How to Plan the Meditation Tour to Tango and Cheri Monastery in Thimphu

Lying close together in the Thimphu Valley in western Bhutan, the Cheri and Tango Monasteries are two of the most important meditation sites in the country. Stories of Padmasambhava, Avalokiteshvara, and Phajo Drugom Zhigpo surround these two monasteries, both of which have connections to the first Zhabdrung Rinpoche, Ngawang Namgyal, the unifier of Bhutan.

If you want to pay a visit to Bhutan for meditation, the two monasteries are good choices. Read the guide below to know how to plan the meditation tour to Tango and Cheri Monastery in Thimphu.

History of Tango and Cheri Monastery

Tango Monastery

The Tango Monastery was originally founded in the 13th century by Phajo Drugom Zhigpo, who was responsible for much of the early dissemination of Buddhism from the Drukpa School in Bhutan. The original temple was small, and built over the top of the meditation cave on the site. The current form of the monastery was completed by the 4th Temporal Ruler of Bhutan in the late 17th century.

Legend tells of how Avalokiteshvara revealed himself in flames to the founder of the Kagyu tradition, and informed him that the site would one day be the site of an important temple in Buddhism. The original temple on the site was even visited by the first Zhabdrung, Ngawang Namgyal, in 1616, who later unified the whole of Bhutan under one ruler.

Tango Monastery was originally founded in the 13th century.

Cheri Monastery

The Cheri Monastery, or Chagri Dorjen Monastery as it is also known, was established in 1620 by Ngawang Namgyal, just four years after visiting the sites of Cheri and Tango to meditate in the caves. The modern monastery lies over the top of one of the five known taktsang caves of Padmasambhava, who spent several months in meditation here in the 8th century.

In the 13th century, the site was visited by Phajo Drugom Zhigpo while building the temple at Tango Monastery, and after the monastery was completed, the First Zhabdrung spent three years in meditation in the temple, and used it as one of his many residences. Cheri Monastery was also the location of the founding of the first Drukpa monastic order in 1623, and the temple contains the remains of the 7th Druk Desi, who died there in 1705.

The First Zhabdrung once spent three years meditating in Cheri Monastery.

Itinerary of the Meditation Tour to Tango and Cheri Monastery

Being major meditation sites in Buddhism in Bhutan, these two monasteries are ideal as part of a longer Bhutan tour for meditation. Both monasteries require you to hike to reach them, and are perfect as two consecutive meditation sites for travelers that want to explore more of the meditation in Tibetan Buddhism.

Hike to Tango Monastery from Dodena

The monastery at Tango is not one that can be driven to, and if you are planning a trip there, you need to take the short hike up the hill to reach it. The road takes you around 14 kilometers out of Thimphu to the north, to Dodena, and from there, you can see the monastery on the hill to the east. There is a small parking lot at the bottom of the hill where the road ends and where you can leave the car, and then begin the hike up to the temple above. The trek up to the monastery follows a zigzag trail up the hill, through forests of rhododendron and oak and pine. Around 40 minutes into the hike, you come to a small stupa or chorten, from where you can get an amazing view of the monastery and meditation huts ahead, and from there it is another 20 minutes up the hill to the monastery itself.

Meditation in Tango Monastery

The Tango Monastery is one of the most important meditation sites in Thimphu, and the monastery is one of the major temples of the Drukpa Kagyu tradition in Bhutan. Six small Lhakhangs make up the monastery, and you can spend time in all of them in meditation. There are also several meditation houses in the grounds of the monastery that can be used for a fee, or you can just relax in the grounds on the top of the hill to spend your meditation in more natural surroundings.

Tango Monastery is one of the most important sites for Thimphu meditation tour.

Hike to Cheri Monastery from Tango

Lying opposite Tango Monastery, on the other side of the valley, Cheri Monastery follows part of the same route to get to, parking the car at Dodena and hiking from there. After leaving the parking lot, the trail to Cheri Monastery crosses a small cantilever bridge, and then climbs up the mossy hillside. The trail heads through forests of rhododendron and pine, climbing just 250 meters upwards from the parking lot. The climb only takes around 15 minutes, but for those that want a longer hike, you can stop at Pangri Zampa Monastery in Dechencholing, and take the longer 2-3 hour hike through the woodlands to the monastery.

Meditation in Cheri Monastery

Cheri Monastery is where monks undergo extended periods of meditation, and can often be in retreat here for up to three years at a time. While you will not be spending that long meditating, it is well worth experiencing the complete serenity that this unique monastery has to offer. The area around the temple itself is so peaceful and quiet, you would think that there were no people for hundreds of miles, and often the only thing you can see moving are the goats on the cliffs and trails. You can sit in one of the many temple buildings for your period of contemplation, or step outside into the shade of the trees, to meditate in the more natural environment.

It is well worth experiencing the complete serenity that Cheri Monastery has to offer.

More to Expect during the Meditation Tour to Tango and Cheri Monastery

Special Visit of the Tango University

The Tango University is actually closer to the Cheri Monastery than the Tango Monastery, and site just a short walk from Cheri Monastery to the northeast. The highest Buddhist learning center in Bhutan, the monks at the university undergo an intensive nine-year program of instruction. The completion of the nine-year course is followed by a meditation retreat in the nearby Cheri Monastery for a period of 3 years, 3 months, and 3 days.

Stunning Natural Scenery in Thimphu Valley

Lying where they do at the northern end of the Thimphu Valley, both Cheri and tango monasteries are set in some of the area’s most beautiful scenery and landscapes. At the farthest end of the road up the valley, the monasteries sit on the very edge of civilization, where a few steps take you into the wilds of the Bhutanese Himalayas. If you want to travel to Bhutan for its unspoiled natural landscapes, the visit to the two monasteries is to behold.

Tips for the Meditation Tour to Tango and Cheri Monastery

Wear hiking boots - The trails that lead up to the monasteries may not be long, but they are rough and steep. You need to make sure you are wearing a good pair of hiking boots to assure your grip in this rough terrain, and prevent unwarranted accidents.

Prepare sun protection - The bright sunlight in Bhutan can be harmful at the higher altitudes. So it is important to properly use the sun block when hiking up the trails.

No photography inside of temples - Photography is not permitted in the temples and monasteries in Bhutan, so you are expected to respect that rule. Leave your camera or smart phone outside or in the vehicle, as taking photos can get you into serious trouble with the police.

Dress code for visiting monastery in Bhutan - Please remember to dress conservatively while visiting monasteries and temples in Bhutan. Women should cover their shoulders and arms, and not wear shorts or short skirts, and men should be dressed appropriately, with long pants and collared shirts.

Slow down to enjoy the tour - Too many people rush around on their vacation trying to see as much as possible, yet miss out on the things they are already looking at. Bhutan is the land of laid-back-ness, so relax, take it slow, and enjoy the wonders of these amazing monasteries in the Himalaya’s most isolated kingdom.

Conclusion

Bhutan meditation tours are a great way to get closer to nature and to your own spirituality, and there are few places better to try this than in the last Shangri-La. These two stunning meditation retreats in Thimphu allow you to relax and enjoy the beauty of the surroundings, and learn more about meditation in one of the most devout Buddhist kingdoms in the world.