10 Days Central Bhutan Meditation Tour

Highlight: Visit landmarks in Paro including Ta Dzong, Kyichu Lhakhang, and Paro Rinpung Dzong after arriving in this amazing city by flight.

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

Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be picked up by your tour guide at the airport and then escorted to the hotel. After a short rest, you will go to tour the Paro city.

First, you will visit Ta Dzong, the national museum located on the hill behind the Paro Dzong. It houses many fine arts, religious relics, handicrafts, textiles, jewelry, etc. You can get a glimpse of Bhutan’s rich history, culture, and religion.

Then, you will head to the Kyichu Lhakhang, which is one of the 108 temples constructed by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century. Built in a manner similar to the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, Tibet, it has the great golden image of Buddha Shakyamuni.

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

Stay overnight in Paro.

Visit Paro Rinpung Dzong

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 in Thimphu, your guide will assist you in checking into the hotel. Later, you will visit the National Memorial Chorten, which was built in memory 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-foot bronze statue of Buddha Dordenma, Vajra Throne Buddha, one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Visit Buddha Dordenma

Highlights: Cross Yotongla Pass and transfer to Bumthang.

After breakfast, you are going to have a long drive from Thimphu to Bumthang, about 8 hours. But the journey is going to be filled with memorable sights.

En route, you’ll cross two high mountain passes: Dochula Pass at 3,150m, located between Thimphu and Punakha, and Yotongla Pass at 3,400m, situated between Trongsa and Bumthang. Dochula Pass offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. However, due to the long journey and the potential fatigue for those unaccustomed to extended road trips, we won’t have much time to linger today.

Stay overnight in Bumthang.

Dochu La Pass

Highlights: Visit Kunzangdrak Monastery and do meditation here.

After breakfast, you will drive towards Kunzangdrak Monastery. From the road point, about an hour’s walk takes you to the temple. The temple of Kunzang Drak is one of the most sacred in Bhutan. It was built by the great native treasure discoverer Pema Lingpa in 1488. The temple contains his sacred relics. His footprint can be seen on a gilded stone.

After lunch, you will start the meditation at the temple.

Stay overnight in Kunzangdrak Monastery.

Kunzangdrak Monastery

Highlights: Meditate in Kunzangdrak Monastery and explore cultural landmarks like Jampa Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang and Tamshing Lhakhang in Bumthang.

In the morning, you'll meditate at Kunzangdrak Monastery until noon before returning to Bumthang.

On the way, you will visit Mebartsho (Burning Lake), a sacred site linked to the treasure discoverer Pema Lingpa. Legend has it that he dove into the lake holding a butter lamp and emerged with treasures, the lamp still burning. The lake became known as Mebartsho in honor of this miracle.

After lunch, you will enjoy a sightseeing tour in Bumthang. Deep in the central regions of the country, Bumthang Valley is broad and presents a different landscape than you may see in western Bhutan.

First, you will visit Tamshing Lhakhang, which is famous for its collections of printings exemplifying the region’s style.

Then, you will cross 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 architectural site in Bhutan, with a circumference of more than 1500 meters.

Stay overnight in Bumthang.

Kurjey Lhakhang

Highlights: Transfer from Bumthang to Punakha and visit Trongsa Dzong on the way.

After an early breakfast, you will drive to Punakha, which takes about seven hours.

On the way, you will stop to visit the magnificent Trongsa Dzong, once the seat of the governor of eastern Bhutan. It is one of the country’s most iconic dzongs, and the crown prince traditionally assumes the role of Trongsa Ponlop before becoming king.

After visiting, you will continue the overland journey to Punakha.

Stay overnight in Punakha.

Visit the magnificent Trongsa Dzong

Highlights: Visit Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lhakhang.

Today, you will first 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-shaped fortress is also an honorable treasury that preserves numerous Buddhist relics and historical legacies.

After witnessing the superb Punakha Dzong, you will continue to visit Chimi Lhakhang, also known as Chime Monastery. Standing on a small hillock close to the village of Lobesa, it is a beautiful Buddhist monastery that was built in the 14th Drukpa hierarchy, Ngawang Choegyel.

Later, you will drive back to Punakha.

Stay overnight in Punakha.

Punakha Dzong

Highlights: Drive back to Paro to visit Drukgyel Dzong.

After breakfast, you will drive back to Paro. It will take you approximately 4 hours and 20 minutes to cover the 125 kilometers.

Upon arrival, you'll visit the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, built in 1647 by the revered Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the father and unifier of medieval Bhutan. Though it was tragically destroyed by an accidental fire, the ruins remain a powerful symbol of Bhutan’s historic victories. Nowadays, Drukgyel Dzong stands as a popular attraction in Paro.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Visit Drukgyel 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 on 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 to 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.