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11 Days Nature Tour in Wonderland of Bhutan
Paro – Thimphu [2N] – Punakha [1N] – Gangtey [1N] – Bumthang [3N] – Wangdue Phodrang [1N] – Paro [2N]
This 10 nights 11 days Bhutan natural wonderland tour takes you to explore the amazing natural landscapes from the west to central. Enclosed by mountains, Phobjikha valley, one of the most beautiful destinations in Bhutan, is silently waiting for your exploration. When you go deep into the central Bhutan in Trongsa, Bumthang, and less-visited Ura valley, you will be further impressed by the stunning fields and dense forests. You have a small challenge of hiking up to the 900 meters high Tiger’s Nest, which offers you fabulous views of Paro valley. And in Punakha, a short hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten enables you to get the great views of terraced rice fields.
Except for natural beauty, the tour also leads you to admire the special charm of Bhutan’s ancient monasteries like Paro Rinpung Dzong, Tashichho Dzong, Punakha Dzong, Gangtey Monastery and more to experience the inherited cultural wonders. Those are an important part of Bhutan.
- Late February to May, September to December
- Cultural and Natural Sightseeing
- Private Tour for One and More
Highlights
- Admire Thimphu’s cultural wonders like National Memorial Chorten and Tashichho Dzong.
- Visit the most beautify Punakha Dzong and Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten.
- Explore the stunning fields and cultural heritages of central Bhutan in Trongsa and Bumthang.
- Discover the beautiful Phobjikha valley and explore the ancient Gangtey Monastery.
- Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery curved in the 900 meters high cliff, the holiest temple of Bhutan.
- Visit famous Ta Dzong Museum and Paro Rinpung Dzong.
Itinerary
Day 1: Paro Arrival and Transfer to Thimphu
Highlights: Visit Tachogang Lhakhang, and Tashichho Dzong and National Memorial Chorten in Thimphu.
Upon your arrival at Paro International Airport by Druk Air, your local guide and driver will meet you at the arriving hall of the airport. And they will have a brief introduction about themselves. Then, you will be transferred to Thimphu (2,350m), the capital city of Bhutan. Covering a total distance of nearly 54 kilometers, it will take you about 1 hour to get to Thimphu from Paro (2,250m).
On the way to Thimphu, you will pay a visit to Tachogang Lhakhang. It was founded by Thankthong Gyelpo after he experienced a vision of Guru Rimpochhe, Amitaba and Avalokiteshvara near site. The caretakers today are said to be descendants of Thangtong Gyelpo. Inside the temple one can see the master’s relics, including his walking stick.
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 visit National Memorial Chorten, which was built in memorial of King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who is also known as the "father of modern Bhutan."
Next, you can visit 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.
Stay overnight in Thimphu.
Thimphu National Memorial Chorten
Accommondation in Thimphu
The following local hotels are for your referrence. Please feel free to tell us your preferred hotel standard while enquring for 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
Highlights: Visit Great Buddha Dordenma, National Textile Museum, National Library, and Motithang Takin Preserve in Thimphu.
Today’s tour will first bring you to the Great Buddha Dordenma. This massive statue of Shakyamuni measures in at a height of 51.5 m, making it one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world. The statue is made of bronze and is gilded in gold.
Then you are going to National Textile Museum, which keeps the traditional art of waving preserved and exhibits a good collection of ancient colored textile in various forms. keeps the traditional art of waving preserved and exhibits a good collection of ancient colored textile in various forms.
Next, you will head to visit the National Library of Bhutan. Built in 1967, it houses about 6,100 Tibetan and Bhutanese books, manuscripts, and xylographs and about 9,000 printing boards and the wood printing blocks for religious books. If you are interested in the history of Bhutan, the National Library can be the best place for you to have a deeper understanding of this unique country.
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.
Stay overnight in Thimphu.
Buddha Dordenma statue
Accommodation
The following local hotels are for your referrence. Please feel free to tell us your preferred hotel standard while enquring for 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
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Thimphu to Punakha
Highlights: Cross Dochula Pass and visit Punakha Dzong and Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten.
Today, you will drive from Thimphu to Punakha (1,242m). The distance between Thimphu to Punakha is 71 kilometers, and it will take you 3 hours to get there. On the way, you will have an excellent opportunity to enjoy the panoramic view of the solemn Bhutan Himalaya Ranges and even take photos at the impressive collection of 108 chortens at Dochula Pass (3,140m).
