Welcome to Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Touching down at Paro International Airport, you will be greeted by your guide upon exiting the arrival hall.
Today, we will take it easy to acclimatise to the altitude.
Today we make our way to Thimphu, the capital City of Bhutan. It is the largest city in Bhutan and is considered the centre of politics, religion, and commerce.
We will make our way to Buddha Point/Dordenma – one of the biggest sitting Buddha located on a hill overlooking Thimphu. Centenary Farmers' Market - a bustling outdoor market where you can buy fresh produce, handicrafts, and souvenirs. Motithang Takin Preserve - a wildlife reserve where you can see Bhutan's national animal, the Takin.
We will drive back to Paro for the night.
Today we will take a domestic flight from Paro to Bumthang.
Bumthang is one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and the heartland of Buddhism in Bhutan. It is an area with a wide variety of fauna and flora. The Guru Rinpoche and his lineage of Tertons (treasure finders) making Bumthang his home have led to more than 40 temples being built in this peaceful valley.
Upon arrival at Bumthang while we soak in the beautiful atmosphere , we will be meeting His Eminence Khedrupchen Rinopche for a tour briefing.
We will visit Burning Lake (Mebar Tsho or Membar Tsho). It is a holy site where Bhutan’s greatest terton (treasure finder), Pema Lingpa, discovered several of Guru Rinpoche’s treasures in the 15th century. According to legend, Pema Lingpa had a dream urging him to go to that particular spot in the Tang Chuu river. After standing on the rocks looking into the depths, he discerned there was a temple at the bottom with many doors, one of which was open. He dove in and swam into a large cave where a woman with one eye handed him a treasure chest. As he took it from her, he found himself back on dry land.
He held in his one hand a box made of joint skulls and a small sculpture. And in his other hand was the butter lamp, its flame still burning bright. Hence, Naring Drak was named Mebar Tsho, or Burning Lake.
Rinpoche will lead a visualisation meditation at Burning Lake. After the meditation, there will be 10-15 minutes of short Q&A.
Time and weather permitting, you will also visit the following holy sites:
Kurjey Lhakhang: One of the most sacred monasteries in Bhutan. Built by Guru Rinpoche in 1652, it houses a rock with his body imprint. Legend has it that Guru Rimpoche manifested as a Garuda to defeat the demon Shelging Karpo who had taken the form of a white lion.
After lunch, you will embark on a two-hour drive to Trongsa. You will learn about applying compassion in business management from Rinpoche.
Today you will visit Rinpoche’s Monastery, Sangchen Ogyen Tsuklag Monastery. The drive will be about 45 minutes from the hotel. You will be spending the whole day at the century-old monastery.
Rinpoche will continue with the Buddhist values in Business leadership at the Monastery.
We will also have time to interact with the follower of Rinpoche.
Today’s Practice: Mindfulness meditation
Morning session
Afternoon session
Outcome:
This retreat will enable you to explore the nature of the mind, transform your consciousness and enhance happiness and true joy through simple yet powerful techniques.
Today’s Practice: Mindfulness meditation
Morning session
Afternoon session
Outcome:
This retreat will enable you to explore the nature of the mind, transform your consciousness and enhance happiness and true joy through simple yet powerful techniques.
You will make your way back to Paro from Gangtey.
Morning session
You will stop by Dochula Pass, a stunning mountain pass with a spectacular view of the Himalayan range.
Following that, you will continue your journey to Thimphu where you can shop and stroll around Thimphu town. (2-3 hours)
After lunch, you will go to Paro.
Kyichu Lhakhang: Also known as Kyerchu Temple or Lho Kyerchu, is the oldest temple in Bhutan. Just like Jambhay Lhakhang in Bumthang, it is one of the 108 temples built by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo to subdue and pin down an ogress that was obstructing the spread of Buddhism.
Afternoon session
Outcome:
You will practice on ‘Mindfulness’ – which will help you to generate focus and stay present at the moment – regardless of the situation you may find yourself in. You will find that in the long term, this skill will help you connect with people and your environment in a loving way.
Some goals of this workshop:
Dinner at a farm house.
Are you ready? You will be making the hike up to one of the key highlights in Bhutan today! Tiger's Nest aka Taktsang Monastery.
Taktsang Monastery - Often called the Tiger’s Nest, is a prominent Himalayan Buddhist sacred site and temple complex perched on the cliff side of Paro Valley. “Trip to Bhutan is never complete without climbing to Taktsang”, says one tourist. Indeed, it’s true as the journey there fills you with spiritual bliss. For those who are non-spiritual, it is the dramatic, artistically built monument that becomes a hiker’s delight.
Experience the uphill climb as you ascend more than two thousand feet from the valley floor. According to legends, it is believed that Guru Rinpoche flew to this location from Tibet on the back of a Tigress (his consort Yeshey Tshogyal) and meditated in one of the caves. Guru Rinpoche performed meditation and emerged in eight manifestations, and the place became holy, thus gaining the name Tiger's Nest.
At the monastery, Rinpoche will lead a visualisation meditation.
Upon descending from Tiger’s Nest, you will freshen up and have free and easy time.
In the evening, you will enjoy your dinner with a cultural programme.
Today, you will bid fond farewell to this beautiful Himalayan country. We hope by now you would have made some friends and also kept many photos and beautiful memories of Bhutan! And we look forward to seeing you again in this beautiful land of endless enchantments!
Tashi Delek!
"My Neykor experience has been very enlightening and overly exceeding my expectation. I didn't expect the trip to be so fruitful and meaningful and not just visiting so many sacred sites and also learning so many wisdoms from Rinpoche and the mindfulness meditation is something new."
Dato Darren Kee
"This Neykor trip is very meaningful and I feel that everybody should come to Bhutan and experience this Neykor trip once in a lifetime."
Datin Kate Ooi
"Just by going all these spiritual and sacred sites and having the Rinpoche there to actually guide us through all of that has just given such a much deeper and meaning full journey. It's not a holiday, it is really a spiritual journey."
Tracy Phillips