All Inclusive Land Package Price:
US$ 3858.00 (per person twin share)
Drukair – Royal Bhutan Airways airfares to from Paro are additional .
Airfares ex Australia are also additional.
Please click here for Drukair schedules and costs.
Tour Package Inclusions
- Visa Fees, Government Royalties.
- Professional English speaking guide driver and minibus.
- All touring & transfers throughout your journey.
- Bhutanese Style 3*hotel accomwith private bathroom – for 4 nts
- 6 nights at the luxury Zhiwa Ling Resort Paro
- 5 morning and 5 evening sessions of Mindful Yoga & Sitting Meditation with specialist Ms Sally Flynn while staying at the Zhiwa Ling (totaling 19 hours) ….more information pls click here….
- All meals.
- Special Lhab Sang Puja (long life ceremony at Zhiwa Ling) with monks performing a 1hr ritual ceremony & blessing
- Traditional lunch at a Bhutanese farmhouse.
- Entrance fees and sightseeing.
- Professionally Operated by Bhutan Tourism Corporation (BTCL) & Zhiwa Ling Resort
Additional Options:
- Upgrade to Business Class On Drukair – please enquire.
- Ex-Australia Stopovers & Additional Asian Arrangements
Wednesday 04 July
Paro Valley to Thimphu Valley (1 hr 30 mins drive time)
After clearing immigration and customs you will be greeted by your BTCL guide and driver and transferred by car or minibus to Thimphu, traveling through the spectacular summer countryside enroute to Bhutan’s capital. All the houses and buildings are painted and constructed in traditional Bhutanese style. Remainder of the day is at leisure to explore Thimphu, both by car and on foot. Your options include a visit to the national textile museum, the paper factory, Golden Buddha and the institute of the 13 crafts. For the more energetic take a hike (or travel by road) up to the telecom tower via the Takin preserve to enjoy a stunning view of the valley.
Overnight Thimphu – Traditional Bhutanese 3 star Hotel.
Thursday 05 July
At leisure in the Thimphu Valley today.
This morning travel up the Thimphu valley and hike to the picturesque Cheri or Tango Goemba’s.As you travel back to Thimphu city vi
ew Tashi Chhoe Dzong, the seats of Bhutan’s government and the Royal offices and perhaps pay a visit to Pangri Zampa, two 16th century buildings that now house a monastic training school for astrologers. This afternoon your options include visiting the folk heritage museum, the handicraft centre or the national library. Alternatively spend some time wandering around Thimphu city mixing with the locals. It is safe and fun.
Overnight Thimphu – Traditional Bhutanese 3 star Hotel.
Friday 06 July
Thimphu Valley to Punakha Valley (3hrs)
This morning you will be transferred by road eastwards across the Dochu La (Pass) to the Punakha Valley. Enroute pass the Semtokha Dzong, built in 1629, and once the oldest fortress of its kind that guarded the Thimphu valley although today it is a Theological university. Stop at Dochu La to view 108 Stupas, erected in 2005 as a memorial for the Bhutanese soldiers and Indian separatists who died during a short war of ‘eviction’ in 2003, and on a clear day you will witness a breathtaking view of the eastern Himalaya. The vista can vary from alpine snow to a profusion of blossoms splashed among the soft green of the wild herbs and forest trees.
On arrival in the Punakha Valley stop & visit Chimi Lhakhang, a monastery built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley (also known as the Divine Madman) with a very colourful history. The Lhakang is a 20 minute walk from the road at Sepsokha across the rice paddies to the temple. It is believed that childless women who visit the temple will conceive after receiving a “wang” (blessing) from the resident Monk. Enjoy an orientation tour of Punakha this afternoon.
Overnight Punakha Valley – Traditional Bhutanese 3 star Hotel.
Saturday 07 July
At leisure in the Punakha Valley.
This morning visit the Punakha Saturday market where all the locals buy their fresh produce. Continue on and visit the very impressive before visiting the Punakha Dzong, the second of Bhutan’s Dzongs which previously served as the seat of the government. Punakha Dzong is still the winter residence of the Dratsheng (Central Monk Body) and holds the title as the winter capital because of its more temperate climate. This afternoon enjoy one of the short hikes ot walks on offer in this region or perhaps travel to the end of the valley and wander past the local village farm house and hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten.
Overnight Punakha – Traditional Bhutanese Hotel.
Sunday 08 July
Punakha Valley to Paro Valley (4hrs 45mins).
