14 Days Highlights of Thailand Bhutan Tour

Highlight: Arrive in Bangkok and visit Wat Traimit, and Wat Arun.

Welcome to Thailand!

On your arrival in Bangkok, you will be taken from the airport to your hotel to freshen up, before heading out on the first half-day tour of the city. The first day includes visits to Wat Traimit, known as the “Temple of the Golden Buddha”, as well as to the “Temple of the Dawn” at Wat Arun. You will also see the oldest temple in ancient Siam, Wat Po, renowned for its largest single image of Buddha.

Stay overnight in Bangkok.

Visit Wat Traimit(Temple of the Golden Buddha)

Highlight: A full day city trip in Bangkok to the most popular sites such the Grand Palace and the Revered Emerald Buddha.

Today is a day for touring around the most exotic city in Southeast Asia. The Thai capital is one of the most fantastic cities in the world, and has a wealth of amazing things to see and do. You will first visit the Grand Palace, one of the most outstanding examples of ancient Siamese building, and the former royal court of ancient Siam.

Then it is on to the home of the revered Emerald Buddha, at Wat Phra Kaew. Then you will experience riding the famous tuk-tuks to visit the 150 foot long Reclining Buddha, and tour around the city’s famous canals, known as “khlongs”, before taking a gentle cruise along the Chao Phraya River.

Stay overnight in Bangkok.

Bangkok City Tour

Highlight: Take a morning flight from Bangkok to Paro, Bhutan and visit Tshogang Lhakhang in Paro and the Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu.

Today you will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight from Bangkok to Paro International Airport in Bhutan.

On your arrival in Bhutan, you will be met at the airport by your tour guide and driver, who will then take you to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, around 54 kilometers away from Paro.

On the way, you will first encounter a private temple - Tschogang Lhakhang, the temple of the excellent horse. Keep driving to Thimphu, you will have a short stop at Chuzom, a confluence where the Paro Chhu and Wong Chhu meet. It is decorated with three different styles of stupas, namely Tibetan, Nepalese and Bhutanese.

After arriving at Thimphu, your guide will help you check in the hotel. And you can have a brief rest at your hotel if you need. Later, you will pay a visit to Tashichho Dzong, the eminent fortress where the national government and central monastic body are located. In addition, here sits the summer residence of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot of Bhutan.

After that, you will head to visit the King's Memorial Chorten (National Memorial Chorten), a stupa built in memory of the third king in 1974.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Visit Thimphu Tashichho Dzong

Highlight: Visit National Folk Heritage Museum, Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory, Simtokha Dzong, and Motithang Takin Preserve in Thimphu.

Today’ s tour will first bring you to the National Folk Heritage Museum. It dedicates itself to connecting people with the rich Bhutanese folk heritage and rural history through exhibits, demonstrations, educational programs and documentation of Bhutanese rural life. The museum will strive to disseminate the rich cultural heritage across generations by preserving it in different forms.

Next, you will head to visit Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory. The factor is located approximately 1 kilometer from Thimphu city, and uses the bark of two tree species (the Daphne tree, and Dhekap tree) in the manufacture of traditional paper. You can observe the entire process of producing handmade paper using ancient traditional methods that have been practiced for generations. Besides, you are able to try your hand at this ancient craft and make some paper of your own as a souvenir.

Later, you will drive to upper Motithang in Thimphu to visit Motithang Takin Preserve, a wildlife reserve area for takin (Budorcas taxicolor), the national animal of Bhutan. It's worthwhile taking the time to see these oddball mammals here.

You will end today’s sightseeing after visiting Simtokha Dzong. It was built by Zhabdrung to consolidate his domain and subdue the demon in 1629. Nowadays, it is often said to be the first dzong built in Bhutan.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Motithang Takin Nature Preserve

Highlight: Cross Docula Pass and visit Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lhakhang.

Today you will take the long drive along the Lateral Highway to Punakha, which takes around three hours. The route takes you along the main highway that traverses central Bhutan, and gives you some of the most amazing views of the mighty Himalayas to the north. En route, the road passes over the Dochu La Pass, at 3,140 meters, which is the site of the renowned 108 chortens. Known as the Druk Wangyal Chortens, or Chortens of Victory, they were built in memory of the soldiers who died during the Assamese insurgency into Bhutan in 2003.

