YOGA

Day 1- Arrival to Paro International Airport, transfer to Thimphu

Distance: 53Kms / 32miles

Drive Time: 1 hour approx.

Altitude: 2350m / 7709ft

On arrival at Paro international airport, our representative will welcome you and drive you to your hotel in Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. The drive takes you through the picturesque winding road along the Paro River.

After settling into your hotel, the day in Thimphu offers many options to explore the culture, religion and beautiful forests of the bustling capital.

We have handpicked a few places to see on the first day in the country. We will keep it easy so you can acclimatize with altitude.

 Changangkha Lhakhang, the popular temple is visited every day by many Bhutanese parents in particular to obtain an auspicious name for their newborn or blessing for their young children from the protector deity Thamdrin.

 National Memorial Chorten is a Tibetan-style chorten built in 1974 in memory of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk who passed away in 1972.

 Zilukha nunnery home to the nuns is located beautifully on the slopes overlooking the golf course and Tashicho Dzong. The name of the nunnery is Drubthob Goemba monastery named after the founder Druthob Thangtong Gyalpo or Drubthob Chakzampa. Who is well known all over the Tibetan Buddhist world for building iron bridges.

In the evening you will meet your yoga teacher and she will be available to join you for dinner and give you more insight on the yoga retreat journey.

Day 2- In Thimphu

Altitude: 2,350m / 7709ft

Your morning will begin with yoga practice with Pradnya who has traveled the world teaching and learning yoga.

After breakfast, we will go around and see some beautiful sites in the city that will give you more insights into Bhutan’s culture and tradition.

You will first stop at the Jungshi Paper Factory situated on the other side of the river. The art of handmade paper in Bhutan dates back to the 8^th century, although usage was limited mainly to religious purposes. Today it is considered an important element in the preservation of Bhutan’s cultural heritage. The factory allows guests to view the papermaking process and purchase samples and gift items from their shop.

Next stop at Bhutan Postal Museum to get a brief explanation on the history of communication and postal services in Bhutan. You can also make your own stamp with your favorite picture, bring an image on a USB stick to avoid the line outside the photographer’s studio.

National Textile Museum was inaugurated in 2001 by her Majesty Gyalum (Queen Mother) Sangay Choden Wangchuck. With the aim to preserve and promote this living art, the Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan was instituted in May 2005 as a non-government, nonprofit organization. It showcases some of the best royal dresses and crowns with a brief introduction about Bhutan’s Kings.

Authentic Bhutanese Craft is Bhutan’s first ever craft market in Thimphu town, a spectacle of traditional bamboo huts, aligned neatly below Norzin Lam, opposite to Nehru Wangchuk Cultural Centre.

The Public Library on Norzin Lam, the main street, is open to the general public and holds a selection of Bhutanese and international books.

The National Library was established in 1967 to promote the Kingdom’s religion and culture and preserve the same from degradation during the country’s current stage rapid modern development.

The Folk Heritage Museum is a restored three-story traditional rammed mud and timber house inaugurated as a museum by Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk in 2001.

Lunch will be served at the Folk Heritage Museum Restaurant serving authentic Bhutanese dining experience with traditional décor and valuable artifacts on display in the restaurant. All the dishes will be served in the beautiful handmade wooden bowls and plates.

Zorig Chusum is the national institute for the Kingdom’s thirteen traditional arts and painting school, which was initiated to preserve and promote culture and to contribute to the country’s economy through the production in quality products and services.

The National Institute of Traditional Medicine was established in 1967 in order to preserve the verbally transmitted healing traditions of Bhutan.

Your last stops for the day touring Thimphu will be at the Motithang Takin Preserve, which is like a small zoo. Takin is the national animal of Bhutan.

The day will end with a nightly yoga practice to calm and center the mind for a restful night’s sleep.

Day 3- Transfer to Punakha Valley

Distance: 76kms / 47 miles

Drive Time: 2.5 hours approx.

Altitude: 1300m / 4265ft

We will have our early morning yoga session followed by breakfast and then our onward journey to Punakha.

We will make our first stop at Simtokha Dzong, the first fortress in Bhutan that was built in 1629.

The Dochula Pass offers a 360-degree of a beautiful panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain range, especially on clear winter days.

