8 Days In-Depth West Bhutan Meditation Tour

Highlights: Arrive in Paro and enjoy your leisure time in the town.

Welcome to Bhutan, the land of the “Thunder Dragon”.

Upon your arrival at Paro International Airpor, your local guide and driver will meet you at the arriving hall of the airport. And they will have a brief introduction about themselves. Then you will be transferred to the hotel to check in and enjoy your leisure time in the town.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Paro city leisure time

Highlights: Visit landmarks including Ta Dzong Museum and Rinpung Dzong, and meditate in Kyichu Lhakhang.

This first landmark in Paro you will visit is the Ta Dzong Museum, the national museum located on the hill behind the Paro Dzong. It houses many fine arts, religious relics, handicrafts, as well as textiles, jewelry etc., offering a great orientation into Bhutan’s historical, cultural, and religious past.

Then, you will go to visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, which was built during the seventh century. You can do meditation in the Kyichu Temple, and the Buddhist master in the monastery will guide you.

After that, you will go to explore the famous Paro Rinpung Dzong. It is a large Dzong, Buddhist monastery and fortress built in 17th Century to protect Paro valley. Rinpung Dzong houses the district Monastic Body and government administrative offices of Paro Dzongkhag.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Visit Paro Rinpung Dzong

Highlights: Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery and do meditation.

In the morning after breakfast, you will start your hike to Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest Monastery. You will spend 5 to 6 hours for the hike.

As you approach the monastery, you will come across forests of prayer flags. This site will already prepare you for mediation at the holy place. After lunch, you can start today's first meditation. The place is naturally conducive for meditation having been blessed by several enlightened beings in the past.

Then you will continue hiking up to Taktshang Monastery, one of the greatest holy places associated with Guru Rinpoche in the entire Himalayan region. It's calm and tranquil, the physical environment most suited for meditation.

After exploring the monastery, you will begin your return tour to Paro.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Meditation in Tiger's Nest Monastery

Highlights: Visit the National Memorial Chorten, Buddha Dordenma and Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu.

Today, you will be transferred to Thimphu (2,350m), the capital city of Bhutan. Covering a total distance of nearly 54 kilometers, it will take you about 1 hour to get to Thimphu from Paro (2,250m).

After arriving at Thimphu, your guide will help you check in the hotel. Later, you will pay a visit to National Memorial Chorten, which was built in memorial of King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the third King of Bhutan in 1974. After that, you can explore Tashichho Dzong, the eminent fortress where the national government and central monastic body are located. In addition, here sits the summer residence of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot of Bhutan.

Thereafter, you will head to visit Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park. Here, you can see the 169 feet bronze statue of Buddha Dordenma, Vajra Throne Buddha, one of the largest statue of Buddha in the world.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Visit Buddha Dordenma

Highlights: Hike to Tango and Cheri Monastery and do meditation.

Today's itinerary will take you to the Tango and Cheri Monastery. The two monasteries are located north of Thimphu on two adjacent hills.

You will first visit the Tango Monastery and interact with the monks who all speak English. The Tango Monastery for Buddhist Institutes is an hour walk uphill through well-maintained pathways. Tango was founded by Lama Gyalwa Lhanama in the 13th Century and its present structure built by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye in 1688. The Tango Monastery covers the caves where originally meditation and miracles were performed by saints from the 12th Century onwards.

Next, you will visit the Cheri Monastery also another one and a half hour hike uphill. Also called as Chagri Dorjeden, the Monastery was established in 1620 by Lama Zhabdrung. Cheri was the first of a series of monasteries built by Lama Zhabdrung, the saint who unified Bhutan. Presently the Monastery serves as a major teaching, meditation and retreat center.

Stay overnight at the meditation house above Cheri monastery.

Hike to Tango Monastery

Highlights: Meditate at Dochula Pass and visit Punakha Dzong and Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten in Punakha.

Today, you will drive from Thimphu to Punakha (1,242m). The distance between Thimphu to Punakha is 71 kilometers, and it will take you 3 hours to get there. One the way, you will have an excellent opportunity to enjoy the panoramic view of the solemn Bhutan Himalaya Ranges and even take photos at the impressive collection of 108 chortens at Dochula Pass (3,140m).

You can do self-meditation on the top of Dochula Pass, have hot tea at Dochula cafe, and then continue your drive to the warm valley of Punakha. After arriving at Punakha, you will head to visit the Punakha Dzong. Standing by the riverside of Pho Chu and Mo Chu, Punakha Dzong is one of the most impressive buildings and one of the top favorite attractions in Bhutan. Moreover, the rectangular shape fortress is also an honorable treasury where preserves numerous Buddhist relics and historical legacies.

After witnessing the superb Punakha Dzong, you will continue to visit Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. It sits majestically on a ridge above Punakha valley with an amazing view of the countryside and the hills below.

Stay overnight in Punakha.

Punakha Dzong

Highlights: Visit Chimi Lhakhang and Wangdue Dzong.

Today, you will get up early to explore Chimi Lhakhang, also known as Chime Monastery, is a beautiful Buddhist monastery located in the Punakha District of Bhutan. It stands on a small round hillock close to the village of Lobesa and was built in 1499 by the 14th Drukpa hierarch, Ngawang Choegyel. The place offers you a peaceful background which is perfect to enjoy meditation. After that, the car will drive you back to Paro from Punakha.

You will stop at the Wangdue Dzong, founded by Zhandrung in 1639. Situated on a hill commanding a breath-taking view of the valley, it is believed that Bhutan’s protective deity, Yeshey Gonpo told Shabdrug Rimpoche that if he constructs a dzong on this ridge, he would be able to command the entire country.

Have your lunch at Thimphu before driving further to Paro.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Visit Chimi Lhakhang

After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to Paro International Airport for your next destination.

The tour services end.