ITINERARY OVERVIEW
DAY 01: ARRIVE PARO
DAY 02: PARO
DAY 03: PARO – TAKTSANG
DAY 04: TAKTSANG (Meditation sessions)
DAY 05: TAKTSANG (Meditation sessions)
Day 06: PARO – THIMPHU
DAY 07: THIMPHU – PARO
DAY 08: DEPART PARO
Bhutan is the abode of gods and home to the immortals in the Himalayas. Apart from the majesty and grandeur of the natural surroundings, it has a special environment where communion with the divine is possible through contemplation and meditation. Since time immemorial, ascetics, scholars, philosophers and pilgrim have been drawn to Bhutan’s remote and rugged mountains to search for wisdom, inspiration, solitude and happiness.
This Bhutan Meditation Tour includes meditation close by to the spectacular Taktsang Monastery. Please be aware that Taktsang is a sacred and active monastery, and meditation inside the monastery is not possible. Guests will instead meditate inside a nearby campsite. This is an amazing opportunity to move into a deeper state of awareness at this incredible location where Guru Rimpoche himself is said to have meditated in 747 AD. Following the meditation sessions, there will be time to visit some of the sacred sites and highlights of Paro and Thimphu.
NOTE: To be part of this tour you must be a genuine Buddhist, and the letter of authentication must be produced from the concerned organization or the group to which you belong.
BHUTAN TOUR DATES:
All of our Bhutan tours are private, tailor-made journeys for independent travel on dates of your choosing. We can easily customise your Bhutan tour to spend more in the places doing the activities that you are interested in. Please click on the 'Tailor-Design This Bhutan Tour' tab above to begin customising this tour to your requirements. This tour can be experienced all year around.
WHAT WE INCLUDE IN OUR TAILOR MADE BHUTAN TOURS:
• Airfares in and out of Bhutan including taxes.
• Bhutan Tourist Tariff Royalty & Visa fees.
• All private excursions and transfers in superior air-conditioned vehicle.
• Local English speaking guide/tour leader.
• Experienced driver.
• Accommodation in carefully selected, highest standard goverment approved hotels & guesthouses.
• All meals in Bhutan.
• All entrance fees and permits.
NOT INCLUDED:
• All personal expenses such as bars, beverages, laundry, telephone and tips.
• Medical / Travel Insurance.
DETAILED ITINERARY
DAY 01: ARRIVE PARO
DAY 02: PARO
DAY 03: PARO – TAKTSANG
DAY 04: TAKTSANG (Meditation sessions)
DAY 05: TAKTSANG (Meditation sessions)
Day 06: PARO – THIMPHU
DAY 07: THIMPHU – PARO
DAY 08: DEPART PARO
DAY 01: ARRIVE PARO
The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular mountain flights in the world, with a constantly changing panorama of some of the highest mountains on earth. Our Bhutan Travel Bureau representative will meet you at Paro airport exit doors following customs formalities.
Following lunch, visit 7th Century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples constructed by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo, and one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. Inside there is a great golden image of Buddha Shakyamuni. Attend a special purification ceremony at the temple performed by monks. This ceremony is mainly performed to purify and to bring good luck to you for your trip in Bhutan.
Afterwards drive to the ruins of the 17th Century Drukgyel Dzong, an historic monument built by the Shabdrung to commemorate his victory against invading Tibetans in 1644. In fine weather the towering peak of the sacred Mount Jomolhari (7314m) appears as a stunning backdrop. Before dinner at the hotel there will be an orientation on Bhutanese etiquette by your guide. Overnight at your hotel in Paro.
DAY 02: PARO
Today you will enjoy sightseeing around Paro, including a visit to the National Museum, Ta Dzong. This museum houses many religious relics, works of art and handicrafts offering a great orientation into Bhutan’s historical, cultural, and religious past. Next, visit the Rimpong Dzong to see the painting of the great saint Milarepa, considered as the master of meditation by the Bhutanese and believed to have attained enlightenment in a lifetime. Dzong’s are large monasteries and district administrative centres, which were once strategic forts. The Rimpong Dzong is one of Bhutan’s most impressive and well known Dzong’s and amongst the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture you will see. Afterwards walk to the beautiful cantilever wooden bridge still in use. Afterwards take a leisurely stroll through downtown Paro. Overnight at your hotel in Paro.
DAY 03: PARO – TAKTSANG (Camping)
After breakfast hike to Taktsang Monastery. The trail is broad and the walk of approximately 1.5 to 2 hours uphill takes you high above the Paro valley. The view of Taktsang Monastery built on a sheer cliff face 900 metres above the valley floor is a spectacular sight. It is a great pilgrim site for Buddhists and also one of the most sacred sites in the Himalayan world. Opposite the Monastery is a viewpoint with a teahouse where you can stop for lunch or a snack. Beyond the viewpoint, the path is narrow and steep as it climbs to a spot above the temple from where the decent begins along the wall of the precipice. A bridge leads on to the entrance of Taktsang Monastery.
