THE TRAVEL YOGI
Bhutan Yoga Retreat Adventure
Trip in One Word: Bliss
What You’ll Experience in Bhutan
This Bhutan yoga retreat adventure is full of only-here immersion and wonder. Through our unique connections you will experience a blessing with the High Lama, stay at an active monastery, explore ancient fortresses and temples, raft the rapids, mingle with monks and discover yourself in the Land of the Thunder Dragon. In this world apart, you’ll discover a moving feast of culture, nature and infectious local smiles. It’s an ideal destination for personal enrichment and deepening your yoga practice. Bhutan culture is preserved by issuing only a limited number of tourist visas each year, so they are able to welcome visitors sustainably while preserving their endemic and natural beauty.
How You’ll Experience Bhutan
Your Bhutan yoga retreat adventure will weave together the best of the country’s culture and nature—all while grounding your experience with deep breaths and yoga. Exclusive, hyper-local experiences, hiking and culture are at your fingertips. You’ll stay in beautiful local hotels in Thimphu, Punakha, and Paro, as well as a unique overnight in a monastery, hike to the iconic Tiger’s Nest (i.e., Paro Taktsang), play a friendly soccer game with monks, visit the world’s largest Buddha statue, the Buddha Dodernma and plenty more. Soak your body in a traditional hot stone bath and your spirit in the mysteries and enchantment of Bhutan.
How You’ll Feel When You Return Home
Bhutanese humor will invoke your inner (laughing) sage and your friends and family may start wondering, what happened on that Bhutan yoga retreat?! You’ll emit a deep vibration of bliss as you walk through your normal life, just knowing that a place that measures success by an index of happiness exists.
Bhutan Yoga Retreat Adventure Details
THIMPHU
PUNAKHA
PARO
Upcoming Dates
Kristin Clark Cork
Kristin Clark Cork
When we meet you will find that my philosophies on the mat are mirrored in my approach to life. I’ve been teaching yoga and meditation for over 20 years and my takeaways from time on my mat is always changing… It’s the beauty of yoga – it meets you where you are in that moment and it never judges or criticizes or asks anything more from you then you have to offer. There’s no doubt our practices on the mat enhances our most important practice… living life live now. Each morning I pause before diving into the “business” of the day and ask myself “What would I love to feel more or less of that I can thread thru my experiences?” I flow a bit waking up on all levels and my morning teachings reflect a sense of awakening. As the day wanes, my teachings are soothing, relective and restorative. I believe there is so much that lies beneath the surface of our beings and that yoga and meditation helps us dive through the tip of the iceberg, clearing clutter, so that we are more fully awake and able to embrace life!
Erich Schiffmann has been monumental in my approach to life on and off the mat. His teachings of “being on line all the time” takes you out of habit-mind and into “life live now”. His Freedom Style approach to yoga and life empowers the inner teacher to be heard. Who doesn’t want to cultivate a more meaningful relationship with themselves and others? Yoga and meditation are vehicles that help us find more space between breaths and longer pauses between thoughts so that we are able to hear our inner voices speaking about what matters most to each of us! “Living life live” means living life alive and fully in the present. If not now, when??
My various vinyasa flow practices reflect a meditation of movement whether gentle or powerful. I absolutely love to sequence so the movements are a meditation in themself. Connected thru the breath, we stay present. Through this connection, we can explore the subtle micro adjustments to find the yin and yang in every pose. It is a goal to take this flow of breath from my practice off the mat and into my world… inhaling life’s inspiration, exhaling the debris. I believe where the breath is stuck, so is our prana.
Last but certainly not least, my subtle body and yin teachings. Yin found me while living in the high mountains of Colorado. I think it’s important to pause often and integrate physical stillness. Being in conversation with ourselves leads to profound intuitive inquisition.
As the owner of Be.Yoga in Avon CT, as a teacher and as a student, I love exploring and learning especially beneath the surface of things. I love to travel and simmer in other cultures and learn from their lifestyles. I started leading yoga retreats and adventures in 2008 as a way to bring like minded people together to pause and explore life both on and off the mat.
