Bhutan Wellness Tour

Bhutan is the last Mahayana Buddhist Kingdom, and the teachings of this school of Buddhism are a living faith among its people.

Spirituality exists even in the urban centers where the spinning of prayer wheels, the murmur of mantras and the glow of butter lamps in the houses are still important features of their everyday life. 

Bhutan’s unique architecture is one of the most striking physical features; the color of house and buildings is a distinct source of aesthetic pleasure. Bamboo, ornaments of gold and silver and highly developed weaving kills represent an advanced art form. Various cultural trips into Bhutan introduce visitors to the unique aspects of Bhutanese culture, including sacred masked dance festivals and pilgrimage sites. 

In this wellness tour our tourist will gain spiritualty, calmness, experience the Bhutanese culture, learn about why Bhutanese people are happy people, visit remote farmhouse and take part in the activities also.

There are many extra activities in this specially designed program which the normal tours doesn’t have. 

ITINERARY OVERVIEW

• 2^nd March- DAY 01: PARO-THIMPHU
• 3^rd March- DAY 02: THIMPHU
• 4^th March- DAY 03: THIMPHU- PUNAKHA
• 5^th March- DAY 04: PUNAKHA
• 6^th March- DAY 05: PUNAKHA-PARO
• 7^th March- DAY 06: PARO
• 8^th March- DAY 07: DEPARTURE    

Day 01: Arrive Paro, Paro-Thimphu

·       Altitude: 2,320 m

·       Distance: 54 km

·       Estimate driving time: 1 hr 30 minutes’ drive

After you arrive in the Kingdom of Bhutan, you will be received at the Paro International Airport by the representative of Yelha Bhutan Tours and travel’s guide and driver who will be your guide throughout your tour.

You directly travel to Thimphu, the capital town of Bhutan.

The road runs down through the Paro valley, to Chuzom (Confluence) at the entrance to the valley, where the Paro and Thimphu rivers meet. The road passes along a narrow valley with high, rocky cliffs on the left, and then the valley opens out into farmland on the approach to Thimphu. 

On arrival at Thimphu, check into your hotel and after a refreshment or lunch visit the following:

• The National Memorial Chorten (stupa) which was constructed in 1974 as a memorial for the third King of Bhutan, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who is widely regarded as the father of modern Bhutan. The term ‘chorten’ literally means ‘ seat of faith’ and Buddhists often call such monuments the ‘Mind of Buddha’. Meet the elderly generation in circumambulation, especially in the evenings, at the National Memorial Chorten.
• Centenary Farmers’ Market (open from Thu-Sun only): Most of the Thimphu’s population and many valley dwellers converge on the bustling weekend market, held by the side of Wangchu River. A wide range of foodstuffs and local arts and crafts are sold at the market, which runs from Friday afternoon till Sunday evening. A visit to the market provides great photo opportunities, as well as the chance to mingle with local people
• Craft Bazaar: A one stop place to witness Bhutanese culture and buy Bhutan made art and craft product. The Bazaar in its 80 stalls covers all aspects of the traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. At this Bazaar craftsmen and artisans from across the country display and sell their handicrafts. And also visit other handicraft stores.
• Visit Kezang weaving center: This center is renowned for weaving some of the best traditional costumes.  Kezang was one of the first male weaver in Bhutan.
• Archery ground: We will visit the archery ground and watch the archery games with is played between two teams. Archery is the national sport of Bhutan.You will be amazed to see the distcnce between the two targets.

Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

Day 02: Thimphu Sightseeing

After breakfast visit the following:   

Today you will all wear the beautiful Traditional Bhutanese dress and go for sightseeing ( men need to buy/or bring long socks) Bhutanese dress are one of the most beautiful dress and you would looks great the photograph in traditional custumes.

• Kuensel phodrang (commonly known as Buddha Point) where the largest Buddha statue in the country is perched on the hillock overlooking the Thimphu Valley. You will take a nature hike through Kuensel phodrang Nature Park for about 20-30 minutes.
• Tree plantation: We will be planting at least 2 trees per person around the hills of the mountains. The tree saplings will be well taken off by the forestry people after you have planted the trees sapling. Planting of tress is the biggest deed we can give back to mother earth.    
• Decehenphrodrang Temple: In the morning we will visit the Decenphodrang temple,and we can spent around 30 minutes inside the temple, meditating and also getting to know about Buddhism way of living. If the astrologer monk is available, we will get to read about our life line also. We will offer butter lamp and also get prayer from the monks for you and your families long life. Prayers for your departed family members can be done also. 
• Bhutan Post: We will visit the renowned Bhutan post to see the stamp collections and also make your own personalized stamps which can be used worldwide.
• Traditional Bhutanese paper making factory. The handmade paper making in Bhutan stemmed from the age-old tradition originated in 8th century of Bhutanese history. The handmade paper constitutes as valuable National heritage of Bhutanese cultural identity and is preserved through all the ages. The Traditional paper is recognized and held high esteem both in home and outside world. Jungshi Paper Factory was established in November 1990 as an undertaking of the Royal Government of Bhutan. The unit now boasts as a major and sole dealer in handmade paper and its products.
• Tashichhoe Dzong, a fortress of the glorious religion. It was built in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel and was reconstructed into present structure by the late King, His majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the year 1962-1969. It houses the secretariat building, the throne room and the office of the king, and the central monk body.
• Dinner will be in a century’s old heritage farm house with Bhutanese cuisines.

