Uma Paro Yoga in Bhutan

Uma Paro is a divine, luxury hotel in the Paro Valley in Bhutan. Part of the COMO hotel group, service is exemplary and your experience in the Land of the Thunder Gods will be an authentic one.

These 6 night Himalayan Discovery Retreats with Yoga aim to show the wonder and beauty of Bhutan, connect both from out and within. There are between one and two yoga and meditation sessions over five of the six nights. Imagine beginning the morning with a gentle Vinyasa flow, then enjoying a healthy COMO Shambhala juice and breakfast, before heading out to explore ancient sites and museums. End a magical day with a restorative Hatha yoga, pranayama and meditation class before drifting into a deep Shivasana.

DAY 1: After check-in, , meet your 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. Your first private yoga practice will late afternoon.

DAY 2: Morning and afternoon yoga practice with walk to Zurig Dzong, Rinpung Dzong, Ta Dzong, Paro town, Kyichu Lhakhang and Drukgyel Dzong. Wind through pine forests high above 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, 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, enjoy a private Hatha Vinyasa yoga session, before settling into a deep Shivasana.

DAY 3: Two yoga practices and a wild walk from Chele La Pass to Kila Nunnery (with optional bike descent). Begin your yoga practice with pranayama and meditation before moving into a gentle Vinyasa flow, then enjoy a COMO Shambhala juice and 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. 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. Enjoy a private Hatha Vinyasa yoga session back at COMO Uma Paro.

DAY 4: Yoga and Thimphu Day Out: Begin the day with a Hatha Vinyasa yoga practice then after breakfast it’s time to visit the capital of Bhutan, Thimphu, a bustling town where traditional practices mingle with modern life. The drive to the capital takes about an hour and sights worth seeing include the following (time and local conditions permitting): Market | BBS tower viewpoint and Takin compound, home to Bhutan’s national animal, the Takin – a strange looking animal which has been described as looking like a bee stung moose | National Memorial Chorten | View of Trashi Chhoe Dzong: ‘Fortress of the Glorious Religion’,  built in 1641 | National Institute of Traditional Medicine | Royal Textile Academy Museum | National Institute of 13 Arts and Crafts (Zorig Chusum): Watch the rows of young students learning Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts | Folk Heritage Museum: This replica of a traditional Bhutanese house is exactly as it would have looked 100 years ago.

DAY 5: Paro Valley – Taktsang walk followed by an afternoon of private restorative yoga practice. 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. 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. 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.

DAY 6: Additional night’s stay with a tailored day for you (private guide and driver included)

DAY 7: Depart Bhutan: 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.

If you love the idea of staying at UMA Paro but would like to experience further private yoga and meditation then take a look at these UMA Paro Himalayan Wellness Journeys with us.