Bhutan
Your Bhutan yoga retreat adventure is full of only-here immersion and wonder. Through our unique connections you will experience a blessing with the High Lama, stay at an active monastery, explore ancient fortresses and temples, raft the rapids, mingle with monks and discover yourself in the Land of the Thunder Dragon. In this world apart, you’ll discover a moving feast of culture, nature and infectious local smiles. It’s an ideal destination for personal enrichment and deepening your yoga practice. Bhutan culture is preserved by issuing only a limited number of tourist visas each year, so they are able to welcome visitors sustainably w
hile preserving their endemic and natural beauty.
Bhutanese humor will invoke your inner (laughing) sage and your friends and family may start wondering, what happened on that Bhutan yoga retreat?! You’ll emit a deep vibration of bliss as you walk through your normal life, just knowing that a place that measures success by an index of happiness exists.
The Itinerary
Your Bhutan yoga retreat adventure will weave together the best of the country’s culture and nature—all while grounding your experience with deep breaths and yoga. Exclusive, hyper-local experiences, hiking and culture are at your fingertips. You’ll stay in deluxe local hotels in Thimphu, Punakha, and Paro, as well as a unique overnight in a monastery, hike to the iconic Tiger’s Nest (i.e., Paro Taktsang), play a friendly soccer game with monks, visit the world’s largest Buddha statue, the Buddha Dodernma and plenty more. Soak your body in a traditional hot stone bath and your spirit in the mysteries and enchantment of Bhutan.
Accomodations
As you explore the country and stay and 3 different unique locations:
THIMPHU
Family-run hospitality and the gorgeous handiwork of local artisans welcome you to Bhutan. Every aspect of these first nights reinforce the beauty and pride of Bhutanese art and history. Enjoy modern amenities and charm of the Namgay Heritage Hotel and the seclusion it offers, just a few minutes walk away from the heart of Thimphu.
PUNAKHA
Enjoy understated luxury and the simplicity of clean design and floor to ceiling windows in your deluxe rooms in the Punakha Valley. Surrounded by thick pine forests and overlooking the Punakha River, Dhensa Boutique Hotel is simple and luxurious comfort. Train your camera on the hundreds of paddy fields that stair-step down to the valley floor.
PARO
Floor to ceiling windows warm and brighten each cottage while highlighting the all-encompassing forest and Himalayan mountain range views. The Himalayan Keys Forest Resort is a wholly Bhutanese-owned, boutique hotel designed to capture a luxurious treehouse experience. Tucked away and off the beaten path, the cottages are also close to it all and only a few minutes walk to Drukgyel Dzong. Wandering through the beauty out-of-doors to local ruins is a stunning way to end your Bhutan yoga retreat adventure.
Detailed Itinerary
DAY ONE
Fly into Bhutan through the Paro Valley and spy the Pa Chu (Paro river) and Ta Dzong (watchtower)
Exit the arrivals at the airport to meet up with our guide and head out for the 1 hr drive to Thimphu
Enjoy a welcome blessing and spiritual cleansing from the High Lama of Bhutan
Head to Thimpu to check-in and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant
Join local nuns for an evening prayer ceremony
Opening yoga class
Group dinner and welcome to Bhutan!
DAY TWO
Sunrise yoga at the base of the Buddha Dordenma statue
Breakfast picnic at the statue and entrance
Cooking lesson with foodie pioneer Aum Karma at her home
Transfer back to town for a lunch sampling the local cuisine
Return to the hotel for the evening yoga class
Group dinner at the hotel
Optional – if you’ve got the energy, head out to one of Thimpu’s dance clubs (electronic beats anyone?)
DAY THREE
Early morning yoga and breakfast
Hike to Dodeydra Monastery
Learn the rituals and participate in a butter lamp offering
Enjoy lunch at the monastery with the monks
Head outside this afternoon with the monks for a friendly soccer match
Practice your passing skills and bring a sense of humor to the pitch!
Early evening meditation with the monastery’s lama
Evening prayer session with monastery’s monks
Evening dinner and overnight at the monastery
DAY FOUR
Enjoy morning yoga with your new friends from the monastery
Say goodbye and hike back to Thimphu and catch a ride to Punakha
Mid-drive stop in the Dochu La pass and lunch, and stunning views, at Druk Wangyel
Walk the paddy fields to the Chimi Lhankhang – a temple dedicated to a great yogi known as the “Divine Madman”
Check-in and enjoy an evening yoga session
Dinner at the local hotel
DAY FIVE
Early morning yoga and breakfast at the hotel
Hike to the Khamsum Yuelley Monastery
Head out for a big day on the river rafting either the Mo Chu or Po Chu rivers
Raft through the stunning Bhutanese backdrop and by the 17th century Punakha Dzong – no experience necessary, just a willingness to paddle and get wet!
