BHUTAN RETREAT
14 Day Journey Through
THE LAND OF THE THUNDER DRAGON
October 7th - 20th, 2027
Join us on this once in a lifetime journey through the incredible culture,
landscapes, and spiritual traditions of Bhutan.
ONLY 4 PLACES LEFT
The Wonders of Bhutan
Bhutan, often called the “Last Shangri-La,” is a land where ancient culture and pristine nature exist in rare harmony. Nestled in the Himalayas, its dramatic landscapes range from soaring snow peaks to lush valleys dotted with fluttering prayer flags and cliffside monasteries. Bhutan is the only country to measure its success through
Gross National Happiness, reflecting its deep commitment to wellbeing, culture, and ecological balance.
Wild yet deeply hospitable, Bhutan offers a glimpse of a world where spiritual tradition, community, and the natural environment are woven into daily life. It is a place of awe and stillness, where the sacred feels tangible in the mountains, forests, and the people themselves.
The four pillars that guide Bhutan's unique path toward collective happiness are
good governance,
sustainable development, cultural preservation, and environmental conservation.
THE LEGENDARY FESTIVALS OF BHUTAN
Our journey coincides with one of Bhutan’s legendary festivals, a time when sacred dance,
tradition, and devotion awaken the living spirit of tradition.
By travelling to a remote region, we step away from the crowds and into a
more intimate and immersive experience of this remarkable celebration.
Festivals in Bhutan have reputations for being raucous, joyous affairs.
The Dzongs (monasteries) come to life with colour, music and dancing as valley dwellers and towns folk dress in their finest clothes and join together to exorcise evil spirits and rejoice in a new harvest. Rare masked and sword dances
and other rituals are performed in the Dzong courtyard and temples.
OUR TOUR
A 14 Day Immersion in Bhutanese
Culture, Nature and Spirituality
Each day of our journey is bookended by morning and evening practice — a steady anchor as we travel through Bhutan’s valleys, temples, and mountain paths.
While Bhutan offers enough depth to explore for months, this pilgrimage is designed as a meaningful immersion, allowing us to experience the essence of this remarkable kingdom with presence, rhythm, and spaciousness, rather than rush.
THE FOUR MAIN HIGHLIGHTS
Sewla Monastery
2 NIGHTS
We begin, immersed in monastic life.
Participating in morning meditation and practices, spend time with the monks to gain insight into their daily routines and spiritual traditions.
Join in evening prayer and meditation inside the inner sanctum of the temple.
Nabji Village
2 NIGHTS
Hidden in Bhutan’s lush interior,
Nabji Village is home to an indigenous Bhutanese community and embodies a timeless way of life where culture, spirituality, and the natural world remain intimately intertwined.
Jakar Festival
3 NIGHTS
Bhumtang is known as Bhutan’s spiritual heartland. The Jakar Tshechu is a vibrant celebration where masked dances, sacred ritual, and community devotion unfold against the backdrop of serene mountains.
Tigers Nest
FULL DAY HIKE
Tiger’s Nest Monastery is Bhutans most famous landmark. Perched dramatically on a cliffside 900 meters above the Paro Valley, it offers breathtaking blend of spiritual devotion, Himalayan architecture, and pilgrimage mystique.
FULL ITINERARY
Day 1 -Thursday, Oct 7th
Arrival in Paro → Transfer to Thimphu
We meet at Bangkok Airport for our early flight to Bhutan.
After arriving at Paro International Airport, we meet our guide and drive to Thimphu (approx. 1.5 hours).
After settling in, we enjoy light cultural visits, including local weaving centres and artisan workshops, to ease into Bhutanese culture.
· Overnight: Thimphu
DAY 1
Sewla Monastery
Day 2-Friday, Oct 8th
Transfer to Punakha
Morning: Dive deeper into Thimphu's culture. Visit the local market, visit a Thangka painting studio, and have lunch in the city.
Afternoon: Drive from Thimphu to Sewla Monastery in Punakha (approx. 80 km, 3 hours drive to Punakha). Here, immersed in sacred space, we cultivate presence, clarity, and a deep attunement to the landscapes and experiences yet to come.
· Overnight: Sewla Monastery.
DAY 2
Day 3-Saturday, Oct 9th
Sewla Monastery
Full Day: Immersed in monastic life, participate in morning meditation and practices, and spend time with the monastic community to gain insight into their daily routines and spiritual traditions. Join the monks in evening prayer and meditation inside the inner sanctum of the temple.
Overnight Sewla Monastery
DAY 3
Day 4- Sunday, Oct 10th
Transfer to Punakha valley
Morning: Enjoy a final morning practice at Sewla Monastery.
