A Mindfulness Journey to Bhutan

Upon landing in Bhutan, you will be meet at the airport and whisked to our hotel in the capital city, Thimphu. After lunch at the hotel, we'll go into town where we’ll do some kira shopping at one of our favorite local design shops, Kelzang Textiles. The kira is Bhutan’s traditional attire worn by women. Historically, they’re woven by hand in intricate patterns. Kelzang still creates these one-of-a-kind pieces herself with the help of her two daughters. The family will warmly assist you in finding something just right for you. (The kira purchase is included in your trip cost).

Rest and freshen up, dinner will be at 7pm at the hotel.

HOTEL: Zhiwaling Ascent

After breakfast at our hotel we’ll drive to visit Zorig Chusum, the Traditional Arts College. The school provides up to 6 years worth of instruction in Bhutan’s 13 Traditional Arts. Students specialize in painting, woodcarving, embroidery, clay statue making and much more. Here we’ll have the opportunity to watch while they create and learn how the various crafts are made, later if you wish you can purchase their crafts in the shop on the premises.

Later we’ll head over to meet retired Lt. Colonel Kesang Choden for a cooking class at her home. Her mission is to preserve and promote the Bhutanese food culture.

Trained in the prestigious Indian Police Service (IPS) in Hyderabad, India, she served the Royal Bhutan Police for 23 years as one of the first two women Police officers in Bhutan.

She developed her culinary skills to become a self-taught chef with decades of experience and now specializes in organic Bhutanese cuisine and food culture. She’ll be our instructor in a cooking lesson outside on a traditional Bhutanese stove using all local and organic ingredients. After our hands-on class we’ll dine on the delicious meal we’ve just made.

This afternoon you will have the option to either rest at the hotel or explore more of Thimphu town by visiting the National Memorial Chorten a prominent landmark in the city with its golden spires and bells or perhaps observe an archery demonstration, one of the nation’s most popular sports.

In the evening before dinner, we will be participating in a bonfire and cultural program. Then we’ll dine on organic vegetables from the garden as well as meat sourced from New Zealand at our hotel with Ms. Kuenga Wangmo, Bhutan’s Only Archaeologist. Ms Wangmo is quite accomplished as a National Geographic explorer with her doctorate degree from Cambridge.

Overnight: Zhiwaling Ascent

Today after breakfast, we’ll drive to visit Asia’s tallest Buddha Dordenma Statue which sits high up on a mountain with beautiful views of the capital city.

Today we’ll savor lunch with members of BAOWE (Bhutan Association of Women Entrepreneurs), an association that works towards developing a socially conscious driven private sector by promoting women entrepreneurs at the grassroots level. Their work contributes to poverty reduction by enabling women to be self-reliant by operating businesses from a GNH (Gross National Happiness) perspective.

After lunch, we’ll drive up to hike the Debsi Trail to enjoy the spectacular views. 

Later on, today we’ll have the opportunity to visit the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery. The nunnery houses a spiritual learning and meditation center. Apart from religious training, the nunnery provides life skills training, such as tailoring, statue making and traditional paintings. We’ll be welcomed into the prayer room to join the nuns where we’ll part in their evening prayer ceremony. This is an ideal time to wear our kiras. This unique opportunity is not afforded to most visitors.

As the sun sets, we'll have dinner at the hotel with actor Mr. Dorji Wangchuk. Check out his film, "Yak in the classroom" on NETFLIX.

After breakfast, we'll drive to Punakha (2 hours). Stopping on the way to experience the Meditation caves at Dochula Pass (3100m). 

Your host for lunch, Ms. Aum Karma Yangchen, is a very experienced designer and weaver. She designed the 5th King’s Coronation Gho (traditional Bhutanese attire for men). Spend the afternoon witnessing a Traditional Dyeing demonstration while enjoying a wonderful meal that she’s prepared. She makes some of the best hearty, home-made food in the whole nation!

We’ll walk Bhutan’s longest Suspension Bridge and then drive to the Happiness Field Valley Farm Home for lunch. This is a charming family farm home that stands out for several reasons. The farm home’s stone clad walls, black wooden frames and smoke covered kitchen walls gives it a beautiful yet rustic feel. 

Today we’ll visit the historic Punakha Dzong, known as the palace of great happiness or bliss. It was built in 1637-38 and is the second oldest and second largest dzong (fortress) in Bhutan and the former capital building. The dzong houses the sacred remains of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the founder of Bhutan. It is located in the heart of the valley at the confluence of the Pho Chhu (male river) and Mo Chhu (female river). The Central Monastic Body spends their winters here.

We'll drive to out new hotel, Dhensa Boutique Resort, to relax then have dinner.

Overnight: Dhensa Boutique Resort

After an ealy breakfast, we’ll drive to the Haa District, located 5 hours’ drive from Punakha.  We’ll stop at the Chelela Pass (3988m), the highest navigable pass in Bhutan by car.

Haa is the last (and final) district to open to tourism back in 2002. During the pre-Buddhist era, Haa was known for its animist tradition dating back 700 years or more. Then inhabitants were encouraged to make animal sacrifices and offer their blood to their local deity. Traces of this belief system are still noticeable in the form of festivals and rituals.

Today we’ll visit Ugyen & Doley’s Farm Home for lunch. We’ll be welcomed by our hosts, Ugyen and Doley (husband and wife) who will serve us warm traditional butter tea in their spacious Bukhari room.  At their home we’ll try the local specialty “Hoentay” (buckwheat dumplings) with spinach and cheese fillings.

After enjoying our meal together we’ll have the unique pleasure of taking part in a hot stone bath in the traditional style.

Later this afternoon we’ll drive to our luxury glamping site to enjoy a starry night in the quietude and beauty of the mountainous countryside. The interiors of our luxury tents are made cozy by traditional Bhutanese decor including; yak blankets, handmade bedspreads and Bhutanese rugs. It is the only outdoor accommodation in the Kingdom uses only renewable energies (solar and lithium) to power the campsite and does not use disposable plastics.

After settling in, we’ll witness sacred songs and dances, and we’ll enjoy a delicious dinner around a bonfire. Here we’ll also have the pleasure of sampling several varieties of Bhutanese Whiskies. All whiskey produced in Bhutan belongs to a project initiated by the 4th King. There is great care taken in producing these local spirits.

After breakfast we’ll drive 2 hours back to Paro. Today we’ll hike to the famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery which clings to a cliff at 3120m above sea level (over 10,250 feet) This is the penultimate experience in Bhutan. For those unable to hike the 5 hours roundtrip there is a place to sit and relax about half-way and enjoy the view as well as refreshments.

Upon arrival we’ll visit the cave where the tigress slept and practice meditation at one of the four main temples with the resident monks, something the general public doesn’t get to do. After this special experience we’ll enjoy a picnic outside the monastery.

After arriving and checking into the hotel, we’ll meet with a traditional medicine expert. Bhutan was once called the ‘Land of Herbal Medicine’. Our expert is one of the best in the country and will offer each of us a consultation including recommending diets and treatments. You will then be able to enjoy one of these treatments (included) feeling refreshed and restored after.

Tonight – a celebratory farewell meal will be held outside at the Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary, overlooking the Neyphu Valley. After dinner we’ll enjoy a bonfire and beverages under the stars.

Overnight: Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary

After breakfast together we’ll drive you back to the airport to catch your flight home. For those who would like to continue on, see below for add on experiences in Bhutan.