Start:
September 28, 2025 4:00 AM
Bhutan (GMT+6)
End:
October 9, 2025 4:00 AM
Bhutan (GMT+6)
Location:
Bhutan
Registration Deadline:
September 22, 2025
Embark on a profound spiritual pilgrimage through the mystical kingdom of Bhutan, guided by Lama Dorje. This sacred journey invites you to trace the footsteps of two of the greatest masters of the Vajrayana tradition—Longchen Rabjam, the great Dzogchen visionary who revealed the vast, open expanse of mind’s true nature with unmatched elegance, and Padmasambhava, the Lotus-Born Guru who brought Buddhism to Tibet and consecrated Bhutan with his wisdom and power.
Over the course of 11 days, we will traverse sacred valleys and mountain paths, visiting monasteries and practice sites that have preserved the living flame of Dharma for centuries. Along the way, we will receive inspiration and blessings from esteemed lineage holders and engage in meditative practices that awaken the inner landscape of wisdom and compassion.
This is not a tour—it is a sacred rite of passage. In a land where the spiritual and the natural intermingle effortlessly, each step becomes a mantra, each mountain a teaching, and each silence a gateway to the heart of the path.
With great joy, we invite you to join Lama Dorje from September 28th - October 9th to the sacred lands of the thunder dragon.
Bhutan remains a country where Dharma principles shape both daily life and leadership, guided by a leader dedicated to wisdom and compassion. This rare and auspicious journey will take us deep into the heart of Vajrayana Buddhism, where we will:
- Visit and pray at sacred sites of great masters such as Padmasambava and Longchenpa
- Immerse ourselves in Bhutan’s sacred cultural festivals, rich with ancient blessings
- Visit and stay in monasteries nestled in the serene mountains, infused
with centuries of Dharma practice
- Receive personal teachings and guidance from Drupon Lama Dorje and esteemed Rinpoches, deepening our understanding and realization of the Dharma
This pilgrimage is a profound opportunity to connect with the blessings of the lineage and awaken the wisdom within.
This itinerary represents a tentative schedule, lovingly crafted to reflect the sacred flow of our journey. As with all true pilgrimages, our path may shift in harmony with the rhythms of the land, the presence of lineage holders, and the blessings that unfold in each moment. We are in heartfelt coordination with monasteries, monks, and teachers to create an experience that brings us into direct contact with the living stream of Dharma.
Guided by Lama Dorje, this journey follows in the footsteps of two of Vajrayana Buddhism’s most radiant masters: Guru Padmasambhava, who established the Dharma in Bhutan with power and vision, and Longchen Rabjam, whose profound Dzogchen teachings continue to illuminate the natural state of mind across generations. Their presence and blessings permeate the very mountains, temples, and sacred valleys we will visit.
DAY 1: Arrival in Paro & Journey to Thimphu
We begin our sacred journey in Paro, Bhutan—one of the last lands where Vajrayana Buddhism continues as a living, vibrant tradition. From there, we travel together to Thimphu, preparing our minds and hearts for the path ahead.
DAY2: Blessings in Motithang & Hike to Tango (Thimphu)
In Motithang, a quiet neighborhood in Thimphu, we gather at a Drikung Kagyu Dharma center for blessings and practice in the presence of the lineage’s wisdom and compassion. Later, we hike to Tango Monastery, one of Bhutan’s oldest centers of contemplative training and Buddhist study. The sacred trail winds through pine forests, inviting quiet reflection with each step.
DAY 3: Dochula Pass & Baylangdra Monastery
At Dochula Pass, we walk among 108 chortens standing as a prayer for peace and spiritual awakening. From there, we continue to Baylangdra Monastery, a powerful site of Guru Padmasambhava’s enlightened activity. Here, we make offerings and prayers, joining the monastic sangha in devotion and practice.
DAY 4: Gangtey Monastery & Phobjekha Valley
In the wide, pristine Phobjekha Valley, we visit Gangtey Monastery, the seat of the Pema Lingpa lineage. This sacred land holds both ecological and spiritual importance, and we walk silently along its nature trail, in harmony with the migratory black-necked cranes and the stillness of the valley.
DAY 5: Crossing into Central Bhutan: Arrival in Bumthang
We journey into the sacred heart of Bhutan: Bumthang, a region filled with temples, sacred relics, and places of profound blessing. Among our visits is Sumtrang Nunnery, a center of deep commitment and rigorous spiritual training, where the nuns uphold the Dharma with strength, clarity, and devotion.
