On arrival, proceed to Immigration Counter where you will present your visa approval letter and passport for the official stamp. As you clear the Immigration check, please make your way to the baggage delivery area and at the exit door of the airport you will meet your Guide who will accompany you throughout your stay in Bhutan.

Transfer to Thimphu: Once a rustic village sitting in a broad, fertile river valley, Thimphu is today the nation’s bustling capital. It is the center of government, religion and commerce with an interesting combination of tradition and modernity. On arrival, check-in at the hotel.

Afternoon, begin your stay in Bhutan with Tshewang/longevity blessing ceremony in one of the temples in Thimphu. This scared ceremony is dedicated to Amitayus/Amitabha, the Buddha of longevity. The Buddha Amitayus/Amitabha is invoked to enhance a person’s life – the general well-being of a person and to ward off all obstacles and negative energy. It will be performed by a high level learned monk who will recite prayers, offer symbolic food offerings representing the Buddha of Longevity and bestow blessings on the person (s). The entire ceremony will take about an hour.

Overnight in Thimphu.

Start your day with a serene morning yoga session at Buddha Point in Thimphu, home to the majestic Buddha Dordenma statue. Set against the backdrop of the Himalayas, this peaceful location offers the perfect setting for yoga and meditation, allowing you to connect with nature, find inner peace, and embrace Bhutan’s spiritual energy. The session combines mindful breathing, gentle stretches, and meditation, creating a calming experience that sets a positive tone for the day ahead.

The King’s Memorial stupa in Thimphu, a tribute to the Third King and a symbol of peace, is a lively spot for locals who gather to pray and perform rituals. Nearby, the Thangtong Dewachen Nunnery offers stunning views of Trashichhoe Dzong and reflects Bhutan’s spiritual evolution. A short drive takes you to the Royal Takin Reserve Centre in Motithang, where the national animal (Takin), resides in a peaceful sanctuary. Then, visit Zorig Chusum, Bhutan’s renowned painting school, where students specialize in traditional crafts like painting and sculpture. In the evening, stroll through Thimphu’s main street, immersing yourself in the local charm.

Overnight in Thimphu.

After an early breakfast, you will set off for Phobjikha; driving up to Dochula pass (3,088 meters/10,130 feet), stopping briefly here to take in the view and admire the chortens, mani walls, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road. If skies are clear, the high Himalayan peaks towards the northeast will be revealed in all their glory.

Today’s visit begins at the Crane Information Centre, where you will learn about the Black-Necked Crane, known as “Thrung Thrung Keh Narp” in Bhutan, meaning “Thin, Tall, and Black-Necked.” These majestic birds migrate from Tibet to Phobjikha valley every winter, where they are revered as the “Birds of Heaven” by locals. With over 300 cranes arriving, they are said to loop around Gangtey Goenpa monastery three times to pay homage to the sacred jewels of Buddhism and seek protection. Folklore tells of cranes staying behind to offer their gratitude to the valley. Afterward, enjoy the Gangtey Nature trail, a relaxing two-hour hike through Phobjikha valley, starting at Gangtey monastery and winding through grasslands, farmhouses, and pine forests, offering stunning views of the vast, open valley below.

Join the evening meditation class at the Sheydra. The Sheydra is an institute where the monks learn about Buddhist philosophy, poetry, logic, meditation and debate. In addition to the regular academic practice and classes for monks, the Sheydra provides a meditation class and discussion for our guests, mainly on compassion and shamata (tranquility and calm abiding meditation) by highly qualified lamas, with English or translations. This meditation practice will help you overcome stress, develop a peaceful mind and to generate kindness.

Overnight in Gangtey.

In the morning, depart from the serene Phobjikha valley, known for its stunning landscapes and Black-Necked Cranes, and embark on a scenic drive to Punakha. As you wind through lush forests, terraced fields, and charming villages, the journey offers breathtaking views of the Himalayan foothills.

Descend to Lobesa/Mitsina and enjoy a scenic 30 to 40-minute walk through villages and paddy fields to Chhimi Lhakhang, a temple dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley. Popular among women seeking blessings for fertility, the temple sits on a hill below Mitsina village. Afterward, explore Punakha, once Bhutan’s capital, known for its warm climate. Visit the stunning Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and recently restored after damage from fires and earthquakes.

