Bhutan Explorer

12 Days / 11 Nights

Day 1Paro to Thimphu (7,780 ft.)

Upon arrival at Paro Airport, you will be welcomed and proceed about an hour’s drive to the capital city of Thimphu. Afternoon visit the city highlights including the National Memorial Chorten, built in honor of late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, the Folk Heritage Museum and the Takin Preserve where you can see Bhutan’s national animal and a rare member of the goat family found only in Bhutan.

Overnight at Thimphu

Day 2Thimphu (7,780 ft.)

This morning drive up to Buddha Point and offer your prayers to the largest Buddha statue in the country while enjoying great views of Thimphu valley below. Continue to Changangkha Monastery, a 12th century temple perched like a fortress on a ridge above central Thimphu. This temple has a special place in Thimphu life as parents come here to get auspicious names for their children.

Also visit Drubthob Goemba which now houses the Zilukha Nunnery, one of the very few nunneries in Bhutan. Located by the slopes of a hill, you can have nice views of the surrounding valley and a golf course

Stop by the craft bazaar in the city center where artisans and craftsmen come across the country to sell their products. Later this evening, meet a local expert over a casual dinner to learn about fascinating facts on Bhutan’s “Gross National Happiness Index”. Enacted on 18 July 2008, this index is instituted in the Constitution of Bhutan.

Overnight at Thimphu

Day 3Thimphu to Wangdue (4,300 ft.)

Today you will drive eastwards for about 3 hours towards Punakha valley. Cross the Dochula Pass at 10,000 ft. for a glimpse of the Himalayan mountain range. At Punakha valley, you will stop at Lobesa for a short walk through farm houses and fields to Chimme Lhakhang, a monastery built in 1499 in honor of Tibetan Lama Drukpa Kuenley, popularly known as the “Divine Madman”. This temple is also known as fertility temple as it’s very popular for couples praying for children.

Afternoon, meet friendly locals at a small village in Wangdue to experience typical rural life. Enjoy friendly conversations over tea inside a typical farm house.

Overnight at Wangdue

Day 4Wangdue to Bumthang (8,500 ft.)

Today you will embark on a full day’s drive to the central valleys of Bhutan over 2 passes that are over 10,000ft. Along the way, you will stop at Trongsa and see the biggest fortress in Bhutan. It is from this area where the present Royal Family emerged as most influential at the beginning of 21st century. At present time, every King of Bhutan is required to be governor of Trongsa before he ascends to the throne.

After lunch, continue on to Bumthang, home of the great Buddhist teacher, Pema Lingpa, to whom descendants of the present dynasty traces its ancestry.  As you descend eventually into the valley, stop at the valley of Chumey, a famous weaving region using sheep’s wool. A quick browse through a workshop to see traditional weaving techniques and perhaps pick up some unique pieces.

Overnight at Bumthang

Day 5Bumthang (8,500 ft.)

This morning visit an old Royal Palace and some of the oldest temples in Bhutan including Jakar Dzong, the 7th century “Fortress of the White Bird”, where religious festivals are held.

Another historic temple is Jambey Lhakhang. According to legend this ancient temple was built by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo in 659 A.D. as part of a chain of 108 simultaneously constructed temples in order to subdue an evil demoness that lay over the Himalayan region. This is the oldest temple, also known as a “lhakhang” in Bhutan.

Stop by a local farmer’s house and enjoy a simple lunch with your hosts. This region is famous for buckwheat noodles and is one of the staple foods for locals here. After, stop by a local cheese making factory using Swiss technology before taking a stroll around the small town where locals shop for daily necessities.

Overnight at Bumthang

Day 6Bumthang (8,500 ft.)

Today you can discuss with your guide to take a short hike around the beautiful valleys of Bumthang and enjoy more scenic rural atmosphere. Perhaps your trip coincides with a religious festival where you can witness the colorful and elaborate Tibetan style Masked Dance held in an ancient temple. We highly recommend catching a religious festival in Bumthang that see far less crowds than the ones held in Thimphu or Paro.

Overnight at Bumthang

Day 7Bumthang to Gantey (9,200 ft.)

After breakfast, drive about 5 hours along the scenic mountain highway to Gantey where you will explore the beautiful Phojibka Balley on the flanks of the Black Mountains. This is the winter home of black-necked cranes that migrate from the arid plains in Tibet.

At Phojibka, visit an old monastery of Gangtey Gompa dating back to the 17th century. It is the main seat of the Pema Lingpa tradition and one of the two main centers of the Nyingmapa school of Buddhism in Bhutan.

Overnight at Gantey

Day 8Gantey (9,200 ft.)

Today, you will do an easy hike around the local villages of Phojibka valley. Meet local farmers and learn more about their daily lives. There might also be an opportunity to view some black-necked cranes during the winter period. The best months to view these endangered species is between October to mid-February.

Overnight at Gantey

Day 9Gantey to Punakha (4,300 ft.)

After breakfast, drive about 3 hours to Punakha, which served as the capital for over 300 years. Stop by the Punakha Dzong which served as the seat of the government till 1950s and currently the winter seat of the Je Khenpo. The Dzong is opened to visitors only in summer when the Je Khenpo and the Monk Body are in Thimphu. Situated on the confluence of the Mother (Mo) and Father (Pho) rivers, this beautiful Dzong was built in 1637 and is the second largest in Bhutan.

Overnight at Punakha

Day 10Punakha to Paro (7,780 ft.)

Today depart for Paro over the Dochula Pass, about 4 hours’ drive. In Paro, visit Kichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan originally built in the 7th century by the Tibetan Emperor Songtsen Gampo.

Later do a short hike up to Drukgyal Dzong, a defense fortress built in 1647 and now in ruins. If the weather is good, you can catch a glimpse of the snow-covered Mt. Chomolhari, a 23,000ft. peak.

Overnight at Paro

Day 11Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery (10,240 ft.)

Today you will hike about 4-5 hours to the famous Tiger’s Nest (Taktsang) Monastery, an incredible monastery built in 1692 on the side of a 3,000 foot cliff. The trail goes through blue pines and switchbacks uphill to the ridge. This iconic monastery was built in 1692 around the Taktsang Senge Samdup, a cave where Guru Padmasambhava is said to have meditated for 3 months in the 8th century.

After the hike enjoy a relaxing traditional hot stone herbal bath before visiting the Paro Dzong and strolling around “downtown” Paro, a series of small lanes with a handful of local shops.

Overnight at Paro

Day 12Departure

Transfer to the airport for your onward journey.