Enjoy a post-rafting riverside picnic
Head to explore the Punakha Dzong on an ancient walking path
Traverse Bhutan’s longest suspension bridge
Dinner and bonfire evening at Aum Karma’s farm home (no evening yoga)
DAY SIX
Early morning yoga and group breakfast
Drive to Wangdue Phodrang – one of the largest dzongkhags in the country
Explore the stunning Wangdue Dzong with a Bhutanese architect and walking-Wangdue-encyclopedia
Explore the stunning and ancient village of Rinchengang
Evening outdoor yoga
Group dinner at the hotel
DAY SEVEN
Early morning yoga and breakfast at the hotel
Transfer to the historic town of Paro
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant
Head into the woods with local experts to learn the technique of textile dyeing and weaving
Traditional textiles in Bhutan are highly regarded and have an important cultural and historical language all their own
Evening yoga session and dinner at the hotel
DAY EIGHT
Early morning yoga at the chorten-style Buddhist temple Dungtse Lhakhang
Enjoy breakfast a local cafe
Drive to the stunning Chelela Pass
Luxuriate in a picnic at 13,000ft with stunning views of the sacred mountains of Jomothari and Jichu Drake
Evening yoga to unwind
Group dinner at the hotel
DAY NINE
Early morning hike to the Taktsang Monastery Tiger’s Nest
Morning yoga along the hike
Enjoy a picnic breakfast
This most famous of Bhutan landmarks requires a hike of approximately 5 hours to reach the monastery
Learn the history and significance of the monastery as one of the most sacred and venerated sites in Buddhism
Explore the Sacred Caves below Tiger’s Nest
Meditation with the lama at the monastery
Head back into town post-hike and explore Paro
Luxuriate hike weary muscles in a traditional hot stone bath
Final Bhutan yoga
Group farewell dinner
DAY TEN
Group breakfast and final Bhutan goodbyes
Transfer to the Paro airport for your flight to Bangkok and onward back home
Pricing
Double
$7995 pp
$750 non-refundable deposit due upon booking. Balance may be paid via payments anytime.
Private
$9295
$750 non-refundable deposit due upon booking. Balance may be paid via payments anytime.
What’s Included
Ten days in-country with an expert local English speaking guide
Bhutan visa and permit management
Round trip flight from Bangkok to Bhutan
Breakfast each morning at our hotels
All lunches including local eateries and picnic(s)
All dinners in a local restaurant or at our hotels
Morning and evening yoga on most days (please see the full itinerary for yoga schedule)
Three nights luxury boutique hotel in Thimphu
Three nights luxury boutique hotel in Punakha
Three nights luxury boutique hotel in Paro
Full day excursion and hike to the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery
Blessing by the High Lama of Bhutan
White water rafting adventure
Overnight in an active monastery
Evening prayer sessions with local nuns
Friendly soccer match with monastery monks
Explore Punakha Dzong
Up close and personal with one of the worlds largest Buddha statue – the Buddha Dodernma
Cooking class with organic and local food pioneer Aum Karma
Drive through and time to explore the Chelala Pass’s vibrant flora and views of Mt. Jomolhari
Stroll the paddy fields to Chimi Lhakang
All entry fees for the above sights and additional activities as listed on the itinerary
What’s Not Included
Flights to Bangkok, Thailand (BKK)
Any video or still camera fees assessed by the monuments or places of interest
Alcohol
Gratuities (for your Bhutanese guide – all other gratuities are covered)
Items of a personal nature (phone calls, souvenirs, spa services, etc)
Travel Insurance (required)
Retreat Gallery
FAQs
Why is this trip so expensive?
It’s an amazing trip and yes, an expensive trip. Bhutan is commitment to conservation is bigger than most. Conservation of the environment is one of the four pillars of Bhutan's Gross National Happiness. Because of this, Bhutan has adopted the strategy of “low volume, high quality” tourism, and charges a daily fee of $250 per person. In addition, we want to make sure that you have the most unique, only available here, up close and personal experiences and don’t have to worry about a thing. Your flights from Bangkok to Bhutan are included, visa fees are included, and it goes without saying that every amazing experience is included. And of course, the trip is fully supported from start to finish by the amazing staff at The Travel Yogi. You will not be dissapointed!
Where should I fly into?
You’ll want to schedule your flight into Bangkok (BKK) at least one day before the trip begins. We have your flight from Bangkok to Paro, Bhutan taken care of on day one of your trip, but flight times are determined closer to the trip so everyone needs to be in the night before. There are sleeping pods as well as a lovely onsite hotel if you want to stay right at BKK.
We’ll also fly you back to Bangkok on the last day of your adventure and we require that you not book any outbound flight from Thailand any earlier than 9pm on the last day.
What about passports and visas?
All U.S. travelers will need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of arrival and have at least one blank page for entry stamps. We will be taking care of visas for all travelers and will require a full color, scanned copy of your photo passport page (photographs are not allowed). Entry information can change so please visit the State Department’s website for up to date information. Travelers from all other countries should check with their government for passport entry requirements. We will obtain visas for all travelers
Do I need to be an experienced yogi or very flexible?
Absolutely NOT! This trip is for anyone who is seeking adventure in a stunning location unlike any other. All of the classes offered will taught by Kendell and be directed at creating an atmosphere that enhances your journey. You do not have to be able to touch your toes or even have taken a yoga class to be wholeheartedly welcomed and made to feel right at home.
Do I need to bring my own yoga mat?
On this adventure, yes, it is necessary that you bring your own mat with you. Our guides will carry them for you, along with your luggage. A mat and a strap are good options but unless you absolutely need a block, we recommend you leave that at home. Kendell can offer a very well rounded, multi-level class without the use of props.