Evening visit Wolakha Nunnery for tea serving ceremony. Serving tea to nuns in a temple during evening prayers. Nuns or anims are less numerous than monks in Bhutan. There are about 21 nunneries in the country where young nuns learn the rituals and Buddhist texts. They dedicate their lives to religion and provide social services to the local communities. The nuns live within the premises of the temple in a close community (50-100 nuns) and like a family each one of them are assigned daily chores and responsibilities. The local people offer tea to the nuns during the evenings to gain merit and good Karma. Join the nuns during the prayers, reflect on your thoughts and enjoy the serenity and calmness you feel as you listen to the melodious chants.

Overnight in Punakha.

This morning, travel to Paro via Dochula pass. On the way, participate in prayer flag hoisting for your good luck and better fortune. The Lung-dhar is a set of colorful prayer flags, each representing the five elements: yellow (earth), green (wood), white (iron), blue (water), and red (fire). Inscribed with prayers and mantras, these flags are hung in high, windy places to activate blessings as the wind moves them. The act of hanging the flags is considered a meditative ritual, engaging the senses-sight, sound, thought, and touch. Before being hung, the flags must be blessed in a sacred ceremony by a monk, but now a days it is readily available in the shops already consecrated.

Upon arrival, check-in at your hotel, followed by lunch. In the afternoon, drive to the northern end of the valley to visit the National Museum, which houses a fascinating collection of Bhutanese art, artifacts, weapons, coins, stamps, and natural history exhibits. Then, visit the historic Kyichhu temple, one of Bhutan’s oldest and most sacred shrines, built in the 7^th century by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. In 1968, the Queen Mother of Bhutan, Ashi Kesang, added a second temple in the same architectural style, making it a unique twin-temple complex.

Mandala creation at Mandala Display Center: Mandala creation is a sacred art form in many cultures, particularly in Buddhist and Hindu traditions, symbolizing the universe and spiritual journey. Crafted with intricate patterns, a mandala is designed to represent unity, balance, and harmony. The process of creating a mandala is both meditative and transformative, encouraging mindfulness and deep concentration. Whether drawn, painted, or constructed with natural materials, each symbol and shape within the mandala carries profound meaning, guiding the creator and viewer toward inner peace, spiritual growth, and a deeper connection to the divine.

Overnight in Paro.

In the morning, before you travel to the famous Tiger’s Nest monastery, we will once again visit Mandala Display Center for Lhabsang Ceremony/smoke ceremony with a short ritual by a monk to appease all sentient beings. It is to thank guardian deities for the successful trip to Bhutan and seek further help during the last day hike.

Later, take an excursion to Taktshang monastery also known as Tiger’s Nest. It is believed that Guru Rinpochhe, founding father of the Bhutanese form of Mahayana Buddhism, arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery. The main structure was severely damaged by fire in 1998, but after many years of painstaking restoration work, the complex has now been fully restored to its former glory.

In the temple, we will take part in lighting a butter-lamp. From a religious point of view, lighting a butter lamp represents the dispelling of darkness of ignorance accumulated by all sentient beings. It is also another means of accumulating merits for the sake of the sentient beings. Additionally, it helps to focus the mind and aid meditation. 

In the evening, visit a traditional farmhouse for an opportunity to interact with a local family and learn something of their lifestyle. Also experience the traditional rustic hot-stone bath. Enjoy a rustic traditional hot stone bath at a farmhouse to relax the muscles from a hard day’s hike to the famous Tiger’s Nest monastery. River rocks are heated and then immersed in a wooden tub to heat the water known for mineral contents. An aromatic native herb, with soothing and healing properties, are added to the water. The facilities at the farmhouse are very basic and rustic, but the experience provides an authentic insight into the traditional hot stone bath practiced by the locals. For a more luxurious experience, hot stone baths at luxury hotels are also available.

Overnight in Paro.

As your spiritual and wellness journey through Bhutan comes to an end, may the peace and tranquility you have experienced here stay with you always. From the sacred monasteries to the serene landscapes, Bhutan has offered a unique opportunity for reflection, renewal, and growth. We hope the blessings, mindfulness, and harmony you have encountered inspire your path ahead. Safe travels and may your heart carry the wisdom and serenity of the Kingdom of Bhutan wherever you go. Until we meet again.