7 Days Bhutan Meditation Tour with Haa Valley

Highlight: 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 arrival at Paro International Airport, you will meet your local travel guide and driver at the airport’s Arriving Hall.

Then, you will be transferred to Thimphu (2,350m), the capital city of Bhutan. Covering a total distance of around 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

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

Today, you'll visit Tango and Cheri Monastery, which are located north of Thimphu on two adjacent hills.

First, you'll reach Tango Monastery, where you can interact with the English-speaking monks. The monastery, a Buddhist institute, is about an hour’s walk uphill along well-maintained paths. Founded by Lama Gyalwa Lhanama in the 13th century, the current structure was built in 1688 by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye. Tango Monastery also includes meditation caves where saints meditated and performed miracles starting in the 12th century.

Next, you will visit the Cheri Monastery, another one and a half hour hike uphill. Also called 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.

Tango Monastery meditation

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

After breakfast, you will start the journey from Thimphu to Punakha (1,242m). The distance from Thimphu to Punakha is 71 kilometers, and it will take you 3 hours to get there.

On 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 also 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-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 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

Highlight: Visit Chimi Lhakhang and Paro Rinpung Dzong, and do meditation in Kyichu Lhakhang.

In the morning, you will explore Chimi Lhakhang, also known as Chime Monastery, which 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.

After that, you will continue the drive back to Paro from Punakha.

Upon arriving in Paro, you will head to visit 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.

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.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Visit Paro Rinpung Dzong

Highlight: Enjoy a day trip to Haa Valley and visit Lhakhang Nagpo.

Today, you will drive 2.5 hours from Paro to Haa (2,740m). On the way, you will pass through the Chele La Pass (3,988m), which offers the majestic panorama of the Himalayan Ranges and the valley beyond. If weather permits, you will capture a stunning view of Bhutan's second-highest peak, Mt.Jomolhari (7, 314m) from here.

After arriving at Haa, you will head to visit Lhakhang Nagpo, also called the Black Temple. With a history of 1300 years, it is one of the oldest temples in Haa Valley. It is said that when searching out auspicious locations for two new temples the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo released one black pigeon and one white pigeon. And the black pigeon landed here, the white one at Lhakhang Kharpo (White Chapel).

In the late afternoon, you will drive back to Paro.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Visit Lhakhang Nagpo

Highlights: Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery to enjoy spectacular views from it and visit Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro.

After breakfast, you will start your hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery (also known as Taktsang Monastery). Perched on the side of a cliff 900 meters above the Paro Valley, Taktsang Monastery is one of the most famous monasteries in Bhutan. The principal monastery of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. Taktsang was damaged severely by fire in 1998 but has now been fully restored to its former glory. The hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery is about 3 km one way and takes around 5 to 6 hours for the round trip.

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

In the afternoon, you will visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest and most beautiful temples built by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo in the 7th century.

Stay overnight in Paro.

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.