"Live in solitude! This is my advice from the heart."
The Journey
Pilgrimage to Bhutan
Ten days across four valleys, following the traces of Longchenpa's years in Bhutan
Arrival in Paro
1 night in Paro
Arrival in Bhutan, one of the world's few remaining Buddhist monarchies and unique in the depth to which Buddhist tradition is woven into national identity and culture. Dependent on time of arrival, a first visit to Kyichu Lhakhang and Paro Dzong.
Great Buddha Dordenma
1 night in Punakha
An early start and the drive to Thimphu, to the Great Buddha Dordenma at Kuenselphodrang and, if time permits, the Memorial Chorten. Lunch in Thimphu, then over the Dochu La Pass and its 108 chortens towards Punakha, with a stop at Chimi Lhakhang on the way.
Gantey Gompa
2 nights in Phobjikha
Punakha Dzong after breakfast, then Sha Kuenzaling near Samtengang and on to the Phobjikha Valley, famous for its black-necked cranes. A morning at Nelung Dechenling, Longchenpa's sacred teaching grounds, which houses important relics of Longchenpa and Pema Lingpa, then Gangtey Gompa, seat of the Gangtey Trulku, and an afternoon nature walk through the valley.
View on Tharpaling Monastery
3 nights in Bumthang
The heart of the pilgrimage. Samteling, which houses many of the Longchenpa relics. Then Tharpaling, Longchenpa's primary seat and the place where he composed the Dzöd Dun, the Seven Treasuries. Finally Tang Ogyen Chholing, the one Longchenpa site where nothing has been built up and the little cave still maintains its sanctity, alongside the Ogyen Chholing Palace Museum and the temple that houses the Tooth Relic of Longchenpa.
Taktsang
2 nights in Paro
The domestic flight back to Paro, then Samtenling Lhakhang at Chujakha, the site that eventually became the primary residence of Longchenpa's son, Dawa Dragpa, in Bhutan. The following day, the hike up to Taktsang Monastery, Tiger's Nest. The last day departure from Bhutan.
Teachings
Advice from the Heart
Under the guidance of SINI monastic Fellows, we will study the Thirty Pieces of Heart Advice, also known as Advice from the Heart. This practical text covers genuine motivation, compassion and wisdom, and how to work with habitual patterns of mind before putting the teachings into practice. Longchenpa reminds us that even well-intentioned worldly and religious activities can distract us from deeper realisation.
The First Theme
Renouncing worldly ambition
He warns against gathering a following, building monastic estates, and chasing wealth or renown. All of it, he says, breeds quarrels and pride, feeds the eight worldly concerns, and is no use at the hour of death.
The Second Theme
The trap of intellectualism
He warns against debating philosophy, hoarding texts, and discussing your meditative experience: collecting knowledge and defending opinions only stirs up more thoughts. The point is to watch your own mind, not display insight to others.
The Third Theme
Solitude as medicine
He advises living alone, without a fixed circle of close friends, even in a hermitage. Favouring some people over others, he says, breeds exactly the attachment and anger you're trying to escape.
The Fourth Theme
Contentment and simplicity
He urges practitioners to have no needs, put off furnishings and comforts, and make only short-term plans, aware that tomorrow is never certain.
Each of its thirty verses names a different worldly trap, then closes on the same refrain: "This is my advice from the heart."
A selection from the thirty stanzas will be linked to the different places we visit. Recite the text, reflect on it, and adapt it in daily life.
The Program
Day by Day
An itinerary through Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Phobjikha and Bumthang
Arrival in Bhutan
Dependent on time of arrival, visit Kyichu Lhakhang and Paro Dzong
Thimphu and on to Punakha
An early start and the drive to Thimphu. The Great Buddha Dordenma at Kuenselphodrang and, if time permits, the Memorial Chorten. Lunch in Thimphu, then over to Punakha, visiting Chimi Lhakhang on the way
Punakha Dzong to Phobjikha
After breakfast, Punakha Dzong, then the drive on to Phobjikha. Sha Kuenzaling near Samtengang on the way up, a late lunch at Chuzom, and arrival in the Phobjikha Valley
Phobjikha Valley
Famous for its black-necked cranes between November and March. In the morning, Nelung Dechenling Lhakhang, Longchenpa's sacred teaching grounds, which houses very important relics of Longchenpa and Pema Lingpa. From there, Gangtey Gompa, the seat of the Gangtey Trulku. Lunch at a local restaurant, and in the afternoon the nature walk through the valley
Drive to Bumthang
A visit to Samteling, which houses many of the Longchenpa relics
Tharpaling
Longchenpa's primary seat, the place of liberation, where he composed the Dzöd Dun, the Seven Treasuries
Tang Ogyen Chholing
The only Longchenpa place where nothing has been built up, and the little cave still maintains its sanctity. Additional attractions are the Ogyen Chholing Palace Museum and the temple in the courtyard, which houses the Tooth Relic of Longchenpa
Fly back to Paro
The domestic flight to Paro on Sunday, then the drive to the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon, Samtenling Lhakhang at Chujakha in Paro, the site that eventually became the primary residence of Longchenpa's son, Dawa Dragpa, in Bhutan
Taktsang Monastery
The hike up to the Tiger's Nest, clinging to the cliff face above the Paro valley
Departure
Departure from Bhutan on Thursday
Nine nights of overnight stays: 1 night in Paro, 1 night in Punakha, 2 nights in Phobjikha, 3 nights in Bumthang and 2 nights in Paro.
