Study Tours
with Adjunct Professor George Burns
28 April - 12 May 2012
This study tour offers a unique opportunity to learn from, experience, and interact with an isolated Himalayan community that few Westerners have visited. Bhutan is a Buddhist kingdom where the last king proclaimed himself more interested in “gross national happiness” than gross national product; where vegetation and wildlife are preserved in woodlands and reserves that cover some 70% of the country; where ancient Buddhist rites of medicine, healing and meditation are still practiced; where famous monasteries hang from cliff faces; and where snow-laden Himalayan pinnacles reach to the heavens. As a professional group of therapists, we have been granted permission to visit temples, sit in on ceremonies, and interact with “a great deal of traditional medicine, doctors and Buddhist meditation masters who practice healing in various ways.” We go at the best time of the year for the wildflowers and blooming rhododendron forests that, along with the temples, mountains and people make for wonderfully stunning photo opportunities. Our seven previous tours, combined with the three months George worked there as a volunteer clinical psychologist, have enabled us to assess the best places to visit in terms of our study goals, and to meet some well-informed and influential people who are only too willing to share their knowledge and skills with us.
The study tour includes:
- Integrated workshops and dialogues with colleagues
- Visits to Buddhist temples with the opportunity to participate in meditation
- Visit to welfare and mental health agencies
- Meeting Bhutan’s senior psychiatrist who blends Eastern and Western approaches
- Side trips to major cultural and religious centres
- Short hiking treks into this stunningly beautiful country
- A day hike to spectacular, cliff-hanging Taktshang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery
- A masked dance festival (subject to availability)
- A unique opportunity for professional and personal development
- Experienced tour leader and local English-speaking guide
- Return airfares Bangkok-Paro-Bangkok
- Accommodation (Day 1) in Bangkok
- All accommodation, meals and transport in Bhutan
- A group of like-minded colleagues to make this a personal and unique experience
Your Tour Leader
George Burns, will share with you a much-loved part of his world. With some twenty visits to the Himalaya in India, Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan, he is as familiar with the environment as he is with the culture, religion and traditional practices of healing. George is a clinical psychologist, therapist trainer, adjunct professor of psychology, author of seven professional books, and international lecturer. He will bring the richness of his clinical experience, the passion of his life as an adventure traveller, and the skills of his warm, pragmatic teaching style into this once-in-a-lifetime learning opportunity.
Proposed Itinerary
Day 1: Sat 28 April
Arrive Bangkok. Afternoon at leisure. Cocktails by the pool?
5pm Group meeting and tour briefing followed by a traditional Thai dinner.
Overnight Bangkok
Day 2: Sun 29 April
0400 Arise and shine! 0650 Fly Bangkok-Kolkata-Paro. Arrive 1025. Meet our Bhutanese guide, then drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, along steep, farmhouse-dotted river valleys with several sightseeing stops. In the afternoon we visit the fascinating local weekend markets.
Overnight Thimphu
Day 3: Mon 30 April
Today we have a cultural tour. taking in such places as the Big Buddha, Zorig Chusom (the arts and crafts school), Traditional Medical Institute, National Library, Post Office (famous for its stamps), a paper factory and handicraft store.
Overnight Thimphu
Day 4: Tue 1 May
In the morning we pay a visit to the JDWNR Hospital where we meet with Bhutan's senior psychiatrist (Dr Chencho Dorji) to discuss his unique work of blending Eastern and Western approaches to psychiatry. In the afternoon we get to see Bhutan's national animal, the taxonomically baffling Takin, before a gentle scenic stroll above the Thimphu valley.
Overnight Thimphu
Day 5: Wed 2 May
We begin the day by visiting Bhutan's women's agency, RENEW. This is followed by lunch with fellow mental health workers from Bhutan and an afternoon Symposium. Alternative arrangements can be made for accompanying persons, if desired.
Overnight Thimphu
Day 6: Thu 3 May
Pressing higher up the Thimphu Valley, we have a day's hike to the Buddhist University (Tango Goemba) before a pleasant jungle trek to the scenic Drolay monastery. We take a picnic lunch with us.