This morning transfer westwards to the Paro Valley. After a very brief orientation tour of Paro’s main features check-in at the wonderful Zhiwa Ling Resort for lunch and a Retreat de-briefing in the Gawa Restaurant.
After lunch familiarise yourself with the resort facilities including Spa, Tea House, Meditation House and Temple. At 3.30pm meet Sal Flynn for an introduction session & debriefing of your Mindfulness Retreat in the resort Meditation Centre followed by a Welcome Dinner in the Gawa Restaurant at 6.30pm.
Overnight Paro Valley – Zhiwa Ling Resort.
Monday 09 July
Day 1: Mindfulness Retreat - all sessions with Sal at the Meditation Centre.
7.30-9.30am – Mindfulness Session
4.00-6.00pm - Mindfulness Session.
At 11.00am depart for a tour the old ruined fortress of the Drugyel Dzong further up the Paro Valley, the historical site of the Fort of Drukpa Victory from which the Bhutanese used to repel the Tibetan invaders again and again. On a clear day views of the 24,000 ft snow domed peaks of sacred Mt Chomolhari can be seen.
After a picnic lunch return to the Zhiwa Ling to relax, enjoy spa treatments or head off for a hike or more sightseeing with your guide and driver. Dinner is at your leisure tonight.
- Zhiwa Ling Resort
Overnight Paro Valley – Zhiwa Ling Resort.
Tuesday 10 July
Day 2: Mindfulness Retreat.
7.30-9.30am - Mindfulness Session.
4.00-6.00pm - Mindfulness Session.
Depart at 11.00am for a visit to the National Museum in Paro. Here you can view the fine collection of ancient Thangkha paintings, weavings, costumes, weapons, art and other artifacts from Bhutan’s rich past.
After a picnic lunch explore the Paro Dzong complete with its cantilever bridge. This Dzong still combines both monastic and secular departments to govern and administer the Paro valley, as it has done for 100′s of years.
Dinner is at your leisure tonight at Zhiwa Ling.
Overnight Paro Valley – Zhiwa Ling Resort.
Wednesday 11 July
Day 3: Mindfulness Retreat
7.30-9.30am - Mindfulness Session.
4.00-6.00pm - Mindfulness Session.
At 11.00am witness a Lhab Sang Puja at Zhiwa Ling’s private temple (Lhakhang). This Puja is a ceremony to celebrate new beginnings and special occasions. Enjoy lunch today in a traditional Bhutanese farm house followed by a visit Kichyu Lhakhang, Bhutan’s oldest monastery, built in the 8th century and see the amazing orange tree in the courtyard which perpetually bears fruit.
Dinner at leisure at Zhiwa Ling.
Overnight Paro Valley – Zhiwa Ling Resort
Thursday 12 July
Day 4: Mindfulness Retreat.
12.00-1.00pm – Meditation at Tigers Nest in an ancient temple near Guru Rinpoche’s mediation cave.
6.00-7.30pm - Evening stretch and renew session.
At 8.30am commence your hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tigers Nest), one of Bhutan’s most sacred sites. The 5 hours round trip hike can be quite strenuous in places and at least moderate fitness is required. There are many steep steps in some parts however it is a most rewarding journey and a very fitting part of your Bhutan experience. Enjoy late lunch at the Tigers Nest viewpoint cafetaria on the return journey.
Dinner is at your leisure at Zhiwa Ling.
Overnight Paro Valley – Zhiwa Ling Resort
Friday 13 July
Day 5: Mindfulness Retreat.
7.30-9.30am – Mindfulness Session.
4.00-6.00pm - Your Final Mindfulness Session with Sal.
Hit Paro town for some handicrafts and jewellery shopping this morning at 11.00am. It’s fun and there’s no pressure to buy. The jewellery is very good too, inexpensive and unique. Alternative take some time out to enjoy the Zhiwa ling spa facilities. After lunch at the Gawa Restuarant enjoy participating in the Bhutanese tradition of an archery or Kuru (darts) lesson.
A farewell dinner at the Gawa Restaurant tonight at 7.00pm..
Overnight Paro Valley – Zhiwa Ling Resort.
Saturday 14 July
After breakfast an early morning transfer to Paro Airport for your onward flight.
Thank you for joining Sal in Bhutan for this special Retreat.
We trust you will enjoy a very rewarding experience in Bhutan.
**The Land Of The Thunder Dragon.**
