Tour Overview
Our tours offer life-changing spiritual journeys to one of the most exotic, mystical and transformative places. We create these trips just for you, to nourish your soul and introduce you to new lands and cultures.
The main idea of the spiritual tours is to give you time to unwind the complexities of the world through meditation, to cultivate peace and calm of mind whilst enjoying the serene environment and poignant calm of the century old monasteries and temples in Bhutan.
Spiritual travels are always more than ordinary trips. You shall be fascinated by the ways in which travel and spirituality intersect. Certain places have an almost magnetic pull on our souls, whether they’re to a holy site in a distant land or to a place of private meaning for a single person.
Our Spiritual tours are especially designed for people who want to experience Bhutan’s rich spiritual history and Buddhist heritage. Each day on your itinerary we will endeavor to show you different facets of Buddhism as lived by Bhutanese and some of the sacred sites in Bhutan like the famed Tiger’s nest in Paro, Chorten Kora, burning lake (Me-Bar Tsho) in Bumthang and a lot of other pilgrimage sites.
Tour Details
Day 01: Arrival at Paro
Flight to Paro offers enthralling spectacular views of the high sacred peaks of theHimalayas. You will be received and welcomed at the gate of exit by our representative, who will play host/guide during your stay inBhutan.
Few minutes drive to Kyichu temple to receive blessing and luck for the pilgrimage ahead. In the 7 century A.D Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo builtKyichuTempleas one of the 108 temple to pin down the left foot of ogress.
Later in the evening we will take a stroll through Paro town and then visit Paro Dzong, followed by a Welcome dinner in the evening.
Day 02: Paro Valley Sightseeing
If the weather is pleasant with clear sky, then we shall drive to Chelela pass at an elevation of 3900m. There you can see the picturesque view of elegantJhomolhari,Bhutan’s sacred peak and other snow-clad mountains.
In the Afternoon we shall visit the Ta Dzong, which served as a watchtower to safeguard the dzong (fortress) below from the Tibetan invaders. Now it houses theNationalMuseum, a visit to the museum gives us an idea of cultural and ecological richness ofBhutan.
We’ll visit Dungtse Lhakhang, the only temple in the form of a chorten stupa built by the famous Iron brigde builder in 15th century. We will finish the day by visiting the ruin of the Drukgyel Dzong, fortress of the victorious drukpas built in 1649 to celebrate a decisive victory over Tibetan forces and to curtail further invasion.
Day 03: Paro – Thimphu
After breakfast, drive to Thimphu, the capital ofBhutan, (58 kms 2:00hrs). We shall visit the weekend agricultural farm produce market – the Centenary Farmers Market, followed by a familiarization tour of the capital.
After lunch we shall visit The National Library, The national Institute for Thirteen Arts (Zorig Chusum),FolkHeritageMuseum, which ensures the preservation of country’s rich cultural heritage. Followed by Dechenphodrang monastic school andBBSTower(Sangay Gang hilltop) view point and Mini Zoo. The Mini Zoo at Motithang houses the national animal ofBhutan, Takin.
Day 04: Thimphu – Gangtey
After breakfast, we will start our tour with an interesting drive to Gangte (Phobjikha-glacial valley) via Punakha and Wangdue Phodrang valley for five hours covering 133 Kms. En-route stop at Dochula pass at 3140m, on clear day we can view the easternHimalayas snow peak. On the way we shall visitWangdueTown and Punakha town.
Day 05: Gangte – Trongsa
After breakfast, we will start our tour with a 3 hour (68Kms) drive from Gangtey to Trongsa. We shall visit the 453 year old Gangte Gonpa, the most important monastery of the Pedling tradition of Buddhism in westernBhutan.
From monastery we shall take the nature trail walk through the pine forest and crane roosting place. The valley is one of the most beautiful spots in the country and home to endanger Black Necked Cranes that migrate from northern Tibet to escape its harsh winter. Followed by a visit at Centre for Crane Observation and Education in the valley.
After lunch drive toward east through Pelela pass 3300m to Trongsa Dzong one of the largest and the most impressive dzong inBhutan, signifying the magnificent work of Buddhist architecture.
Day 06 : Trongsa – Bumthang
Today’s onward journey begins with a visit to Kunga Rabten Palace the winter residence of the 2nd King. Followed by drive across the Yotongla pass 3425m as the road opens into Chhume Valley dotted with number of villages and temples.