I hope to meet you in the flow! Feel free to email me at [email protected]
NEW ADVENTURE DATES COMING SOON
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What's Included
- Ten days in-country with an expert local English speaking guide
- Bhutan visa and permit management
- Round trip flight from Bangkok to Bhutan
- Breakfast each morning at our hotels
- All lunches including local eateries and picnic(s)
- All dinners in a local restaurant or at our hotels
- Morning and evening yoga on most days (please see the full itinerary for yoga schedule)
- Three nights luxury boutique hotel in Thimphu
- Three nights deluxe boutique hotel in Punakha
- Three nights unique forested boutique hotel in Paro
- Full day excursion and hike to the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery
- Blessing by the High Lama of Bhutan
- White water rafting adventure
- Overnight in an active monastery
- Evening prayer sessions with local nuns
- Friendly soccer match with monastery monks
- Explore Punakha Dzong
- Up close and personal with one of the worlds largest Buddha statue – the Buddha Dodernma
- Cooking class with organic and local food pioneer Aum Karma
- Drive through and time to explore the Chelala Pass’s vibrant flora and views of Mt. Jomolhari
- Stroll the paddy fields to Chimi Lhakang
- All entry fees for the above sights and additional activities as listed on the itinerary
What's Not Included
- Flights to Bangkok, Thailand (BKK)
- Any video or still camera fees assessed by the monuments or places of interest
- Alcohol
- Gratuities (for your Bhutanese guide – all other gratuities are covered)
- Items of a personal nature (phone calls, souvenirs, spa services, etc)
- Travel Insurance (required)
Bhutan Yoga Retreat Accommodations
THIMPHU
Welcome to Bhutan and the gorgeous views of Thimphu at our first boutique hotel set within the foothills of the Himalayans. Enjoy modern amenities and charm of the Norkhil Hotel and the seclusion it offers, just outside of the heart of Thimphu.
PUNAKHA
Enjoy understated luxury and the simplicity of culturally informed design in your deluxe rooms in the Punakha Valley. Surrounded by thick pine forests from its mountain perch and overlooking the Punakha Valley, Zhingkham Hotel is simple and luxurious comfort. Train your camera on the stunning view and villages dotting the valley floor.
Paro
Floor to ceiling windows warm and brighten each cottage while highlighting the all-encompassing forest and Himalayan mountain range views. The Himalayan Keys Forest Resort is a wholly Bhutanese-owned, boutique hotel designed to capture a luxurious treehouse experience. Tucked away and off the beaten path, the cottages are also close to it all and only a few minutes walk to Drukgyel Dzong. Wandering through the beauty out-of-doors to local ruins is a stunning way to end your Bhutan yoga retreat adventure.
Itinerary
Board your included flight from Bangkok to Paro and begin your unique Bhutan yoga retreat and ten days of amazing cultural exploration.
Yoga retreat adventure schedules will vary and final itineraries will go out to the travel crew about a month prior to departure. The trip outline gives you an overall picture of what an adventure in Vietnam & Cambodia will be.
1
DAY ONE
- Fly into Bhutan through the Paro Valley and spy the Pa Chu (Paro river) and Ta Dzong (watchtower)
- Exit the arrivals at the airport to meet up with our guide and head out for the 1 hr drive to Thimphu
- Enjoy a welcome blessing and spiritual cleansing from the High Lama of Bhutan
- Head to Thimpu to check-in and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant
- Join local nuns for an evening prayer ceremony
- Opening yoga class
- Group dinner and welcome to Bhutan!
2
DAY TWO
- Sunrise yoga at the base of the Buddha Dordenma statue
- Breakfast picnic at the statue and entrance
- Cooking lesson with foodie pioneer Aum Karma at her home
- Transfer back to town for a lunch sampling the local cuisine
- Return to the hotel for the evening yoga class
- Group dinner at the hotel
- Optional – if you’ve got the energy, head out to one of Thimpu’s dance clubs (electronic beats anyone?)
3
DAY THREE
- Early morning yoga and breakfast
- Hike to Dodeydra Monastery
- Learn the rituals and participate in a butter lamp offering
- Enjoy lunch at the monastery with the monks
- Head outside this afternoon with the monks for a friendly soccer match
- Practice your passing skills and bring a sense of humor to the pitch!
- Early evening meditation with the monastery’s lama
- Evening prayer session with monastery’s monks
- Evening dinner and overnight at the monastery
4
DAY FOUR
- Enjoy morning yoga with your new friends from the monastery
- Say goodbye and hike back to Thimphu and catch a ride to Punakha
- Mid-drive stop in the Dochu La pass and lunch, and stunning views, at Druk Wangyel
- Walk the paddy fields to the Chimi Lhankhang – a temple dedicated to a great yogi known as the “Divine Madman”
- Check-in and enjoy an evening yoga session
- Dinner at the local hotel
5
DAY FIVE
- Early morning yoga and breakfast at the hotel
- Hike to the Khamsum Yuelley Monastery
- Head out for a big day on the river rafting either the Mo Chu or Po Chu rivers
- Raft through the stunning Bhutanese backdrop and by the 17th century Punakha Dzong – no experience necessary, just a willingness to paddle and get wet!
