7 Days Bhutan Yoga Tour with Cultural Sightseeing

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

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 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.

Thimphu National Memorial Chorten

Highlights: Hike to Cheri Monastery and visit National Library and Folk Heritage Museum in Thimphu.

Today, you will take a hike to Cheri Monastery, which is located at the northern end of the Thimphu valley. Also known as Chagri Dorjiden, the Cheri Monastery was established in 1620 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, who unified Bhutan. It sits on the hill above the end of the road at Dodeyna, and it takes about an hour to walk up the steep hill to reach it. The place was first visited by Guru Padmasambhava in the 8th century. Later in the 13th century, it was visited by Phajo Drugom Zhigpo, the Tibetan Lama who established the Drukpa Kagyu tradition in Bhutan.

Then, you will have lunch at the Simple Bhutan Museum with a Bhutanese cultural show.

After lunch, you will explore the National Library and Folk Heritage Museum, a 300-year-old traditional house converted into a museum.

Next, you will do evening yoga at the Neru Wangchuck Center in Thimphu.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Hike to Cheri Monastery

Highlights: Cross Dochula Pass and visit Chimi Lhakhang and Punakha Dzong.

In the morning, you will take a drive from Thimphu to Punakha (1,242m). The distance from Thimphu to Punakha is 71 kilometers, and it takes around 3 hours to complete. On the way, you will have an excellent opportunity to appreciate the panoramic view of the Himalayan Ranges in Bhutan and take photos of the impressive collection of 108 chortens at Dochula Pass (3,140m).

Then, you will 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.

After that, 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 honoraable treasury that preserves numerous Buddhist relics and historical legacies.

Stay overnight in Punakha.

Punakha Dzong

Highlights: Cross Lawala Pass to get to Phobjikha Valley to trek the Gangtey Nature Trail, and visit ancient Gangtey Monastery and the Black-Necked Crane Information Center.

After breakfast, you will drive to Phobjikha Valley (3,000m). The distance between Punakha and Phobjikha is about 80 kilometers and will take you nearly 3 hours to finish this driving journey. On the way to Phobjikha, you will get amazed by the beauty and serenity of the rich flora and fauna. And you may see some Yaks grazing in high altitude bamboo shrub along the road when you arrive at Lawala Pass (3,300m).

Upon arrival at Gangtey, you will trek the Gangte Nature Trail, which takes 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.

After the short trek, you will head to visit Gangtey Monastery, generally known as Gangtey Goempa. It is a very important monastery of Nyingmapa school. Thereafter, you will pay a visit to the Black-Necked Crane Information Center. The center is situated on the edge of the forest and wetland along the main road of Phobjikha Valley. It has an observation room equipped with high power telescope and spotting scopes for catching the best view of the cranes. If you travel to Phobjikha in November to January, you can have a chance to view many black-necked cranes here.

At the end of the day, you can do some yoga practice at the hotel to relax your body.

Stay overnight in Gangtey.

Visit Gangtey Monastery

Highlights: Drive back to Paro and visit Ta Dzong and Paro Rinpung Dzong in Paro.

After breakfast, you will drive back to Paro. It will take you about 4 hours 20 minutes for the 125 kilometers. En-route you will visit the site of Paro river and go to the viewpoint to see the world's dangerous airport. Here you can do Practical Yoga Exercise facing towards the Airport.

After arriving at Paro, you will visit Bhutan National Museum - Ta Dzong. The museum houses a large number of valuable collections. A visit to the National Museum will deepen your understanding of this country in a whole and broaden your eyes with numerous pieces of Bhutan treasures.

Next, you will head to explore 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.

Visit Paro Rinpung Dzong

Highlight: 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 Taktsang Monastery (also known as Tiger’s Nest 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 in Paro

After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to Paro International Airport for your next destination.

The tour service end.