BHUTAN : Our Rebirth and Happiness Journal

The journey into The Kingdom of Bhutan is already an adventure in itself. Located on the eastern Himalayan mountain range, Bhutan is a landlocked country with fertile soil for agriculture and forestry - the Kingdom that is rich in history.

According to the legend, when the 13th-century Buddhist master Tsangpa Gyare Yeshe Dorji was consecrating a monastery in Tibet, he heard thunder in the clouds. He realized the sound was the voice of a dragon proclaiming the Buddha's teachings. Therefore, the Kingdom of Bhutan is also named The Land of The Thunder Dragon or Druk Yul as the Bhutanese say.  

We were greeted by refreshingly chilled Bhutan's spring air and the friendliness of the people the day we landed at Paro International Airport in Bhutan. The Kingdom of Bhutan is already a highland country with an average elevation of 3,279 meters above sea level (10,760 feet). The hilly landscape requires a specially skilled pilot to land an airplane in Bhutan. After gradually descending in altitude, we safely land.

Beyond its physical attributes, Bhutan's beauty also lies in the genuine warmth and kindness of its people. Their deeply rooted traditions, rich heritage, and spiritual way of life all contribute to the country's unique charm, making Bhutan a place of profound beauty in every sense of the word.

Our yoga retreat adventure begins at Thimphu - the nation's largest city an hour's drive from where we land at Paro International Airport. Thimphu is a mesmerizing blend of traditional charm, modern development, and the center of government. A couple of places that we visited :

Buddha Dordenma—Standing at a height of 169 feet, this iconic bronze statue of Shakyamuni Buddha symbolizes peace and happiness. Inside the Buddha Dordenma statue, there are 125,000 miniature Buddhas encapsulated inside its enlightened bronze chest, ranging from 8 to 12 inches tall. Buddha's teachings on achieving enlightenment and finding inner peace have had a profound impact on millions of people around the world

Takin Preserve is a unique wildlife sanctuary. Most of us may not be familiar with the name or appearance of Bhutan's national animal, the Takin (Budorcas Taxicolor). This remarkable creature is often referred to as a "goat-antelope." An interesting myth behind the creation of the Takin contributed to its high religious significance and, therefore, led to its adoption as Bhutan’s national animal.

Legend has it that in the 15th century when Lam Drukpa Kunley also referred to as “The Divine Madman” arrived in Bhutan from Tibet he delivered religious teachings to the people after that they requested him to conjure up a miracle. He agreed, on the condition that he would be fed lunch – a whole cow and a whole goat. Doing as he commanded, the people offered him their massive lunch. The Tibetan saint devoured the flesh of both the animals and left out the bones. Then he fixed the head of the goat onto the cow's body and uttered a mantra with a snap of his fingers. The animal instantly sprung to life and began grazing on the meadows. He then named it the “Dong Gyem Tsey” (Takin).

Moving to Punakha , the old capital of Bhutan located at a lower elevation than Thimphu

The 1.5-hour ride to Punakha took us through Dochula Pass.
It is a beautiful mountain pass located on the road from Thimphu to Punakha. It is a popular tourist spot that offers a stunning panoramic view of the Himalayas, with snow-capped peaks visible on clear days. The pass is adorned with 108 stupas that were built as a memorial in honor of the Bhutanese soldiers who died in the 2003 war against insurgents from India. The serene and picturesque surroundings make Dochula Pass a must-visit destination for anyone traveling through Bhutan.

After having a lunch around the Dochula Pass, we continue our way to get a blessing at Chimi Lhakhang the Temple of Fertility which is a popular pilgrimage site for couples seeking blessings for fertility and childbirth.

Punakha Dzong is an impressive fortress monastery located at the confluence of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers in Punakha, Bhutan. Punakha Dzong is renowned for its beautiful architecture, with whitewashed walls, red wooden doors, and golden roofs. It is also the second oldest and second largest dzong in Bhutan. The dzong's strategic location and the rich history associated with it make it a significant cultural and religious landmark in Bhutan.

Other sacred sites that we visited while in Punakha Valley

The Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten is a beautiful Buddhist stupa located in the Punakha Valley of Bhutan. It was built to bring peace and protect Bhutan. The chorten offers stunning views and is known for its intricate architecture.

Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery. The nunnery houses a 14-foot bronze statue of Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of compassion, making it a spiritually significant site. The nunnery not only offers a peaceful and scenic setting for meditation and religious studies but also provides panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and lush greenery.

Moving to Paro Valley, the home to the country's only international airport, Paro International Airport. Here is begin the preparation to hike to the Tiger’s Nest

Taktsang Monastery (3,120 meters)
The Taktsang Monastery, also known as the Tiger's Nest, is one of the most iconic and sacred sites in Bhutan. Perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Paro Valley, this remarkable monastery is a major pilgrimage site and a marvel of architectural and natural beauty. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, flew to this location on the back of a tigress and meditated in a cave, which led to the construction of the monastery around it. At a slow pace, we will only spend 6 hours hiking up and down this 10,200 feet monastery with a stop at a coffee shop included and a tour around the monastery. The hike feels rather enjoyable than tiring as there will be many other people going up at the same time.

The time left we have in Paro provides us the opportunity to shop for souvenirs from textiles, and hand-crafted jewelry, to singing bowls.

Since the moment we arrived, we witnessed the charm of this nation. The landscape, the hospitality, the culture, and the locals that we met throughout our journey. It truly is an experience that we carry deep within each of us as a soul-enriching journey. Every day while in Bhutan reminds us to always be grateful, humble, and to be authentic. Our rebirth and happiness journal in Bhutan brought us to the history of many sacred sites and monasteries in 3 different locations, blessings by the Monk, immersing into the local culture and the busy markets, bringing contentment to our longing hearts

We will be back again in Bhutan in 2025!
Bringing more agenda of spiritual fulfillment, wellness, cultural immersion, and healing.

Be ready to join us to explore the mysticism and spirituality of Bhutan - the home to the happiest people on earth.