Meditation Tour

Day 01| Thimphu

Your flight to Bhutan (Paro) is considered to be world’s most spectacular flight crossing over beautiful Himalayas.  If one is staying near the window side, one can see Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makula, and other high peaks such as Jumolhari. You will be welcome by green beautiful Paro valley with eye catching gigantic dzong (fortress) of Paro. Upon reaching, Bhutan Inner Peace Travel’s Representative will be there to escort you. Transfer to Thimphu by car/bus.

Day 02| Thimphu Sightseeing

Morning start your day with good breakfast and cup of coffee/tea. Your first sightseeing will be National Memorial Chorten (Stupa) built in memory of the late 3^rd King or also he was known as father of Modern Bhutan to we Bhutanese.  Buddha view point from where you will be amazed to see paranomic view of Thimphu city and also it will be world’s tallest sitting Buddha with height of 51.50m/169ft tall once it is completed. Visit the weekend market (Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday) or drive to School of Arts and crafts where students learn 13 different arts used predominantly in Bhutan,. Lunch in the town. After lunch visit Changangkha Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the valley, Enclosure where national animal, Takin are kept and Zilukha Nunnery. In the evening visit Trashichhoe dzong (Palace of Glorious religion) which holds office of the king and cabinet ministers.

In the evening a high Buddhist priest can be invited to join the group for prayer and mediation sessions in the conference room of the hotel.

Overnight: Thimphu

Day 03| Thimphu – Punakha (3 ½ hrs)

Start your morning with good breakfast and tea because today your journey will be little bit longer but you will be amazed by beautiful landscapes on the way. Proceed towards Punakha by crossing through Dochula pass, the second highest road pass in your trip at elevation of 3010m. If weather permits one can enjoy a spectacular view of the highest mountains of Bhutan at a sight that stretches almost 180 degrees. The pass is decorated with beautiful 108 Druk Wangyel Chorten.  After a short tea break continue to sub tropical Punakha. Afternoon visit Chimi Lhakhang (temple of fertility): take a short hike through the rice field to the temple, the 15^th-century monastery built on a ridge or small mountain top which was believed to have been built after Lam Drukpa Kuenley and also known as Divine Madman who have subdued a powerful demoness there. The temple is also famous as many barren couples come to seek blessing for a child.

Later on visit Punakha dzong which is also known as palace of Great Bliss/Happiness. The dzong stands magnificently on the spit of land between two rivers Phochhu (male) and Mochhu (Female) which literally looks like gigantic anchored ship in itself. Inside the main shrine area of the dzong one can mediate for few minutes.  After dzong, take an exciting walk across the one of a kind suspension bridge crossing Pho Chhu (male). One feels like its great place to do bunchy jumping when you are on the bridge.

Overnight: Punakha | Altitude: 1350m

Day 04| Punakha – Phobjikha (2 ½ hrs)

In the morning after breakfast proceed towards Phobjikha valley also known as valley of black necked crane en route by Wangdue and continue to Phobjikha over the highest road pass on your trip at 3140m.Visit Gangtey Gompa, the largest and the only monastery of the Nyingmapa sect in western Bhutan then enjoy famous nature walk known as Gangtey Natural Trail which is stretch of 4km/2.48miles which takes 1-2 hrs approximately, hike down from the Monastery crossing small stream by enrouting village, blue pine forest and stop at the canopy for sometime to have a lovely view of Phobjikha valley.

Later upon completing the hike one can mediate in small temple at the end of the hike.

A Buddhist priest will be arranged for meditation sessions.

Overnight: Phobjikha | Altitude: 2900m

Day 05| Phobjikha – Paro (6 hrs.)

Start early retracing the drive to Paro. Upon reaching Paro break for Lunch and then hike up to 17 century Paro Dzong (Fortress) on foot by crossing the old traditional cantilever wooden bridge (Nymizampa) which is still in use today after that visit National Museum, the first of its kind which has a collection from natural history to religious paintings. Evening stroll old Paro town and peep into some local handicrafts stores.

Overnight: Paro | Altitude: 2200m

Day 06| Paro Sightseeing

Start your morning with good breakfast and cup of tea as today you will be hiking to the one of the most iconic monastery in the country to the Taktshang monastery (Tiger’s Nest). The hike will take around 2-3 hours approx depending upon pace of walk and breaks one takes but surely one will be amazed by scenery down below to the valley and will not be able to restrain from taking pictures. Taktshang or Tiger’s Nest clings to a huge granite cliff hanging at 900m from the Paro vally. Legends says that the Indian Tantric Buddhist master known as Guru Padma Sambhava came here during  8^th century on a flying tigress and meditated here in a cave for 3 months, thereby subduing the evil force that was creating hurdle for the spread of Buddhism.

Visit Kyichu Lhakhang one of the oldest temple in the country which is believed to have been built during 8^th century by the Tibetan King Songson Gompo who was instructed to built 108 temples with thin one day as legend says there was giant Oggress who was creating hurdle for the spread of Buddhism in the Himalayan country so in order to pin down the demoness thus two temples were built in our country, one in Paro Kyichu Lhakhang and another at Bumthang Jambey Lhakhang. These two temples were built in same day.

Evening stroll old Paro town and peep into some local handicrafts stores and also if you like your guide will be arranging hot stone bath as it will be relieving experience especially after the hike.

Overnight: Paro

Day 07| Departure:

After breakfast Bhutan Inner Peace Travel’s representative will escort you till the airport and bid you farewell at the airport.