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5 Days West Bhutan Sightseeing Tour for Family
Paro – Thimphu (2N) – Haa Valley – Paro (2N)
For a little more in family adventures, this 5-day exciting family break to Bhutan is one of the best ways to explore a little further afield in this beautiful Himalayan paradise. Giving you a unique insight into the western areas of Bhutan, this amazing tour takes you and your family through the capital of Thimphu to the beautiful Haa Valley in western Bhutan, looping around to end back on Paro again.
The trip from Paro to Thimphu takes you to explore some famous sights in the capital, including the National Memorial Chorten, the National Textile Museum, and the Tashichho Dzong. The road to Haa Valley takes you over the high Chele la Pass, offering great views of the Himalayas in Bhutan. Then, you will explore the beautiful Haa Valley, which is an off-the-beaten-track destination in the west of Paro.
Last but not least, you’ll hike up to the stunning Tiger’s Nest Monastery, perched above Paro Valley, for the perfect ending to your family journey in Bhutan.
- Jan. to Jun and Sept. to Dec.
- Cultural Sightseeing
- Private Tour for One and More
Highlights
- Enjoy the world-famous hiking to Tiger’s Nest Monastery.
- Admire Thimphu’s cultural wonders like National Memorial Chorten, Tashichho Dzong, etc.
- Explore the fascinating Haa Valley near Paro.
- Cross Chelela Pass for the stunning Bhutan Himalayas view.
- Visit Paro Rinpung Dzong and Kyichu Temple.
Itinerary
Day 1: Paro Arrival and Transfer to Thimphu
Highlights: Arrive in Bhutan and visit Tschogang Lhakhang, Tashichho Dzong, and Local Bazaar.
Welcome to Bhutan, the land of the “Thunder Dragon”!
Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, you will meet your local travel guide and driver at the Arrival Hall.
Then, you will be transferred to Thimphu (2,350m), the capital city of Bhutan. Covering a total distance of around 54 kilometers, it will take you about 1 hour to get to Thimphu from Paro (2,250m).
After arriving in Thimphu, your guide will help you check in at the hotel.
Later, you will head to visit the King's Memorial Chorten (National Memorial Chorten), a stupa built in memory of the third king in 1974. The display inside shows good statues of tantric Buddhist and its philosophy.
Then, you will explore 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.
In the evening, you have the option to take a stroll through the town or visit the Local Crafts Bazaar. The bazaar offers a variety of hand-woven textiles, thangka paintings, masks, ceramics, and more. You can also pick up some unique gifts for friends and family.
Stay overnight in Thimphu.
Thimphu National Memorial Chorten
Accommondation in Thimphu
The following local hotels are for your reference. Please feel free to tell us your preferred hotel standard while enquiring about your trip to Bhutan.
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Thimphu Namseling Hotel
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Thimphu Druk Hotel
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Thimphu Six Senses Bhutan
Meals Included
- Lunch and Dinner
Please feel free to tell us any of your food requirement.
Day 2: Thimphu Sightseeing
Highlight: Visit the National Folk Heritage Museum, Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory, Simtokha Dzong, and Motithang Takin Preserve in Thimphu.
After breakfast, you will first visit 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 the 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.
Simtokha Dzong
Accommodation
The following local hotels are for your reference. Please feel free to tell us your preferred hotel standard while enquiring about your trip to Bhutan.
-
Thimphu Namseling Hotel
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Thimphu Druk Hotel
-
Thimphu Six Senses Bhutan
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Thimphu to Haa Valley and Drive back to Paro
Highlights: Explore the beautiful Haa Valley and enjoy the stunning Bhutan Himalayas view from Chelela Pass.
Today, you will first head to Haa valley, a steep north-south valley with a narrow floor in Haa District. Along the route, distinguished Bhutanese farmhouses can be sighted and you will be treated with local wines and butter teas with kinds of Bhutanese snacks.
Then, continue your journey to Haa Valley. Depending on your time and interests, you can visit Lhakhang Karpo (the White Temple), Lhakhang Nagpo (the Black Temple), or both.
Next, you will drive to Paro along the mountainside road winding up to the Chelela Pass (3822 m), and you can take in spectacular views of the Bhutan Himalayas all the way. After passing a few wild farmlands and scattered hamlets, you will finally reach Paro.
