Dear UCLA Alumni and Friends, Bhutan is a land of soaring snow – capped peaks, alpine meadows, and exotic flora and fauna. Its jealously guarded isolation, awe-inspiring Himalayas, ancient culture and friendly people make it a magical place even for the most intrepid of travelers.
Regards from Westwood,
Meet the Head monk of the monastery in Wangdi Enjoy the colorful and vibrant Thimpu Tsechu and Thangbi Mani festivals, a photographer’s delight! Visit a local school to meet the children and teachers Visit the Bumthang valley, the religious and cultural heartland of Bhutan Enjoy a traditional Bhutanese music and dance performance View the Tiger’s Nest Monastery Visit a Bhutanese farm house and meet the family Enrich your travel experience with lectures and discussions with local experts ACTIVITY LEVEL OF THE TRIP
Christel Pailet Director, Alumni Travel
For more information, please contact us at 310-206-0613 or 800-UCLAlumni (825-2586). Fax: 310-209-4271 E-mail: AlumniTravel@UCLAlumni.net www.UCLAlumni.net
All participants must be in good health and cleared by their physician for high altitude travel. Average altitudes in Bhutan range from 7,000 to 11,000 feet. Emergency facilities are limited. This is an adventurous trip and we will be driving on rough mountainous roads. Most people who have gone on this trip have loved the country side, the Himalayan people, the Himalayas, but one should be prepared for a little adventure!
UCLA Center for Buddhist Studies
In consideration of, and as part payment for, the right to participate in such trips or other activities and the services arranged by UCLA Alumni Association/ Worldview Tours, and their agents or associates, I/we have and do hereby assume all of the above risks and will hold Worldview Tours and their agents and associates harmless from any and all liability, action, causes of debts, claims and demands of any kind and nature whatsoever which may arise of or in connection with my trip. The terms hereof shall serve as a release and assumption of risk from my heirs, executors and administrators and for all members of my family. ARBITRATION
Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this agreement or the performance there under, including without limitation any claim related to bodily injury, property damage or death, shall be settled by binding arbitration in Lakewood, California, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then existing.
OF BHUTAN
UCLA Alumni Association James West Alumni Center Los Angeles, CA 90095-1397 www.UCLAlumni.net/Travel
Watch students create thangka paintings and masks
AND LEGENDS
WITH PROFESSOR ROBERT BUSWELL
CST#2002060-10
I personally traveled to Bhutan in August in order to learn more about the destination, craft the itinerary, and inspect the accommodations. Call me if you have any questions about this unique destination. Be one of the few around the world that have traveled to this small Himalayan Kingdom…the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Space is extremely limited, so we encourage you to make reservations today!
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS Witness colorful Thimpu weekend market
MYTHS Land of the Thunder Dragon
RELEASE AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK By making a deposit on any of UCLA Alumni Association/Worldview Tours sponsored trips, I/we am/are aware that during the expedition, tour, trip, cruise or vacation that I am participating in, booked through Worldview Tours, and their agents and associates, certain risks and dangers may occur, including but not limited to the hazards of traveling down country roads or in villages/game parks in buses, cars, vans, jeeps, rivers in in atable rafts, hiking through mountainous terrain, sailing on open waters, accident or illness in remote places without medical facilities, forces of nature and travel by air, automobile, jeeps or other conveyance.
The nation is a bastion of Mahayana Buddhism, and the teachings of this spiritual tradition influence all aspects of life in the kingdom. UCLA Professor Robert Buswell, an expert on Buddhist studies, will enhance your knowledge of this important aspect of life in Bhutan. I also can’t say enough about your tour director, Chencho Wangdi. His love and knowledge for his country is unparalleled, and you’ll come away from this experience having traveled with a true professional. Visit holy Buddhist shrines and isolated hermitages, and discover Bhutan’s culture through art and music. This trip takes place during the famed festival season, so you’ll have the opportunity to witness the Thimpu Tsechu and the Thangbi Mani festival in Bumthang valley. Many behind-thescenes visits have been arranged such as a meeting with a Bhutanese family in their farmhouse, and a visit with a senior monk in a monastery, just to mention a couple.
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continued... We reserve the right to provide alternate hotels if mentioned hotels become not available for any reason. If for any reason beyond our control, scheduled ights or airfares are changed, any increase in airfare will be collected from tour members, and any decrease will be refunded. This group tour is limited to 18 passengers plus tour director and a local guide. The airlines used are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not on board the aircraft.
Experience Thimpu, Punakha, Wangdi, Bumthang Valley and Paro including two of Bhutan’s most colorful festivals 15 Days Sept. 15-29, 2010
UCLA LECTURER
Robert Buswell is Distinguished Professor of Buddhist Studies at UCLA and founding director of the Center for Buddhist Studies, where he has made the study of
Buddhism in the Himalayas one of the Center’s main missions. Buswell lived as a Buddhist monk in Southeast Asia and Korea for seven years before returning to academe. He has published extensively on Buddhism, including a recounting of his life as a monk in The Zen Monastic Experience. Buswell is currently serving as president of the Association for Asian Studies, the largest such professional organization in the world, with over 7,000 members.
Chencho Wangdi was born and raised in Thimphu, Bhutan. He has been in the travel business since 1999 and has escorted scores of English speaking groups throughout his TOUR DIRECTOR & NATIONAL GUIDE country. A stickler for perfection he always insist for the best for his clients. His concern for each tour member and their needs goes beyond the call of duty. Chencho’s vast knowledge of the country, his experience in the travel business combined with his humor and friendliness offer perspectives that are hard to match for any Bhutan traveler. This amazing guide will enhance your experience in Bhutan.