Afternoon: Transfer to a hotel in the Punakha Valley. Experience easy-grade white water rafting on the Mo Chhu or Pho Chhu rivers, nothing crazy, more a gentle river float.
.
Overnight: Hotel in Punakha.
DAY 4
Day 5- Monday, Oct 11th
Punakha → Trongsa (4-5 hours drive)
Morning: Visit the Magnificent17th Century Punakha Dzong, at the confluence of the Male and female rivers.
Afternoon: Travel to Trongsa, and time permitting, walk part of the ancient TransBhutan Trail from the view point to the Trongsa Dzong
Overnight Tendrel Resort, Trongsa
DAY 5
Day 6- Tuesday, Oct 12th
Early morning transfer - Trongsa to Nabji
Our journey to Nabji is a travel back in time, This rural area is known for its indigenous communities and offers a chance for authentic cultural immersion with the local community, participate in farming activities, and enjoy traditional Bhutanese hospitality.
Overnight; Nabji Homestay
DAY 6
Day 7- Wednesday, Oct 13th
Full Day in Nabji Village
Our host family can arrange guided cultural visits to the nearby Nabji Lhakhang (monastery) and nature walks through the pristine forests, allowing for a deep connection with the local way of life.
Hike to Korphu village across the valley
Overnight; Nabji Homestay
DAY 7
Day 8- Thursday, Oct 14th
Nabji → Bhumtang
Morning: Saying goodbye to Nabji, We travel to Jakar in the Bumthang Valley, the spiritual heartland of Bhutan. Check into our accommodation for the next three nights and prepare for the upcoming festival.
Overnight: Bumthang village lodge
DAY 8
Day 9- Friday, Oct 15th
Festival
Full Day: Immerse yourself in the Thangbi Mani Festival held at Thangbi Lhakhang. Witness traditional mask dances (Cham), the unveiling of sacred Thangkas, and the vibrant atmosphere of a local Bhutanese festival.
· Overnight: Bumthang Village lodge
DAY 9
Day 10- Saturday, Oct 16th
Festival
Full Day: Continue our immersion in the festival celebrations. A highlight is the fire blessing ceremony (Mewang), where monks leap through flames to symbolize purification.
Enjoy cultural performances and the festive spirit of the locals.
If there is time we will visit local Nunnery in the Tang Valley.
· Overnight: Bhumtang Village lodge
DAY 10
Day 11- Sunday, Oct 17th
Fly to Paro
Morning: Leaving Jakar, we take a short, scenic domestic flight to Paro (approx. 30 minutes).
· Afternoon: Upon arrival, explore Paro town. Visit the National Museum (Ta Dzong) and the Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong) to acclimate to the area.
· Overnight: Paro Riverfront.
DAY 11
Day 12- Monday, Oct 18th
Tigers Nest
Full Day: Embark on the iconic hike to Taktsang Monastery, perched on a cliffside. The trail winds through pine forests with stunning views. Reach the monastery for a moment of reflection and soak in the panoramic views of the Paro Valley.
· Evening: Enjoy a relaxing dinner together at our hotel.
· Overnight: Paro Riverfront
DAY 12
Day 13- Tuesday, Oct 19th
Day of Rest and Reflection
Indulge: A free day of relaxation with traditional hot stone baths, massages, and spa treatments. Or scenic walks and shopping in Paro Markets.
An afternoon of practice and reflection together.
and a final shared dinner at our hotel.
Overnight: Paro Riverfront
DAY 13
Day 14- Wednesday, Oct 20th
Departure Day
· Morning: After a final morning practice and final Bhutanese breakfast, we head to Paro International Airport for our outbound flight.
DAY 14
Accomodation and Food
Accommodation will vary as we move from place to place. From simple rooms at Sewla monastery, more spacious and comfy at villas and resorts, and cosy intimate rooms at homestays.
Below you will find some images of what to expect regarding accommodation in Bhutan.
Food in Bhutan
Bhutanese food is hearty and deeply comforting, centred on rice, seasonal vegetables, chillies, and rich cheese-based dishes, blending earthy mountain flavours with a warming, rustic simplicity.
In Bhutan, traditional cooking methods are still preserved and farm-to-table food is the norm. Most meals are native to the region and simple to prepare. While the central region is well known for traditional cottage cheese, maize, potatoes, and other vegetables are farmed extensively in eastern Bhutan. Vegetable, rice, and lentil soups are a favourite in Bhutan’s Himalayan regions, keeping the locals warm during the harsh winters. The Bhutanese also eat a lot of foraged greens like fiddlehead ferns.
