7 Days Bhutan Pilgrimage or Yoga Tour

Day 1

Arrive Paro

Welcome to Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon. On arrival at Paro airport and after completing your immigration formalities, you will be received by your tour guide from Zoid Jin Bhutan Tours and Treks. 

After Refreshment visit:

 •Ta Dzong / National Museum: On a ridge immediately above Rinpung Dzong is the Ta Dzong (watchtower), built as a watchtower to protect the Dzong from intruders and warring factions. In 1968 Paro’s Ta Dzong was inaugurated as the National Museum, and now holds a fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings, Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps, coins and handicrafts, together with a small natural history collection.

•Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong): Explore the Rinpung Dzong which the locals call the ‘fortress of a heap of jewels’. Built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the dzong stands on a hill above Paro Township. It is linked by the traditional cantilever bridge (called the Nemi Zam) over the Pa chu (Paro river) where one may pose a photograph. Experience a walk up a paved stone path running alongside the imposing outer walls.

Overnight at Paro

Day 2

Paro- Thimphu Sightseeing  with meditation

After breakfast drive to Thimphu  and visits the following’s :

Memorial Chorten also known as the Thimphu Chorten, is a stupa built in memory of the 3rd King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk by his mother Queen Ashi Phuntsho Choden Wangchuck. 

Kuenselphodrang where the Bhutan’s largest Buddha statue is perched on the hillock overlooking the entire Thimphu valley below and the view from there is magnificent. Craft Bazaar where craftsmen and artisans from across the country display and sell their handicrafts. 

Changangkha Lhakhang The temple is one of the oldest in Thimphu, built in the 12th century and is located above the main town of Thimphu overlooking the Thimphu valley. Meditation inside temple.

Nunnery (Thangtong Dewachen Nunnery) The nunnery, popularly known as Zilukha Anim Dratshang is located above Zilukha Lower Secondary School, overlooking Tashichodzong in Thimphu valley. It is a few minutes’ drive from the main Thimphu town. Meditation inside temple.

After lunch visit: 

Simtokha Dzong: Simtokha literally means “Atop a Demon” also known as Sanga Zabdhon Phodrang is located around 5km south of Thimphu center. It I the first Dzong built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel who unified Bhutan. 

Bhutan Post Office Headquarters to get personalized Bhutanese postage stamps with your photo on them. You can bring along your favorite photo to put on the stamps and put these stamps on your postcard to send to your family and friends. 

Overnight at Thimphu 

Day 3

Thimphu – Tango Hike and Pangrizampa Meditation

After breakfast visit :

Tango Hike : Tango is the highest level of Buddhist studies in Bhutan. The qualification after you finish Tango is equivalent to Masters Degree in Academy studies. Tango is also the seat of our renowned Buddhist Master known as Gyelse Tenzin Rabgay. The young reincarnation of the master still resides at Tango. We also have many other young reincarnated masters studying there. Meditate for 30 minutes.

Pangrizampa Lhakhang: The Pangrizampa Lhakhang also known as Druk Phodrang meaning Castle of Dragon is a few minutes’ walk away from the Dechencholing market. It is now an educational institute of monastic body for learning Astrology of Bhutan.

Over Night at Thimphu

Day 4

Thimphu –Dochula pass- Punakha sightseeing

After breakfast, drive to Punakha through Dochula Pass (3,088m/10,130ft). If you have a clear sky, the view of the Himalayan Mountain ranges is spectacular and you can even see the Gasa Dzong as a white dot in the horizon. Visit the beautiful 108 chortens built on the hill by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo for the security and well being of His Majesty the King of Bhutan.

After Lunch at Lobesa visit:

After Lunch at Lobesa  drive through Metshina village and walk to Chimi Lhakhang ( 20 minutes), temple of the divine Madman Lama Drukpa Kuenley where couples unable to conceive child, come here to receive blessing.

Visit Punakha Dzong,the Punakha Dzong is situated on the junction of the two rivers the Phochu (male river) and Mochu (female river) and is one of the most spectacular Dzongs in the country.

Overnight at hotel in Wangdue/ punakha

Day 5

Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Hike – Paro  

After breakfast:

·         Hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten (50 Mins) temple built by the Queen of Bhutan for peace and stability in this ever-changing world.

·         Water Rafting: While returning back from the hike there is a water rafting facilities in the base camp and if interested you can avail those facilities else you will be drive back where you will be going to stop at Zomlithang Stupa which is newly built by our Forth King’s father in law Dasho Ugyen Dorji for the sentient beings.

After lunch we will be going to make a drive back to Paro and will allocate one master who gives you talk about Buddhism with questions and answers.

Overnight at Paro.

Day 6

 Paro  - A Hike to Paro Takshang ( Tiger nest Temple ) 

After breakfast, hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’. The climb up to the viewpoint will take around 1 ½ hours and from there you will enjoy a spectacular view of the monastery clinging to the side of the cliff. Stop for refreshment at the View Point Cafeteria.Then walk further up to the monastery which will take another 1 ½ hour. It is said that in the 8th century Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan to this place and meditated in a cave here for 3 months. The principal Lhakhang (monastery) of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. Taktsang was damaged severely by fire in 1998 but has now been fully restored to its former glory.After visiting the monastery, walk back down to the road on the way stop for lunch at the view point cafeteria and then walk further down to the road point. 

Then travel back to your hotel, on the way visiting Kyichu temple,one of the 108 temples built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. The story goes that a giant demon lay across the whole area of Tibet and the Himalayas and was preventing the spread of Buddhism. To overcome her, King Songtsen Gampo decided to build 108 temples, which would be placed on all the points of her body. Kyichu Temple is one of the 108 temples. 

In the evening you may relax in the traditional hot stone bath. 

Get Together with Managing Director of Zoid Jin tours , Bhutan 

Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Paro

Day 7

Zoid Jin Tours & Treks (your local Bhutan travel agent) will see you off at the Paro Airport for your onward destinations.