Overview
The Bhutan Spiritual Journey provides an immersive look into Vajrayana Buddhism.
This package offers private access to quiet monastery sanctuaries, audiences with high-ranking lamas, personal astrological readings, and participation in ancient butter-lamp lighting ceremonies. It allows you to study Buddhist philosophy right at its source.
Trip Highlights
- Lighting 108 butter lamps to set an intention for the journey.
- A private audience and Q&A on mindfulness and karma with a Buddhist professor (Khenpo).
- The teachings of Lama Drukpa Kunley at Chimi Lhakhang.
- A restricted chapel inside Punakha Dzong and evening chanting at Gangtey Monastery.
- Silent meditation with the nuns of a hillside nunnery above Phobjikha.
- A personal life chart at Pangri Zampa and an hour of meditation in Guru Rinpoche’s cave.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Arrive in Paro and drive to Thimphu. Check into your hotel. In the evening, gather at a quiet local temple to light 108 traditional butter lamps alongside your guide, setting a mindful spiritual intention for the journey ahead.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Thimphu
Spend your morning exploring the ancient religious manuscripts at the National Library. In the afternoon, enjoy a private audience and philosophical Q&A session with a senior Buddhist professor (Khenpo) to discuss mindfulness and karma.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Thimphu
Cross Dochula Pass, circumambulating its 108 stupas. Descend to Punakha and walk to Chimi Lhakhang, studying the non-dualistic, eccentric teachings of the famous 15th-century saint Lama Drukpa Kunley.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Punakha
Spend your morning inside Punakha Dzong. Gain entry into a quiet, restricted chapel room with your guide to study the historical preservation of sacred relics brought from Tibet by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Punakha
Drive to the peaceful Phobjikha Valley. Spend your late afternoon inside the historic 17th-century Gangtey Monastery, sitting quietly along the temple walls to listen to the evening chanting session of the resident monks.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Phobjikha
Hike up to a remote hillside nunnery overlooking the valley. Spend your afternoon in complete silence, learning traditional breathing and sitting meditation techniques from the resident anims (nuns).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Phobjikha
Drive back to Paro, stopping at the Pangri Zampa Astrology College in Thimphu. Here, a master monk astrologer will cast your personal life chart based on traditional Bhutanese lunar calculation systems.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Paro
Complete the classic hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Spend an uninterrupted hour meditating inside a quiet inner sanctuary cave, the very site where Guru Rinpoche introduced Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Paro
Final morning prayers before your executive transfer to Paro International Airport.
Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions & Exclusions
What’s Included
- Private Transport & Guide: All ground transportation in a private vehicle with an English-speaking licensed guide.
- Accommodation: Twin/double-sharing rooms in 3-star tourist-standard hotels.
- Meals: All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) as per itinerary.
- Sustainable Development Fee: The daily SDF is included.
- Hydration: Bottled water during transfers and sightseeing.
- Government Dues: Government royalty and applicable taxes.
What’s Not Included
- Airfare: International/regional airfare to and from Paro.
- Visa Fee: Bhutan visa processing fee (arranged in advance by Gu-Mar as part of permit clearance).
- Personal Expenses: Laundry, telephone, beverages and tips.
- Insurance: Travel insurance.
- Pony Hire: Pony hire for the Tiger’s Nest hike (optional, paid on-site).
- Other Services: Any services not mentioned under Inclusions.
Good to Know
- Licensed Operator: All non-Indian, non-Bangladeshi and non-Maldivian nationals must travel through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator such as Gu-Mar; we process visa clearance and the SDF on your behalf before arrival.
- Hotel Upgrades: Hotel categories can be upgraded to 4-star or boutique/heritage properties under our Deluxe or Luxurious collections.
- Flexible Sequencing: Itinerary sequencing may shift slightly depending on flight timings, road conditions or festival dates — your guide will confirm the final day-by-day plan on arrival.