8-day The Mindfulness Journey To Bhutan

Itinerary

Day 1: PARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – Your first glimpse of Bhutan

Pass By: Airport Road, Paro, Bhutan
At the Airport exit gate your tour guide and driver will be waiting for you and a few minutes’ drive will bring you to the Paro town where you can have your lunch or tea/coffee.

Stop At: Rinpung Dzong, Paro Bhutan
The majestic Rinpung Dzong or the Fortress of Heaped Jewels is located along the Paro river gathering attention and admiration from every corner of the valley. Like all the Dzongs in the country, the Rinpung Dzong houses the administrative offices along side the district monastic body, i.e. the monks, their living quarters and learning centers. The beautiful view of the wide Paro valley with its paddy fields and Pa Chhu (Paro river) from the Dzong is spectacular and a good vantage point to take panoramic pictures of the valley. However, the Dzong along with the traditional cantilever bridge and the Museum (above the Dzong) illuminated by floodlights make for impressive night photography. The Rinpung Dzong is featured in Bernardo Bertolucci’s 1993 Hollywood movie ‘Little Buddha’ starring Keanu Reeves as a young Buddha; and one of Hongkong’s leading entertainment couple, actors Tony Leung and Carina Lau who got married in Bhutan chose the Dzong as an exclusive spot.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: National Museum of Bhutan, Paro, Bhutan
The National Museum located above the Rinpung Dzong was previously a watch tower (Ta Dzong) built in 1649 to guard the valley from numerous Tibetan invasions. Built in the shape of a conch shell the tower was converted to a Museum in 1968, was severely damaged by three major earthquakes, the recent being in 2011 and renovated and reopened in all its former architectural glory in June 2020 as the National Museum.

The Museum has on display numerous unique sets of religious and historical artifacts that narrate the traditional heritage and culture of Bhutan. The artifacts include festival masks, fine arts, paintings, textiles from all over Bhutan, collection of stamps, preserved specimens of exotic animals and many antique collections. A visit to the Museum will familiarize a visitor to the ancient culture and traditions of Bhutan and discover the beauty, mystery, myths and legends that makes Bhutan a hidden gem of a country.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch: At Restaurant of your choice
• Dinner: Dinner at Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary, a 5 star hotel in Paro, Bhutan
Accommodation included: Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary, Paro, Bhutan

Day 2: The day at Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary

Stop At: Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary, Neyphu Valley, Shaba Paro BT 12001, Bhutan
On your first day at the Sanctuary you will receive a consult with our trained traditional medicine doctors, your designated Well-Being Guides. Aligned with your personal goals, they will create a customized well-being program for the duration of your stay, including a selection of wellness treatments, activities, and a dietary advice, which our Chefs will make sure to follow in preparation of your meals.
As per your personalized well-being program you will also do one or more of the following:
Wellness treatment
Meditation or yoga (either guided or on your own)
Swim, gym or take a stroll
Special activity such as cooking or pottery class, archery or khuru (Bhutanese darts)
Tip: Start reading your complimentary copy of The Restful Mind, which is placed in your room.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Eutok Goenpa, Shaba Lam, Paro, Bhutan
Today afternoon we combine some nature with culture by taking you on a short hike to the Eutok goenpa, the monastic school across the valley from the Sanctuary.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast: At Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary
• Lunch: At Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary
• Dinner: At Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary
Accommodation included: Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary, Paro, Bhutan

Day 3: Hike and heal, your second day at Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary

Stop At: Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary, Neyphu Valley, Shaba Paro BT 12001, Bhutan
To start off the day in the best possible manner, you will either do some yoga, meditation, swim, gym or a short walk.

Now you have adjusted somewhat to your new home we can really start your (re-) connecting to yourself. Nature is one of the best possible healers, so we will take a long hike through our beautiful valley and halfway stop for a short meditation and a picnic.

After your return to the Sanctuary you will first receive a relaxing and healing traditional medicine treatment in our wellness area, and if needed meet again with one of our Well-Being Guides to check your condition.

