9 Days Relaxing Western Bhutan Yoga Tour

Highlights: Arrive in Paro and visit Buddha Dordenma, 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 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 Buddha statues in the world.

Next, you will visit the National Memorial Chorten, which was built in memory of King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the third King of Bhutan, in 1974.

Then, 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.

After the sightseeing, you will have yoga practice from 6 pm to 7 pm, trained by the yoga expert in Thimphu.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Thimphu National Memorial Chorten

Highlights: Explore Thimphu’s cultural wonders like the National Textile Museum and the Traditional Paper Making Factory, etc.

After breakfast, you will first head to the National Textile Museum, which keeps the traditional art of weaving preserved and exhibits a good collection of ancient colored textiles in various forms.

After lunch, you will visit the National Institute of Traditional Medicine to see the production process of Bhutan’s traditional medicine, mostly herbs, and watch the medical practitioner training.

Next, you will visit the Traditional Paper Making Factory, which traces its origins to an ancient tradition since the 8th century. Bhutan paper-making has been well preserved and listed as a valuable national heritage of Bhutanese culture.

At the end of today's visit, you can practice yoga before having dinner.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

National Textile Museum

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: Visit Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten and Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang.

In the early morning, you will first practice yoga to refresh your body.

Then, you will visit Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, built by the Queen Mother of the 5th King to bring peace and harmony for all living beings. It sits on a ridge above Punakha Valley, where you will have a fascinating view of the countryside below. You will enjoy a 2-hour round-trip walk through rice fields to visit the chorten.

In the afternoon, after a 2-hour drive from Punakha Valley, you will arrive at Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang, which includes a two-story temple and a nunnery complex. The complex houses a permanent higher learning and meditation center for nuns, where skills such as tailoring, embroidery, statue making, and thangka painting are also taught.

Stay overnight in Punakha.

Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Lhakhang

Highlight: Cross Lawala Pass to get to Phobjikha Valley and visit 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 complete this driving journey.

On the way to Phobjikha, you will be 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 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 a 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.

Stay overnight in Gangtey.

The Information Center for the black-necked cranes.

Highlights: Trek the Gangtey Nature Trail and visit the ancient Gangtey Monastery.

In the morning, you will begin with some yoga practice before starting your sightseeing.

Then, 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 pay a visit to an impressive monastery called Gangtey Monastery, generally known as Gangtey Goempa. It is a very important monastery of the Nyingmapa school.

Stay overnight in Gangtey.

Gangtey Monastery

Highlight: Drive back to Paro and visit Simtokha Dzong, Ta Dzong, Paro Rinpung Dzong, and Drukgyel Dzong in Paro.

After breakfast, you will drive back to Paro. It will take you about 4 hours and 20 minutes for the 125 kilometers. On the way, 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.

After arriving at Paro, you will visit the 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 as a whole and broaden your eyes with numerous pieces of Bhutanese treasures.

Next, you will head to explore Paro Rinpung Dzong (also known 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 continue to explore the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong in the north of Paro Valley. It was built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the father and unifier of medieval Bhutan. Although it was destroyed by an accidental fire, its remains stand as a powerful reminder of Bhutan’s historic victories.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Ta Dzong Museum in Paro

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.

Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery and do some practice of yoga

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.