2025 Mahakala Empowerments and Pilgrimage in Bhutan with H.E. Kyabje Kalu Rinpoche

A Journey Through the Dragon Kingdom’s Cultural and Spiritual Heart

2nd to 10th September 2025 (9 days)

Day 1 (2nd September): Kathmandu – Paro
Day 2 (3rd September): Gangtey (Phobjikha)
Day 3 (4th September): Gangtey – Trongsa – Bumthang
Day 4 (5th September): Bumthang holy sites
Day 5 (6th September): Bumthang – Thimphu
Day 6 (7th September – full-moon day): Mahakala Empowerments and Puja at Rinpoche’s residence
Day 7 (8th September): Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Hike
Day 8 (9th September): Paro holy sites, farewell dinner with Rinpoche
Day 9 (10th September): Paro – Kathmandu

*Language: English (with Chinese translation)

Daily Itinerary

Day 1: Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025
Arrival in Paro: Stepping into the Dragon Kingdom
• 10:30 am: Arriving from Kathmandu
• 11:30 am – 1:30 pm: Hotel check-in and lunch
• 1:30 pm – 5:30 pm: Kyichu Lhakhang, Paro Dzong, and the National Museum of Bhutan
• 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm: Dinner

*We can change your cash into Bhutanese currency at a good rate, so there is no need to visit the foreign currency exchange counter at the airport.
*A local SIM card will be provided upon arrival.
* Mild weather in September: 12-20°C.
* Paro is 2,280m/7,483ft above sea level. It is highly recommended to take some time to acclimatize.

Kyichu Lhakhang: This revered temple is one of Bhutan’s oldest and most sacred temples, with origins tracing back to the 7th century. It was built by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo and visited by Guru Rinpoche, marking its spiritual significance.
Paro Dzong: Also known as Rinpung Dzong, this impressive fortress-monastery, built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal at a historically significant site, stands as a testament to Bhutanese architectural prowess. Its commanding presence overlooking the Paro River not only offers strategic views but also embodies the rich cultural and administrative heritage of the region.
Paro National Museum: Established in 1968, this cultural museum is housed in the Ta Dzong, a unique cylindrical fortress that once served as a watchtower built in 1649 to protect the Rinpung Dzong below. The Ta Dzong itself is an architectural marvel, built with stone and wood without the use of nails. Its circular structure, resembling a conch shell, offers panoramic views of the Paro Valley.
The museum offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into Bhutan’s rich history, art, and cultural heritage. Its extensive collection of over 3,000 artefacts spans more than 1,500 years and includes a diverse range of items such as traditional costumes, religious Thangka paintings, intricate textiles, weaponry, household objects, and rare stamps and coins. The exhibits are thoughtfully arranged across several floors, each dedicated to different aspects of Bhutanese culture, from its natural environment and religious practices to its royal history and daily life.

Day 2: Wednesday, September 3rd, 2025
Paro to Phobjikha: Valley of Serenity
• 6:00 am: Hotel check-out and car trip to Gangtey (breakfast on the way at Dochula Pass)
• 10:00 am: Wangdue Phodrang Dzong
• 12:30 pm: Arrive in Gangtey, hotel check-in, and lunch
• 2:00 – 4:30 pm: Gangtey Monastery and the serene valley of Gangtey
• 6:30 – 8:30 pm: Dinner

Dochula Pass: A stunning mountain pass in Bhutan, it is located on the road between Thimphu and Punakha and situated at an elevation of around 3,100 metres (over 10,000 feet). Renowned for its breathtaking panoramic views of the snow-capped Himalayan Mountain range on clear days, the pass is also famous for the Druk Wangyal Chortens, a collection of 108 memorial stupas built in honour of Bhutanese soldiers who lost their lives in a 2003 military operation. Dochula Pass offers not only incredible scenery but also a sense of peace and history.
Wangdue Phodrang Dzong: Perched dramatically on a ridge overlooking the confluence of the Punatsangchhu and Dangchhu rivers, it historically served as a significant fortress and the administrative centre of Wangdue Phodrang district. Founded in 1638 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, its strategic location provided commanding views of the surrounding valleys, crucial for defence. Legend has it that the Zhabdrung named the dzong after a young boy named Wangdi, whom he encountered building a sandcastle at the site.
The dzong’s architecture was a classic example of Bhutanese dzong design, featuring massive stone walls, intricate woodwork, and a central utse (tower). It housed important religious artefacts and served as a centre for both religious and administrative activities.
Gangtey Monastery: Also known as Gangteng Gonpa, it is a significant monastery of the Nyingma school in central Bhutan. Perched on a hill overlooking the vast Phobjikha Valley, it is the main seat of the Pema Lingpa tradition.
Founded in 1613 by Gyalsé Pema Thinley, the grandson of the revered Terton Pema Lingpa, the monastery’s establishment fulfilled a 15th-century prophecy. Its architecture showcases traditional Bhutanese style, featuring a four-story complex with five temples surrounding a central tower. The main prayer hall, the tshokhang, stands out with its large wooden pillars and intricate murals.
The surrounding valley is the winter home of the endangered black-necked cranes, which are known to circle the monastery upon their arrival and departure, adding to the site’s mystical ambience.
Valley Trail: To fully embrace the peaceful ambience of Phobjikha, we will take a leisurely nature walk along one of the valley’s tranquil trails, allowing you to immerse yourself in its natural beauty.

