There is a wide range of Bhutan Meditation tour which is suitable for a wide range of people. For serious practitioners, there are longer meditation tours whereas the beginners can start with introduction meditation programs.
For everyone else, there are meditation tours that offer solitary retreats for a few hours. In the mental and the physical aloofness from the hectic world, you will have an easy time concentrating on these meditation retreats.
All of these practices usually take places atop hills and temples. You can enjoy the beauty and serenity of nature and the monasteries without any disturbances.
Bhutan Meditation Tour: Important Notes
The venue for your Meditation may differ every day. It also depends on what you signed up for. For e.g. A serious practitioner will have lots of meditation sessions in between the tours.
It also may include meditation session at the beginning and end of the tour along with solitary sessions.
The venue for your Meditation can generally be one of the many hills, monasteries, nunnery, chorten you visit. Else it can take place at the hotel itself.
You cannot choose to meditate anywhere you please. The tour operator generally gets permission for meditation at designated places.
We can personalize and modify the itinerary according to your needs. Bhutan is a treasure trove for religious and cultural places along with natural beauty. Hence, there are different places and things you can add to your overall tour.
Meditation Tour in Bhutan, why is it popular?
Bhutan has a stronghold of Vajrayana Buddhism. Many meditation techniques have the Buddhist way of life at the heart. Hence, Bhutan is a great place to learn and practice Meditation.
There are many small retreat centers and hermitages all over Bhutan.
These can be next to temples, dzongs, monasteries and other areas. You will not have much difficulty in finding a place for meditation in Bhutan.
Devout Buddhists in Bhutan tend to disappear into the mountains for retreats. If the Bhutanese way of meditation interests you, we can help you arrange those too.
Meditation is usually done in a peaceful environment, especially for beginners. Bhutan is the perfect destination with many secluded and serene environments.
Bhutan has many hermitages and monasteries. Most of these support meditation practitioners from 1 day to several years.
Best season to be in Bhutan for a Meditation Tour
Spring (March-May)
The cool temperatures along with the calm and serene environment during spring is ideal for meditation. This can be the perfect month to practice meditation and indulge in the local culture as well. Beautiful festivals of Punakha and Paro takes place during this time of the year.
Summer (June – August)
Summer is also monsoon in Bhutan. During off seasons there are fewer tourists and is less crowded. So, if you prefer a more natural interaction, summer can be ideal.
The forests and the surrounding landscape are all lush and green. You can enjoy your meditation and retreat in the serenity of the weather.
Autumn/ Fall (September – November)
Fall is peak season in Bhutan. Everything from the temperature to the cultural celebration is great during these months.
If you want to enjoy your retreat at the same time want to witness the biggest festivals of Bhutan, autumn is ideal.
Thimphu Tsechu festival takes place during autumn. If you are lucky you can also get an audience with the king at the festival.
Winter (December – February)
Winter experiences cooler temperatures and the occasional snowfall. If you like bird watching along with your meditation retreat, winter is a great season.
During winter, Gangtey Valley of Bhutan is home to a flock of over 300 regal and endangered black-necked cranes. For bird watchers, this is a rare sight.
Bhutan Meditation Tour: Itinerary at a Glance
The given itinerary is one of the most popular ones for Bhutan Meditation tour.
Meditation tour of Bhutan- 7 Nights and 8 Days
Day 01: Arrive Paro(2200m)
Day 02: Paro sightseeing
Day 3: Hike to Taktsang(Tiger Nest Monastery)
Day 4: Drive to Thimphu(2200m)
Day 05: Continue sightseeing
Day 06: Thimphu to Punakha(1300m)
Day 07: Punakha-Wangdue-Paro
Day 08: Departure
Bhutan Meditation Tour: Detail Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive Paro(2200m)
On clear days, a flight to Paro from Kathmandu can offer views of some of the highest mountains. You can see Mt. Everest and other surrounding peaks from your flight to and from Paro.
Once in Paro, you need to go through the customs and immigration formalities. After this, your tour guide and driver for the trip will drop you to your designated hotel.
Depending on your flight schedule, you can either rest at the hotel or take a short tour of the city of Paro.
Day 02: Paro sightseeing
Your Paro sightseeing tour begins after breakfast. You will visit some of the must-see places in Paro.
You begin with a visit to the watchtower of Paro Dzong.
Paro Dzong is currently the National Museum. The museum houses rare Bhutanese artifacts which are remnants of the rich culture and history.
From here, you will continue to Rinpung Dzong (or Paro Dzong). Rinpung Dzong means “fortress of the heap of jewels” in the local language. This complex also houses the administrative and religious headquarters for the Paro district.
