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