| Wake up refreshed and see the morning sun casting its rays on snow-capped mountains. Walk on ancient trails Tibetan Yogis and Lamas have taken, where ancient temples beckon you to enter. Take this opportunity to combine your yoga practice with experiencing the unique culture of Bhutan, Land of the Thunder Dragon. Bhutan is a nation that cherishes happiness instead of economic advancement. Time stops in this land of Shangri-la. Be prepared for a powerful transformation from within. |
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| 9 May Arrival @ Bangkok & Stay for One Night |
| Check-in at your own time by 2pm Bangkok time. Free & Easy for the rest of the day. Meals on your own. |
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| 10 May Arrival @ Paro & driving to Thimphu |
| Early flight to Paro from Bangkok. Take a slow drive to the capital city Thimphu. Check into the hotel & have a sumptuous lunch, and rest for the afternoon. Be welcomed by traditional Bhutanese unique culture performance. Yoga starts in the late afternoon. After dinner, be accompanied by a high Tibet Buddhist scholar, known as a Lama or Buddhist teacher, on Bhutan history, culture & religion. |
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| 11 & 12 May Sightseeing @ Thimphu (Capital City) |
| Morning: 6.30 – 8.30 Yoga. |
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| After breakfast, we will trek up Tango Monastery, one of the most ancient monasteries in Thimphu region with great blessings of yogis of the past. There is a beautiful view of the valley. Tango Monastery is the residence of the Druk Desi Gyaltsen Tenzin Rabgye, who is the reincarnate of the 16th-century monk who built Tango. This is a holy ground where Shebdrung Rinpoche, the magnificent Lama, who first unified Bhutan together as one nation, meditated on the deity Hayagriva. He revealed many mandalas in this mountain. Shedrung Rinpoche also left many marks such as his footprints, a sign attesting to his accomplishment in his meditation. Be prepared for a vigorous 45-minute climb into the clouds. (Tango means horse, for the horse-head-like rock formation on the side of the mountain). |
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| After descending from Tango enjoy a boxed lunch on the banks of the Thim Chu (Thimphu River) next to the picturesque Cheri Zam (Cheri Bridge.) This covered wooden footbridge is one of only a handful of traditional cantilevered bridges left in the Himalayas. Afternoon, visit the Indigenous Hospital guided by one of the traditional medicine doctors with briefing on the method of herbal medical treatment in Bhutan. Lastly, visit Thimphu town for shopping and back to hotel for yoga. |
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| 13 May Leave Thimphu for Punaka & Wangdi |
| Morning: 6.30 – 8.30 Yoga. |
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| Breakfast and drive to Punakha, crossing over the spectacular Dochu La to the verdant Punakha Valley. The road winds through lush pine forests to the 10,000-foot pass, which, in good weather provides a 180-degree panorama of distant Himalayan summits. At the pass, you can walk around the 108 stupas and enjoy a cup of tea/coffee at the Dochula Cafeteria. As you descend from the pass, observe dramatic changes in vegetation. |
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| After lunch, drive to Punakha continues. En route, take a short hike to Chhi-Med (means "no dogs") Lhakhang in the picturesque Lobesa valley, to visit the fertility temple of one of Bhutan’s foremost saints, the Buddha Drukpa Kunley – affectionately known as the Divine Madman. Drukpa Kunley was said to follow the direction of his arrow shot out from Tibet and came into this district of Punaka to expound his teaching to the people in Bhutan, who has most connection with him. He displayed many signs of miraculous power, to the pride of the people in Bhutan. This temple is famous for barren women to pray for fertility or for married couples who want children. |
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| 14 May Leave Punaka & Wangdi to go back to Paro |
| Morning: 6.30 – 8.30 Yoga. |
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| After breakfast, long drive back to Paro via Thimphu for lunch. After arrival at Paro, check into hotel and rest for the day. |
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| Afternoon: yoga in hotel. |
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| 15 May Paro Takstang Walk (Tiger Nest Temple) |
| Morning: 6.30 – 8.30 Yoga. |
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| After breakfast at the hotel, prepare for a rigorous hike to Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest, Bhutan’s most famous and scenic icon. The climb is steep and takes about 4 hours’ round trip. Riding mules will be available on request. |
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| An important place of pilgrimage and refuge for more than 1200 years, Taktsang Monastery clings to sheer cliffs two thousand feet above Paro Valley. This sacred place got its name when Guru Rinpoche rode there on the back of a flying tiger and meditated in a cave behind the present-day monastery. Sadly, in 1998, the central temple was destroyed by fire, leaving the country in mourning for their holiest of spiritual places. But religious leaders and the King quickly developed a plan to rebuild Taktsang and donations started pouring in from Buddhist centers all over the world. Today, the magnificently rebuilt exterior is complete. Tiger’s Nest is once again the subject of cloud-shrouded posters that say, "Bhutan, Land of the Thunder Dragon." |
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| 16 May Paro Sight-seeing |
| Morning: 6.30 – 8.30 Yoga |
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| After breakfast, visit Kiychu Lhakang, one of the oldest monasteries built by a Tibetan King in the 7 century. It is a live museum; all the statues originate from that time. Thereafter, we visit Paro Dzong and National Museum. You will be educated on the entire history and culture of Bhutan. Thereafter, head to Paro town for shopping and back to hotel for yoga. |
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| 17 May Early departure back to Bangkok & back to home country |
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