Day 3: Thursday, September 4th, 2025
Phobjikha to Bumthang: Journey to the Spiritual Heart
• 7:00 – 8:30 am: Breakfast
• 8:30 am: Travel to Trongsa (via Pele La Pass at 3,420 metres above sea level)
• 10:30 am – 1:00 pm: Visit Trongsa Dzong and lunch
• 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm: Travel to Bumthang
• 2:30 – 5:30 pm: Visit Tharpaling Lhakhang, Jakar Dzong
• 5:30 pm: Arrive in Jakar, Bumthang and hotel check-in
• 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm: Dinner

Trongsa Dzong: As the largest fortress in Bhutan, strategically positioned overlooking the Mangde Chhu river gorge, Trongsa Dzong has played a pivotal role in the nation’s history. Historically, it served as the seat of power for the Wangchuck dynasty before they became the hereditary monarchs of Bhutan, adding to its cultural and political significance.
Tharpaling Lhakhang: The “Place of Liberation” in Bhutan’s Chumey Valley, this significant Buddhist monastery was initially established in the 12th century as a Kagyu monastery and later became a key centre for the Nyingma school in the 14th century under Longchen Rabjampa.
Revered for Longchenpa’s teachings, it houses sacred relics, including a large Thongdrol (“Liberation-through-seeing”) displayed annually during its festival. A unique feature is the protective “Great Cannon of Tharpaling.”
Tharpaling continues to be a vital spiritual and cultural site, embodying a rich, intermingled history of the two important Buddhist traditions.
Jakar Dzong: Also known as Jakar Yugyal Dzong, it is a significant fortress in Bumthang, central Bhutan. Established in 1549, legend says a white bird (“Jakar”) indicated its auspicious location. It served as a key defensive structure and briefly as the first king’s seat. Its unique features include a high central tower and a protected water passage. Today, it houses government offices and stands as a historical landmark.

Day 4: Friday, September 5th, 2025
Exploring the Sacred Wonders of Bumthang
• 7:00 – 8:30 am: Breakfast
• 8:30 – 10:30 am: Tamshing Lhakhang
• 11:00 am – 12:30 pm: Kurjey Lhakhang
• 12:30 – 2:00 pm: Lunch
• 2:00 – 3:30 pm: Jambay Lhakhang
• 3:30 – 5:30 pm: Mebar Tsho
• 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm: Dinner

Tamshing Lhakhang: Founded in 1501 by the great Terton Pema Lingpa, this monastery is renowned for its ancient and well-preserved frescoes, offering a glimpse into Bhutanese Buddhist art from centuries past.
Kurjey Lhakhang: This revered site is named after the body imprint (kur) of Guru Rinpoche, which is preserved within one of its three temples. Kurjey Lhakhang also holds the distinction of being the final resting place for the remains of Bhutan’s first three Kings.
Jambay Lhakhang: One of Bhutan’s oldest temples, with legends dating back to the 7th century, it is believed to be one of the 108 temples built by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in 659 CE.
Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake): Legend recounts that Terton Pema Lingpa, in the 15th century, dove into this lake with a burning butter lamp and emerged with hidden treasures, the lamp still miraculously alight.

Day 5: Saturday, September 6th, 2025
Bumthang to Thimphu: Journey to the Vibrant Capital
• 6:30 – 7:30 am: Breakfast
• 8:00 am: Hotel check-out and travel to Thimphu with lunch on the way
• 5:00 – 5:30 pm: Arrive in Thimphu and hotel check-in

*It will be a long car drive from Bumthang to Thimphu on mountain roads (7-8 hours in total). If you think you may suffer from car sickness, please remember to bring motion sickness pills with you.

