The tour begins in Nepal with a visit to the famous Boudhanath Stupa before flying to Bhutan. Once we arrive in Bhutan we will begin to explore the holiest spiritual sites and important cultural monuments of Bhutan, which provide an in-depth view into the ancient way of life and rich culture that still thrives in Bhutan today. It is a well paced tour, designed to provide the opportunity to really savor the unique highlights of Bhutan’s western districts of Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha valley, which offer diverse mountainous landscapes, a rich Buddhist heritage including monasteries, temples and chortens (stupas), historical fortresses and extremely hospitable people. You will discover the vibrant history of Bhutan while visiting the Dumtse Stupa, Kyichu Monastery, and the famous Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) in the beautiful valley of Paro. In Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu, you will visit the 12th century Changangkha Temple before crossing the 3050m Dochula Pass from where you can see a magnificent view of the upper Himalayas and also visit the 108 stupas located there. From here you will drive into the sub-tropical Punakha valley where the incredible Punakha Dzong (Fortress) and Chimi Lhakang, temple of the ‘Divine Madman’ is located.
Date | Activity/Valley | Overnight |
---|---|---|
14 August | Reception at Kathmandu International airport | Hotel Tibet Int., Kathmandu |
15 August | Visit Boudhanath Stupa | Hotel Tibet Int., Kathmandu |
16 August | Fly to Bhutan, visit Kyichu Monastery upon arriving in Paro valley | Hotel Olathang, Paro |
17 August | Visit Drakarpo Monastery | Hotel Olathang, Paro |
18 August | Hike to Tseto Goempa | Hotel Olathang, Paro |
19 August | Drive towards Thimphu valley, visit Tachog Lhakhang and Changangkha Lhakhang | Hotel, Thimphu |
20 August | Short hike to Chagri Monastery | Hotel, Thimphu |
21 August | Visit Buddha point and Tashichho Dzong (Fortress) | Hotel, Thimphu |
22 August | Drive towards Punakha valley, visit Chimi monastery | Zhingkham Resort, Punakha |
23 August | Hike to Khansum Yulley Namgyel Stupa, and later visit the Punakha Fortress | Zhingkham Resort, Punakha |
24 August | Drive towards Paro valley | Hotel Olathang, Paro |
25 August | Visit Dzongdrakha Monastery and Dumtse Stupa | Hotel Olathang, Paro |
26 August | Hike to Tigers Nest | Hotel Olathang, Paro |
27 August | Receive Mahamudra teaching from HH Kyapgon Ngawang Tenzin Rinpoche | Hotel Olathang, Paro |
28 August | Receive Medicine Buddha empowerment from HH Kyapgon Ngawang Tenzin Rinpoche | Hotel Olathang, Paro |
29 August | Fly back to Kathmandu | Hotel Tibet Int., Kathmandu |
30 August | International Departure |
Reception at Tribhuvan International Airport
All the participants of the group will be received by our representatives at the Airport according to
your flight timing and will be transferred to the Hotel.
You will be served with dinner at the hotel and spend the night getting to know the other participants of the tour.
Hotel check-in at the Hotel Tibet International in Kathmandu, Nepal will be at 14:00
Built some time around the 4th century, in the shape of a mandala designed to replicate the Gyangtse of Tibet, the stupa was renovated by Licchhavi rulers in the 8th century. The location of the stupa is interesting as it once lay on the ancient trade route to Tibet and it was here that Tibetan merchants rested and offered prayers for centuries. On each side are a pair of the all-seeing-eyes of the Buddha symbolizing awareness. At ground level there is a brick wall with 147 niches and 108 images of the meditating Buddha inset behind copper prayer wheels.
Among the Nepalese in Kathmandu, the stupa is simply referred to as “Chorten Chenpo” which translates to “Great Tower” or just “Great Stupa.”
