This journey is designed to fully immerse participants in Bhutan's rich secular and non-secular culture. Like Tibet, no discussion of Bhutan is complete without a focus on Buddhism's influence. The Bhutanese collective consciousness, physical landscape, even the woven designs in their textiles, are permeated with, and continually reference, this Buddhist pedigree. We begin in Paro with visits to Taksang monastery, Kyichu and lesser known shrines that echo Bhutan's animistic heritage. We then move east stopping at important monastic sites such as Simtoka Dzong, the fertility shrine of Chimmi Lhakang and the Vajra hermitage of Cheri ritro where anchorites live in wall-up caves dedicated to lives of reclusive meditation. A key aspect of this journey is spontaneity. No one can be sure where an unusual pagan or Buddhist ritual, an archery contest or a Bhutanese wrestling match, will take place. Well-informed local sources and flexibility that allows for spontaneity will enable us to witness these. The journey explores the Phunakka Dzong, Phobjikha valleys, Trongsa, and Bumthang. Of all these destinations, no place is so permeated with Bhutanese culture and it's particular flavor of Vajrayana Buddhism as Bumthang. Bumthang was the home of Bhutan's patron saint Pema Lingpa, a 15th century blacksmith who is credited with visionary discoveries of many sacred Buddhist teachings. We spend several days visiting important sites of this and other Buddhist luminaries which can include moderate day hikes to places slightly more remote. This journey, like all of our trips to Bhutan, is scheduled to coincide with Tsechu festivals that take place at various dzongs across the country at different times each year. Tsechus, or 'tenth day' celebrations, commemorate the deeds of the 8th century Buddhist master -Padmasambhava also known as Guru Rinpoche who is credited with introducing the tantric teaching of Buddhism to both Tibet and Bhutan. Many of these Tsechu have wonderful religious dances which attract crowds of Bhutanese dressed in their best hand-woven outfits. For more information on our 'Buddhas, Peaks, and Festivals' tour, please contact us.