Real Yoga Retreat, Bhutan, March 2013 (Part 1)

Friend Lisa rang me in great excitement, informing that she is visiting Bhutan - years after ooo-ing and ahh-ing over the various wondrous pictorials of Bhutan.

For her virgin tour into Bhutan, what better than to join Master Bera's yoga retreat?  After all, she is a true yoga aficionado.

Master Saumik Bera, Real Yoga Founder

And for a yoga retreat, what better than to stay at the Nak-Sel Boutique Hotel & Spa, nestled on top of a hill with the forest as a backdrop and most rooms offering tantalising views of the picturesque Mount Jomolhari?  Unlike many hotels, Nak-Sel has a dedicated yoga centre specially built for yoga retreats. This hotel, opened on September 5, 2011, has already garnered many rounds of good reviews. 


Nak-Sel Boutique Hotel & Spa, Paro

The exciting schedule of the 30+ group of tourists, organised by Yoga-in-Asia's Victor Chng, and led by Master Bera during the March 2013 tour, goes as follows ...

7 DAYS YOGA RETREAT TOUR TO BUDDHIST HIMALAYAN BHUTAN, THE COUNTRY KNOWN FOR HAPPINESS

DAY 01 (10th March 2013) - ARRIVAL TO PARO

4 am         Assemble at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1 for group check-in
6.30 am    Depart from Singapore via Drukair flight KB501.
                  Arriving Paro at 10.25 am
12 pm       Check-in hotel
1 pm         Lunch
3 pm         Visit Kyichu temple to receive blessings and good luck for the pilgrimage
                  and yoga ahead
5.30pm     Yoga class
7 pm          Dinner
8.30 pm    Goodnight

DAY 02 (11th March 2013) - PARO SIGHTSEEING

6.30 am     Wake up call
7 am           Yoga Class
8.30 am     Breakfast
10.30 am   Free & Easy
1 pm           Lunch
2 pm           Visit Ta Dzong - National Museum, Paro Dzong and town of Paro
6 pm           Yoga Class
7.30 pm      Dinner
9 pm           Meditation
10 pm         Goodnight

DAY 03 (12th March 2013) - VISIT TO SCHOOL AND TEMPLE

6.30 am     Wake up call
7 am           Yoga Class
8.30 am     Breakfast
9.30 am     Visit to one of the higher or middle school (optional)
1 pm           Lunch
2 pm           Visit Dungtse Lhakhang and Ruin Drukgyel Dzong and village
6 pm           Yoga Class
7.30 pm      Dinner
9 pm           Meditation
10 pm         Goodnight

DAY 04 (13th March 2013) - THIMPHU SIGHTSEEING

6.30 am     Wake up call
7 am           Breakfast
8.00 am     Today, drive to Thimphu the capital of Bhutan in the morning. 
                    Visit School of Arts and Painting.
                    Visit Sangaygang hill for the best view of Thimphu town.
                    Drive to Simtokha Dzong.
                    Followed by visit to Buddha Image @ Buddha Point.
3 pm           Lunch
4 pm           Free & Easy
6 pm           Yoga Class
8 pm           Dinner
10 pm         Goodnight

DAY 05 (14th March 2013) - PARO CHELLELA PASS

6.00 am     Wake up call
6.30 am      Yoga Class
7.30 am      Breakfast
8 am           Today, drive to Chellela Pass, the highest point with an altitude of
                     almost 4,000m, to view the snow peak mountain.
                     Hike to Kila Nunnery.
3 pm            Lunch
4 pm            Free & Easy
6 pm            Yoga Class
7.30 pm      Dinner
9.30 pm      Goodnight

DAY 06 (15th March 2013) - HIKE TO PARO TAKTSHANG

6.00 am     Wake up call
6.30 am      Yoga Class
7.30 am      Breakfast
8 am           Drive to Taktshang Base to start out holy hike to Taktshang
                    Monastery (Tiger's Nest).  Here you will have 25 to 30 minutes
                    personal meditation time to conenct yourself with Guru Rinpoche,
                    or to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the sacred site.
3 pm           Lunch
4 pm           Fun & Games
6 pm           Yoga Class
8 pm           Dinner
10 pm         Goodnight

DAY 07 (16th March 2013) - DEPARTURE

5 am           Leave hotel
7.20 am      Depart from Bhutan to Singapore via Drukair flight KB500.
                    Arriving Singapore at 3.15 pm.


.. more pictorials on Part 2 ..