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Bhutan Pilgrimage 
October 19-31, 2025

Tantric Treasures, Hidden Lands

Join Geshe Tenzin Zopa and Dr. Miles Neale on this immersive two-week pilgrimage through the power places of Guru Padmasambhava in the last Tantric Buddhist Kingdom of Bhutan.

 

 

Your Spiritual Guide

Geshe Tenzin Zopa

 

On our annual pilgrimages, we are honored to host renowned Tibetan Buddhist master Geshe Tenzin Zopa, featured in the documentary Unmistaken Child, responsible for the Tsum Valley Rachen Nunnery, the living embodiment of the teachings of wise compassion, and inspiration to a wide following around the world.

More about Geshe Tenzin Zopa

Your Tour Leader

Dr. Miles Neale

 

Psychologist and author Dr. Miles Neale has been co-leading Buddhist pilgrimages with Geshe Tenzin Zopa since 2016 to Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Japan. Miles sets the stage for Zopa's exquisite teachings and provides contemporary and psychological frameworks to support the integration of Buddhist wisdom into everyday life. His third book, Return with Elixir: Pilgrimage of the Soul Through Death and Rebirth, will be released in April 2025.

More about Dr. Miles Neale
About the Pilgrimage

Tantric Treasures, Hidden Lands

 

Join Tibetan master Geshe Tenzin Zopa and psychologist Dr. Miles Neale on this highly anticipated, sacred pilgrimage through Bhutan, the last Tantric Buddhist kingdom. We'll follow in the footsteps of guru Padmasambhava and treasure revealer Pema Lingpa, deep into hidden lands to sites of spiritual power ladened with buried teachings (terma) kept secret with divine magic.

Through in-depth teachings, techniques, and rituals in remote monasteries and holy caves, Geshe-la will reveal the power of the Vajrayana, Tibet's mystical path to enlightenment, so we can taste the elusive elixir of blissful compassion for ourselves.

This customized pilgrimage offers a unique opportunity to deepen our devotion and practice with Geshe Tenzin Zopa amidst Bhutan’s many sacred sites and breathtaking natural landscapes, where the ancient wisdom of the Himalayan masters pervades.

The Land of the Thunder Dragon awaits you on the journey of a lifetime.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Bhutan's Spiritual Heroes &

Treasure Revealers

 

Guru Rinpoche, also known as Padmasambhava, is revered as the Second Buddha in the Himalayan region, where his mystical powers are said to have tamed fierce local deities, transforming them into protectors of the Dharma. His presence is woven into Bhutan's very landscape, with his treasures (terma) of wisdom and tantric teachings hidden across the sacred landscape, awaiting discovery by those treasure revealers (terton), like Pema Lingpa (15th century CE) possessing the spiritual insight to unearth them.

Now, for the first time, Geshe Tenzin Zopa will lead a pilgrimage to Bhutan to reveal the mysteries of tantra for our group.

 

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Arrival and Dharma Reunion in Thimphu

Welcome back one and all to our annual reunion of dharma friends! Our Bhutan expedition begins in the capital city, Thimphu, where we’ll ease into the country’s serene energy after a long journey. Flying from your home country to Paro, Bhutan is our first pilgrimage challenge, so you'll work closely with Sejiva, our tour operator, to ensure your flight is booked ASAP for an on-time arrival. We’ll visit one of Thimphu's most revered cultural sites, roam freely around the town, and hear about Bhutan's famed Gross National Happiness policy from a leading local expert. An overnight stay at Pedling Hotel & Spa will provide a rejuvenating start to your pilgrimage.

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The Sacred Sanctuary of Gangtey Valley

Dive deeper into Bhutanese spirituality with a private teaching and meditation session by Geshe Tenzin Zopa at Buddha Point, overlooking Thimphu. Afterward, travel through breathtaking landscapes to Gangtey Valley—a sacred sanctuary for black-necked cranes, rare migratory birds. In Gangtey, we’ll have the chance to light butter lamps during group prayers to clear obstacles ahead, joined by monks at Gangtey Monastery. The day ends with a serene walk along the breathtaking Gangtey Nature Trail, completing a day of both inner and outer exploration.

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The Spiritual Heartland of Bumthang

Venture to Bumthang Valley, known as Bhutan’s spiritual heartland, where we'll take a deep dive over four nights into the profound Vajrayana ethos. Here, we’ll commune at several sacred enclaves where Guru Rinpoche meditated, including Kurje Lhakhang and Jambay Lhakhang, believed to be well over a thousand years old. This region’s meditative atmosphere embued with tantric power will provide a perfect theater for Geshe Tenzin Zopa’s Vajrayana teachings and transmissions.