In the Footsteps of the Omniscient One
The Sacred Sites
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Kyichu Lhakhang & Paro Dzong · Paro
The first stop on arrival. Kyichu Lhakhang is among the oldest temples in Bhutan; Paro Dzong stands above the valley and the river.
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Great Buddha Dordenma · Thimphu
The great gilded Buddha at Kuenselphodrang, seated above the capital.
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Dochu La Pass · On the way to Punakha
108 chortens on the pass between Thimphu and Punakha, with the eastern Himalaya on the horizon in clear weather.
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Punakha Dzong & Chimi Lhakhang · Punakha
The dzong at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers, and the temple of Drukpa Kunley in the fields below.
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Nelung Dechenling & Gangtey Gompa · Phobjikha
Longchenpa's sacred teaching grounds, housing very important relics of Longchenpa and Pema Lingpa, and the seat of the Gangtey Trulku nearby.
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Tharpaling · Bumthang
Longchenpa's primary seat, the place of liberation, where he composed the Seven Treasuries.
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Tang Ogyen Chholing · Bumthang
The one Longchenpa site where nothing has been built up. The little cave still maintains its sanctity, and the temple houses the Tooth Relic of Longchenpa.
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Taktsang Monastery · Paro
The Tiger's Nest, clinging to the cliff above the Paro valley. The closing hike of the pilgrimage.
Who Was Longchenpa
Longchen Rabjam Drimé Özer
1308–1364 · Kunkhyen, The All-Knowing One
Longchenpa was one of the most influential scholar-yogis of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. Where Padmasambhava brought Vajrayana Buddhism to Bhutan and Tibet, and the Nyingma teachings in particular, Longchenpa later played an extraordinary role in clarifying and systematising them, above all the Dzogchen tradition, the Great Perfection. His writings organised and unified the doctrines and practices of Dzogchen into coherent and comprehensive teachings that could be studied and practised.
He became an orphan at a young age, entered Samye (the first monastery in Tibet), and in time became its Khenpo. He was a prolific writer who authored over 200 works. His favourite place in Tibet was Gangri Thökar, the White Skull Mountain, and the cave there is called the origin of knowledge: all of his books but one collection came from it. Only the Seven Treasuries were written elsewhere, in Bhutan.
Following political friction in Tibet, Longchenpa spent several years in exile in Bhutan. He established a number of meditation monasteries and sacred sites there, including Tharpaling, Nelung Dechenling and Ogyen Chholing, which this pilgrimage sets out to visit.
He is traditionally regarded in the Nyingma lineage as an emanation of Lhacham Pemasel, the daughter of King Trisong Detsen, the second of Tibet's three great Dharma kings, who invited Padmasambhava to Tibet. She was a disciple of Guru Rinpoche and a great practitioner, and passed away at a young age. Guru Rinpoche temporarily revived her and transmitted the Dzogchen teachings that became known as the Khandro Nyingtik, the Heart Essence of the Dakinis. Longchenpa revived these teachings.
"Live in solitude! This is my advice from the heart." Centuries after his passing, the master Jigme Lingpa received Longchenpa's wisdom in a series of visionary experiences. This gave birth to the Longchen Nyingtik, the Heart Essence of the Great Expanse, which remains one of the most widely practised Dzogchen lineages in the world today.
Glimpses
A Taste of Bhutan
Practical Information
What You Need to Know
Nine nights of overnight stays: 1 night in Paro, 1 night in Punakha, 2 nights in Phobjikha, 3 nights in Bumthang and 2 nights in Paro. Board and lodging are part of the tour costs. As rooms are generally spacious, the cost is based on two people sharing; single rooms are available on request for an additional US$450, which you can indicate at registration.