DAY 6: Tharpaling Monastery & Burning Lake (Bumthang)
At Tharpaling Monastery, nestled in the high hills of Bumthang, we enter the sacred seat of Longchen Rabjam, one of the most revered Dzogchen masters of all time. Here he composed his luminous writings on the Great Perfection, inviting us into vastness, clarity, and effortless presence. We then visit Mebar Tsho, the Burning Lake, where the great tertön Pema Lingpa dove into the water holding a lit butter lamp, returning with sacred termas—hidden teachings—still alight. This site remains a portal to Bhutan’s mystical and prophetic heart.
DAY 7: Kurje Lhakhang
At Kurje Lhakhang, we offer prayers before the rock that bears the body imprint of Guru Padmasambhava, left during his retreat to tame local spirits and anchor the Dharma in Bhutan. This is one of the most sacred power places in the entire Himalayan region.
DAY 8: Punakha Valley & Chimi Lhakhang
In Punakha, the confluence of rivers and history, we visit Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of Drukpa Kunley, the fearless yogi whose unconventional methods revealed deep wisdom. His blessing remains alive here, protecting those on the path and awakening joy and insight.
DAY 9: Sacred Teachings in Paro
Back in Paro, we receive teachings and blessings from esteemed lineage holders at sites such as Sangtsham Chorten and the monastery of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, a spiritual giant whose wisdom and compassion shaped generations of practitioners. Here, the Dharma is still taught, practiced, and lived in full vitality.
DAY 10: Pilgrimage to the Tiger’s Nest (Taktshang)
Our journey culminates with a sacred ascent to Taktshang, the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava meditated for three months after flying to the cliffside cave on the back of a tigress. It is one of the holiest sites in the Buddhist world, a place where the veil between outer and inner worlds dissolves.
DAY 11: Departure from Paro
As our pilgrimage comes to a close, we return with hearts opened, prayers fulfilled, and our lives subtly but deeply transformed. We carry home the blessings of Bhutan—the land where the Dharma breathes in every stone, stream, and sky.
Longchenpa and Padmasambhava: Follow their historic legacies through temples, meditation caves, and pilgrimage routes steeped in realization and devotion.
Meditative Hikes to Sacred Sites: Contemplate and walk through nature on trails leading to monasteries like Tango and the awe-inspiring Tiger’s Nest (Taktshang).
Blessings from Lineage Holders: Receive teachings and transmissions from esteemed holders of the Vajrayana tradition, continuing an unbroken stream of wisdom.
Sacred Offerings: Engage in the practice of generosity as we sponsor prayers and meals for monastic communities along the way.
Silent Retreat in Motion: Embrace noble silence and inner stillness throughout the journey to deepen presence and insight on a silent practice day.
Immersion in Living Dharma: Experience Bhutan’s unique blend of ancient tradition and natural purity, where the Dharma permeates daily life.
Your investment includes:
Please note: Airfare to and from Paro, Bhutan is not included.
Shared with another participant | Private bathroom
Stay in simple yet charming accommodations that reflect Bhutan’s traditional architecture and warmth. Each room includes a private bathroom and is shared with a fellow pilgrim, offering a cozy space for rest and quiet reflection.
Single occupancy | Private bathroom
Enjoy a private sanctuary for rest and contemplation. These rooms offer the same traditional style and simplicity, with a private bathroom and peaceful atmosphere—perfect for those who prefer solitude between sacred visits and shared practices.
Register by May 11th and receive $150 off your ticket.
Upon registration, you will notice at the top left corner some blue text that says "promo code"
Click that and use the code "EarlyBirdyBhutan"
Bhutan's commitment to preserving its cultural and environmental integrity is reflected in its tourism policies. As part of this journey, a big portion of the cost includes the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of $100 per person per night, mandated by the Royal Government of Bhutan. This fee supports free healthcare, education, and environmental initiatives within the country. Additionally, the government requires a specific level of daily expenditures on accommodations and services per person to ensure a high-quality experience for all visitors. They also require us to hire a local tour agency to guide the group. So all these things considered, you can imagine why the price increased on our sacred journey this year.
Please note that the Lama Dorje Foundation is organizing this pilgrimage with minimal - no profit this year, emphasizing our dedication to providing an authentic and enriching spiritual experience. We have attempted to make the prices as low as possible working within the above requirements.
Only a deposit is needed to register.
You can then complete your payment in 1-2 additional installments before August 28th.
We are required to put down payments for your journey with a tour agency, plus plane tickets to bring Lama and his two coordinator to Bhutan.
Therefore we thank you for your understanding in our cancellation policy.