Program of the day:
Arrive at Paro International Airport
Altitude of Paro Valley – 2,250 m / 7,382 ft
Flight Details:
Program of the day:
Program of the day:
Hiking distance – 3 hours walk
Tseto Goenpa is a Buddhist monastery complex believed to be built in the fifteenth century by Lotey Gyemtsho, the High Lama at the time. The complex lies at the top of a mountain in the Himalayas, approximately 3,000 meters high. Surrounding the monastery are three stretching mountain ridges that resemble the vajra, a mythological weapon and a Buddhist symbol of indestructibility and force strong enough to overpower ignorance.
Program of the day:
Program of the day:
Explore Thimphu Valley
Altitude of Thimphu Valley – 2,320 m / 7,656 ft
Driving distance Paro to Thimphu – 2 hours (65 km)
Program of the day:
Altitude of Cheri Goempa – (2859 m)
Hiking Distance – 1 Hour
Cheri Goempa was established in 1620 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the unifier of the Bhutanese state. The monastery, which is now a major teaching and retreat center of the Southern Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, located at the northern end of the Thimphu Valley about 15 kilometers from the capital. It sits on a hill above Dodeyna and it takes about an hour to walk up the hill to reach the monastery.
Program of the day:
Program of the day:
Explore Punakha Valley
Altitude of Punakha Valley – 1,310 m / 4,300 ft
Driving distance Thimphu to Punakha – 2 hours 30 minutes (72 km)
Program of the day:
Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten and visit Punakha Dzong
Program of the day:
Driving distance Punakha to Paro – 3 hours 30 minutes (124 km)
Visit Sangchhen Lhuendrup Nunnery
On our way back to Paro, we will visit the thriving nunnery located in a scenic location on a mountain ridge, which was financed by the maternal grand father of His Majesty the King, to serve as a Buddhist college for 120 resident nuns. This is an opportunity for us to get an insight in the life of nuns. Along with leading a spiritual life, the nuns here are also taught tailoring, statue making, embroidery, and the famous thangka (scroll) painting. At the nunnery we will also see a stupa which resembles the Boudhanath stupa of Nepal.
Program of the day:
Visit Dzongdrakha Goempa and Dumtse Lhakhang
Program of the day:
Altitude at Tigers nest – 3,120 m / 10,240 ft
Hiking distance: 4 hours hike uphill
Hike from parking base to Taktsang monastery via Zangto Pelri Monastery
Today you will hike towards the magical Taktsang Monastery popularly known as Tiger’s Nest Monastery, one of the most important religious and cultural site of Bhutan. After breakfast you will drive towards the base of Tigers, and begin our hike through the pine and rhododendron forests till you reach the Yoselgang Retreat center. We will also pass by the Ugyen pelri monastery, which is located above the actual Tiger nest monastery. A short hike down will bring you to the famous Taktsang Monastery and after visiting the many small temples and the caves you will hike down to the base from where your vehicle will pick you up and take you to your hotel.
Program of the day:
Program of the day:
Program of the day:
Receive Mahamudra teaching from HH Kyabgon Ngawang Tenzin Rinpoche
Mahamudra represents the highest level of teaching within Tibetan Buddhism. Its study and practice leads to the realization of the very nature of reality itself, there is not a single phenomenon which is not subsumed within the realizations of Mahamudra.
Receive Medicine Buddha empowerment from HH Kyabgon Ngawang Tenzin Rinpoche
Today we will bid fond farewell to this beautiful Himalayan Kingdom.
Flight Details:
Program of the day:
Wave a fond farewell as your Sangha getaway comes to an end. We hope by now you would have kept many photos and beautiful memories of Bhutan! And we look forward to seeing you again in this beautiful land of endless Enchantments.
Program of the day:
Nepal – 3 Nights | Bhutan – 13 Nights
Travel Duration: 14 – 30 August 2023
For double occupancy | For single occupancy |
USD 3,740.00 | USD 4,280 .00 |