Delhi, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, Paro
Bhutan Wellness Journey
Experience the magic of the Himalayan kingdom hosted by Town & Country Travel Editor, Klara Glowczewska
Your journey at a glance
The spectacular allure of Bhutan will captivate you as you traverse through a rich tapestry of culture, steeped in venerable history, holy ground and spectacular landscapes. This exclusive and once-in-a-lifetime journey will be hosted by Town & Country Travel Editor, Klara Glowczewska, and is accompanied by Mala Barua, teacher of Yoga, T’ai Chi and Inner Silence Meditation, by yoga instructor Jahnavi Sheriff, as well as a local cultural guide.
Look forward to practicing yoga with 360-degree views of Himalayan peaks, and meditating with Buddhist monks. Walk through shaded rhododendron forests and picnic above green valleys, hike to one of Buddhism’s most sacred sites and attend evening prayers at a monastery. Breathe the pure air and listen to the flutter of prayer flags and the rush of streams.
Bhutan lends itself to a mindful exploration of one’s own spiritual yearnings with the history and culture intertwined with legends and practices of ancient traditions. This Inner Silence Meditation journey holistically encompasses mind, body and soul, and is designed to introduce beginners to the benefits of daily practice of meditation, and to take experienced meditators into a deeper understanding of their own practice.
It is a journey into self-discovery that could be the most powerful journey you embark on.
1 night Delhi | 2 nights Thimphu | 2 nights Punakha | 2 nights Gangtey | 2 nights Paro
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What to expect…
Day 1: Delhi
- Arrive in Delhi and be welcomed by your &Beyond India host
- Spend an overnight at the Oberoi, New Delhi. Your accommodation is in a Premier Room on Bed & Breakfast basis.
- If time allows, explore New Delhi, the capital of India, a modern buzzing metropolitan city with remnants of the past strewn amongst the modern buildings.
Day 2-4: Thimphu
- Soar over the great Himalayan Mountains, offering dazzling views of some of world’s highest glacial peaks, including Mount Everest.
- View the Tamchogg Lakhang Temple, crossing the river on an ancient iron bridge.
- Explore the Textile Museum, preserving and promoting exquisite traditional woven handicrafts.
- Discover the Folk Heritage Museum, and glimpse into the traditional lifestyle of the Bhutanese.
- Be mesmerised at the Buddha Dordenma, a gigantic Shakyamuni Buddha statue filled with over one hundred thousand smaller Buddha statues.
- Dress in Bhutan’s traditional clothing, the Goh (men) and the Kira (women) and watch a richly cultural program in the hotel’s courtyard.
- Engage with Mala Barua who will enlighten you on what wellness means and how we can incorporate this into our everyday life.
- Enjoy short and gentle yoga stretches and Zen walking, a very slow meditative form of walking.
- Breathe in the fresh air on a short hike to Cheri Goenpa, situated north of Thimphu.
- Be silent with an outdoor silent meditation session and a Buddhist practice called ‘Presence’.
- Still your mind with a meditation session on becoming aware of and stilling the body (Kaya Sthairam).
Day 4-6: Punakha
- Drive to the striking Dochu La Pass, through picturesque forest scenes of pine and cedar trees.
- Enjoy an energy releasing (Shakti Bandha) yoga class overlooking the mountains and valleys. This will be followed by a short session of breath awareness, Pranayam.
- Visit the 108 stupas built on this 3 150-metre-high pass (10 000ft) in honour of the fallen Bhutanese soldiers.
- Hike about 30 minutes to Chimi Lhakhang, located on a small hilltop. This temple was dedicated to the great Yogi in the 14th century, known as Drukpa Kuenley, the ‘Divine madman’.
- Enjoy a session of Laughter Yoga, a very therapeutic form of reducing stress and anger.
- Hike to the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten and walk through farm lands and virgin forests.
- Refine your Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) on the temple courtyard
- Visit the beautiful Punakha Dzong, the second of Bhutan’s Dzong and for many years its seat of government.
- Be guided into a mindful eating with a Vegan menu created by Mala and the chef. Mindful eating is a conscious form of eating practised and promoted by mindfulness teacher and Vietnamese monk, Thich Nhat Hanh.
Day 6-8: Gangtey
- Enjoy morning yoga flow stretches followed by a short session of Pranayam and Zen walking.