- Enjoy a post-rafting riverside picnic
- Head to explore the Punakha Dzong on an ancient walking path
- Traverse Bhutan’s longest suspension bridge
- Dinner and bonfire evening at Aum Karma’s farm home (no evening yoga)
6
DAY SIX
- Morning yoga and group breakfast
- Enjoy a day of leisure as you take a well-deserved pause to explore Punakha, get a massage or relax on property
- Enjoy lunch together on property
- Stroll the river, head off for a hike or continue with a fully rejuvenating and relaxing afternoon
- Evening outdoor yoga
- Group dinner at the hotel
7
DAY SEVEN
- Early morning yoga and breakfast at the hotel
- Transfer to the historic town of Paro
- Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant
- Head into the woods with local experts to learn the technique of textile dyeing and weaving
- Traditional textiles in Bhutan are highly regarded and have an important cultural and historical language all their own
- Evening yoga session and dinner at the hotel
8
DAY EIGHT
- Early morning yoga at the chorten-style Buddhist temple Dungtse Lhakhang
- Enjoy breakfast a local cafe
- Drive to the stunning Chelela Pass
- Luxuriate in a picnic at 13,000ft with stunning views of the sacred mountains of Jomothari and Jichu Drake
- Evening yoga to unwind
- Group dinner at the hotel
9
DAY NINE
- Early morning hike to the Taktsang Monastery Tiger’s Nest
- Morning yoga along the hike
- Enjoy a picnic breakfast
- This most famous of Bhutan landmarks requires a hike of approximately 5 hours to reach the monastery
- Learn the history and significance of the monastery as one of the most sacred and venerated sites in Buddhism
- Explore the Sacred Caves below Tiger’s Nest
- Meditation with the lama at the monastery
- Head back into town post-hike and explore Paro
- Luxuriate hike weary muscles in a traditional hot stone bath
- Final Bhutan yoga
- Group farewell dinner
10
DAY TEN
- Group breakfast and final Bhutan goodbyes
- Transfer to the Paro airport for your flight to Bangkok and onward back home
TESTIMONIALS
ADVENTURE WELL(NESS)
ADVENTURE WELL(NESS)
ADVENTURE WELL(NESS)
ADVENTURE WELL(NESS)
Frequently Asked Questions
You’ll want to schedule your flight into Bangkok (BKK) at least one day before the trip begins. We have your flight from Bangkok to Paro, Bhutan taken care of on day one of your trip, but flight times are determined closer to the trip so everyone needs to be in the night before. We’ll also fly you back to Bangkok on the last day of your adventure and we require that you not book any outbound flight from Thailand any earlier than 9pm on the last day.
Electricity in Bhutan runs on 220V. Most U.S. based devices that need to be charged (including camera batteries, mp3 players, etc.) work with outlets ranging from 110–240 volts, so they typically do not require a power converter. However, it will be up to you to check your individual electronics. This information is located on the plug itself and is usually very easy to find. Outlet configurations in Bhutan are normally European-style: round, two- or three-pronged. As outlets can change from place to place, we recommend you bring an outlet adapter to ensure you do not have problems plugging your devices in. Hotel Zhiwa Ling in Paro uses U.S. outlets.
Yes! Please note that travel insurance in required for all travelers and proof on insurance will be required on day one. All plans must include medical evacuation coverage. Please contact The Travel Yogi with any questions.
Yes, all of our lux hotels will have wifi available.
On this adventure, yes, it is necessary that you bring your own mat with you. Our guides will carry them for you, along with your luggage. A mat and a strap are good options but unless you absolutely need a block, we recommend you leave that at home. The Travel Yogi teachers that head out to Bhutan devise classes without props.
There are no inoculation requirements at this time but it is suggested that you be up to date on your tetanus, typhoid and hepatitis A. Any questions about your specific inoculation needs to should directed to your personal physician in advance of this adventure.
Yes! Of course. Once you’re booked you’ll receive an email with important logistical information and a link to your invoice. You can pay any amount at any time on the invoice; you can use it as a payment plan or leave it alone until the final due date. Remember that deposits are non-refundable so, on all trips, we recommend purchasing travel insurance.
