Yoga Retreat

Board your included flight from Bangkok to Paro and to begin your unique Bhutan yoga retreat and ten days of amazing cultural exploration.

Day One

Fly into Bhutan through the Paro Valley and spy the Pa Chu (Paro river) and Ta Dzong (watchtower)

Exit the arrivals at the airport to meet up with our guide and head out for the 1 hr drive to Thimphu

Stop to visit Tamchogg Lhakhang – one of the 108 chain link bridges built in the 15th century

Check in and unwind and relax (for a little bit)

Head to Thimpu to explore the King’s throne room and nation’s largest monastery at Tashichho Dzong

Opening yoga circle and class

Group dinner and welcome to Bhutan!

Day Two

Early morning yoga and hearty breakfast

Morning hike across the Thimphu River to the Cheri Goempa Monastery

Time to meet and learn from the monastery’s Buddhist monks and receive a special blessing

Transfer back to town for a lunch sampling the local cuisine

Explore the oldest monastery in Bhutan, Pangri Zampa, which is still in use today as a school of astrology

Return to the hotel for the evening yoga class

Group dinner at the hotel

Optional – if you’ve got the energy, head out to one of Thimpu’s dance clubs (electronic beats anyone?)

Day Three

Early morning yoga and breakfast

Visit Memorial Chorten, set up for the man popularly thought of as the Father of Modern Buddhism

Travel on to the beautiful Buddha Dodernma, one of the largest Buddha statues in the world

Sample authentic Bhutanese cuisine in a local restaurant

Visit Motithang Takin Preserve and learn the folklore and history of the takin – the national animal of Bhutan

Enjoy a hike through the preserve among the prayer flags and small temples

Afternoon visit to the National Library and the superb examples of old and new Buddhist manuscripts

Explorations of Thimphu including the Folk Heritage Museum and the school of Zorig Chusum

Evening yoga practice

Group dinner at the hotel

Day Four

Early morning yoga session and breakfast

Drive to Punakha up and down through the Dochula Pass in the gorgeous Himalayan mountains

Mid-drive stop to visit the 108 stupas at Dochu La and the Druk Wangyel Lhakhang

Hike to the Chimi Lhankhang – a temple dedicated to a great yogi known as the “Divine Madman”

Lunch at a local restaurant en route to Punakha

Explore the Punakha Dzong – the religious and government center of Punakha between the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers

Dinner at the local hotel (no evening yoga)

Day Five

Early morning yoga and breakfast at the hotel

Head out for a big day on the river rafting either the Mo Chu or Po Chu rivers

Raft through the stunning Bhutanese backdrop and by the 17th century Punakha Dzong – no experience necessary, just a willingness to paddle and get wet!

Freshening up and lunch at the hotel and a small rest

Drive to visit the Nalanda Buddhist College and walk down to Punakha Dzong on an ancient walking path

Dinner at the local hotel (no evening yoga)

Day Six

Early morning yoga and group breakfast

Drive to the suspension bridge and begin a hike to the gorgeous lhakhang of Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten

Enjoy a picnic lunch and stunning view of the valley after the hike

Visit to the Sangchhen Dorji Lhendrup Lhakhang Nunnery

Explore the beautiful statues of Avalokiteshvara, Gautama Buddha – the nunnery also acts as a center of meditation

Walk back to the hotel and enjoy the quick stroll through the pine trees and town

Evening outdoor yoga (weather dependent) at the hotel

Group dinner at the hotel

Day Seven

Early morning yoga and breakfast at the hotel

Transfer to the historic town of Paro

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in town

After lunch stroll to the National Museum

Head down a hillside trail to visit Rinpung Dzong with a commanding view of the Paro Valley

Visit Kyichu Lhakhang, the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom dating back to the 7th century

Evening yoga session at the hotel

Group dinner at the hotel

Day Eight

Get an early start this morning for breakfast

A short drive to the north of Paro Valley to Ramthankha to begin your hike to the Taktsang Monastery Tiger’s Nest

This most famous of Bhutan landmarks requires a hike of approximately 5 hours to reach the monastery

Learn the history and significance of the monastery as one of the most sacred and venerated sites in Buddhism

Hike down and head back to the hotel for a late afternoon rest

Evening yoga to unwind hiking muscles

Group dinner at the hotel

Day Nine

Early morning yoga and breakfast

Head out for a journey to Haa via the stunning scenery of the Chelela Pass

Stop along the Pass to enjoy the stunning roses, irises, rhododendrons and prayer flags

On a clear day take in stunning views of the sacred mountain of Jomothari

Enjoy a relaxed lunch in Haa at a local restaurant

Visit the main seat of Haa’s guardian deity, Ap Chundo, at Lhakhang Karpo (the White Temple)

Explore the duality of the region by following up the White Temple with the Black Chapel, Lhakhang Narpo

Built on a lake in the 7th century by Tibetan King Gampo in his mission to build 108 monasteries in a day

Head back to Paro for the adventure’s final yoga class

Group farewell dinner and (sniff) packing

Day Ten

After breakfast drive to  Paro airport for your flight to Bangkok and onward back home