Discover Bhutan Tour - 10 Days

Day 01 Arrival to Paro 
Altitude: At Paro 2250m/ 7321ft & Thimphu 2350m / 7710 ft  
Activities: 1 hour 30 minutes drive 
Meals: Lunch & Dinner

The flight into Paro on Bhutan’s national carrier, Druk Air, is a befitting introduction to the spectacular beauty of our country. In clear weather, magnificent views of the world’s highest peaks give way to the lush green Paro valley as you land. First gift from Bhutan will be the cool, clean fresh air as you step out of the plane. After clearing customs and visa control you will be brief by our guide and transferred to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. We then depart for Thimpu, the modern capital of Bhutan. The drive will take around 1.3hours. Thimpu has a population of about 100,000. The town is made up of just three lines of shops and is the only capital in the world without traffic lights. In the evening, we will visit the Handicrafts Emporium, where all types of Bhutanese handicrafts are made and sold, overnight at Hotel.

Day 02 Day Tour of Thimpu 
Altitude: Thimphu 2350m / 7710 ft  
Activities: Sightseeing tour 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast drive at Sangaygang, a field of Bhutanese prayer flags, perched high above the city. Colored flags send prayers to the heavens and white flags honor the dead. Visit the Motithang Mini Zoo where you can see the National animal Takin research centre where these odd animals graze peacefully in a small protected park. Walk to the Zilukha Nunnery. Thimphu sightseeing continues with the Folk Heritage Museum (a beautifully restored Bhutanse farmhouse from the last century) and the National Painting School. Visit the Weekend market where vendors from throughout the region arrive on Friday afternoon and remain till Sunday. Here you will find indigenous goods, handicrafts, locally produced goods, etc. In the evening visit the National Memorial Chorten built in honor of our 3rd king Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (a wonderful opportunity to mix with the local population). All the buildings in Bhutan conform to national building principals and are beautifully carved and decorated. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 03 Drive to Punakha 
Altitude 1350m/4428ft, Dochu La Pass altitude 3100m/10168ft
Activities: Sightseeing tour 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast depart to Punakha. Leaving Thimphu the road climbs steeply through a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochula pass (3,050 m).  This pass often offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges. After stopping for tea and the view, then enjoy an hour’s downhill walk through magnolia, hydrangea, vibernam and evergreen oaks, and through blankets of the wild orchids before once again reaching the road, where we board our transport and drive into the Punakha Valley. Lunch served at your hotel. Then we drive the short distance to Punakha Dzong, the winter seat of the Je Khenpo and ancient capital of Bhutan, which is located between the rivers of the Mo (Female) Chu and Pho (Male) Chu. The dzong is open to visitors only in summer when the Je Khenpo and the Monk Body are in Thimphu. Je Khenpo is the highest religious office in Bhutan, and the formal head of the Drukpa sect. The (Central) Monk Body is Bhutan’s main monastic body of Lamas (monks). The dual system of governmental power in Bhutan is divided between the religious branch led by the Je Khenpo and the administrative branch headed by DrukDesi. PM take a hike to Khamsum Yueley Chorten (45 minutes one way) through the terraced rice fields and overlooking the village to Kabina. Dinner and overnight at hotel

Day 04 Drive to Bumthang 
Altitude 2800m/9184ft 212km 
Activities: Sightseeing tour 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today our Bhutan Tour enters Central Bhutan. However, prior to kick off to onwards destination we visit to Chhimi Lhakhang, which is a 20 minute walk across terraced paddy fields. The 15th century temple built by ’Divine Madman’ Drukpa Kuenlay has powers to bless childless women with babies as per the Bhutanese myth. Then our journey begins towards Central Bhutan via Wangduepodrang, which is headquarters of Western Bhutan. The town boasts on artistic bamboo and slate stone works. We will also savor the glimpses of Wangduepodrang Dzong, which was built in 1638 atop a spur overlooking the confluence of popular rivers Tsang Chu and Dang Chu. On our arrival at Punakha, we will be escorted to our designated hotel.

Day 05 Tour of Bumthang 
Altitude 2800m/9184ft 
Activities: Sightseeing tour 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today, we will explore the beautiful valley and the hub of Buddhism in Bhutan, which is Bumthang. With more than 40 temples and monasteries built by Guru Rimpoche and his treasure finders Bumthang also houses wide biodiversity of floras and faunas. Our cultural tour of Bumthang kicks off with the morning hike to Tamshing Goemba, which was built in 1501. Likewise, the exploration of Kurjey Lhakhang that houses a rock with the body imprinted of Guru Rimpoche, is also the morning highlight in Bumthang.

Similarly, we explore Jambay Lhakhang, the temple that pinned down demoness in 659 is a sacred site that hosts colorful festival during October. Other highlights of Bumthang include Jakar Dzong, a hilltop monastery built in 1549 and Thangbi Lhakhang in Thangbi Valley that was built in 14th century.  

Day 06 Drive to Gangtey 
Altitude 3000m/9840ft 188km  
Activities: Sightseeing tour 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today we drive towards Gangtey. En route to Gangtey lies Trongsa, which is the ancestral home of the ruling dynasty of Bhutan. In Trongsa, we explore Trongsa Dzong, which was built in 16th century by Pema Lingpa. As the dominating size of the Dzong loomed high above Mangde Chu Valley, it began to flourish during 17th century. We also explore Taa Dzong in Trongsa, which is now a Heritage Museum. On our arrival to Gangtey we transfer to our hotel.

Day 07 Tour of Gangtey 
Altitude 3000m/9840ft 188km  
Activities: Sightseeing tour 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today we set out to explore the valley of Phobjikha, which is Gangtey. The valley is the best suited winter abode of Black necked crane (Grus Nigricollis). As Bhutan is home to six hundred black-necked cranes Gangtey and the entire valley of Phobjikha is one of the most popular destinations for the migratory birds in winter from the Tibetan plateau. To observe the activities of these elegant and shy birds, we wake up early and go for the hike around the valley. During the hikes, we also explore an old monastery that was built in 17th century.

Day 08 Drive to Paro
Altitude 2280m/9184ft 65km 
Activities: Sightseeing tour 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today we drive back to Paro. The home to many of Bhutan’s old monasteries and temples, Paro houses only international Airport of Bhutan. On arriving at Paro, we set off to explore Paro Dzong, which was built in 15th century. The enormous fortress is the  administrative center of the dzonkhag.  

Day 09 Morning hike to Tigers Nest & afternoon sightseeing tour of Paro 
Altitude 3120m/10233ft
Activities: Hike Tiger nest & Sightseeing tour 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, we drive to the winding road to the Drukgyal Dzong, the ruined fort, which was once defended this valley from Tibetan invasions, and also visit a Bhutanese farm house of a local family at Drukgyal for a close up view of everyday Bhutanese life. We then drive beyond Satsam Chorten to hike up (or horse ride) to the Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s nest).  The horse ride up to the cafeteria will take around 1.5hrs. At the view point, you will enjoy the stunning view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in the 8th century. We then walk back to the road point and visit Kyichu Lhahang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, overnight at hotel.

Day 10 Depart Paro 
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, we transfer you to airport for taking a flight to your onward destination.
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