Our YIN-tention: An invitation to reconnect with yourself, nurture your wellbeing, and carry that sense of balance back into your life and community.

14 to 21 June 2027

The WAY OF BEING

Tiger's Nest monastery on a cliff above a forested valley in Bhutan

The Way of Being Retreat · Bhutan

The Way of Being

Eight days of stillness in the Himalayas

14 – 21 June 2027Thimphu · Punakha · ParoYin-focused retreat

Early-bird rate until 31 January 2027 · save USD 350

SCROLL TO BEGIN

Our YIN-tention

An invitation to come home to yourself

An invitation to reconnect with yourself, nurture your wellbeing, and carry that sense of balance back into your life and community.

Retreat guests listening to a guide in the courtyard of a Bhutanese dzong

The inner journey

Five qualities, one way of being

These five qualities form the inner journey of The Way of Being Retreat. Rather than separate stages, they flow into one another, guiding you gently from arrival to renewal.

  1. 静

    Stillnessjìng

    We begin by arriving in stillness, letting the body and mind settle into the mountains.

    Days 1 & 6
  2. 和

    Connectionhé

    Creating harmony with ourselves, one another and the land.

    Days 2 & 4
  3. 纳

    Receptivitynà

    Opening to receive new experiences and insights.

    Day 3
  4. 观

    Reflectionguān

    Turning inward to observe and integrate what has emerged.

    Day 5
  5. 生

    Renewalshēng

    Arriving at a renewed way of being that we carry home.

    Day 7

Exclusive programmes

What you'll experience

Each practice is chosen to support the quality of that day, held in some of Bhutan's most sacred places.

H.H. the 9th Neyphug Trulku Rinpoche teaching

Introduction to Dharma

With H.H. the 9th Neyphug Trulku Rinpoche at Neyphug Monastery

Yoga on a lawn by the sea

Yoga

Yin, Vinyasa and sunset yoga

A guided healing session

Central Axis Breathwork

Breathwork meditation to come back to centre

A halo around the sun above a stupa

Full Moon Letting Go

A ceremony of release under the full moon

A monk seated beside a gong in a temple

Morning Sound Bath

Beginning the day in resonance

A monk walking along a tree-lined road

Silent Monastery Practice

A day of mindful silence

Meditation inside a mountain cave

Guided Journaling

Writing and practice to integrate what arises

Guests together in traditional Bhutanese dress

Opening & Closing Circle

Arriving together, leaving changed

H.H. the 9th Neyphug Trulku Rinpoche

About Rinpoche

Introduction to Dharma

H.H. the 9th Neyphug Trulku Rinpoche

Since graduating as a Professor of Buddhism, Neyphug Trulku Rinpoche has offered Dharma teachings, classes and empowerments internationally.

Known for his warmth, humour and engaging storytelling, he makes profound Buddhist teachings accessible while remaining deeply committed to preserving their authentic meaning and unbroken lineage. His recovery from two episodes of chronic kidney failure inspired him to have the Medicine Buddha Sādhana romanised and translated for international practitioners.

During the retreat, you'll receive an Introduction to Dharma from Rinpoche at Neyphug Monastery, together with a private 30-minute consultation for personal guidance and reflection.

Itinerary

Eight days, one path

Thimphu→Dochula Pass→Punakha→Neyphug→Paro

Hands shaping offerings during a blessing

Day 1 · Stillness

Arriving in blessing

Paro to Thimphu

Arrive at Paro International Airport and journey through the mountains to Thimphu. We begin at a local temple with Tsa Tsa making, a private blessing and cleansing ceremony by a High Lama, and a personalised Bhutanese naming and astrology reading. After dinner, our opening circle and intention-setting.

OvernightNorkhil Boutique & Spa, Thimphu

GiftOrganic Bhutanese honey sachets in lemon and ginger

Guests in traditional Bhutanese dress

Day 2 · Connection

Into the culture

Thimphu

Yin Yoga with Fio, then the Buddha Dordenma. Forage for natural dye ingredients with textile master Aum Kelzang and her daughter Numo, and learn natural dyeing and Bhutanese weaving. In the evening, a curated letter awaits you, with an oracle message and prompts for journaling.

OvernightNorkhil Boutique & Spa, Thimphu

Meditation inside a mountain cave

Day 3 · Receptivity

Over the pass

Dochula Pass to Punakha

Zen meditation and breathwork, then the journey to Punakha Valley. At Dochula Pass we hang prayer flags, then meditate and journal in the man-made meditation caves. Afternoon to explore Punakha Town.

OvernightDhensa Boutique & Resort, Punakha

GiftBhutanese cordyceps tea

Punakha valley with a dzong and a suspension bridge

Day 4 · Connection

Moving with the land

Punakha

Yin and Vinyasa Yoga, then a countryside hike to Khamsum Yuelley Monastery and a guided rafting journey on the Mo Chhu River. After lunch, Punakha Dzong and Bhutan's longest suspension bridge, with an optional herbal hot stone bath.

OvernightDhensa Boutique & Resort, Punakha

GiftBhutanese essential oil

A monk beside a gong in a temple

Day 5 · Reflection

Turning inward

Punakha to Neyphug Monastery

Journaling and a 45-minute sound bath with Samantha, then on towards Paro via Chimi Lhakhang. We settle into Neyphug Monastery Guesthouse, and under the Strawberry Full Moon gather for a cacao ceremony of letting go.