In the evening stroll through Thimphu downtown.

Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

Day 03: Thimphu – Punakha

• Altitude: 1,310m / 4,300ft
• Distance: 77 km
• Estimated driving time: 2 hours, 50 minutes

After breakfast, drive to Punakha via the Dochula pass. An hour’s drive from Thimphu will take you to this pass (3140 m) where one can have a superb view of the Eastern Himalayas on a clear day with a powerful binocular telescope.

Visit the beautiful 108 chortens built on the hill by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo for the security and wellbeing of His Majesty the King of Bhutan. Also visit Druk Wangyel Temple which was built to honor His Majesty, the fourth king Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The past and future appear to merge in the details of the temple that tells the story of a supreme warrior figure whose vision pierces the distance future.

Visit the caves at dochula mountain pass which is around 7 minute’s walk from the road. We can spend sometimes meditating in the beautifully located site.

After tea and toilet break we will drive towards Punakha valley and have our Lunch at Punakha. 

After lunch walk through the Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the paddy fields to the Devine Madman’s Monastery-Chhimi Lhakhang, famously known for its fertility shrine, where couples unable to conceive come here for blessing.

Our resort will be a beautiful farm house located in the beautiful village.

You will love the experience of the village home stay.The host will cook you special Bhutanese meals.

Day 04: Punakha

Early morning, you can either milk the cows or pluck your own vegetbles or fruits for the breakfast.

You can also learn about Bhutan cooking via the host of the farm house who is a very experienced cook.,

After breakfast we will drive to Upper punakha and then start our short hike to Khamsum Yuelley temple. Khamsum Yulley Namgyal temple stands out on a beautiful ridge above the Punakha valley. Her Majesty built the Queen Mother, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck it.

It took nine years to build, and Holy Scriptures rather than engineering manuals were consulted to construct this 4-storey temple. It is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture and artistic traditions. This temple has been dedicated for the wellbeing of the kingdom, its people and all sentient beings. It is a 15-20 mins hike from the suspension bridge. The Chorten would take a one-hour hike to approach. It offers a beautiful view of the Punakha Valley.

We will be having a picnic lunch at the side of the river or opposite to Punakha Dzong.

Later we will visit the beautiful punakha Dzong which is located between punakha Pho (male river) chhu and female river (mo chhu )

After visiting the temple we will drive back to our farm house and learn some art like drying of clothes, cooking Bhutanese dished ‘especially the tasty chilli/ema datshi, potato/kewa datshi and other dishes.

You can join in some farming activities and traditional games also. The host will tell you the activates they have in which you can participate.

In the evening you will join in cooking the dinner also and have a nice traditional stone herbal bath which is good for the bones, muscles and blood circulations.

Over Night you can have a relaxing time with a bon fire and sing Bhutanese songs with the host and tour guides.     

Day 05: Punakha -Paro

• Altitude: 2,195 m
• Distance: 128 km
• Estimated driving time :4 hr 1/2 hrs

After breakfast at Punakha and we will have a leisure drive towards Paro valley. We will stop on way at Thimphu. After reaching Paro we will visit the following, if time permits:

• Ta Dzong, built in the 17th century as a watchtower for the Paro Dzong. This dzong was converted into the National museum in 1967 and is filled with antique thankha paintings, textiles, weapons and armor.
• Rinpung Dzong, built in 1645 to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The Dzong is now being used as an administration center and school for monks. Then walk down to Rinpung Bridge (Traditional Bridge), oldest bridge in Bhutan. Then we will rest for the next morning’s hike.  

Day 06: A Day Hike to Taktshang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest Monastery)

After breakfast, drive for about 20 minutes to the base camp of Taktsang Monastery and 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 about 1 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 drive back to hotel.

After Taktsang you can visit the town and relax in a café. There are lots of café places around the town.

Overnight at a Paro resort.

Day 07: Departure from Paro

In the morning, tour guide will escort you to the airport for your onward destinations. The airport is around 20 minute drive from your resort.