The main deity of Taktsang is Dorje Drolo, the wrathful form of Guru Rinpoche also known as Padmasambhava .The great tantric mystic is said to have flown here on the back of a tigress, a manifestation of his consort Yeshi Tsogyal, when he brought the teachings of the Buddhist Dharma to Bhutan in the 8th Century. The image of Dorje Drolo inside the temple is shown standing on a tigress. There are 13 sacred sites at Taktsang, and several meditation caves in the cliffs above. Many saints have meditated here including Guru Rinpoche, Milarepa and the female yogin Machig Labdronma. Overnight at campsite near the Taktsang Monastery.
DAY 04: TAKTSANG (Meditation)
Meditation sessions conducted at an idyllic location at the campsite near the Taktsang Monastery .
DAY 05: TAKTSANG (Meditation)
Meditation sessions conducted at an idyllic location at the campsite near the Taktsang Monastery .
DAY 06: PARO – THIMPHU
This morning after breakfast, walk the trail back down to the vehicle from Taktsang to depart for Thimphu. The capital is 2 hours drive from Paro following the Pachu River. At the confluence where the Thimphu River meets the Paro River, we will stop to look at three stone chortens (monuments) built in the Tibetan, Nepalese and Bhutanese style. Chortens are built to ward off and subdue evil spirits and are also used as trail markers.
After checking into your hotel and enjoying some lunch, visit the School for Arts and Crafts where students are taught to master the 13 types of Bhutanese arts. Other sites to visit include: the post office to view some of Bhutan’s beautiful stamps, The National Library housing the collection of Bhutanese scriptures dating back to the 8th century, and a replica of a medieval farmhouse at the Folk Heritage Museum. If there is time, you may also visit the nursing pen for the Takin, the national animal of Bhutan and Tashichhodzong. Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.
DAY 07: THIMPHU – PARO
Today begins with a visit to the National Memorial Chorten depicting the Buddhist faith in form of paintings and statues. This temple was first initiated by the Third King as a protection from the negative elements of modernization. The Royal Queen Mother completed it as a memorial stupa for the third King who passed away in the year 1972. Also visit 12th Century Changangkha temple and Semtokha Dzong, the oldest Dzong in Bhutan built by Shabdrung Ngwang Namgyal in 1627. After lunch depart for Paro to enjoy your afternoon visiting the downtown area, or simply enjoying some time to relax at your hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
DAY 08: DEPART PARO
Breakfast in the hotel, then drive to the airport for flight to your onward destination.
Tashi Delek!
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS BHUTAN TOUR
The Bhutan Meditation Tour includes meditation sessions close by to the spectacular Taktsang Monastery. This Feature Tour also visits significant historical and sacred sites throughout the beautiful Paro Valley, and Thimphu, Bhutan's capital.
• Experience meditation close by to where Guru Rimpoche is said to have meditated in 747 AD.
• Hike up to the sacred Taktsang Monastery, perched on a cliff 900m above the valley floor.
• Marvel at the elaborate and ancient wall paintings and carvings in Dzongs and temples.
• Discover some of the most sacred Buddhist monasteries and temples in the Himalaya.
• Visit many cultural attractions including medieval fortresses (Dzongs), markets and museums.
• Traverse beautiful landscapes from lush valleys to dense forests.
• Incorporate a Value-Added Option such as additional meditation sessions with a monk.
For information on locations visited, please click on the tabs below.
Paro
Paro (2,250m), the site of Bhutan’s only airport, is set amongst the pastoral beauty of Paro Valley, a broad valley fertile with paddy, wheat, millet, potatoes, apple and seasonal vegetables grown as the main crops. Located close to downtown Paro is the imposing Paro Dzong, also known as Rinpung Dzong, built in 1645 by the Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (Unifier of Bhutan). Located on a hill behind the Paro Dzong is Ta Dzong, the National Museum housed in an ancient 17th century watchtower and featuring a fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings and Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps. Another Paro Valley highlight includes the incredible monastery of Taktsang, also known as the Tiger's Nest perched on a sheer rock cliff 900m above the Paro Valley floor. The Tiger’s Nest owes its name to the 8th century saint Guru Rinpoche who, according to myth, visited here mounted on a flying tiger. Other interesting options are the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong with its magnificent views of Mount Jumolhari and 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang.
Thimphu
Bhutan’s capital city of Thimphu (2,350m) is a fascinating blend of the old and the new. Zoning regulations have retained the forms and motifs of Bhutan’s traditional architecture giving the city a wonderful structural harmony. The capital’s most striking visual landmark is Tashichhodzong, the seat of the Royal Government and Central Monastic Body. Semtokha Dzong is the kingdom’s oldest Dzong, whilst The National Memorial Chorten is an important temple completed by The Royal Queen Mother as a memorial stupa for the Third King who passed away in 1972. The Royal School of the Performing Arts, the School of Traditional Painting and the Institute of Traditional Medicine offer visitors an amazing insight into Bhutanese culture. Other attractions include 12th century Changangkha Temple, Drubthob Monastery housing the Zilukha Nunnery, the National Library housing a rare collection of Buddhist scriptures, the lively weekend market and the 169 foot bronze statue of Buddha overlooking the city. Nearby sites include Tango and Cheri Monasteries.