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The Temple of Liberation at Tharpaling

 

In the highlands surrounding Tharpaling Monastery, connect to Bhutan’s sacred landscape with a meditative hike, culminating with a prayer ceremony co-led by Geshe-la and local monks at this 14th-century retreat known as the “Temple of Liberation.” You’ll also journey through the mystical Tang Valley to the remote Kunzang Drak Monastery perched on a cliff, where Bhutan’s great 15th-century tantric treasure revealer (terton), Pema Lingpa, is said to have discovered hidden treasures. These experiences offer unique glimpses into Bhutan’s living spiritual heritage.

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Secret Ceremony and Hidden Places in Punakha

After exploring Bumthang, we journey to Punakha for three nights, beginning with a very secret ceremony and audience with a special guest curated exclusively for our group at Dorjitse Lhakhang. The next day, we visit the beyul or hidden place of Langdra Ney, a site intimately connected to Guru Rinpoche’s meditation legacy, kept secret for centuries and only rediscovered by Chatrul Rinpoche in 1988. On our third day in Punakha, we'll visit Goen Tsephu, one of the two revered meditation caves on our itinerary associated with Guru Rinpoche, likened to Maratika cave in Nepal, where he encountered the full form of Amitayus, Buddha of Long Life. Here, we'll offer Geshe Zopa and all our spiritual masters the long-life prayer. To keep the dharma balanced with worldly delights, we'll also make time in the afternoon for some optional yet exhilarating white water rafting with our lama!

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Bumdra's High Retreat of the Hundred Thousand Dakinis

 

As the journey draws to its climax, we return to Paro to embark on an extraordinary micro pilgrimage up a sacred mountain to Bumdra Monastery. Known as the “Retreat of the Hundred Thousand Dakinis,” this high-altitude sanctuary invites us to savor the views during sky-gazing meditation, offer a smoke ritual to heal the environment, and have an informal chat with Geshe-la under a star-lit sky around the campfire. We’ll camp in tents overnight with our lama and fellow pilgrims, immersed in Bhutan’s fabled wilderness, and begin to coalesce all our intense experiences.

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The Majestic Descent to Lion's Cave & Tiger’s Nest

 

The pilgrimage concludes at the legendary Taksang Monastery, where we'll hike down in the early morning dawn before the crowds appear from our mountain ridge encampment, briefly stopping at the Lion's Cave of Dakini Yeshe Tsogyal. Then we'll experience a private meditation session led by Geshe Tenzin Zopa at Tiger's Nest, one of Bhutan’s most iconic and revered sites associated with Padmasambhava. The energy of Taktsang provides a profound culmination to our journey, blending breathtaking views with Bhutan’s ancient spiritual energy. In the evening, we'll celebrate our tour in a luxurious five-star hotel, complete with a farewell dinner and cultural program back in Paro. We'll leave Bhutan overflowing with tantric nectar to savor until next year's annual gathering to yet another remarkable, still undisclosed, destination. 

See Complete Itenary Here

Tour Costs

 

All Inclusive Package

USD $7000

Single Room Supplement as available add $995

 

  • Bhutan Sustainable Development Fee of $1300 per person
  • Honorariums for tour leaders and special guest 
  • Bhutan visa fee
  • Accommodations & all meals 
  • Excursions, entry fees, and activities as noted in the itinerary*
  • All ground transportation (including all airport transfers) within Bhutan
  • Services of English-speaking Bhutanese guides and porters
  • Complimentary safe bottled water throughout the trip

More Bhutan Pilgrimage Details

Here's all you need to know before registering for this journey.


Ready to Register?

Please complete our short Pilgrimage Registration Form so we can ensure our journey and you are a suitable match. Priority is given to senior students of Geshe Tenzin Zopa and the Gradual Path. You will receive an automated confirmation after you submit this form. If you're accepted, we'll connect you directly via email with Sejiva our tour operator who will assist you with onboarding and payments, including pre- and post-travel arrangements for your journey. If you are waitlisted due to demand we will do our best to include you on our next tour.

Registration Form

Have More Question?


A pilgrimage is a huge commitment of time, energy, and resources. We understand what a big decision this can be. Please take the time to read all the information we have provided. If you have any remaining questions or concerns then don't hesitate to contact us.

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