Bhutan Active & Spiritual Wellness Journey - 7 Days

The journey of your life changes from the moment when you arrive at the Paro International Airport, which is one of the most picturesque landings worldwide. Landing in Bhutan, you would feel the first impression about the purity of the air, the smooth pace of life routine, and the friendly Bhutanese people in their smiles. You will be picked up with the traditional welcome and then transferred to your hotel to relax and settle in there. Rest a little and enjoy the beautiful, serene atmosphere of Paro, a stunning valley town enclosed with tourist attractions in terms of historical places, sacred monasteries, and clean, undoctored nature. In the later evening, take it easy with a gentle yoga session with a local instructor. Conclude the day with a light dinner of warm, healthy Bhutanese food and sleep soundly before the adventure and the inner journey that lies ahead.

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On Day 2, we drive to Thimphu, also referred to as the capital of Bhutan and the largest city in the country. It would take one and a half hours to arrive. The clean mountain air and silent landscapes will start bringing awareness and connectivity with the territory. First, bring your visit to Thimphu to the Institute of Traditional Medicine, an exclusive institute that holds and teaches the Bhutanese traditional methods of healing. Learn about the strength of the Himalayan herbs, centuries-old methods of diagnosis, and philosophy of the traditional Bhutanese medicine applied as a whole, integrated process. Enroll yourself in a wellness workshop with a traditional female healer in the afternoon, and be taught about Bhutanese ideas of energy balance, healing touch, and emotional well-being. The session is aimed at being deeply grounding and remedial, based on simple practices, herbal remedies, and storytelling. During the end of the day, engage in a mild meditation whereby the mind is relaxed and ready to sleep at the required time. Allow the tranquility of the Bhutan capital to linger in your body before going to bed in the evening.

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A morning hike to Changangkha Lhakhang proceeds as the day starts, and this is referred to as an age-old historic temple; a view of a beautiful Thimphu could be seen as you hike. When you get to the temple, a guided meditation session will be going to be organized by a local monk. The ancient meditative rituals of the Bhutanese will welcome you to open the heart and calm the mind in the blessed atmosphere of the prayer flags, incense, and mountain air. Ease into the day by visiting the calm Zilukha Nunnery later in the day and have a look at a religious community of Buddhist nuns. Strike up a casual relationship or just follow the habits of the population so that one can understand more about the Bhutan culture, female power, and monastic life. Every evening, you may use your own time on journaling or personal reflection walks as it is the best time to digest the events of the day, to formulate intentions or merely to receive the peace that you are in.

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On the fourth day, be ready for the early drive towards Punakha, where you pass through Dochula Pass. You will be welcomed here with the panoramas of the Himalayan peaks chain - on a clear day, you can see the snow-crowned giants of Bhutan. The area is decorated with 108 stupas (shortens), making this an ideal place for meditation as well as photography. Your next stop is on an easy or rather easy, hike down to the much warmer subtropical Punakha valley, making your way through rhododendron woods. Upon landing, make a brief hike by walking through beautiful farmlands to get to Chimi Lhakhang, which is also called the Fertility Temple. Visit after lunch the architectural wonder of Punakha Dzong, wonderfully located on the confluence of river of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. It is one of the most beautiful historical fortresses of Bhutan as it has whitewashed walls, amazing woodwork, and religious artifacts. At the end of the day, experience a hot stone bath in a local farmhouse, where water is to be infused by heated river stones and is intensely relaxing to your body, and it also provides a spiritual awakening to your spirit.

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The 5th day of your trip welcomes you into the world of deep presence and touch with nature and Bhutanese culture. Start your day with a peaceful meditative experience on the riverbank at the Bank of the Mo Chhu River and let the melody of the flowing river and rustling of leaves escort your breathing and relax your mind. Then, experience a forest bathing session of wellness as you walk in mindfulness and focus on each of your five senses in Punakha green paths to relax and establish emotional clarity. Later in the afternoon, spend authentic cultural time visiting a local village, try some traditional Bhutanese food, and get to meet local families. Everyone loves to dress up in traditional Bhutanese clothing (Gho or Kira), so you can do that too as a reflection of honoring local wisdom. As the day peacefully unwinds, engage in an evening sound healing or yoga nidra session to achieve balance and great relaxation in the body and the mind. This day is a peaceful union of inactivity, action, and interconnection with the culture.

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Day 6 will be the spiritual highlight of your tour to Bhutan since you will arrive back at Paro early in the morning, in readiness to take the historic trek to the mythical Temple popularly referred to as Taktsang Monastery or Tiger Nest. Tiger Nest would be the other favorite Bhutan pilgrimage site, as this site dangerously sits at the edge of a cliff over 900 meters over the valley. Not easy but definitely a very rich experience, every step presents spectacular views and, more importantly, that much spiritual importance. When you are at the monastery, take some time and pray and meditate in this relaxed sanctuary, which is said to be blessed personally by Guru Rinpoche. Liberalize the chanting, turn the prayer wheels, deliver the incense, and review your transforming experience. When you descend, go back to Paro and get ready to be welcomed with an emotional yet wonderful farewell dinner with traditional Bhutanese cuisine, with a cultural performance or stories at the end, summarizing the journey of wellness, adventure, and self-discovery. Take a rest in Paro.

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By the end of Day 7, your existence reaches a different level because you feel renewed, transparent, and very connected. Start your morning with some yoga or meditation, as another optional activity, to be able to focus one more time, along with the energy of peace in Bhutan. Your last memories of the peaceful environment will be soaked during a healthy breakfast, and then you may be transferred to Paro International Airport. When you leave the Land of the Thunder Dragon, you do not just take some memories with you and also take your improved self and inner peace, and spiritual balance with you. The combined goodness of active adventures, medical rituals, cultural experiences, and calmness of this trip will keep you motivated and filled with sustaining power long after being back home.

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