Yoga@Hotel Como Uma Paro 6D/5N

COMO Uma Paro staff will welcome you at the airport, assisting with your 10-minute transfer to the property.
After settling in, you will meet COMO Uma Paro’s yoga teacher, then it’s time for our first foray into the Kingdom with sightseeing in Paro town and a visit to a local temple. The afternoon rovides an opportunity for orientation and acclimatisation, and to get to know your guide, who will offer some additional sightseeing options if time and energy levels permit. Your first private yoga practice will be scheduled for late afternoon.
 

The morning will begin with a Hatha Vinyasa yoga practice. Following that, we will wind through pine forests high above COMO Uma Paro to the pretty grounds of the fortress-like monastery of Zurig Dzong.

We then cross to Ta Dzong, housing Bhutan’s National Museum with magnificent views over Paro, and on down to Rinpung Dzong (Fortress on a Heap of Jewels). The trail then leads across Paro Chhu river via Nyamai Zam (a traditional covered bridge), past Ugyen Pelri Palace (the main archery ground), and into Paro town. Drive a few kilometres north of Paro and we pay our respects at Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan with its magical orange tree that bears fruit all year round. Time permitting, we drive further up the valley to Drukgyel Dzong, built in 1648 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to control the northern route to Tibet.

Returning to COMO Uma Paro, we enjoy a private Hatha Vinyasa yoga session that includes elements of pranayama and meditation before settling into a deep Shivasana.
Duration: 5 to 7 hours (depending on time spent in the National Museum and Paro)
Difficulty: Easy to moderate (guided, with picnic or lunch at a local restaurant)
 

Two yoga practices and a wild walk from Chele La Pass to Kila Nunnery (with optional bike descent). We begin our yoga practice for the day with half an hour of pranayama and meditation before moving into a gentle Vinyasa flow.

After Shivasana, we enjoy a COMO Shambhala juice before heading to breakfast. By late morning we’ll be reaching Chele La which, at 3,988m, is the highest road pass in Bhutan, snaking upwards through blue
pine and rhododendron forests for 35 kilometres.

On a clear day the view sweeps away to the snow-dome of Bhutan’s second highest peak, Mt Jhomolhari (7,314m), and to Kila Goemba, an ancient nunnery nestled in a craggy patch on the mountainside below. Kila Goemba is a serene retreat for 32 ‘Anim’ (Buddhist nuns) who lead an undisturbed life of religious study, prayer and meditation. The nunnery is one of the seven oldest nunneries in the Kingdom. Dupthob Chhoeje Norbu and Dupthob Temba established it in the early ninth century as a place for meditation.

After being destroyed by fire, the Lhakhang was reconstructed by the 25th Je Khenpo, Sherab Gyaltsen, and in 1986, the government officially established Kila Goemba as an ‘Anim Dratshang’ (nunnery). This
sacred place has a timeless quality, which is ample reward after the effort of the hike.
Having made our offerings, we descend further. An hour later and we are back at the road where we can saddle up on a mountain bike and
freewheel down to Paro Valley. In case Chele La Pass is not accessible during the winter months, your guide will propose an alternative for this day’s excursion. We will enjoy a private Hatha Vinyasa yoga session back at COMO Uma Paro, including elements of pranayama and meditation, before settling into a deep Shivasana.

Duration: 6 to 8 hours
Difficulty: Moderate (guided, with picnic or lunch at a local restaurant)
 

We begin the day with a Hatha Vinyasa yoga practice then after breakfast it’s time to visit the capital of Bhutan, Thimphu, which sprawls up the wooded western hillside of the Wang Chhu. The centre of government, religion and commerce, Thimphu is a bustling town where traditional practices mingle with modern life.

The drive from COMO Uma Paro to the capital takes about an hour and sights worth seeing include the following (time and local conditions permitting):
Market days: It’s easy to lose a couple of hours wandering through Thimpu’s colourful stalls before heading into town for more shopping. Main market days are Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
BBS tower viewpoint and Takin compound: On the way to the viewpoint over Thimphu is the home of Bhutan’s national animal, the Takin - a strange looking animal which has been described as looking like a beestung moose.
National Memorial Chorten: Bhutan’s third king, H.M. Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, died before his plan to erect a monument to world peace and prosperity came to fruition. However, the Royal Family and Cabinet resolved to fulfill his wishes and erected this memorial to perpetuate his memory.
View of Trashi Chhoe Dzong: Fortress of the Glorious Religion’ was built in 1641 and then rebuilt by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the 1960s. Trashi Chhoe Dzong is home to government ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat and the central monk body. Entrance is granted to guests only after 5pm, but the nine-hole golf course alongside
makes a quirky photo opportunity.
National Institute of Traditional Medicine: This Bhutanese institution dispenses traditional medicines made from plants, minerals, animal parts, precious metals and gems. A working facility for research and the treatment of local people, the tour is fascinating.
Royal Textile Academy Museum: An insight into the national art of weaving, this museum shows fine examples of all the major weaving techniques and the changing styles of ‘gho’ and ‘kira’ over the years, with weavers demonstrating their skills on traditional back looms.
National Institute of 13 Arts and Crafts (Zorig Chusum): Watch the rows of young students learning Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts; carpentry, masonry, carving, painting, sculpture, casting, weaving, bamboo work, embroidery, woodturning, papermaking, blacksmithing and gold and silversmithing.
Folk Heritage Museum: This replica of a traditional Bhutanese house is exactly as it would have looked 100 years ago – and as many Bhutanese families still live to this day.

Please note that museum, monastery, temple and Dzong opening days and times vary with national holidays and events.

The above denotes activities and places of interest available in Thimphu. There will not be time to visit all, however the day will be organised according to guests’ particular interest.

Duration: 7 to 10 hours
Difficulty: Easy (guided, with picnic or typical Bhutanese fare in local restaurant)
 

One of the most amazing and important pieces of architecture in Bhutan, Taktsang Goemba, or Tiger’s Nest, defies logic, gravity and reason. Legend has it that this cliffside was where Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) landed on the back of a flying tigress, bringing Buddhism to Bhutan from Tibet. To avoid the hot sun, we make
an early start for the two-hour climb to the monastery viewpoint. Descending steeply, we then climb up to the monastery, passing a waterfall and entering through the main gates which are decorated with murals.
After spending some time in the monastery we break for lunch, before meditation in one of the ancient temples near Guru Rinpoche’s caves. After meditation, we begin a descent of about 45 minutes to reach our vehicle and drive back to COMO Uma Paro, where we will spend the night. Guests have time to freshen up before enjoying a mindful yoga practice in the late afternoon. There’s also time to relax and enjoy the facilities, including the steam rooms and swimming pool, or to try a Bhutanese Hot Stone Bath.

Duration: 6 to 8 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to hard (guided, with picnic or Taktsang cafeteria)
 

Your flight normally departs in the morning, so after breakfast your 10-minute transfer to Paro International Airport will be arranged, depending on the flight schedule.