Bhutan & the Indigenous Monpas


Please join us on our journey to
the Land of the Thunder Dragon!

December 6-17, 2021

11 Days | 10 Nights

$9000* per person


Central Bhutan is home to the Monpas, believed to be the first inhabitants of Bhutan. Also at the heart of Bhutanese culture are Buddhism, majestic dzongs, colorful festivals and tightly knitted community and family life.

 

Come on an Adventure of a Lifetime!


Bhutan

This is an extraordinary opportunity to travel to Bhutan at an affordable price.

Join the Tribal Trust Foundation for this uniquely designed eco‐cultural trip through western and central Bhutan, focusing on environmental sustainability and preservation of ancient indigenous knowledge. Explore numerous ecosystems, including the rugged Himalayas, pristine rivers, verdant valleys, marshlands and forests. Visit historic fortresses, Buddhist shrines and temples and an organic farm while enjoying local cuisine, hikes, and cultural traditions. Meet with monks, nuns, farmers, and artisans; take part in ancient rituals; and witness firsthand the mindfully guided evolution of this tiny kingdom.

The Kingdom of Bhutan is facilitating this trip, granting us access to areas of the country where tourists do not travel. Bhutan's sustainable methodologies prioritize Gross National Happiness over Gross National Product ‐ a model for flourishing socially and economically. Join this once in a lifetime adventure exploring an enchanting country and share in a rare visit to the Monpas, an indigenous tribal people living in harmony with nature. A special highlight will be the opportunity to participate in their 2nd Annual Monpa Day Festival.

Bhutan with Maya


What Makes This Trip Unique

Meet the Monpas

In central Bhutan, south of Trongsa, scattered on the slopes of the Mangde Chhu valley, live the Monpas, believed to be the first inhabitants of Bhutan. Spiritual guidance is a blend of animistic Shamanism and Buddhism and livelihood depends on the bounty of the forest. A close-knit people, they live in small bamboo thatch huts and also larger traditional homes. Monpas believe that sickness is caused by evil spirits and bad karma and prefer superstitious and traditional cures.

Your Tribal Trust Foundation Donation

An advocate for indigenous peoples, the Tribal Trust Foundation (TTF) has been documenting ancient ways of life before they disappear, for over 20 years. The TTF has helped complete various media projects to use as tools for cultural preservation, which saves lives and revitalizes endangered cultures. These projects include documentation of the way of life of the San Bushmen in Namibia, the Mbuti in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Monpas of Central Bhutan. The Monpa have lived sustainable in the Himalaya for thousands of years. The elders are concerned their language and customs are disappearing as change is forced upon them. The TTF partnered with the Tarayana Foundation to document the Monpa Natural Healer’s ancient wisdom and also implement grassroots sustainable projects with the Monpa. Visit www.TribalTrustFoundation.com


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Itinerary
Registration

Trip Details

A minimum of 6 people is required to run the trip. Please do not book your airfare until the minimum is confirmed. Space is limited to 10-12 people total.

The price does not include airfare to Bangkok, Thailand. Fares vary depending on the time of year and booking company. Travel time is usually 2 calendar days on the way there and 2 days on the way back.

It is strongly advised that you fly LA or San Francisco to Bangkok leaving Dec. 3, 2021 so you arrive in Bangkok Dec. 4 in the late evening.

We then sleep at the airport hotel Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi the night of Dec. 4 and 5 (about $150 USD a night). You book this separately yourself.

We will all meet at the Novotel pool for last minute questions Dec. 5 exact time TBD. We fly from Bangkok to Paro, Bhutan December 6 together.

I recommend you stay in Novotel Dec. 18 as well and book the flight back to LA or SFO Dec. 19.

Reserve a Space 

A deposit of $3000 is required to reserve a space (due by September 1, 2021). Of this initial payment, $1,000 is a non-refundable donation to the Tribal Trust Foundation to benefit the Monpa people. You will receive an invoice/receipt stating this breakdown for tax purposes. The remaining balance of $6,000 is due by October 1, 2021.

Please note: A full refund of the deposit remainder ($2000)  will be given if the Covid-19 situation does not improve enough to make travel safe by October 1, 2021.

We will have meetings in October 2021 so you can plan what to bring and have all your questions answered.

Anyone interested should contact, Dawn Alexandra Murray Ph.D for more information at her email dmurray2@antioch.edu

Trip Leader Dawn Alexandra Murray Ph.D.



Dawn Alexandra Murray, M.S, Ph.D., has dedicated her professional life to preserving both global ecosystems and indigenous cultures. She is a professor at Antioch University teaching evidenced-based reasoning and research methodologies in courses such as conservation biology, marine ecology, Earth systems, climate science, justice and advocacy. Currently, Dawn shares her passion and expertise engaging in participatory conservation projects with the Monpas people in Bhutan documenting forest knowledge. This will be the third trip to Bhutan Dawn has led and she spent 6 months in Bhutan teaching biodiversity and conservation management at the Royal Thimphu College. Dawn works to promote conservation initiatives advocating for a sustainable future and biodiversity management. For more information about this trip, please email her at dmurray2@antioch.edu
Bhutan