Next Druk Wangyal Lhakhang temple which was completed in 2008 and is a popular tourist spot to visit, along with one of the most beautiful sights in all of Bhutan.

Chimi Lhakhang built in 1499 is dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kinley, also known as the “Divine Madman” or the “Mad Saint”, who advocated the use of phallus symbols as paintings on walls and carved wooden phalluses on housetops.

After settling into your hotel, we will have our nightly yoga class something very simple and to calm your inner self after a long day.

Day 4- In Punakha

Altitude: 1300m / 4265ft

We will start with our early morning yoga class followed by breakfast.

Punakha valley has one of the most beautiful fortresses in the country which will be our first stop.

The majestic Punakha Dzong, also known as “the palace of great happiness or bliss” is the second largest Dzong in Bhutan and was constructed on the 8th day and 8th month of the Fire Ox year in 1673. Then explore the longest suspension Bridge in Bhutan, built over the Pho Chhu (river), serving as the main thoroughfare between Punakha town and the surrounding villages.

We will do an hour-long hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, which is a splendid four-story temple. Khumsum Chorten stands majestically on the hill above the Punakha Valley, pays tribute to the gorgeous traditions of Bhutanese architecture while offering respect and care for His Majesty the King.

End the day with Yin yoga practice with our Yogi Pradnya.

Day 5- Travel to Paro

Distance: 143kms / 88 miles

Drive Time: 4.5 hours approx.

Altitude: 2250m / 7382ft

This morning we will have Gokul Vinyasa teaching which a combination of asana pranayama and meditation.

We will drive back to Paro today and do some cultural tour in the Paro valley. We will visit the Ta Dzong, once a watchtower built to defend Rinpung Dzong during inter-valley wars of the 17^th century.

Just a short stroll below lays the dominating Paro Dzong, a premier example of Bhutan’s architecture.

From the Dzong, a leisurely walk back into town crosses the scenic Nyamai Zampa (Bridge), a unique model of Bhutan’s traditional cantilever bridge. Continue to the town temples, Tshongdue Lhakhang and Drukchholing Lhakhang, with their fascinating altars and paintings. The wall paintings and unique design of Dungtse Lhakhang plus a visit to the revered Kyichu Lhakhang, which pins down the left foot of a treacherous Ogress. We will arrange a butter lamp offering for you to mark a great finish to this day of cultural immersion. 

In the evening we will have our yoga classes with our teacher Pradnya. 

Day 6- Prayer flag hoisting at Chelela

Drive Time: 2 hours approx.

Driving Distance: 36.8kms / 22.8 miles

Altitude: 3988m / 13100 ft.

We will start the morning with some mediation followed by Gokul Hatha yoga.

After breakfast, we will drive to one of the highest passes in the country to hoist prayer flags for happiness, long life, prosperity, luck, and merits. The colors used in the prayer flags follow the concept of ‘Kham’which is the five characteristic birth elements that determine an individual’s dominant personality. Your guide will accompany you to a shop that sells prayer flags. You will get an insight into and an interpretation of your birth element.

We will arrange a beautiful picnic lunch at the scenic Chele la. You can either choose to drive back or hike back to Paro valley.

In the evening we will have another session of Gokul Hatha yoga to refresh and relax your mind and your soul.

Day 7- Hike to Tiger’s Nest 

Today we will only have a meditation class in the morning.

After breakfast, we will hike to Taktsang Monastery and later visit Drukgyel Dzong. Perched on the side of a vertical cliff at 3000 m altitude, north of Paro, the beautiful Taktsang Monastery, also known as the ‘Tiger’s Nest”, is the most famous, unofficial symbol of Bhutan. The Drukgyel Dzong was an administrative center till 1951 until a fire caused by a butter lamp engulfed the Dzong and completely destroyed it.

Hike Duration: 4.5 hours approx.

After lunch at the farmhouse, we will drive to Drukgyel Dzong built in 1647.

We will have an easy yoga class concentrating on slower breathing and simpler movements that will give you a blissful state of mind.

Day 8- Departure 

We will have one more morning yoga class before packing up and heading out. Wishing you a pleasant flight and onward journey.

NAMASTE!

Cost and Dates: 

The cost will entirely depend on your preference of accommodations and any other special request.

You can choose your dates at the time of booking.

Please email us for more details.