11 Days West to Central Bhutan Meditation Tour

Highlights: Arrive in Paro and visit the National Memorial Chorten, Buddha Dordenma and Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu.

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 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.

Thimphu National Memorial Chorten

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: Cross two mountain passes with scenic views and visit Chendebji Chorten.

Today, we will set out in the early morning after breakfast and travel to Bumthang (2700m). Covering a distance of 197 kilometers, it will take you 7 hours to get to Bumthang from Punakha. The on-the-route scenery is amazing, the bus will take you to lush forests of oaks and pine trees and you can see view changes as you ascend the mountain. Get a fantastic panoramic view from the Pele La Pass (3300 m).

Meanwhile, the open green meadows with rhododendron ridden valleys will lead you to visit Chendebji Chorten, a large Nepalese style chorten sits quietly by the side of the road. The chorten is modeled after the Swayambhunath in Kathmandu. It is said that Chendebji Chorten was built in the 19th century by Lama Zhida to cover the remains of an evil spirit who was killed at this spot.

Continue your drive to Bumthang by passing through Yotong La Pass (3400 m). The route during this section takes you to the Yathra Waving Center at Zugney village where you can witness the locals waving Yathra, a name that refers to the colorful and woolen cloth with geometric design in Bhutanese. Then the bus takes you further to Bumthang Valley.

Stay overnight in Bumthang.

Chendebji Chorten

Highlights: Visit landmarks in Bumthang like Tamshing Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang and Jakar Dzong.

Today, you will enjoy a sightseeing in Bumthang. Deep in the central regions of the country, Bumthang valley is broad and presents a different landscape you may not see in west Bhutan. You will first visit Tamshing Lhakhang, which famous for its collections of printings exemplifying the region’s style. Then crossing the suspension bridge to the Kurjey Lhakhang. Not far from Kurjey Lhakhang sits the Jambay Lhakhang, a temple built by the King Songtsen Goempo of Tibet in the 7th century. Next, you will continue to visit Jakar Dzong, a wonderful architecture in Bhutan, with a circumference of more than 1500 meters.

Stay overnight in Bumthang.

Kurjey Lhakhang

Highlights: Hike to Tharpaling Monastery or Petsheling Monastery to do meditation.

Hike to Tharpaling Monastery or Petsheling Monastery with picnic hot lunch. The main part of the Tharpaling Monastery was founded by Longchenpa. This monastery was also used as place of meditation by Jikmé Lingpa, Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche and Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.

The Petsheling Monastery Monastery was established in 1769 by the first Petsheling lama, Drubthob Namgyel Lhendup (1718-1786) who came from Chapcha, south of Thimphu and spent part of his life in Tibet. There he became accomplished in subduing evil spirits and repelling enemis.

You can mediate or relax in a monastery, offering very peaceful surroundings.

Stay overnight in Bumthang.

Highlights: Explore Probjikha valley and visit Gangtey Monastery.

After breakfast, you will start your journey to Wangdue. The distance between Bumthang and Gangtey is about 197 kilometers, which will take you 6 hours. On the way, the bus will first make a temporary stop at Gangtey Monastery, a can-not-miss monastery of Nyingmapa school of Buddhism. Then drive towards the Phobjikha valley which is one part of the beautiful Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park.

During the winter, a large flock of black-necked cranes, the endangered species, gather there to escape from the chilly weather. Besides, the forest covered mountains around the valley have been widely accepted as the most remote areas where only the rarely seen nomadic shepherds and yak herders can find the trails.

In the afternoon, you will have plenty of time exploring the Phobjikha valley and visiting the Black Necked Crane Center.

Stay overnight in Gangtey.

Visit Gangtey Monastery

Highlights: Enjoy special spiritual experience in Gangtey.

In the early morning, you will visit Gangtey Shedra, a monastic school, for Morning Prayer. After that, you go back to hotel and have breakfast.

Then you will have a short morning trek known as the “Gangte Nature Trail”, which takes only about 1.5 hours, starting from the mani stone wall to the north of the Gangtey Monastery and ending in Khewa Lhakhang. This is a good chance to enjoy the enchanting natural scenery and breathe the incredibly fresh air in Phobjikha Valley. Later, make time to meet the Khenpo/trulku to discuss and ask some clarification about your spiritual quest.

In the afternoon, you have your own free time to stroll around the valley. In the evening, you will visit again to Gangtey Shedra for Meditation Class and evening prayer.

Stay overnight in Gangtey.

Highlights: Drive back to Paro and visit Simtokha Dzong and Paro Rinpung Dzong.

Today, you will get up early and say farewell to the charming Gangtey valley. About a 5-hour drive will bring you back to Paro. You will encounter the Simtokha Dzong en route. Built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, Simtokha Dzong is often said to be the first dzong in Bhutan.

In the afternoon, your guide will bring you to visit the imposing Paro Rinpung Dzong, also named as Paro Dzong, a fortress once built to defend the valley from invasions. However, it now serves as an administration center and school for monks.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Simtokha 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

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.