4 nights 5 days Bhutan Tour

Distance/Duration: ~ 50km / 2-3 hours drive

Elevation: Thimphu (2,334m) 

Highlights: Experience an exciting flight to Paro over the Himalayas (flight pre-paid in your tour package)! Meet your Bhutanese tour guide and soak in the peaceful energy of Bhutan. The drive is green and mountainous and scenery stunning. Meet the ever-smiling local people in traditional dress (Gho/Kira). 

Visit Thimphu sights including Buddha Dordenma, Semtokha Dzong, Sangaygang (BBS Tower), Zilukha Anim Dratshang, Gangtey Monastery, Royal Botanical Garden, Ludrong Memorial Garden and more.

In detail:

This morning we skip yoga and meditation and muster for our airport transfer between 0400 and 0430. The process clearing the numerous security checks at Kathmandu Airport is lengthy and challenges even the most seasoned traveler so be well rested and ready for it.  7am liftoff and 75 minutes later, “Hello Paro, Bhutan”. A 75-minute transfer to the capital Thimphu where we will grab lunch along the way.  We’ll arrive at the Druk Hotel early afternoon and rest before evening yoga, meditation and dinner at the hotel.  Walks unescorted around the town of Thimphu are permitted.  The town is nestled in a gentle green valley and is not anywhere near as frantic as Kathmandu, so the inner peace really starts emerging shortly after arriving in this country.  Bhutan regularly surveys a random 10% of their population to assess their GNH, “gross national happiness”, and it shows.  The locals are wonderfully accommodating so enjoy mixing and relating with them as much as possible.  Their peaceful energy is infectious.

Distance/Duration: ~85 km / 2.5-3 hours drive

Elevation: Thimphu (2,334m) to Punakha (1,242m)

Highlights: Drive via the Dochula Pass (3,100m) offering panoramic views of the

Eastern Himalayas. Visit Punakha Dzong, the "Palace of Great Happiness," the second largest and second oldest dzong in Bhutan. Walk through the suspension bridge across the Pho Chhu River.

Start the day with morning yoga and meditation, enjoy breakfast and then drive to Punakha along Bhutan’s second highest mountain pass, with lunch included along the way. The drive is spectacular with magical vistas, quaint villages, & waterfalls. Check in at the Zhingham Resort (spectacular views) and spend the remainder of the day exploring picturesque Punakha valley, where 2 rivers meet. 

 In detail:

After morning yoga meditation and breakfast, we depart for Punakha.  About 3 hrs drive where we will stop at Bhutan’s 2nd highest mountain pass Dochula Pass (3100m) for photos of the panoramic views of the eastern Himalayas.  Lunch along the way and then we arrive at Punakha Dzong, “Palace Of Great Happiness Or Bliss”, the 2nd largest and 2nd oldest dzong in Bhutan.  This majestic structure is home to sacred relics from the school of Tibetan Buddhism and equally sacred remains of terton Pema Lingpa, a Bhutanese Saint.  This dzong is situated between the male Pho Chhu River and the Female Mo Chhu River, after their convergence becomes the Sankosh River that makes its way across the border into India at Kalikhola.  Punakha is the Winter Capital of Bhutan and many monks spend the winters here.  Close by is the 160m suspension bridge across Pho Chhu dating back to 1637.  With prayer flags across the span and the dzong in sight, crossing this bridge follows in the footsteps of countless pilgrims and sages.  Back to check in at the RKPO Green Resort Punakha, which boasts spectacular views. The remainder of the day exploring the local picturesque Punakha Valley, where the 2 rivers meet.

Evening yoga and meditation if you want, followed by dinner at the Resort.  Ladies and fellas, check out the spa and spoil yourselves.

After breakfast, check-out from the hotel and drive to Paro

On arrival in Paro, check into the hotel. After lunch, proceed to visit Ta Dzong, originally built as Watchtower, which now houses National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique Thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons &armour, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts.

Ta Dzong visit immediately followed by a short walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong (ParoDzong), meaning (“fortress of the heap of jewels”), which has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore such as four friends, the old man of long life, the wheel of life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount. Sumeru and other cosmic Mandala.

Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

After breakfast excursion to Taktshang Monastery or Tiger’s Nest (approx. 5 hours walk):  It is one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is called ‘Tiger’s Nest’. This site has been recognised as a most sacred place and visited by ShabdrungNgawangNamgyal in 1646 and now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime. On 19 April, 1998, a fire severely damaged the main structure of building but now this Bhutanese jewel has been restored to its original splendour.

Flight Duration: ~1 hour

Elevation: Paro (2,200m) to Kathmandu (1,400m)

Highlights: Enjoy the scenic flight offering views of the Himalayas, including Mount Everest.Arrive in Kathmandu, rest, and free time.

Check in at the Hotel Manaslu, eat lunch, rest, and enjoy some free time, afternoon yoga & meditation, followed by dinner at the hotel. 

In detail:

Skip yoga, meditation AND breakfast this morning with transfers to airport around 04.30. Our fight back to Nepal lifting off 07.00. Again, this unique flight path takes us past the most spectacular views of the Himalayas including Mt Everest.  Once in Kathmandu, we check in at Hotel Manaslu, where you can literally meditate on the Sri Yantra mandala, tiled on the floor of their enormous pool as do your mindful laps.  Perhaps walk their lush gardens OR chill the Aussie way at the poolside bar.  They boast contemporary, French, Indian and local cuisine so lunch and dinner can be as exotic or as familiar as you wish.  With plenty of afternoon free time, and just 15 minutes’ walk away from the heart of bustling Thamel, Kathmandu is no place you’ll ever feel bored, but remember there is some yoga and meditation planned for this evening also.