Below is an outline of the Yoga Travels tours in Bhutan. We will take you to historic and highly spiritual sites throughout Bhutan to practice yoga and immerse yourself in the Bhutanese culture.
Special offer for certified yoga teachers - please contact us for details
Special offer for certified yoga teachers - please contact us for details
Tours
Tour 1012 - October 17 to 29, 2012
Tour 0313 - March 15 to 27, 2013
Tour 1013 - October 18 to 30, 2013
Tour 1012 - October 17 to 29, 2012
Tour 0313 - March 15 to 27, 2013
Tour 1013 - October 18 to 30, 2013
Wednesday Oct. 17 - Day 1: Arrive in Paro from Delhi
We will be greeted at the Paro airport and taken to our hotel. After an opportunity to get settled and tea, we will drive to Drugyal Dzong fortress, 16kms from Paro town. Although in ruins, this Dzong is of great historical importance, it was here that the Bhutanese finally defeated the invading Tibetans and drove them back. On a clear day you can see the peak of Mount Jumolhari ("Mountain of Goddess"). Return to hotel.
Thursday Oct. 18 - Day 2: Paro sightseeing
After breakfast we will visit the National Museum which houses a collection of fine arts, thankas, statues, and antiques along with an opportunity to take photos of the Paro Valley. We will then visit Paro Rinpung Dzong. It was built in 1646 and now houses government offices and religious institutions, as do currently all the dzongs (forts). After lunch we will also visit Kyichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the country. We will then have time to browse the shops and streets of Paro. In the evening we have the option of a traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath. Overnight in Paro.
Friday Oct. 19 - Day 3: Paro to Thimphu drive (2 hours)
In the morning we will drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. The drive is along a winding road following the Paro and Thimphu rivers. When we reach Thimphu we will go directly to the Takin Reserve (which contains the Takin, the national animal of Bhutan). After lunch we will visit the King's Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan), the Bookstore and the post office for personalized stamps. We will then have the opportunity to explore Thimphu town and visit local shops and handicraft stores. Overnight stay in Thimphu.
Saturday Oct. 20 - Day 4: Thimphu day hike Cheri monastery
After breakfast we will go to the weekend market to see the locals selling and purchasing their staples, along with a small souvenir market. We will then drive 12km north of Thimphu. From here we will hike for about one hour to the Cheri Monastery and have the opportunity to visit the monastery. We will have time for individual contemplation, journaling, meditating etc. at the monastery. Heading back down the mountain to a picnic lunch. Later in the day there is the option of an astrological reading by a Buddhist monk. Overnight stay in Thimphu.
Sunday Oct. 21 - Day 5: Thimphu sightseeing
Our day will include visiting the Chang Gangkha Monastery-purchase of Prayer Flags, Folk Heritage Museum, School of Arts and Crafts (also known as the painting school) along with a stop at the shop which sells the schoolʼs products, the Nunnery Temple and the Textile Factory. Later in the evening we will be visiting Tashichho Dzong which sits next to the Parliament Buildings. Overnight stay in Thimphu.
Monday Oct. 22 - Day 6: Thimphu - Punakka (3-hour drive)
After breakfast we will drive to Punakka. The drive takes us across the Dochula Pass (10,230 ft), which is marked by a large Bhutanese chorten (Buddhist monument) and prayer flags. We will stop on the pass for tea and we will take in beautiful views of the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas. We will stop along the way to have our prayer flags hung in this area for good merit. After lunch, we will walk through Metshina Village during our 40-minute walk through the rice fields to Chimi Lakhang, a fertility temple. After our return we will drive on to Punakka, the former capital of Bhutan, and visit Punakka Dzong which is noteworthy both for being one of the most beautiful dzongs in Bhutan and also for having been built in 1637. Overnight stay in Punakka.
Tuesday Oct. 23 - Day 7: Punakka - Trongsa (7-hour drive)
After breakfast we will head to Trongsa, the ancestral home of the royal family. The route is along a spectacular winding road, crossing the 3,300 meter-high Pele La mountain pass. We will be stopping along the way for a typical Bhutanese lunch. Overnight stay in Trongsa.
Wednesday Oct. 24 - Day 8: Trongsa
After breakfast we will visit the impressive new national museum built in the old lookout tower. We will have an opportunity to meditate on the roof in this enchanting environment with incredible vistas of the Trongsa valley. After lunch at the museum restaurant, the afternoon is free to journal or hike around the area. Overnight stay in Trongsa.
Thursday Oct. 25 - Day 9: Trongsa
Today we will visit Trongsa Dzong, the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture. This Dzong is built on many levels and has the largest number of courtyards of all the Bhutan Dzongs. After lunch, we'll have a free afternoon to explore or relax taking in the essence that is Trongsa. Overnight stay in Trongsa.
Friday Oct. 26 - Day 10: Trongsa to Thimphu (9-10 hour drive)
A full day of driving through the spectacular scenery of central Bhutan. We will stop along the way for photo ops
and of course a tasty lunch of Bhutanese specialities. Overnight stay in Thimphu.
Saturday Oct. 27 - Day 11: Thimphu to Paro (2-hour drive)
In the morning we will have a little time for some last minute souvenir shopping and then visit the hand made paper factory before we head back to Paro on our last drive. In the evening we will visit a traditional farmhouse where the owner will prepare for us, butter tea and dinner served traditionally. Overnight stay in Paro.