Stay overnight in Paro.
Paro Rinpung Dzong
Accommodation
The following local hotels are for your reference. Please feel free to tell us your preferred hotel standard while enquiring about your trip to Bhutan.
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Paro Olathang Hotel
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Paro Tashi Namgay Resort
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Paro Le Meridien Hotel
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery
Highlights: Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery and visit Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro.
After breakfast, you will start to hike to Taktsang Monastery (also known as Tiger’s Nest Monastery). 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. The hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery is about 3 km one way and takes around 5 to 6 hours for the round trip.
After exploring the monastery, 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.
Special Notice
You're not allowed to take photos inside Taktsang Monastery, but you can take a nice shot on your hiking road to the monastery. At the temple entrance, you have to deposit all belongings, like cameras, phones, other electronic equipment, etc.
Tiger’s Nest Monastery
Accommodation
The following local hotels are for your reference. Please feel free to tell us your preferred hotel standard while enquiring about your trip to Bhutan.
-
Paro Olathang Hotel
-
Paro Tashi Namgay Resort
-
Paro Le Meridien Hotel
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Tour Price
Add-on Activities
The general travel itineraries in Bhutan are usually leisure and relaxing. To make the most of your time in Bhutan, you can choose to have more activities as you like, such as light hiking around the town or a featured cultural experience.
Here, we offer the most popular activities that many of our travelers choose to add to their Bhutan tours. For more available activities or anything you want to add to your Bhutan trip, just feel free to contact us.
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Bhutan Hot Stone Bath
The popular Hot Stone Bath, a traditional healing process in Bhutan, is a great experience for you to relax and refresh yourself after one day of hiking or trekking. Different from a hot spring, it is a kind of hot water bath offered traditionally with a wooden tub and herbs in the water. You can experience it in a local farmhouse or a resort.
Please notice that you need to pay additional fees for the hot stone bath (usually within 30 minutes).
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Sightseeing Hiking
Even if you don't go on a trekking tour in Bhutan, you can still enjoy pleasant hikes during your trip. In places like Gangtey, Bumthang, and Trongsa in western and central Bhutan, there are easy hiking and trekking trails around the towns. You can take a light hike for 1 to 2 hours after your regular sightseeing. Just feel free to tell your guide if you are interested in an extra hiking experience.
Usually, there's no extra charge for short hikes that only take a few hours.
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Cultural Exploration
Bhutan is a place that is rich in culture and handicraft. If you want to experience more local culture and the real life of the locals, you can ask for more activities, such as a visit to a local weekend market, a class of traditional Bhutan archery, or traditional weaving in Bhutan. Just feel free to let us know what you are looking for and want to experience during your Bhutan tour, we will help you find the best options to do.
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Farmhouse Homestay
All of our tour packages cover the accommodation from 3-star hotels to 5-star hotels and resorts. But if you want to get closer to the local Bhutanese life, it is suggested to take a night stay in a farmhouse. It will be an unforgettable experience to eat ordinary food and dishes and live in the typical Bhutanese house just like a Bhutanese does.
Since the accommodation is required to be arranged in advance, if you are keen on a homestay in Bhutan, please tell us as early as possible.
Food and Drinks
All of our Bhutan tour packages include three meals a day. The local restaurants often provide Bhutanese food. In some hotels, you can have a Western buffet at breakfast and dinner. There are also local markets selling fresh fruits, such as apples, pineapples, and so on. If you have any requirements for food, such as vegetarian, please feel free to tell your travel consultant or your local guide.
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Bhutanese Food
Most of your meals are in local restaurants, which offer typical Bhutanese food. The most popular food among local people is the Chili Cheese.
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Western Buffet
Besides the traditional Bhutan dishes, you can also have a Western buffet in some hotels in Bhutan, which provides more choices for you.
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Western Breakfast
The breakfast offered in Bhutan hotels often includes eggs, toast with butter, honey, and jams. You can choose to have a cup of tea or coffee.
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Water and Drinks
For every day trip, we offer one bottle of water for each tourist. There are also kinds of soft drinks you can buy in restaurants, hotels, or shops in the town in Bhutan. Also, you can taste the local beers if you want.
Bhutan Tour Planning FAQs
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