Board is included in the tour costs throughout the ten days. Dietary requirements will be cared for. Please let us know of any allergies or specific needs when you register your interest.
The group travels under the guidance of SINI monastic Fellows from India or Bhutan, accompanied by the program coordinator. Teachings on the Thirty Pieces of Heart Advice are given along the way, with a selection of the thirty stanzas linked to the different places we visit. The teaching text is still to be confirmed.
SINI covers the travel and accommodation costs of the monastic Fellows; participants are kindly invited to make an additional donation to SINI to help cover these costs, via the SINI website. Collective offerings are included in the program fee; personal offerings you may wish to make at temples and monasteries are not.
Ten days of tour costs cover transportation, driver and guide throughout Bhutan. The domestic flight from Bumthang to Paro is included in the program fee. International flights to and from Bhutan are not included; flights from Asia to Bhutan are regular but limited in number, so we recommend booking as soon as you've decided to join. Tips for the driver, guide and hotel staff are not included and are left to your discretion.
Bhutan levies a Sustainable Development Fee on international guests: USD 100 per person per night. This promotional rate applies until 31 August 2027. From 1 September 2027 onward, the statutory rate is scheduled to return to USD 200 per person per night, unless it is extended by the Royal Government of Bhutan.
The Bhutanese visa fee of USD 40 per person per trip is included in the program fee and will be arranged by our travel agency in Bhutan; we will ask you for a passport photo and a copy of your passport. If you plan to stay overnight in India or another country before or after the pilgrimage, please check separately whether you need a visa or transit visa for that country.
Travel insurance, health insurance and vaccinations are not included in the program fee. We recommend following the health and vaccination guidelines applicable in your country; due to Bhutan's altitude and geographic conditions, malaria medication is generally not required.
Single room supplement, international tickets, vaccinations, travel insurance, personal offerings at temples and monasteries, and tips for drivers, guides and hotel staff are not included in the program fee.
Registration
Join Us
We intend to travel with a group of 10 to (max) 15 participants. While each participant will be personally motivated to undertake this journey, we also travel as a community, to receive the Longchenpa teachings and reflect and learn together. We see it as an integral part of the program.
The pilgrimage is planned for 30 March – 8 April 2027.
Are you interested to join us on this pilgrimage to Bhutan? You can express your interest with a US$500 non-refundable deposit. To arrange your Bhutan visa in time, the remaining US$2,250 is due by 30 November 2026. If you need to cancel up to 28 February 2027, we will reimburse 50% of the amount paid.
Please express your interest latest by 31 October 2026.
SINI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in the US. All proceeds support SINI's work in monastic education and Dharma preservation.
Your Impact
Supporting SINI
This pilgrimage is offered by the Sarnath International Nyingma Institute, an educational institute at the site where the Buddha first turned the Wheel of Dharma.
At the heart of SINI's mission is a three-year intensive English immersion program for senior Tibetan Buddhist monastics. Khenpos, Geshes and Lopons from traditional monastic backgrounds live, study and interact with native English teachers, preparing them to deliver the Buddha's teachings to students from every culture and tradition around the world. The monastic Fellows who guide this journey come from that program.
Participants are requested to make an additional donation to SINI. Any donation helps empower monastics to preserve, teach and translate the Dharma.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Longchenpa?
Longchen Rabjam Drimé Özer (1308–1364), known as Longchenpa or Kunkhyen, The All-Knowing One, was one of the most influential scholar-yogis of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. He systematised and unified the Dzogchen teachings, the Great Perfection, into a coherent body of study and practice, and authored over 200 works. Due to his extraordinary realisation, unobstructed wisdom and fearless eloquence, he is traditionally regarded as a living embodiment of Manjushri, the Buddha of Wisdom.
Which Longchenpa sites does the pilgrimage visit?
The journey centres on the holy sites of Longchenpa in Bhutan. It includes Nelung Dechenling in the Phobjikha Valley, which houses very important relics of Longchenpa and Pema Lingpa; Tharpaling in Bumthang, his primary seat, where he composed the Seven Treasuries; Tang Ogyen Chholing, the one site where nothing has been built up and the little cave still maintains its sanctity, whose temple houses the Tooth Relic of Longchenpa; Samtenling Lhakhang at Chujakha in Paro, which became the primary residence of his son Dawa Dragpa; and Samteling near Bumthang, which houses many Longchenpa relics.
What teachings are given during the pilgrimage?
Under the guidance of SINI monastic Fellows, we intend to study the Thirty Pieces of Heart Advice, also referred to as Advice from the Heart, a practical guide to subdue the mind and abandon meaningless worldly pursuits. A selection of the thirty stanzas will be linked to the different places we visit. The teaching text is still to be confirmed.