OvernightThe Neyphug Monastery Guesthouse, Paro

GiftBirthstone crystal

A teacher reading scripture with a student

Day 6 · Stillness

Silence and Dharma

Neyphug Monastery

A day that begins in silence with Central Axis Breathwork. Receive an Introduction to Dharma and guided meditation from Rinpoche, with mineral exploration of the land. Silence lifts at lunch, and each guest has a private 30-minute consultation with Rinpoche.

OvernightThe Neyphug Monastery Guesthouse, Paro

GiftBhutanese cleansing incense

Tiger's Nest monastery on a cliff

Day 7 · Renewal

The Tiger's Nest

Paro

A guided pilgrimage to Taktsang, the Tiger's Nest, then lunch at a local farm and a visit to Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest temples. We close with our final sharing circle.

OvernightTashi Namgay Resort, Paro

GiftTraditional Bhutanese paper (deysho) book

A monk walking along a tree-lined road

Day 8 · Departure

Carrying it home

Paro

Depart via Paro International Airport, carrying the retreat's stillness, insights and renewed way of being home.

Who will hold you

Your team

Samantha Quek smiling

Samantha Quek

Psychotherapist & Reiki facilitator

Samantha is an art psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, somatic practitioner and Reiki Master Teacher whose work bridges creativity, psychology and spiritual wellbeing. Her experience in trauma-informed therapy, imaginative practices, breathwork and reflective facilitation allows her to hold a grounded and supportive space throughout the retreat.

Fio in a seated yoga pose by the sea

Fio

Yoga instructor

Fio has practised yoga for 13 years and is a certified 200-hour Yoga Alliance teacher. Before teaching, she spent 7 years as a flight attendant, exploring the world and connecting with people from many cultures. Yoga shifted her journey from exploring the world outside to exploring the world within.

Nima, the retreat's tour guide, in traditional dress

Nima

Tour guide

With over 23 years as a professional guide and tour leader in Bhutan, Nima has guided travellers through cultural journeys, treks and meaningful experiences across the kingdom. He knows Bhutan's history, culture and traditions deeply, and he's a storyteller who brings every place to life.

Retreat investment

Reserve your place

All prices are per person, in US dollars, based on twin-sharing. Promotional rates can't be combined.

--days
--hours
--mins

left to book at the early-bird rate (ends 31 January 2027)

Most popular

Early bird

4,538USD

10 Oct 2026 – 31 Jan 2027

Save USD 350 when you reserve your place during the early-bird period.

Journey Together

4,438USD

10 Oct 2026 – 31 Jan 2027

Register with a friend and each save a further USD 100 on top of the early-bird rate. Both guests register and pay their deposits together.

Standard

4,888USD

From 1 Feb 2027

Applies after the promotional periods end.

Prefer your own room? Single accommodation is an extra USD 388.

Payment plan

USD 1,500Reservation deposit, non-refundable, secures your place
USD 2,000Second payment, by 31 January 2027
BalanceFinal payment, by 1 March 2027

Pay by bank transfer, Wise or PayPal. Details are sent when you register.

What's included

  • 7 nights in boutique hotels and the Neyphug Monastery Guesthouse, twin-sharing
  • All retreat programmes: yoga, breathwork, sound bath, full-moon ceremonies, journaling and circles
  • Introduction to Dharma and a private 30-minute consultation with Rinpoche
  • The guided experiences in the itinerary, including Tiger's Nest, Punakha Dzong and Mo Chhu rafting
  • Senior guide Nima throughout
  • A daily gift
  • All applicable Bhutanese government taxes and mandatory charges at the time of booking

Not included

  • Flights
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Optional activities, such as the herbal hot stone bath
  • Single room supplement (USD 388)
  • Personal expenses

Good to know

Questions

Is this retreat for me?

It may be calling you if you've spent much of the year doing, giving and holding things together, and you're longing for space to simply be. If there are patterns or a chapter you're ready to release, if you're at a crossroads, or if you'd like spirituality that feels grounded and personal rather than prescriptive. And perhaps most of all, if you don't want to enter another year simply doing more, but differently.

Where will we stay?

Norkhil Boutique & Spa in Thimphu (nights 1–2), Dhensa Boutique & Resort in Punakha (nights 3–4), The Neyphug Monastery Guesthouse in Paro (nights 5–6) and Tashi Namgay Resort in Paro (night 7). Rooms are twin-sharing; a single room is an extra USD 388.

Are Bhutan's government taxes and fees included?

Yes. The retreat price includes all applicable Bhutanese government taxes and mandatory charges at the rates in place when you book. Nothing extra is added unless the authorities introduce or revise these charges after your booking is confirmed.

How do I pay?

A non-refundable USD 1,500 deposit secures your place. A second payment of USD 2,000 is due by 31 January 2027 and the balance by 1 March 2027. You can pay by bank transfer, Wise or PayPal.

Can I come with a friend?

Yes. With the Journey Together rate you each save a further USD 100 on top of the early-bird rate (USD 4,438 per person). You both need to register and pay your deposits together.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancellations must be made in writing. From 90 days or more before the retreat, the deposit and any non-recoverable third-party costs are kept and the rest is refunded. From 60 to 89 days before, the full retreat fee is kept. There are no refunds for no-shows or early departure. If you can't come, your place may be transferred to someone else with written approval. Full terms are in the brochure.

14 – 21 June 2027

Your way of being is waiting

You don't want to enter another year simply doing more. You want to enter it differently.

Reserve your place
Reserve your place →