This 8-day tour of Bhutan provides a fantastic chance to explore one of the world’s most remote and fascinating countries. The itinerary is designed to provide a balance between some historic and cultural sightseeing with some short walks through the Bhutanese countyside and some beautiful scenery. You'll also enjoy plenty of Bhutanese food and learn a lot about Bhutanese culture and Buddhist way of life.
The tour starts in Paro where we greet you at the airport, which is surely one of most attractive in the world. We visit Paro Dzong and learn about how these beautiful buildings with their joint monastic and civic function have administred life in Bhutan over the centuries. We cross over the higher Dochu La Pass, hopefully enjoying some great Himalayan mountain views, and explore the Punakha Valley with its huge riverside Dzong, and also the Phobjikha Valley which is famous for being the home to many endangered Black Necked Cranes which migrate here from Tibet. We also arrange the itineraries so that you can visit the huge weekend market in the capital Thimphu which displays produce and crafts from all over the country.
We have timed several of the departure dates to fit in with some of Bhutan's special 'tsechus', which are important religious festivals held in and around the Dzongs with maksed dances, processions and other. The itineraries on these dates may be adjusted slightly to make the most of the festivals and take account of the limited accommodation availability at the time.
Flights into Bhutan are available with the national airline, Druk Air, from Singapore, Bangkok, Delhi & Calcutta and Kathmandu. We offer a range of options to add a little time in India, Nepal, Singapore or Thailand to enable you to connect on with your main international flights.
Arrival location:
Paro, Bhutan
Departure Location:
Paro, Bhutan
Included in your experience:
- All accommodation as per itinerary in 3-star level hotels
- All meals as indicated in the itinerary
- 24/7 airport transfer service
- All transport in private vehicles
- Bhutan visa fee, Tourism development fee and government royalty
- Local tour guide/tour leader
- All national park entry and activity fees
- All entrance fees to sites visited
Not included in your experience:
- International flights (available on request)
- Travel Insurance (compulsory)
- Drinks, snacks and other personal expenses (e.g. Laundry)
- Tips for tour leader and driver
- Any other items not mentioned above
DAY 1 Arrive in ParoParo airport provides a first taste of Bhutanese architecture and is surely one of the world’s most beautiful. In the afternoon we visit Ta Dzong, originally a Watch Tower and now the National Museum. Then walk down to Paro Dzong and learn how these spectacular buildings have combined the monastic and civic administration of Bhutan for centuries.
OVERNIGHTParo hotel
MEALSDinner
EXTRASSingle Room Supplement, Extra night - pre-tour
DAY 2 Paro to Punakha ValleyCross the 3050m Dochu La Pass 3050m today on steep winding roads through beautiful dense forests. In the Punakha Valley, a short walk visits the Chimi Lhakhang Temple, built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley or ‘The Divine Madman’ and renowned for blessing barren women with fertility. Keen birdwatchers can drive to the Che Le La Pass at sunrise in search of Blood Grouse and the Himalayan Monal.
OVERNIGHTPunakha hotel
MEALSBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3 Punakha Dzong drive to GangteyA morning walk to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten takes in river banks, mixed forest and terraced fields of chillies and vegetables. Next we visit the spectacular Punakha Dzong, which lies between two rivers known as Phochu and Mochu which symbolise masculine and feminine co-existence. After lunch, drive on to Gangtey.
OVERNIGHTGangtey hotel
MEALSBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4 Phobjikha Valley walk, GangteyWe enjoy a nature walk today in the beautiful Phobjikha Valley, famous for the rare black-necked cranes that make it home between October and March after an arduous migration over the Himalayan mountains from the Tibetan plateau (the annual Crane festival in November is well worth a visit). We also visit the Gangtey Monastery.
OVERNIGHTGangtey hotel
MEALSBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5 Drive to Thimphu via Wangdue PhodrangRe-cross the Dochu La Pass to the capital Thimphu. En-route visit the ancient Dzong at Wangduephodrang, which is relatively un-restored and gives a real feel for how these buildings have run life in Bhutan over the centuries.
OVERNIGHTThimphu hotel
MEALSBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6 Thimphu toursToday’s sightseeing in Thimphu includes the Memorial Chorten, Folk Heritage Museum, School of Arts & Crafts and the Takin research centre. All our tours also aim to fit in with the huge weekend food and crafts market, which is a great place to pick up a souvenir of your time in Bhutan. A stop at the national stadium to view an archery tournament is also well worthwhile.
OVERNIGHTThimphu hotel
MEALSBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7 Taktshang (Tiger’s Nest) walkStart early for a 2-3 hours steep uphill walk to the iconic Taktshang monastery, perched on a sheer 800m rock face. Taktshang is probably Bhutan’s most famous site and attracts pilgrims from all over Bhutan. In the afternoon, visit the ruined Drukgyel Dzong and the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang temple. In the evening you could enjoy a relaxing traditional hot stone bath to ease any tired limbs.
OVERNIGHTParo hotel
MEALSBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8 Paro, departure airport transferYour time is free until we transfer you to the airport for departure. We can book your international Druk Air flights into Bhutan and extension options in Kathmandu, Delhi and Bangkok are available to enable connections to your onward flights.
OVERNIGHTN/A
MEALSBreakfast
EXTRASExtra night - post-tour
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