Let me know your dietary needs so we can accommodate you.
PAYMENT OPTIONS
Cost
RETREAT/TOUR
SHARED ROOM - $7450
SINGLE ROOM - $8250
Plus
Return Flight From
Bangkok to Bhutan
$1500
Organised by Tour Agent
Full Cost
SHARED ROOM - $8950
SINGLE ROOM - $9750
Includes
-
13 Nights Accommodation
-
All Meals
-
Sustainable Development Fee
-
Visa Fee
-
All Internal Travel with Guide
-
Festival
-
Return Flight From Bangkok to Bhutan
-
Flight from Jakar to Paro
-
Bottled water
&
Practice with Paul twice per day
Deposit required to secure your spot
PAY IN FULL
SHARED ROOM - $8950
Includes Bangkok - Paro flight & SDF
SINGLE ROOM - $9750
Includes Bangkok - Paro flight & SDF
PAYMENT PLAN
SHARED ROOM
DEPOSIT - $2500
AUGUST 2026 - $2200
DECEMBER 2026 - $2200
MARCH 2027 - $2200
Includes Bangkok - Paro flight & SDF
PAYMENT PLAN
SINGLE ROOM
DEPOSIT - $2500
AUGUST 2026 - $2450
DECEMBER 2026 - $2450
MARCH 2027 - $2450
Includes Bangkok - Paro flight & SDF
Not Included
Return Flights Australia to Bangkok
Extra Drinks
Tips
Massages and Wellness Treatments
Bhutan's Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
Bhutan's Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) is a daily charge that all tourists (except Indian nationals) must pay. This fee supports initiatives in conservation, education, and infrastructure. The SDF is a per-person, per-night fee, approximately AUD$150 per day. For a 14 day tour, your contribution to these initiatives is $2100. This is already included in price.
A Tour Guide in Bhutan
A local tour guide is mandatory for all foreign visitors. We will have the support of a local tour operator to help us organise all aspects of travel in Bhutan. This, of course will help the whole experience run smoothly.
Our Journey
Sewla Monastery
PLEASE NOTE
LIMITED PLACES
Only 4 Places left
Early commitment is important because we need to travel and operate as a cohesive group.
Once flights and internal transfers are booked, adding late participants can create logistical challenges:
Seats on the Bangkok–Paro flight or the Jakar–Paro connection may no longer be available, which will throw a spanner in the works and could disrupt the carefully planned arrival and departure schedule.
To ensure a smooth, shared experience for everyone, it’s essential that the group is confirmed in advance and moves together.
Bookings are on a first in, best dressed bases.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Once flights (as mentioned above) have been issued, all airfare refunds are strictly subject to the terms and conditions of the airline.
We will be travelling with Druk Air; so any refund, credit, or cancellation outcome relating to flights is determined solely by the airline and remains outside the control of the tour organiser or booking agent. Having said that, Druk Air has a pretty favourable Refund Policy.
The following cancellation terms apply to all non-flight tour costs:
-
Cancellations made on or before August, 31, 2026 will receive a full refund, less a $250 administration fee.
-
Cancellations made between Sept 1, 2026 and March 31,2027 will receive a 50% refund of the tour price, unless the participant’s place is filled, in which case a full refund (less administration fee) may be issued.
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Cancellations made after March 31, 2027 are non-refundable, unless the participant’s place can be filled, in which case a full refund (less administration fee) may be issued at the sole discretion of the organiser.
Bhutan
A Tapestry of Mountains, Sacred Valleys, Timeless Culture.
About Paul Wooden
Paul has been practicing and studying yoga and meditation for 40 years and teaching for 35 years.
He draws from his experience in many different styles and traditions and, through a practical understanding of their underlying unifying principles, weaves together a cohesive and integrated approach to yoga.
Paul is a unique voice in the world of yoga. He has a way of bringing the sometimes abstract teaching of yoga into ordinary language making them accessible and workable in our lives.
For Paul, yoga is first and foremost a relational process, with technique being a way to serve a deepening and more intimate relationship with ongoing moment to moment reality of our lives.
Working with Paul is an invitation to the deeper dimensions of practice. His particular way of working opens us to the sensitivity and receptivity necessary for the subtler inner practices. He has been running retreats for over 2 decades and finds them fertile ground for real transformation.
He continues to study the inexhaustible richness of the wisdom traditions and complements these studies with a more contemporary understanding of the human condition, including developmental psychology, integral theory and trauma work (somatic experiencing) which seeks to help uncover and release the binding patterns of trauma in the body.
