Nunneries & Female Spirituality
8 days · from US$2580 per person — all-inclusive: guide, transport, accommodation, meals, visa and SDF.
Explore the role of women in Bhutanese Buddhism. Visit Kila Goemba nunnery and interact with nuns who have dedicated their lives to dharma.
Highlights: Kila Goemba · Pema Choling · Discussions with Nuns · Tara Puja
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
Welcome to Bhutan for this unique exploration of female spirituality in Buddhism. While monks are more visible, nuns (Anims) play crucial roles in preserving spiritual traditions. Arrive in Paro, transfer to hotel. Evening: Orientation on women in Bhutanese Buddhism, historical female masters (dakinis), and the challenges nuns face compared to monks. Overnight: Paro
Day 2: Thimphu Nunneries
Drive to Thimphu. Visit Zilukha Nunnery and Tango Ani Goemba (nuns' monastery near the monks' Tango university). Meet young nuns who have chosen monastic life. Learn about their daily routines, studies, and motivations. Nuns generally receive less support than monks but are equally dedicated to spiritual practice. Afternoon visit to National Library to see texts by historical Bhutanese female spiritual masters. Overnight: Thimphu
Day 3: Thimphu to Punakha
Drive to Punakha. Visit Pema Choling Nunnery in Wangdue, a retreat center for nuns studying meditation and philosophy. Attend teachings or meditation session with the nuns. Discuss the role of women in Buddhism - historically less emphasized but equally capable of enlightenment. The Green Tara puja (female bodhisattva of compassion) is especially practiced by nuns. Overnight: Punakha
Day 4: Kila Goemba Hike
Challenging 3-4 hour uphill hike to Kila Goemba (Kila Nunnery), dramatically perched on cliffs above Paro valley. The remote location reflects the nuns' dedication to intensive meditation practice. Spend the day at the nunnery. Meet the abbess and resident nuns. Many are in long-term meditation retreats (some for 3 years, 3 months, 3 days in total isolation!). Attend prayers if timing allows. The nuns' voices create beautiful harmonies echoing off the cliffs. Lunch with the nuns - simple vegetarian food. Conversations about their spiritual path, challenges of female monasticism, and their medi
Day 5: Female Deities & Dakinis
Morning teachings on female deities in Vajrayana Buddhism: Green Tara, White Tara, Vajrayogini. These represent wisdom, compassion, and transformative power. Visit temples dedicated to female deities. Learn about dakini (sky dancers) - enlightened female beings who guide practitioners. Afternoon: Participate in Green Tara puja with nuns. This practice is especially powerful for women practitioners. Overnight: Paro
Day 6: Female Masters & Teachers
Learn about historical Bhutanese and Tibetan female spiritual masters: Machig Labdron (founder of Chöd practice), Yeshe Tsogyal (Guru Rinpoche's consort and great teacher), and modern realized nuns. Visit more nunneries or meet with female lay practitioners (gomchens) who maintain spiritual practices while living in the world. Discussion on balancing worldly and spiritual life as women - raising families while maintaining practice. Overnight: Paro
Day 7: Tiger's Nest - Yeshe Tsogyal's Site
Hike to Taktsang Monastery. While famous for Guru Rinpoche, this is also where Yeshe Tsogyal (his consort and dakini) practiced and achieved realization. Explore caves where Yeshe Tsogyal meditated. She became equally enlightened and served as teacher to many masters. Meditate in the same spaces, connecting with the lineage of female practitioners. Descend by afternoon. Farewell dinner celebrating female spirituality. Overnight: Paro
Day 8: Departure
Morning at leisure for final reflections. Transfer to airport for departure. You leave Bhutan with deeper appreciation for women's roles in Buddhism - often less visible but equally profound. The nuns you've met embody dedication, wisdom, and compassion. Their example inspires your own practice. Tashi Delek!