From here, you can take a leisurely walk to the Pachu river. You can also choose to cross over a traditional cantilever (wooden covered) bridge to the other side. For lunch, ask the guide or tour operator to set up a picnic in this spot. It is a beautiful place to relax and enjoy your meal in the calmness of the river.
After lunch, you take a short drive to Drukgyel Dzong. This fortress located around 16 km away from Paro is in ruins. It is a significant historical landmark. This fort is the place where the Bhutanese armies stopped the Tibetans and drove them back.
On clear days, you can see the majestic peak of Jumolhari, the ‘Mountain of the Goddess’. It stands at 7,329 m /24,029 ft.
On the way back to your hotel, you will visit the ‘Kichu Lhakhang’. It is the oldest and the most sacred shrine of Bhutan. Built by Tibetan Monarch Songtsen Gampo in the 8th century.
Day 3: Hike to Taktsang(Tiger Nest Monastery)
One of the must visit and most popular places of Bhutan is the Taktsang Monastery. According to legend, Guru Padmasambhava came here flying on the back of a tigress. Taktsang literally translates to ‘Tiger’s Nest’. Guru Padmasambhava is the Tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan.
Today, you will travel to this beautiful monastery. You will pass through the beautiful lush pine forest. After resting and refreshments in the cafeteria, you will hike to the ancient monastery. It takes around 5 hours as a whole for the hike.
The meditation will take place within the perimeters of this great monastery. Else it will take place in the meditation hut located near the monastery. The silent and holy ambiance of this place helps you to concentrate properly.
Day 4: Drive to Thimphu(2200m)
After breakfast, you will take a drive to the capital city of Thimphu. Here, you will start your tour with a visit to the King’s Memorial Chorten built in the memory of 3rd King of Bhutan.
From here, you will visit Changangkha monastery followed by the radio tower. The tower is one of Bhutan’s tallest building.
Next is a visit to the zoological garden. Here you can see the national animal of Bhutan- Taking.
After this, you will visit the Nunnery and the National Library. The national library contains rare and ancient religious texts and manuscripts.
Bhutan’s School of Arts and Crafts is also here. After lunch, you will visit National Institute of Traditional medicine of Bhutan. Then you will visit a paper factory followed by a visit to Tashichho Dzong.
Day 05: Continue sightseeing
Your sightseeing tour of Thimphu continues. You begin with a visit to the Textile and Folk Heritage museum followed by a visit to the Handicraft Emporium.
This is a great place to buy souvenirs or memorabilia. You will find locally made handwoven products here.
The tour continues with a visit to the Post Office. Many travelers to Bhutan recommend a visit here to create personalized stamps. You can use these as a regular stamp in and from Bhutan.
Else you can buy one of the many unique collections of stamps here.
Later you will visit Simtokha Dzong. This is the oldest and largest fortress of Bhutan.
Day 06: Thimphu to Punakha(1300m)
After a hearty breakfast, you will take a drive to Punakha. On the way, you will cross Dochula Pass. Dochula Pass is home to the 108 memorial chortens or stupas and Druk Wangyal Lhakhang or temple.
The premises of the temple is where the annual Dochula Druk Wangyel Festival takes place. The pass is next to Bhutan’s first Royal Botanical Park.
After reaching Punakha, you will visit the Punakha Dzong. This beautiful dzong lies amid the Pho Chu and Mo Chu river. It is one of the biggest dzongs of Bhutan. This great Dzong was the seat of the Government for a long time.
Here on, you can take a short evening hike to Chimi Lhakhang. Built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley in the 15th century, it is also called ‘The Temple of Fertility’. Couples visit this temple to get blessings for a child.
With the peaceful sunset background, this is a great place to enjoy meditation.
Day 07: Punakha-Wangdue-Paro
You start your day early with a short drive to Wangdue Dzong. Situated on a hill, it provides a breathtaking view of the valley. Stop for Lunch at Thimphu.
Afterward, a drive back to Paro.
Day 08: Departure
After breakfast, you will say your farewell to the local guide. After this, your driver drops you to the airport. This is the end of your Bhutan meditation tour. It is a farewell to the land of Bhutan.
Final Say,
Allow us to personalize your Bhutan Meditation tour packages. The above itinerary is only an example of one of our popular packages.
Bhutan Meditation tours can include meditation in any of the caves or temples or solitary retreat for few hours in isolation, sacred sites. These chosen sites are ones blessed by Buddhist saints and masters.
Else you can choose Bhutan Meditation tours that include retreat and meditation facilities within the hotel premises.
For any of these or any further inquiries of the given package, feel free to contact us. You can also contact us for any other Bhutan travels and tours.
