12 Days Thailand Bhutan Luxury 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 Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.

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 tour 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.

Later, 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 Chimi Lhakhang

Highlight: Back to Paro from Punakha and visit Paro Rinpung Dzong and Ta Dzong.

In the morning, you will take the long drive back to Paro, which takes around 4 hours 30 minutes, and passes by the Simtokha Dzong.

On arriving in Paro, you will first visit the Ta Dzong, which houses the Bhutan National Museum. Home to a huge number of valuable relics, national treasures, and collections from the kingdom’s long history, this is a great place to expand your understanding of the Kingdom of Bhutan and its devout people.

Then you will head to the Rinpung Dzong, also known as the Paro Dzong. Built to repel invaders from the north in the 15th century, this amazing fortress now houses an administration center for monastic studies and a school for young monks. After the fortress, you will drive to the north of Paro to visit the ruins of the Drukgyel Dzong, which was destroyed in a fire. Built in the 17th century by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, known as the unifier of Bhutan, the ruins have been left as they are as a reminder of the great victories of the father of a united Bhutan.

You will also visit the famous Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most beautiful temples in the kingdom. This ancient 7th century temple is a popular pilgrimage site for Buddhists in Bhutan, and it is common to see many pilgrims making their way around the temple’s kora route in a clockwise circumambulation.

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: Take a flight from Bangkok to Phuket

Early in the morning, you will transfer to the island of Phuket, where you will check into the hotel before heading out to visit the Old City quarter of Phuket.

Before lunch you will head for the Karon View Point, on the hill overlooking the city for the best photos, and after lunch you will head for Wat Chalong, the largest Buddhist temple on the small island.

The rest of the day is then yours to explore the famous Bangla Road, renowned for its delicious street foods, and the rest of the city.

Stay overnight in Phuket.

Phuket Karon View Point

Today, the day is yours to spend relaxing on the stunning beaches that Phuket is renowned for, or exploring the town and the island.

Phang Nga Bay is one of the most unique experiences on the island, and features distinctive limestone cliffs that rise out of the beautiful emerald-green waters.

Stay overnight in Phuket.

Phuket beaches relaxing

Your second full day in Phuket is also for you to explore where you wish, and enjoy the many sights and experiences this beautiful tropical island has to offer.

Phuket has more than 30 beaches around the island, and is famous for its beach holidays with western tourists. From secluded coves to long wide shores, no visit to Phuket is complete without a visit to its stunning white sand beaches.

Stay overnight in Phuket.

Phuket Beaches Relaxing

Today, you can enjoy your free time until it is time for your flight home. You will collect you from your hotel and transfer you to the airport in plenty of time for your onward flight.