Day 6: Sunday, September 7th, 2025
Seeking Blessings: The Mahakala Empowerments and Return to Paro
• 7:00 – 8:30 am: Breakfast
• 8:30 – 12:00 am: Buddha Point and Tashicho Dzong
• 12:00 – 1:30 pm: Lunch
• 2:00 – 5:30 pm: Black and White Mahakala empowerments and puja at the private temple in Rinpoche’s residence
• 6:00 – 7:30 pm: Travel to Paro
• 7:30 – 8:30 pm: Hotel check-in and dinner

Buddha Point: Officially known as Kuensel Phodrang, this prominent landmark in Thimphu features a massive, 52-meter-tall (169 feet) statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, making it one of the largest sitting Buddha statues in the world.
Perched on a hilltop overlooking the southern entrance to the Thimphu Valley, it offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city and surrounding mountains.
Built to fulfil a prophecy and to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Fourth King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, construction began in 2006 and was completed in 2015.
The statue is made of bronze and gilded in gold, and its base houses a large meditation hall. Remarkably, the statue itself contains over 125,000 smaller Buddha statues.
Adding to its spiritual significance, in November 2024, Buddha Point hosted a display of sacred Buddha relics brought from France through the efforts of Kalu Rinpoche and the Central Monastic Body.
Tashichho Dzong: This impressive fortress serves as the seat of Bhutan’s government, housing the throne room and various administrative offices. Notably, it also contains a significant statue of Yeshay Gonpo (Mahakala), the chief protective deity of Bhutan.

Day 7: Monday, September 8th, 2025
The Iconic Tiger’s Nest: A Majestic Hike
• 6:30 – 7:30 am: Breakfast
• 7:45 am: Leave the hotel for the holy site of Padmasambhava – Paro Taktsang
• 8:00 am – 4:30 pm: Hiking to Taktsang, lunch at the cafeteria halfway downhill
• 5:00 pm: Back to the hotel
• 5:20 – 7:00 pm: Hot stone bath (optional)
• 7:00 – 8:30 pm: Dinner

*The Taktsang hike can be physically challenging. Please let us know ASAP if, for any reason (health conditions, e.g. heart problems, chronic knee pains, injuries, low energy level, etc.), you are unable to participate in the hike. We will make separate arrangements for you: halfway up by horse (1,500 BTN-Bhutanese currency per person per horse) and wait at the cafeteria where you can enjoy the amazing view of Taktsang monastery from a distance; the hiking group will join you in approx. 2 hours and have lunch together.
*Hot stone bath is available near the hotel to help you relax your body after the hike. It is NOT included in our package and is completely optional: 3,000 BTN per person, two bathtubs in one room (for two persons to share; you may bring bathing suits), 20-25 minutes per soak. We do not recommend it if you have high blood pressure or heart problems.

Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest): Famously known as the Tiger’s Nest, the iconic monastery is perched dramatically on a cliffside high above the Paro Valley, a symbol of Bhutan’s rich spiritual heritage. Legend says that Guru Rinpoche arrived at this sacred site in the 8th century, flying on the back of a tigress.
The hike to the monastery is moderately challenging, typically taking around 4-6 hours for the round trip, including time to explore the complex. The trail covers approximately 6.4 kilometres (4 miles) round trip with an altitude of 3120 metres (10,236ft) above sea level.
As you ascend, the views of the Paro Valley become increasingly breathtaking, culminating in the awe-inspiring sight of the Tiger’s Nest clinging to the cliff face.

Day 8: Tuesday, September 9th, 2025
Farewell Paro: Temples and Local Flavours
• 7:30 – 9:00 am: Breakfast
• 9:00 am – 12:00 pm: Pelri Gonpa and Tachog Lhakhang
• 12:30 – 1:30 pm: Lunch in town
• 2:00 – 5:00 pm: Leisure and shopping
• 6:30 – 8:00 pm: Farewell dinner with Rinpoche

Tachog Lhakhang: This 15th-century temple was built by the miraculous Thangthong Gyelpo. The meaning of its name is “temple of the hill of the excellent horse.” It is located along the Paro-Thimphu highway, with an ancient iron chain suspension bridge nearby, a testament to Thangthong Gyelpo’s ingenuity as an engineer and saint.
Pelri Gonpa: This is an ancient temple, which Rinpoche considers to have a special connection with the Six-Armed Mahakala.

Day 9: Wednesday, September 10th, 2025
Departure with Cherished Memories
• 4:30 am: Hotel check-out and leave for Paro airport (with pre-packed breakfast)
• 7:10 am: Departure (Paro – Kathmandu)

*The above timetable may be adjusted on the day to allow flexibility.

Registration

Open now until 2nd August 2025

Early Bird Offer (By 2nd July): USD $3,480
Full Price (3rd July – 2nd August): USD $3,680

Including:
• Kathmandu-Paro return flight tickets
• Bhutan visa fee
• SDF (USD $100 per day per person)
• Hotels (3-4 star)
• Breakfast/lunch/dinner
• Tour guides
• Transport (by car)
• Medical insurance

Excluding:
• Flight tickets from your own location to Kathmandu
• Shopping or other entertainment of personal choice

*All proceeds go to support Rinpoche’s activities.

If you have any questions, please contact Kelzang at nigumaxp@gmail.com
If you are in Mainland China, please contact: shera@shangpakagyuasia.org