OvernightThimphu
Day 7: Fri 4 May
This morning allows time for exploring the capital a little more, then after lunch we depart the capital for a scenic drive to the 3150m Dochu La pass. It is hard to imagine a better spot in the world to enjoy some self-hynosis, meditation, or nature-guided mindfulness on a high mountain pass among a forest of fluttering prayer flags, overlooking 108 chortens. We will overnight at the top of the pass hoping for a sunset across the high Himalayan peaks (if the weather is kind to us) while dining in a gallery that has us surrounded by the works of one of Bhutan's most acclaimed artists.
Overnight Dochu La
Day 8: Sat 5 May
In the morning we hope to catch a clear view of a range of +7000m Himalayan peaks, including Bhutan's highest (and the world's highest unclimbed mountain) We take a short hike along an ancient trade route through beautiful alpine forests before meeting up with our bus for the journey into Phunakha valey and the quaint village of Wangdi.
Overnight Phunakha
Day 9: Sun 6 May
After exploring the spectacular Phunakha Dzong set on a promonontory of land astride two rivers, we take a gentle walk across rice fields to the temple of the Divine Madman before travelling back to Phunakha for the night.
Overnight Phunakha
Day 10: Mon 7 May
We drive up Dochu La again from where we take a 5 hour hike to Lungchuzekha and Trashigang Gompas. With good visibility this is one of the most stunningly scenic walks in Bhutan and whole of the Himalaya. From there, we continue onto Paro for the night.
Overnight Paro
Day 11: Tue 8 May
This morning we meet with a high order lama to receive some teaching in Buddhism and meditation. In the afternoon, we take a walk to a historic cliff-hugging village and may perhaps drive on to a high mountain pass with magnificent views into the Haa and Paro valleys as well as over the Himalaya to Tibet.
Overnight Paro
Day 12: Wed 9 May
In Paro we visit many of the local sights, including the Ta Dzong (watchtower) that houses the National museum and the Dzong. In the afternoon there is the opportunity to explore the quaint town and its many fascinating shops for some last minute shopping.
Overnight Paro
Day 13: Thu 10 May
Today we high to Tatshang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery, one of the most revered Buddhist sites in the world. It is to here that Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown across the Himalaya on the back of a flaming tigress, bringing the Buddhist teachings to Bhutan. Hanging precariously from the face of a 900m cliff, it is a sight one must see in this lifetime. Before dinner we have our final meeting.
Overnight Paro
Day 14: Fri 11 May
We are scheduled to depart Shangri-La, arriving late afternoon in Bangkok. By this stage you will probably have relaxed into the time-free lifestyle of Bhutan and, so it seems, has the national airline. Druk Air is not famed for its punctuality and delays are likely to be the norm rather than the exception (see attached DrukAir Notification). While we are scheduled to arrive Bangkok at 1740, I strongly recommend you plan at least one overnight stop in Bangkok (by your own arrangements) to ensure you make your onward connection.
Overnight Bangkok
Day 15: Sat 12 May
Depart Bangkok for home and/or further adventures.
What is not included?
- Return airfares from your home to Bangkok, Thailand
(Please arrange these independently with your travel agent or on the web) - Visa fees ($US20) for Bhutan, departure taxes (approx $US50), festival entries.
- Personal expenses (eg drinks, laundry, shopping, tipping)
Estimated costs:
Study Tour: $US 5995
Single accommodation: $US 495 extra.
While single accommodation must be booked and paid for in advance, it cannot be guaranteed.
NB: Prices quoted are current at the time of printing but subject to change.
Accompanying Persons: Are welcome to join the tour at the per person costs above.
Booking: Bookings should be made on the attached Booking Form. Please note: places are strictly limited due to availability of accommodation, flights and desired group size. In the past these tours have filled quickly and we have not been able to offer places to everyone who wanted to go. There are many people on this year’s ‘interested list’ so please ensure you book early to avoid disappointment. To be fair places will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis of received deposits.
Tax deductibility: Please discuss this with your accountant or tax adviser. Attendance certificates will be provided
Contact details:
George Burns,
PO Box 289,
Darlington,
WA 6070,
AUSTRALIA
Email: georgeburns@iinet.net.au Web: www.georgeburns.com.au
Download Forms
Download 
Conditions of Contract in PDF 
Download Registration Form in PDF
