Spiritual Odyssey Package With NAT

Join Namgay Adventure Travels on a journey that will change your perspective as you immerse yourself in Bhutan’s unique culture, where natural beauty and spirituality coexist in harmony. This tour offers a blend of leisure and adventure, along with ample opportunities to witness the untouched beauty and rich spiritual heritage of the country.

Read further and find out your daily itinerary. 

Daily Itinerary

Day 1: Upon arrival, get escorted to Thimphu.

Upon landing in Paro, you can immediately begin exploring the surrounding apple orchards and terraced fields before traveling to Thimphu, the capital city. While in Thimphu, be sure to visit the large and famous farmer’s market, which is open from Thursday afternoon to Sunday night and features vendors from all around the region selling fresh local produce and goods. In the evening, you can take a walk through the streets of Thimphu and visit the small shops that primarily serve the local population.

Day 2: Hike To Tango Monastery 

Take a leisurely walk to Tango Monastery, which is considered one of the most significant Buddhist institutions in Bhutan. This grand monastery was founded in the 18th century by the 8th Desi, Druk Rabgye. After visiting the Tango Monastery, you will have the chance to see the Buddha Dordenma Statue, a popular pilgrimage spot that draws Buddhists from all over the world. The statue, which stands at 169 feet tall, is located in the heart of the ruins of Kuensel Phodrang.

During the evening, you will have the opportunity to visit the National Memorial Chorten, a famous and iconic building located in the city. Throughout the day, you will see many elderly Bhutanese people walking around the Chorten. You can also take part in the communal cycle of prayers. The Chorten is an impressive display of Buddhist architecture and art, featuring intricate sculptures and beautiful murals.

Day 3: The Historic Center Of Bhutan: Punakha 

On the way to Punakha, we will make a stop at DochuLa Pass, a popular tourist spot that offers a stunning 360-degree panoramic view of the Himalayas. After taking in the beautiful scenery, we will continue on to Punakha and make a stop at Chimi Lhakhang, a sacred shrine dedicated to the Divine Madman. This small town is known for its phallus culture, and many buildings are adorned with large phallus paintings.

Day 4: Hike to Chorten Nebu Monastery and Punakha Dzong

In the morning, we will visit the historic Chorten Ningpo Monastery. According to legend, a large oak tree outside the monastery was created from a burning log thrown by the Divine Madman, and the bark of the tree still bears the marks of the burns. Afterwards, we will make a stop at the unique Punakha Dzong, a fortress and Buddhist monastery. Here you will have the opportunity to explore the ancient temples, impressive towers, and large courtyards before returning to the lodge.

Day 5: Phobjikha (glacial valleys, lovely villages, welcoming family residences) 

Explore the wilderness of the Phobjikha Valley, characterized by peaceful tranquility, cool winds, and vast stretches of green landscape dotted with cows. Visit the Phobjips, hike to traditional farmhouses, and immerse yourself in the local community by experiencing a traditional hot stone bath, eating with locals in their beautiful homes, helping to make cheese and butter, and participating in a game of archery. Find spiritual fulfillment by joining the monks at the Gangtey Monastery for an early morning “thruesel” self-cleansing ceremony, hoisting prayer flags, and delving into ancient Buddhist traditions that are an integral part of the local community. To truly experience Phobjikha, take a hike on ancient trails, meander past the crane roosting grounds, and be open to unexpected opportunities.

Day 6: Meander Around Phobjikha Valley

The most delightful way to discover this tranquil valley’s farmhouses, chortens, Mani walls, and prayer flags—all of which speak to the importance of Buddhism—is probably by hiking through it.

The 16th-century Gangtey Goemba, which has a prominent location at the valley’s top, and a carpet-weaving enterprise are both located in this valley. This monastery includes a classroom, meditation areas, and living quarters for monks in addition to housing the mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa, one of the area’s historically renowned Buddhist treasure finders.

Day 7: Bumthang- Spiritual Heartland 

We will then go through the town of Trongsa on our way to the province of Bumthang. A photo stop will be made at Trongsa Dzong, Bhutan’s most exquisite architectural achievement.

Day 8: Bumthang Ugyen Choling Heritage Home

Our next trip is the Pema Choling Nunnery, home to more than 100 nuns who study and practice Buddhism. The majority of them are teenagers and young women. This is followed by a quick detour to the Tang Valley in Bumthang. They will say their daily chants as we converse with them throughout the morning in the stone courtyard located between their dormitories and classrooms.

Experience the rich history of Bhutan at the fully preserved manor house in the Tang Valley. Meet the fascinating host, AshiKunzangChoden, and explore a wide range of objects that have been used in the valley for centuries. Learn about the legend of the burning lake, a religious myth that becomes all the more real as you visit MembarTsho. Enjoy local food products, including the famous red panda beer, honey, and cheese that was first introduced to Bhutan by Fritz Maurer from Switzerland in the 1970s.

Day 9: Bumthang Ugyen Choling Heritage Home

You have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities such as meditating at the Ogyen Choling temple, learning how to cook Bhutanese cuisine, chatting with scholars at the Ogyen Choling Foundation, and participating in hands-on sessions on topics like weaving and agriculture.

Day 10: Mountain Flight Back To Paro 

Before our morning flight, we have ample time to explore the city, admiring its unique architecture characterized by white-painted, square houses with flat roofs. Taking a stroll on Paro’s main street will provide an opportunity to immerse in the local culture and lifestyle, as well as visit the shops and markets. Afterwards, we can visit the grand Paro Dzong, connected by wooden bridges spanning the rivers, located south of the small town of Paro.

Day 11: Lechuna- Haa Valley

The Haa valley, at an elevation of 2960 meters, is the smallest district in Bhutan. Visit Lechu, a farmhouse with a rich history located in the charming village of Haa. The farmhouse has been passed down through four generations of the maternal ancestors of Penlop Agay Haap, a notable historical figure in Bhutan.

Discover the high alpine valleys of Haa, featuring stunning peaks and pristine lakes, and learn about the nomadic way of life and the unique culture of the valley. As one of the few tourists to visit this fabled valley, known as the “Valley of the Guardian Spirit”, you will have the opportunity to embark on an adventurous journey.

Day 12: At 12500 feet, Bhutan’s highest roadways run.

Set out from the resort and journey to Chele La Pass, the highest road pass in Bhutan at 12,500 feet, passing through rhododendron and blue pine forests. Chele La offers a scenic detour on the highway and is a great starting point for road walks. On a clear day, the view from the pass includes the Haa and Paro valleys, the second-highest peak in Bhutan, Jichu Drake, and the snow-capped summit of Mt. Jhomolhari. We will then hike through the meadow to the summit of Kung Karpo La (14,700 feet), where there is a small stone house that monks sometimes use for meditation and where sky burials are also conducted. We will continue to walk beyond the tree line along the slope dividing Paro and Haa valley, providing breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains.

Day 13: Tiger’s Nest Hike 

The focus of today’s activities is the historic Paro Valley, followed by a two-hour ascent to Taktsang Tiger’s Nest Monastery, one of Bhutan’s most important structures. According to legend, Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) arrived on the back of a flying tigress on this cliffside to introduce Buddhism from Tibet to Bhutan.

You leave for Drukgyel Dzong after lunch, which you can bring or order from the lovely Taktsang café. This fort was built to commemorate the Drukpas’ triumph against the Tibetan army and to defend the Paro Valley from further incursions.

Day 14: Departure 

Adventure Travels.