Sunday Oct. 28 - Day 12: Paro (hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery)
After breakfast we will hike to Bhutan's most famous monastery, Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery. It is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. The hike to reach the monastery makes for a nice half-day excursion. After the hike we will return to the hotel to prepare for our last dinner together in Bhutan. Overnight stay in Paro.
Monday Oct. 29 - Day 13: Depart Paro for Delhi.
NOTE : 2 Daily Yoga/mediation Classes. Yoga and meditation times may vary.
We will be greeted at the Paro airport and taken to our hotel. After an opportunity to get settled and tea, we will drive to Drugyal Dzong fortress, 16kms from Paro town. Although in ruins, this Dzong is of great historical importance, it was here that the Bhutanese finally defeated the invading Tibetans and drove them back. On a clear day you can see the peak of Mount Jumolhari ("Mountain of Goddess"). Return to hotel.
Thursday Oct. 18 - Day 2: Paro sightseeing
After breakfast we will visit the National Museum which houses a collection of fine arts, thankas, statues, and antiques along with an opportunity to take photos of the Paro Valley. We will then visit Paro Rinpung Dzong. It was built in 1646 and now houses government offices and religious institutions, as do currently all the dzongs (forts). After lunch we will also visit Kyichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the country. We will then have time to browse the shops and streets of Paro. In the evening we have the option of a traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath. Overnight in Paro.
Friday Oct. 19 - Day 3: Paro to Thimphu drive (2 hours)
In the morning we will drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. The drive is along a winding road following the Paro and Thimphu rivers. When we reach Thimphu we will go directly to the Takin Reserve (which contains the Takin, the national animal of Bhutan). After lunch we will visit the King's Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan), the Bookstore and the post office for personalized stamps. We will then have the opportunity to explore Thimphu town and visit local shops and handicraft stores. Overnight stay in Thimphu.
Saturday Oct. 20 - Day 4: Thimphu day hike Cheri monastery
After breakfast we will go to the weekend market to see the locals selling and purchasing their staples, along with a small souvenir market. We will then drive 12km north of Thimphu. From here we will hike for about one hour to the Cheri Monastery and have the opportunity to visit the monastery. We will have time for individual contemplation, journaling, meditating etc. at the monastery. Heading back down the mountain to a picnic lunch. Later in the day there is the option of an astrological reading by a Buddhist monk. Overnight stay in Thimphu.
Sunday Oct. 21 - Day 5: Thimphu sightseeing
Our day will include visiting the Chang Gangkha Monastery-purchase of Prayer Flags, Folk Heritage Museum, School of Arts and Crafts (also known as the painting school) along with a stop at the shop which sells the schoolʼs products, the Nunnery Temple and the Textile Factory. Later in the evening we will be visiting Tashichho Dzong which sits next to the Parliament Buildings. Overnight stay in Thimphu.
Monday Oct. 22 - Day 6: Thimphu - Punakka (3-hour drive)
After breakfast we will drive to Punakka. The drive takes us across the Dochula Pass (10,230 ft), which is marked by a large Bhutanese chorten (Buddhist monument) and prayer flags. We will stop on the pass for tea and we will take in beautiful views of the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas. We will stop along the way to have our prayer flags hung in this area for good merit. After lunch, we will walk through Metshina Village during our 40-minute walk through the rice fields to Chimi Lakhang, a fertility temple. After our return we will drive on to Punakka, the former capital of Bhutan, and visit Punakka Dzong which is noteworthy both for being one of the most beautiful dzongs in Bhutan and also for having been built in 1637. Overnight stay in Punakka.
Tuesday Oct. 23 - Day 7: Punakka - Trongsa (7-hour drive)
After breakfast we will head to Trongsa, the ancestral home of the royal family. The route is along a spectacular winding road, crossing the 3,300 meter-high Pele La mountain pass. We will be stopping along the way for a typical Bhutanese lunch. Overnight stay in Trongsa.
Wednesday Oct. 24 - Day 8: Trongsa
After breakfast we will visit the impressive new national museum built in the old lookout tower. We will have an opportunity to meditate on the roof in this enchanting environment with incredible vistas of the Trongsa valley. After lunch at the museum restaurant, the afternoon is free to journal or hike around the area. Overnight stay in Trongsa.
Thursday Oct. 25 - Day 9: Trongsa
Today we will visit Trongsa Dzong, the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture. This Dzong is built on many levels and has the largest number of courtyards of all the Bhutan Dzongs. After lunch, we'll have a free afternoon to explore or relax taking in the essence that is Trongsa. Overnight stay in Trongsa.
Friday Oct. 26 - Day 10: Trongsa to Thimphu (9-10 hour drive)
A full day of driving through the spectacular scenery of central Bhutan. We will stop along the way for photo ops
and of course a tasty lunch of Bhutanese specialities. Overnight stay in Thimphu.
Saturday Oct. 27 - Day 11: Thimphu to Paro (2-hour drive)
In the morning we will have a little time for some last minute souvenir shopping and then visit the hand made paper factory before we head back to Paro on our last drive. In the evening we will visit a traditional farmhouse where the owner will prepare for us, butter tea and dinner served traditionally. Overnight stay in Paro.
Sunday Oct. 28 - Day 12: Paro (hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery)
After breakfast we will hike to Bhutan's most famous monastery, Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery. It is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. The hike to reach the monastery makes for a nice half-day excursion. After the hike we will return to the hotel to prepare for our last dinner together in Bhutan. Overnight stay in Paro.
Monday Oct. 29 - Day 13: Depart Paro for Delhi.
NOTE : 2 Daily Yoga/mediation Classes. Yoga and meditation times may vary.
Itinerary for 2013 tours to follow...