic!” Alex H.
“Thank you so much for the opportunity to connect with so many creative, special women at the Casa Om workshop. Your facilitation was excellent. Casa om was beautiful, the food was excellent, and just unwinding along the beautiful Potomac river with the birds and the groundhogs and other beautiful nature sounds and beautiful grounds was a real healing for me. The opportunity to share and write about our experiences past, present and future dreams was also a healing for me. I hope to attend future seminars and experiences with you and maybe even a trip to a beautiful place that you and Larry explore with others. I highly recommend your workshops to creative people who want to explore their inner lives, creative writing skills, and express in dialogue their thoughts, experiences and wisdom, as well as, humor and laughter. As an observant Jew I enjoyed the mid week schedule as well.”
Shoshana S.
“I. LOVE. SUSAN'S. WRITING. CLASS and the Gateless method. This class allowed me to discover my writer. If you've ever had an inkling to write, then this is where you can discover your voice. It's encouraging and supportive, inviting your writer to come out and explore. Susan provides a safe environment to express yourself whether it's a list of words, phrases, or sentences.” MR
“My Write-and-Roam trip to Iceland under Susan's enthusiastic leadership was just what the doctor ordered! Great generative prompts, helpful crafts tips, wonderful writing and feedback, amazing sights, and delicious meals in simple but elegant lodging amongst a group of warm, open, intuitive women (and one man). Our Icelandic guide Heida was terrific too. Highly recommend.” DR
“My favorite parts of the trip were having regular writing practice to look forward to, and the restaurants were enjoyable. The trip was well led and planned and well explained, and what was planned was clear. There was enough flexibility and light-heartedness to make it easy and fun. The writing time really helped to break the ice and to get acquainted with each other.” CM
