A Once in a Lifetime bhutan yoga retreat adventure
Bhutan,India
November 1st - 10th 2019
A Bhutan yoga adventure tour is an experience full of wonders and charms, an adventure that will inspire and enrich you for years to come.Bhutan culture is preserved by issuing only a limited number of tourist visas each year, so they are able to welcome visitors sustainably, preserving its endemic and natural beauty. In this world apart, you’ll discover a moving feast of culture, nature, and infectious local smiles. It’s an ideal destination for personal enrichment – and for deepening your yoga practice.
Your Bhutan yoga retreat will weave together the best of the country’s culture and nature. Explore ancient fortresses and temples, where you’ll mingle with monks and hang prayer flags. Bhutan hiking, Bhutan culture and Bhutan nature are all at your fingertips as you ride rapids, explore mountain trails and discover this fascinating country.
Set aside your stresses and bring your sense of wonderment and humor to this awe-inspiring place they call the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Your Bhutan adventure will take you alongside welcoming locals who measure their life and success by Gross National Happiness; not a bad way to find a little peaceful bliss of your own.
Our first nights in Bhutan grant you stunning panoramic views and a blend of natural beauty and modern comforts. Soak up the local Bhutanese artwork, the organic garden and the artful architecture of your own room, designed to enhance the sunlight and wonder of the natural scenery just outside your door.
From the river, we head to the forest and gorgeous views of the Punakha Valley below. Contemporary design melds perfectly with cultural aesthetics from the quiet of reception to the simple luxury of the rooms with their individual meditation-inspiring balconies.
Bhutanese art and culture are felt in the colors and woodwork of the awe-inspiring reception hall and in the subtle accents in each room of this 5-star, wholly Bhutanese owned, boutique hotel. Spacious rooms, all with sitting areas and balconies, include the modern comforts of wifi and heated floors for a luxury in-room experience. The hotel boasts a temple, built from the 450-year-old timber of the Gangtey Monastery, on the second floor and an outdoor Meditation and Tea House to complete the beauty out-of-doors. Noted as one of National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World, your stay is a stunning way to end your time in Bhutan.
Thimphu
Punakha
Paro
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Venue
Details
November 1-10th, Yoga Retreat Adventure Duration:
10 Days / 9 Nights Starting at Sta $6995US per person double occupancy, $8995US per single occupancy. Meals, room, excursions, yoga and flight from Bangkok included.
what's included
Ten days in-country with an expert local English speaking guide
Bhutan visa and permit management
Round trip flight from Bangkok to Bhutan
Breakfast each morning at our hotels
All lunches including local eateries and picnic(s)
All dinners in a local restaurant or at our hotels
Morning and evening yoga on most days (please see the full itinerary for yoga schedule)
Three nights luxury boutique hotel in Thimphu
Three nights luxury boutique hotel in Punakha
Three nights luxury boutique hotel in Paro
Full day excursion and hike to the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery
White water rafting on the Mo Chu River
Nature encounter with Bhutan’s national animal, the takin, at the Motithang Takin Preserve
Hike to the Cheri Goempa Monastery
Visit with Buddhist monks and individual blessing (if desired)
Opportunity to hang your own prayer flag
Explore Pangri Zampa Monastery
Up close and personal with one of the worlds largest Buddha statue – the Buddha Dodernma
Explore Chimi Lhakhang – the temple of the “Divine Madman”
Drive through and time to explore the Chelala Pass’s vibrant flora and views of Mt. Jomolhari
Day trip to Haa
Visit to Lhakhang Karpo (the White Temple) and Lhakhang Narpo (the Black Chapel)
All entry fees for the above sights and additional activities as listed on the itinerary
Flights to Bangkok, Thailand (BKK)
Any video or still camera fees assessed by the monuments or places of interest
Alcohol
Gratuities (for your Bhutanese guide – all other gratuities are covered)
Items of a personal nature (phone calls, souvenirs, spa services, etc)
Travel Insurance (required)
WHAT's Not included
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schedule
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 14th 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
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?)
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
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)
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)
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
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
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
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
Group breakfast and final Bhutan goodbyes
Transfer to the Paro airport for your flight to Bangkok and onward back home
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 4
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Concerns/Questions about the Yoga? janet@soulcityyoga.com
Questions about the trip’s logistics and details? courtney@thetravelyogi.com
https://thetravelyogi.com/adventures/bhutan/
Registration
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