- Visit Gangtey Goemba (monastery), which enjoys the valley’s prime real estate, on a forested hill overlooking the green expanse of the entire Phobjikha Valley.
- Walk along the Gangtey Nature Trail, crossing streams and rhododendron gardens into the Sumchubara Village.
- Enter the pine covered forest where Mala will guide you into a Japanese form of Mindful walking called Forest Bathing or ‘Shinrin Yoku’.
- At the end of the trail is the Khewa Lhakhang, an old monastery in the valley built in the 13th century.
- Keeping in the mood of inner silence and inner awareness, immerse yourself into a sound bath with Tibetan singing bowls.
- Join the session on how to make Tsa-tsa, a popular way to memorialize those who have passed away.
- Visit the monastic school Shedra, and attend the meditation session which will be followed by a prayer service, an enchanting experience where about 300 monks chant their prayers.
Day 8-10: Paro
- Enjoy yoga sessions that continue with deepening of the Surya Namskar practice and Zen walking.
- Visit a local farmhouse in a traditional village and gain insight into the lifestyle of a farmer. The beauty of Paro Valley is embellished by cluster of old fashioned farm houses, all colourful, decorative and traditionally built.
- Stop at Kyichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in Bhutan. Pray here for the benefit of our loved ones by offering a 1000 butter lamps which can be collectively donated for.
- Mala will introduce you to a Buddhist meditation called Metta of Loving Kindness.
- Take a short drive to the north of Paro Valley to Ramthankha, and start your hike to the Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s Nest), one of the most venerated and sacred of all Buddhist sights around the world.
- Enjoy the extra activities, including the spa facilities, book a massage or relax in the stream room.
- Participate in the closing session on sharing, reviewing your wellness goals and question/answers.
Day 10: Departure
- Your wonderful journey comes to an end. You will be driven to Paro Airport to board your flight to Delhi for your international flight onwards.
Stay here on this journey
What's included
- Accommodation on double/ twin room on shared basis in hotels as mentioned in the quote.
- All transfers as mentioned in a private vehicle, and sightseeing.
- Sightseeing tour will be provided as per the itinerary with the English-speaking Bhutanese Guide and in a private vehicle.
- Yoga instructor – Jahnavi Sheriff
- Meditation and Welllness Instructor - Mala Barua
- All entrance and monuments fees.
- Visa fees for Bhutan only.
- All current taxes as on date – subject to change as per hotel/airline/Government policy.
- All meals as mentioned in the quote above. Special meals – 1 Picnic lunch in Phobjikha & 1 Picnic breakfast in Punakha at Khamsum Yuelley
- Special Inclusions. Prayers at the Shedra in Gangtey/ Phobjikha
What's not included
- Tipping to guides and drivers.
- Any Insurance and rescue of any form.
- Any Airfare (quoted separately)
- Cost arising out of flight cancellation/road blockades/landslides/riots and events beyond our control.
- Expenses of personal nature and any other expenses not mentioned in the above cost.
- Any international air fare/airport taxes not mentioned above
- Hotel surcharges during festival period
- Any change in tax structure resulting from the hike in published tariff.
- Items of personal nature like tips, laundry, phone calls etc.
- Any video/still camera fee to the monuments and places of visit
- Any other item not explicitly mentioned under price includes.
- Any airfare for domestic flights other than the quoted details.
- Any cost of the meals other than the one indicated in room meal plan.
- Sightseeing and excursions other than those specified.
Conditions
- Rates are valid from 31 May - 9 June 2023
- All guests must take out comprehensive travel insurance covering them for personal effects, personal accident, medical and emergency travel expenses, cancellation and curtailment.
- In case on any currency fluctuations or amendment in local Government taxes, or any fuel hike, we reserve the right to adjust the tour price accordingly. The due increase or decrease will be communicated accordingly.
- The rates quoted are subject to change without warning if there are any increases in bed levies, park fees, fuel, sales tax or VAT, third-party services or any other circumstances beyond our control.
- &Beyond reserves the right to modify program itineraries, including arranged sightseeing, and substitute accommodations, including vessels and trains, at any time due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances beyond &Beyond’s control. Every effort will be made to operate itineraries as planned, but alterations may occur after the final itinerary has been issued.
- Rates are subject to change.
- &Beyond trading terms apply
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