Day 2 :- Thimphu Valley Exploration & Local Crafts

Begin the day with one of the daily scheduled wellness classes with our compliments.
After breakfast head out for a day of sightseeing in the valley. Choose from several Thimphu sites to visit including the Folk Heritage Museum Zorig Chusom, (The National Institute for 13 Arts & Crafts). The National Textile Museum is a highlight for any visitor interested in the rich weaving culture of Bhutan with an extensive
collection of textiles from around the country on display. You can also visit one of several Bhutanese textile centers to view and/or purchase some of the Kingdom’s distinctive fabrics.
Local paper making: Visit Thimphu’s paper workshop, where lovely sheets of traditional Bhutanese paper are made, which sometimes incorporate flowers or plants into their fiber. The art of handmade paper in Bhutan dates back to the 8th century, although its usage was limited mainly to religious purposes. Today handmade is considered an important element in the preservation of Bhutan’s cultural heritage. The tiny factory allows guests to view the whole papermaking process and purchase samples and gift items from their shop.
For those interested in art, VAST offers changing contemporary art exhibits and is the country’s only art studio.
Discover the fresh market selling seasonal organic produce next door.
Lunch today at a contemporary Thimphu Café.
Back at the lodge take a hike customized to your fitness and energy level. Try the 45-minute lodge loop hike or climb further to Talakha Goemba situated on a ridge uphill from the lodge at 3,050 m Rarely visited, this monastery boasts some of the best views of Thimphu Valley far below.
Suggested Activity: On the way down stop at Lungsigang, a charming picnic spot for late afternoon tea and some energy boosting Bhutanese sweets and snacks.
Wellness Tip: Dotsho (Hot Stone) Bath. Mineral-rich stones from riverbeds are heated for several hours and added to the bath in this healing therapy. The addition of Khempa, a medicinal herb, works with the heat to release muscle pain and joint stiffness. 3-hour advance reservation required.
Dinner at leisure.
Overnight at Six Senses Thimphu.

Day 4 :- A Pilgrimage Hike, Butter Lamp Blessing & Ruins Regale Dinner

Set out early this morning, after an energy boosting breakfast, on a challenging full day hike to Taktsang Goemba, more famously knowns as “Tiger’s Nest “. The hike begins at the base camp 40 minutes’ drive from the lodge by a forested ridge where you will climb to an elevation of 2,950 meters.
One of the most significant cultural icons of the Kingdom, the highly revered monastery of Taktsang was built on a sheer cliff face above Paro where the revered saint, Guru Rimpoche arrived on the back of a flying tigress, bringing Buddhism to the Kingdom in the 8th century. The temple complex is visible from the valley floor and during cooler weather clouds can shroud the monastery, highlighting its sanctity and remoteness

Your guide will share stories of the monastery’s history along the way. Pine forests decorated with moss and prayer flags surround you as you make your way along the paths of this sacred trail. Hang prayer flags and let your wishes be carried out on the wind to all sentient beings.
A picnic lunch will be arranged in a scenic spot en route. The hike will take approximately 4-5 hours. *Tiger’s Nest hike is a moderate to strenuous hike but do-able for most and well worth the effort. Ponies are available for hire for the first part of the ascent if required. They cannot be taken for the descent.
Wellness Tip: Visit the Six Senses Spa to relax after your strenuous hike with a Deep Tissue Massage.

Suggested Destination Dining Experience:
Don traditional Bhutanese dress (a kira for a woman and a gho for a man) and dine under the stars with our “Ruins Regale Dinner”, set in the shadows of a 15th century stone dzong.
Enjoy folk songs by musicians trained in the local traditions. Bonfires and masked dance performances transport you back to a time long past for an evening of magic and mysticism.

Suggested Experience:
Visit the tiny 16th century Samtenling Monastery, just a ten-minute walk from the lodge. Light 108 butter lamps to dispel
darkness in the universe followed by a blessing led by the resident monks.

Dine at Janghko this evening or on the terrace, weather permitting. Reflect on the amazing adventures of these past days as you prepare for your onward journey.