Favourites 
Land of Thunder Dragon, also known as Shangri-La, is a land-locked country which lies between Tibet to the north and India to the south, east and west. Bhutan's landscape ranges from subtropical plains in the south to the sub-alpine Himalayan heights in the north, with some mountain peaks exceeding 7,000 meters (23,000 ft). The state population is 691,141, the majority being Buddhist with the second largestgroup being Hindu. Thimpu is the capital of Bhutan. The climate of Bhutan varies with altitude, from subtropical in the south to all-over snow in the north. Bhutan has five different seasons: summer, monsoon, autumn, winter and spring. Western Bhutan has the heavier monsoon rains; southern Bhutan has hot humid summers and cool winters; central and eastern Bhutan is temperate and drier than the west.
Our journey, the Bhutan Cultural Tour, begins in the Paro Valley, Thimphu, an unique capital city that has a mix of traditional and modern lifestyles. We drive across the picturesque Dochu La Pass into the subtropical valleys of Punakha and Gangtey. Punakha valley offers great views of Himalayan ranges during clear weather. We also take you to Fertility temple, the Dzong, and to the chorten, which is located on the top of a hill. This tour ends in Paro.
Day 01: Arrival day in Paro
Day 02: Drive to Thimpu. 2350m\7710ft- 54km (2 hours)
Day 03: Explore Thimpu
Day 04: Thimpu to Punakha. 1250m/4000 ft]: 76 km/ 3 hrs
Day 05: Punakha to Gangtey and back to Punakha. 2900m/9280ft]-Punakha: 85Km/3-4 hrs
Day 06: Drive to Paro. 130km/4 hrs
Day 07: Departure day
Key Details
Group Size: 1-10
Transportation : Private Car
Accommodation : Hotel
Meals : Included
Trip Route : Paro-Thimpu-Punkha-Paro
| Up on arrival at Paro International Airport, we will greet you and take you to the Hotel. We will then visit Rinpung Dzong, built in 1646, then visit buildings of government offices and religious institutions including Dzongs (Fort). Then cross a traditional wooden bridge on the way to the Dzong. Visit Kichu Lhakhang, which is the oldest temple of Bhutan. Visit Drugyal Dzong (Bhutan Victory Fort), built in 1646. You will enjoy the views of mountains on a clear day. Overnight at Paro. |
| After breakfast hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery, Bhutan's most popular monastery. It is said that Guru Rimpoche has flown on the back of a tigress to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery exists at present. It is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro. The hike to the monastery makes for a nice half-day excursion. Lunch will be served in the cafeteria on the way. In the afternoon we drive to Thimphu. In the evening we explore Thimphu which is the capital of Bhutan. Overnight at Hotel. |
| After breakfast proceed to visit the King's Memorial Chorten (built in the memory of the third King of Bhutan), the radio tower (for a great view of Thimphu Valley and the Thimphu Dzong), and the zoo, which contains the national animal of Bhutan. We then proceed to the nunnery temple, the National Library (which has ancient manuscripts) and the National Institute of Traditional Medicine. After lunch, visit the Textile Museum, the Handicraft Emporium, the traditional paper factory and the majestic Tashichhodzong. In the evening, you can stroll around Thimphu. Overnight at Hotel. |
| A scenic drive to Dochu La which has panoramic views of the Himalayas. From the top of the pass, drive downhill through the forest of Rhododendron. On the way, stop at a Temple which is fertility temple dedicated to the Devine Madmam or lama Drukpa. Finally you reach Punakha for overnight. |
| After breakfast, drive to Gangtey through dense forest of Oak trees and Rhododendrons. This is beautiful valley surrounding by snow covered mountains. After exploring around, drive back to Punakha for overnight. |
| Breakfast at the lodge, we drive to Paro via pass at Dochula. Today we drive through Thimpu to arrive to Paro for overnight. |
| After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to airport for final departure. Flights from Paro especially Druk Air departs in the early morning to avoid adverse weather conditions. After breakfast, we transfer you to the airport in the morning to catch your onward flight. |
Included
Not Included
This trip takes you to the remote Himalayan region. It is essential that you are accompanied with the very experienced and qualified leader for a successful trip. We have local guides working with us who are highly trained and qualified. We also have helpers to upload bags.
Accommodation
All hotels in Bhutan are approved and classified from the Government. These hotels are equivalent to 3 and 4 star. At the time of booking, we will provide you details of the hotels in Paro and Thimpu. In Paro, TASHI NAMGAY RESORT or similar and in Thimpu hotel MIGMAR or similar and Meri Puensum Resort or similar in Punakha. Note that, accommodation which we provide you is on twin sharing basis but if you prefer having single room, single supplement applies.
Meals
All meals are included in this trip. There are variety of foods available which you can choose from the menu.
Tour list items
Some essential issues
Always check that your pack contains essential items such as your passport, money, eyewear, a change of clothing, hiking boots and medications in your carry-on baggage.
Gifts: Please don't bring extra gifts which might be a burden to you. If you wish to show your appreciation to the staff, the best gift would be through conversation or tips where appropriate.
Cultural Sensitivity: It`s better for women to wear pants (or Capri length pants) and/or a skirt (mid-calf or longer. Tights, hiking shorts and sports tops are not advisable. For men, pants are best. Men may wear longer hiking shorts that come near the knees. Never go shirtless.
For women: Women are advised to bring their necessary health supplies with them, as such items might not be available in Bhutan.
Boots: Wear boots that are broken-in. To minimize the risk of blister, wearing thin liner socks under regular hiking socks may help.
Clothing: Cotton is the most favourable in warm weather. Once wet, cotton also drains body heat.
Layers: Always test your layers before a trip. See if the outer layer fits easily over the inside ones.
Toilet Kit: For trekking & sightseeing, bring your own "toilet kit," and a small bottle of hand sanitizer. Always remember to discard the toilet tissue a waste basket and not along a trail or in the toilet.
Heating: In Bhutan, portable electric heaters are generally provided for heating in rooms. Blankets are also provided.
4 daysDon't have much time? The Glimpse of Bhutan tour allows visitors to see the key sites of Bhutan that...
6 daysOur Bhutan Tour with Day Hikes combines the cultural and natural grandeur of Bhutan, so that you wil...
1 dayThe Addis Ababa Tour has around some of the most historically relevant attractions within Ethiopia, ...
14 daysThis tour gives visitors the opportunity to see the best that Ethiopia has to offer in terms of attr...
We are the only Ecotourism Certified tour operator on the Goldfields Track (Genuine Green Sustainabl...