In the evening we shall stroll around the Bumthang town and pay homage to Jarkar Lhakhang, the statue of the Guru Pema Jungney in the Lhakhang was believed to be an artwork of thousands of dakinis (female celestial divine beings) and not one of human.
Day 07: Bumthang Holy Pilgrimage
Bumthang is the most historical valley visited by the great Buddhist saint from India, Guru Rinpoche in the 8th century A.D. Bumthang also served as the home of famous saints of Nyingma School, such as Longchen Rabjampa (1308-1521) of Tibet who was exiled to Bhutan for more than 10 years and Terton Pema Lingpa, the reincarnation of Longchen Rabjampa, to whose descendants the present dynasty traces its ancestry.
We shall visit the following sacred sites:
- In the morning: Jakar Dzong, the dzong of the white bird, Jampa Lhakhang, one of the 108 lhakhang built by Songtsen Gampo, King of Tibet in 7th century A.D and Kurjey Lhakhang.
- After lunch visit to Membar Tsho (the Burning lake), which is actually a narrow gorge of river from where Terton Pema Lingpa revealed the treasures hidden by Guru Rinpoche.
Day 08: Bumthang – Punakha
After breakfast we drive back to Punakha (218kms – 8hrs drive) and in the evening visit Chimi Lhakhang, the famous fertility monastery built in 1456. A pleasant short walk through the paddy fields and farm houses ends at Chimi Lhakahng, a temple dedicated to yogi saint Drukpa Kuenley, popularly known as the divine madman (1455-1529).
Day 09: Punakha – Thimphu
Today morning wes shall visit Punakha Dzong, the second ofBhutan’s dzongs built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Rinpoche. Punakha is reputed as one of the most beautiful and significant regions at the heart of Bhutanese culture.
It boasts several ancient temples that constitute some of the most significant spiritual treasure ofBhutan. The very secret relic called Rangjung Kharsapani, a statue of Avalokitesvara, which appeared miraculously from the vertebra of Tsangpa Gyare, the founder of theDrukpaSchoolinTibet, at the time of his cremation was placed in this dzong.
Hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, perched high on the strategic ridge above Punakha valley in Yebesa, 7 kms from Punakha. The chorten contains the images of all the manifestation of the wrathful Dorji Phurpa (vajra kila). It was built to help remove negative forces and promote peace, stability and harmony in the changing world, and the well-being and long life of our beloved monarch. After lunch drive toThimphuand shopping in the evening.
Day 10: Thimphu – Paro
In the morning drive to Paro (58 kms 2:00hrs) and after early lunch hike to the Taktshang (Tiger’s lair) the most famous and sacred hanging cliff monastery inBhutan. This place is especially venerated because of its association with Guru Rinpoche, who is said to have flown to Paro Takshang in the form of Guru Dorji Drolo, mounted on a flaming dakini-tigress in the 747 A.D. This is perfect opportunity for those who wish to connect with guru Rinpoche on the final day inBhutan.
Day 11: Departure
Farewell at airport for international departure.
Services Offered
Daily Tariff (High tourist season):
US $250 per person per day on twin sharing basis during the Month of March, April, May, September, October, November
Daily Tariff (low tourist season):
US $ 200 per person per day on twin sharing basis during the month of January, February, June, July, August, December
All the tours can be customized and clients can request extra services.
SINGLE ROOM SUPPLIMENT US $ 30 PER NIGHT PER PERSON.
FIT surcharges 1 pax US $ 40 per day per person.
FIT surcherges 2 pax US $ 30 per day per person.
Cost Includes:
1. All Permits
2. Museum Fees
3. All Sightseeing
4. Walks and Hikes
5. Bottled Mineral Water
6. English Speaking Guide
7. Double/Twin in 2/3 Star Accomodation
8. Receive and Transfer to Airport
9. 3 Meals every day with Evening Tea
10. Toyota SUV for FIT & Toyota Bus for Group with Driver
Cost Does Not Include:
1. Insurance
2. Inbound Airfare
3. Gifts & Souvenirs
4. Alcohol & Beverages
5. Round Trip Air fare
6. Donations to Monasteries
7. International Telephone Calls
8. Tips for Guide, Driver & other Staff
Note:
TCB Licensed language Speaking Guides US $ 100 per day.
Tour price is based on High Season Tariff of US $ 250. For low season months it will be based on Low Season Tariff of US $ 200