What are the exact dates?
The pilgrimage is planned for 30 March – 8 April 2027. We will welcome you at Paro Airport on 30 March and see you off from the same airport on 8 April. There is little flexibility to extend your stay in Bhutan unless you are prepared to pay an additional US$100 per person per night, so please arrange your travel to and from Bhutan accordingly. A domestic flight from Bumthang to Paro is currently planned for Tuesday, 6 April.
How much does it cost, and what does the fee cover?
The estimated cost is US$2,750 per person. The fee covers the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF – international tourist tax), the visa fee, ten days of tour costs including board and lodging, transportation, driver and guide, and the domestic flight from Bumthang to Paro.
Not included: international ticket(s), single room supplement, vaccinations and travel insurance costs. Participants also take care of costs for personal offerings and tips.
What is the Sustainable Development Fee?
Bhutan levies a Sustainable Development Fee on international guests. The promotional rate of $100 per person per night applies until 31 August 2027. From 1 September 2027 onward, the promotional discount expires and the statutory rate is scheduled to return to $200 per person per night, unless it is extended by the Royal Government of Bhutan.
Who is this pilgrimage for?
A group of 10 to 15 participants will travel under the guidance of SINI monastic Fellows from India or Bhutan. While each participant will be personally motivated to undertake this journey, our intention is to travel as a community, to receive the Longchenpa teachings from SINI's monastic Fellows, and to explore, reflect and learn together. This is an integral part of the program.
How physically demanding is the pilgrimage?
The altitude of the different valleys varies between 1,500 and 3,000 metres above sea level. Most of our itineraries stay below 3,000 metres, with a low risk of altitude sickness and standard acclimatisation taking only about a day. If you have mobility or health concerns, please contact us so we can discuss them with you.
The journey involves long drives over mountain passes, walking at the sacred sites, and an optional nature walk through the Phobjikha Valley. The hike up to Taktsang Monastery on Day 9 is considered moderate in difficulty and manageable for anyone with an average level of fitness; you can ride a horse from the base of the valley up to the Taktsang cafeteria, covering about half the trail.
Where do we stay?
Nine nights of overnight stays: 1 night in Paro, 1 night in Punakha, 2 nights in Phobjikha, 3 nights in Bumthang and 2 nights in Paro. Board and lodging are part of the tour costs. As rooms are generally spacious, the cost is based on two people sharing; single rooms are available on request for an additional US$450, which you can indicate at registration.
Do I need a visa for Bhutan?
Yes. All international visitors require a tourist visa, arranged by our travel agency. The visa fee of $40 per person is included in the program fee. Please make sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates. If you plan to stay overnight in India or another country before or after the pilgrimage, please check separately whether you need a visa or transit visa for that country.
What is the weather like at that time of year?
Late March and April are springtime in Bhutan. The weather is generally clear and dry, with warm days in the valleys and cold nights, particularly in Phobjikha and Bumthang. Weather conditions can be unpredictable and change quickly, so we recommend bringing warm layers, a light wind- and rainproof jacket, and comfortable, sturdy walking shoes. Out of respect for the monastic environment and the pilgrimage sites, we kindly ask participants to wear modest, loose-fitting clothing that covers the arms and legs.
What about money?
You can withdraw Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN) using a bank or credit card at local ATMs. Alternatively, you can bring cash in US dollars or euros, which can be exchanged locally; our travel agency can also arrange a currency exchange service for the group. We recommend always carrying some cash for small personal expenses such as tips and offerings, or in case ATMs are temporarily out of service. US dollars and euros are also accepted for offerings and tips.
What do I need to know about the registration process?
The participation fee for the pilgrimage is US$2,750. You can express your interest through the SINI registration page with a US$500 non-refundable deposit. To arrange your Bhutan visa in time, the remaining US$2,250 is due by 30 November 2026.
If you need to cancel up to 28 February 2027, we will reimburse 50% of the amount paid.
This pilgrimage is part of SINI's development work, and all funds support our educational programs for monastics. Any additional donation is greatly appreciated and helps cover part of the travel and accommodation costs of the SINI monastic Fellows; donations can be made through the SINI website.
Other questions
In case you have additional questions, feel free to write to Anne-Marie Schreven, the program coordinator, at annemarie.schreven@sinibridge.org.
An Invitation
SINI is offering this unique opportunity to undertake a pilgrimage to the holy sites of Longchenpa and to experience Bhutan, one of the world's few remaining Buddhist monarchies.
Register Your Interest →