Ideal for those who want to discover the true Bhutan, this ultimate cultural tour explores the cultural valleys of the west, spiritual central Bhutan & the rugged east. On our Grand Bhutan Experience, traverse incredible landscapes of high mountain passes with incredible Himalayan views, mixed forests, beautiful countryside and Alpine meadows rich with diverse flora and fauna. Beginning in the gentle valley of Paro, home to the famous Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest), you will visit ancient fortresses, sacred monasteries, remote temples, farm houses, palaces and monastic schools across the country to the eastern border town of Samdrup Jongkhar. This is a unique tour is designed for the enthusiastic traveller with a longer holiday in mind and a desire to discover the true Bhutan.
ITINERARY
Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Trongsa, Bumthang valley, Tashi Yangtse, Trashigang, Samdrup Jongkhar & Guwahati (14n / 15d)
Day 1 – Paro : Arrive in Paro and after realaxing go for a stroll around town. Later sightseeing around Paro including Paro Rinpung Dzong, National Museum, Drukgyel Dzong (‘fortress of victory’) and the sacred Kyichu Lhakhang (temple). Evening and experience a local home stay in Paro with home cooked meals and a friendly local atmosphere. Overnight at Paro.
Day 2 – Paro to Thimphu : After breakfast we drive up to the starting point and prepare for our hike to the legendary Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) – a magnificent monastery, clinging on a rock cliff 900 meters above the valley floor. The legend dating back to 747 AD has it that the Great Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhawa) flew here from northeast Bhutan on the back of a tigress to subdue the demons of Paro Valley. This is definitely the highlight of any trip to Bhutan. Later transfer to Thimphu. Overnight at Thimphu.
Day 3 – Thimphu : Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan at an altitude of 2400 meters. Today we explore Thimphu town visiting Dubthob nunnery, School of Arts and Crafts, Folk Heritage Museum and Textile Museum, Kuensel phodrang – site of the world’s largest sitting Buddha and Thimphu Zoo ( to see the rare Takin , a goat – antilope, which is the national animal of Bhutan ) Evening we visit Thimphu Dzong ( Monastery and Administrative complex ) one of the most important Dzongs in Bhutan. Overnight at Thimpu.
Day 4 – Thimphu to Punakha : After breakfast we leave for Punakha. Just out of Thimpu, the road begins a steep, twisty climb to the Dochu La pass at 3,450 meters. We stop on top of Dochu-La pass for the breathtaking views of the eastern Himalayas, including Bhutan’s highest mountain, the majestic Gangkar Punsum. The top of the pass is visibly marked by a large Bhutanese chorten and prayer flags, an ideal place for photography. The road down from Dochu La into the Punakha Valley and on to Wangdi Phodrang goes on for some distance, descending 1,700 meters to the valley floor. In Punaka, we’ll visit the Punakha Dzong, the second oldest and second largest dzong in Bhutan located along the banks of the Po Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers, Chimmi Lakhang ( fertility temple ) and the longest suspension bridge in the country, located a few kilometers from the dzong. Overnight at Punakha valley.
Day 5 – Punakha to Trongsa : After breakfast we leave for Trongsa enroute we’ll stop and take a short walk through villages and fields to visit Chimi Lhakhang, a fertility temple built in 1499 by lama Drukpa Kunley.Later the road start by climbing the winding Pele La pass (3,300 m) and our drive takes us through beautiful countryside to reach Trongsa. The small town of Trongsa is known for its Museum and the Trongsa Dzong which is the largest in Bhutan. Overnight at Trongsa.
Day 6 – Trongsa to Jakar ( Bumthang Valley ) : After Breakfast we visit Trongsa dzong, a fortress built in 1648, sprawls down a steep hillside and the Trongsa Museum. Like nearly all towns in Bhutan, Trongsa is dominated by a dzong that dwarfs the surrounding buildings. We cross the Yotong La pass (3,425 m) on our way into the picturesque Bumthang Valley. Overnight at home stay in Jakar ( Bumthang Valley )
Day 7 – Bumthang Valley : A day of sightseeing in the Bumthang valleys.You will be taken on a fascinating tour of a variety of sacred sites including Jamba Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang and Tamshing Lhakhang. Visit Jakar Dzong and Bumthang’s famous swiss cheese factory and wheat beer making factory. Overnight at home stay in Bumthang.
Day 8 – Bumthang Valley : Today we take an excursion to the remote Tang valley. Stop to visit Membar Tsho (the burning lake), which is one of Bhutan’s most important pilgrimage sites. Then on to Drangchel, Pema Lingpa’s birthplace. You will also see some picturesque villages and temples and can walk up to visit Ugyenchholing Palace, which is now a museum and gives an interesting insight into life in an aristocratic family in the last century. Return to Bumthang for the night.
Day 9 – Bumthang Valley to Tashi Yangtse : After breakfast drive east via Mongar to Tashi Yangtse, a remote town in the north eastern corner of Bhutan.Eastern Bhutan is remote and untouched by tourism with beautiful drives and landscape. Overnight in Tashi Yangtse.
Day 10 – Tashi Yangtse : Here you can spend a relaxing day wandering round the town after the long drives of recent days and visit the sacred Chorten Kora and the Institute of Traditional Arts and Crafts. Overnight in Tashi Yangtse.
Day 11 – Tashi Yangtse to Trashigang : Drive to Trashigang though some of the best landscape passing through picterisque valleys and jungles. Evening visit to Trashigang Dzong. Overnight at Trashigang.
Day 12 – Trashigang : Day excursion to the remote weaving villages of Radi and Phongme. Overnight at Trashigang.
Day 13 – Trashigang to Samdrup Jongkhar : After breakfast drive to the border town of Samdrup Jongkhar. Evening explore the town. Overnight at Sampdrup Jongkhar.
Day 14 – Samdrup Jongkhar to Guwahati : After breakfast cross over the border to Assam and by afternoon reach Guwahati. Evening cruise on the Bhramaputra river in Guwahati. Overnight at GUwahati.
Day 15 – Departure : After breakfast transfer to airport. End of tour.
THEMESCulture
Nature
Leisure
Road Trip
DESTINATIONSParo
Thimphu
Punakha
Trongsa
Bumthang valley
Tashi Yangtse
Trashigang
Samdrup Jongkhar
Guwahati
HIGHLIGHTS
– Experience scenic Himalayan mountain drives
– Culture and Monastic excursions
– Hike up to Tiger’s nest Monastery
– Walk across the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan at Punakha
– Try Ema Datshi (national dish of Bhutan) and other Bhutanese cuisine
– Experience hospitality of a Bhutanese Home stay in Paro
COST Spoiler content INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS
INCLUSIONS :
5 Nights stay at home stay / resort / hotel with breakfast, All transfers and excursions in private vehicle including all vehicle charges – driver cost, toll, parking etc. , service charges and taxes, Bhutan entry permits.
EXCLUSIONS :
Other than mentioned, Entry tickets and camera charges at sightseeing places ( if applicable )
STAY & TRANSPORT
As this is a customised tour, you can choose the accommodation and transport as per your preference . Accommodation types available – Resorts, Cottages, Home stay, Hotel Transport – Private Vehicle ( SUV or Car )
NOTE :
COST MENTIONED IS INDICATIVE.
This is a customized trip. Cost might vary depending on your group size and type of accommodation required. Please contact us for details
BHUTAN TRIPS
SOUTH EAST ASIA
KERALA
LADAKH & KASHMIR
BHUTAN