The rest of the afternoon and evening are your own, and you can make further use of any of our wellness facilities and services, continue reading The Restful Mind or take part in one of our special activities. In the evening during dinner we will have a mystery guest who will share their inspirational story of a transformational journey.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary, Paro, Bhutan

Day 4: Bumdra Trek, first overnight camp

Stop At: Bumdrak Monastery, Bhutan
It is one of the most beautiful short duration treks in Bhutan with only one night camping in the wild. But the scenery and landscape may well be worth compared to all of the other treks and also in terms of the adventure and the experience that goes along as you hike up. Also called the ‘The Trek of the Thousand Dakinis’ (celestial female beings) you can even explore the numerous sacred and holy caves where the angels had convened. You can also get a spectacular view of the Taktsang Monastery from the top, which you will not see from the usual tourist route.

Distance: 20 minutes’ drive; 7 Kms hike,
Duration: 3 – 4 hours,
Camp Altitude: 3,500 meters

From your hotel, drive for about 20 minutes till you reach the road end at Sangchhoekor Buddhist College perched on a hill top at 2,800 meters. It is a beautiful hike with sweeping views of the Paro valley, the Himalayan ranges and meadows adorned with prayer flags till you reach the campsite just below the BumDrak Monastery.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: At Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary
• Lunch: Packed Lunch from Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary
• Dinner: At the Camp Site prepared by the Trekking Chef
Accommodation included: Bumdra Camp Site

Day 5: Mediation amid the floating clouds

Stop At: Bumdrak Monastery, Bhutan
In the morning, hike 2 hours up hill gaining 210 m covering almost 2.36 Km till you reach 2 of the 3 sky burial. At the top, over looking the Paro Valley and the mountain top carpeted with blue, yellow and purple shrub Rhododendron flowers, cool fresh air and the clouds floating beneath, on a flat area atop, you will either undergo guided mediation with your mediation teacher or meditate on your own. Then followed by Yoga for those interested while others just enjoy the scenic beauty of Himalayan Mountains. Hot tea with some snacks will be served on the mountaintop.

Lunch, Dinner and night at the campsite.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast: At the camp site prepared by trekking Chef
• Lunch: At the camp site prepared by trekking Chef
• Dinner: At the camp site prepared by trekking Chef
Accommodation included: Bumdra Camp Site

Day 6: Bumdra – Tiger’s Nest Monastery – Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary.

Stop At: Paro Taktsang, Taktsang trail BT, Taktsang trail, Bhutan
Enjoy the beautiful sunrise from your campsite and after a hearty breakfast start your hike towards the sacred Tiger’s Nest Monastery. The trail is through forests of rhododendron and pine trees and is a moderately leisurely hike. Most of the tourists only visit the main temples at the Tiger’s Nest, however you are a lucky few to be able to visit the temples on the top particularly the Zangdopelri temple. Zangdopelri means or is the mystical Glorious Copper Colored Mountain of Guru Rinpoche and you can enjoy a bird’s eye view of the other temples far below.

Short mediation at the main temple, Tiger’s Nest Monastery.

After visiting the temples on the top, hike further down to visit the main temples and gradually climb down till you reach the base where your vehicle and driver waits to take you to your hotel.

After returning to the Sanctuary we recommend you to take a hot stone (herbal) bath with a full body kunye massage to really relax your weary limbs and revive yourself for this evening’s event.
Tonight the Chefs at the hotel will prepare you a special healthy Bhutanese family style dinner and the Sanctuary team will give you a short traditional dance performance.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: At camp site prepared by the trekking chef
• Lunch: Packed lunch by Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary/ proper lunch at Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary
• Dinner: At Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary
Accommodation included: Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary, a 5 star hotel in Paro, Bhutan

Day 7: Connect, Contemplate, Relax and be Present

Stop At: Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary, Neyphu Valley, Shaba Paro BT 12001, Bhutan
Today is all about connecting to your inner-self and quiet contemplation.

You can either decide to spend some time outside of the Sanctuary, in our valley, by going on one of the many available hikes, or to just stay in and find some peace in one of the many quiet and scenic spots of the Sanctuary, where you can meditate, do yoga, swim, gym, or read a book. Of course, our wellness facilities and our Well-Being Guides will be at your full disposal as always.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary, a 5 Star Hotel in Paro focussed on Wellness

Day 8: Depart

Pass By: Airport Road, Paro, Bhutan
Depending on the time of your flight your tour guide and driver will drop you to the Airport, or if it’s an afternoon flight you can continue exploring the valley and its popular attractions.

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.