On our arrival in Punakha, you will first head for the outstanding Punakha Dzong, standing at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu rivers. One of the most impressive and important Dzongs in Bhutan, this ancient fortress is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the kingdom, and is a treasury that holds many of the numerous Buddhist relics and historic artifacts.

After stopping to visit the Dzong, you will then continue on to visit the Chimi Lhakhang, a stunningly beautiful monastery located on a small round hillock near the village of Lobesa, just outside Punakha town. An ancient monastery, it was built in 1499 by the 14th Drukpa, Ngawang Choegyel.

Stay overnight in Punakha.

Visit Punakha Dzong

Highlight: Cross Lawala Pass to get to Phobjikha Valley and visit ancient Gangtey Monastery and the Black-Necked Crane Information Centerin Gangtey.

After breakfast, you will drive to Phobjikha valley (3,000m). The distance between Punakha and Phobjikha is about 80 kilometers and will take you nearly 3 hours to finish this driving journey. On the way to Phobjikha, you will get amazed by the beauty and serenity of the rich flora and fauna. And you may see some Yaks grazing in high altitude bamboo shrub along the road when you arrive at Lawala Pass (3,300m).

After crossing the pass, you will head to visit Gangtey Monastery, generally known as Gangtey Goempa. It is a very important monastery of Nyingmapa School. Thereafter, you will pay a visit to the Black-Necked Crane Information Center. The center is situated on the edge of the forest and wetland along the main road of Phobjikha valley. It has an observation room equipped with high power telescope and spotting scopes for catching the best view of the cranes. If you travel to Phobjikha in November to January, you can have a chance to view many black-necked cranes here.

Stay overnight in Gangtey.

Gangtey Monastery

Highlight: Drive back to Paro and visit Simtokha Dzong, Ta Dzong, Paro Rinpung Dzong and Drukgyel Dzong in Paro.

After breakfast, you will drive back to Paro. It will take you about 4 hours 20 minutes for the 125 kilometers. On the way, you will encounter the Simtokha Dzong en route. Built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, Simtokha Dzong is often said to be the first dzong in Bhutan.

After arriving at Paro, you will visit Bhutan National Museum - Ta Dzong. The museum houses a large number of valuable collections. A visit to the National Museum will deepen your understanding of this country in a whole and broaden your eyes with numerous pieces of Bhutan treasures.

Next, you will head to explore Paro Rinpung Dzong (also named as Paro Dzong), a fortress once built to defend the valley from invasions. However, it now serves as an administration center and school for monks.

Later, driving to the north of Paro valley, it will bring you to the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong. It was built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father, and unifier of medieval Bhutan. Unfortunately, it was destroyed by an accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories. Nowadays, Drukgyel Dzong becomes a popular attraction in Paro, Bhutan.

In the evening, you can freely explore Paro to experience its unique lifestyle here.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Paro Rinpung Dzong

Highlight: Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery to enjoy spectacular views from it and visit Kyichu Lhakhang.

In the morning after breakfast, you will start your hike to Taktsang Monastery (also known as Tiger’s Nest Monastery). You will spend 5 to 6 hours for the hike. Perched on the side of a cliff 900 meters above the Paro valley, Taktsang Monastery is one of the most famous monasteries in Bhutan. The principal monastery of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. Taktsang was damaged severely by fire in 1998 but has now been fully restored to its former glory.

After exploring the monastery, you will begin your return tour to Paro. In the afternoon, you will visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest and most beautiful temples built by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo in the 7th century.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Trek to Taktshang Monastery

Highlight: Take a flight back to Bangkok from Paro and enjoy a half day trip in Bangkok

In the morning, you will be transferred to the Paro International Airport for your flight back to Bangkok, which takes around three hours. On your arrival in the Thai capital, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

After a short rest, you will head north from Bangkok to visit the former summer palace of the Thai royals, before continuing to the gothic temple of Wat Niwet Thammaprawat. The only neo-gothic temple in Thailand, Wat Niwet Thammaprawat lies on a small island in the Chao Phraya River, and is accessed by a cable car that is strung across the river.

Then, you will continue on to the royal temple of the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Sri Sanphet. Next to this major significant temple of the Ayutthaya period of Thai history lies the rebuilt hall of Viharn Phra Mongkolbopit, with its large image of the seated Buddha.

Later you will visit the temple of Wat Mahathat, the ruined temple that is famous for the huge Buddha head that sites in the midst of the roots of a Bodhi tree, and Wat Ratchaburana, before heading back to Bangkok.

Stay overnight in Bangkok.

Bangkok Wat Phra Sri Sanphet

Highlight: Visit the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in Bangkok and take a domestic flight from Bangkok to Chiang Rai.

In the morning, you will visit the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, where the fruits and vegetables of the vendors are bought from the boats that they arrive at the market in. A traditional and ancient marketplace, this is the most famous floating market in Thailand, and is a great place to capture photos that reflect the bygone days of ancient Siam.

In the afternoon, you will board a flight to Chiang Rai, in northern Thailand. Located near the borders with Laos and Myanmar, Chiang Rai is the largest city in Northern Thailand, and is renowned as the “Capital of the North”. Founded in 1262, the city was the ancient capital of the Mangrai Dynasty, and is the place where the famous Emerald Buddha, which now sits in the Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok, was discovered.

Stay overnight in Chiang Rai.

Visit Chiang Rai

Highlight: Visit the essential parts of the Golden Triangle, such as the Long Neck Karen Village and Doi Tung.

Today, you will get to visit the very heart of the Golden Triangle, the mysterious region of Indochina where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Burma meet at the confluence of the Ruak River and the mighty Mekong River.

The day will start with a trip to the Long Neck Karen village, where the local tribal people are made famous around the world for their long necks, stretched by the addition of gold rings as they grow from children. The locals believe that the longer the neck, the more beautiful the woman. Then you will continue on to visit Mount Doi Mae Salong and the small Chinese village on the top of the mountain.

In the afternoon, you will take a trip to the highest mountain in the north of Thailand, Doi Tung, which lies on the border with Myanmar. The drive passes through several small Lahu and Akha villages, as well as through the terraced rice-farming areas around the villages. At the Doi Tung temple, which dates back to the early 15^th century, on the top of the mountain, you get a great view out over the surrounding countryside, and can visit inside the temple with its many unique Buddhist images and awesome architecture.

Stay overnight in Chiang Rai.

Chiang Rai long neck karen village

Highlight: Visit the White Temple in Chiang Rai and the temples of Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai.

In the morning, you will visit the White Temple in Chiang Rai, one of the most unique Buddhist temples in the world. Known as Wat Rong Khun, the temple was privately renovated from a ruin to its current state by Thai artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat. The entire design of the temple was done by the artist, and funded by him personally, and is still in the process of building, being expected to be completed in full by around 1070.

Then you will drive to Chiang Mai, around three hours’ drive to the southwest. There you will visit the temples of Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Doi Suthep, and you can enjoy the stunning panorama of the city of Chiang Mai from the hills above.

Stay overnight in Chiang Mai.

Visit the White Temple in Chiang Rai

Highlight: Elephant Safari through the jungles in Chiang Mai

Today, you will spend the morning on an awesome elephant safari through the surrounding jungles and countryside. No visit to Thailand is complete without trying out the elephant rides, and our elephant safari will begin from the Mae Taman Camp. You will be given instruction on how to care for and treat the elephants, before spending around an hour on a small safari across the river and through the jungles. At the end of the ride, you will return to the village by ox cart, and enjoy a delicious local lunch.

In the afternoon, you will get the chance to explore the river on a bamboo raft. The adventure along the river lasts for around 45 minutes, and you can expect to get a little wet. Then you will head for the local orchid farm after the raft ride, where you can see the local farmers cultivating the Asian orchids, famous in flower shops around the world. Then it is back to Chiang Mai for the rest of the day.

Stay overnight in Chiang Mai.

Chiang Mai Elephant safari

After breakfast, you will collect you from your hotel to transfer you to the local airport for your flight to your next destination.