After arriving at Punakha, you will head to visit the Punakha Dzong. Standing by the riverside of Pho Chu and Mo Chu, Punakha Dzong is one of the most impressive buildings and one of the top favorite attractions in Bhutan. Moreover, the rectangular shape fortress is also an honorable treasury where preserves numerous Buddhist relics and historical legacies.
After witnessing the superb Punakha Dzong, you will continue to visit Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. It sits majestically on a ridge above Punakha valley with an amazing view of the countryside and the hills below.
Stay overnight in Punakha.
Punakha Dzong
Accommodation
The following local hotels are for your referrence. Please feel free to tell us your preferred hotel standard while enquring for your trip to Bhutan.
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Punakha Meri Phuntsum
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Punakha Zhingkham Resort
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Punakha COMO Uma
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Punakha to Gangtey
Highlights: Visit Chimi Lhakhang, drive through Wangdue Phodrang and cross Lawala Pass to get to Phobjikha Valley.
You start today’s tour from Chimi Lhakhang, also known as Chime Monastery, is a beautiful Buddhist monastery located in the Punakha District of Bhutan. It stands on a small round hillock close to the village of Lobesa and was built in 1499 by the 14th Drukpa hierarch, Ngawang Choegyel.
Then you will transfer to the 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. You will drive through Wangdue Phodrang. The first spot you will pay a visit is the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, which is built in 1638 and sits on the ridge of a hill and overlooks the confluence of the Tsang Chu and Dang Chu river.
On the way to Phobjikha, you need to cross Lawala Pass (3,300m), and 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. After arriving at the Phobjikha Valley, you have your free time to stroll around to witness Bhutan’s unspoiled natural landscapes.
Stay overnight in Gangtey.
Chimi Lhakhang
Accommodation
The following local hotels are for your referrence. Please feel free to tell us your preferred hotel standard while enquring for your trip to Bhutan.
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Gangtey Dewachen
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Gangtey RKPO Green Resort
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Amankora Gangtey
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Gangtey to Bumthang
Highlights: Cross Pele La Pass and visit Chendebji Chorten and Yathra Weaving Centre.
After breakfast, you will travel a distance of 120km for about 5 hours to Trongsa via Pele La Pass at an altitude of 3,300m. This pass is an important dividing range that separates the western from central and eastern Bhutan.
En route stop off at the Chendebji Chorten located below the road. Continue the journey for a further distance of 68km for about 2 hours to Bumthang at an altitude of 2,600m, the most beautiful valley and cultural heartland of Bhutan. En route we stop for a quick visit to the Yathra Weaving Centre at Chumey, where they use yak and sheep wools for yathra products with patterns unique to Bumthang.
Stay overnight in Bumthang.
Chendebji Chorten
Accommodation
The following local hotels are for your referrence. Please feel free to tell us your preferred hotel standard while enquring for your trip to Bhutan.
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Bumthang Ugyenling
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Bumthang Jakar Village
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Amankora Bumthang
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Bumthang Sightseeing
Highlights: Visit landmarks in Bumthang like Kurjey Lhakhang and Jakar Dzong.
After breakfast, you will first head to Kurjey Lhakhang. According to legend, Sendhu Raja, the King of Bumthang was very ill and invited Guru Rinpoche the founder of Buddhism in Bhutan to give him a cure for his ailment.
Later, you will go to the Jakar Dzong. Situated above the Jakar village in the Chamkhar valley of Bumthang, the Dzong was originally a site of a monastery that was being constructed at the time of Lama Ngagi Wanchuck’s visit to Bhutan. According to legend, during the construction of the Dzong, a white bird emerged from the structure and perched itself on the site. In Bhutanese culture, a white bird is considered to be auspicious.
Stay overnight in Bumthang.
Kurjey Lhakhang
Accommodation
The following local hotels are for your referrence. Please feel free to tell us your preferred hotel standard while enquring for your trip to Bhutan.
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Bumthang Ugyenling
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Bumthang Jakar Village
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Amankora Bumthang
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Bumthang Day Excursion to Ura Valley
Highlights: Go to Ura valley to visit Ura Lhakhang and Mebar Tsho.
Today you will travel to Sheltang La and walk down hill to Ura Lhakhang. Admire the diverse flora and fauna along the short trek. En route you’ll visit the Mebar Tsho , known as Flaming Lake, located on the way to Tang village, where the renowned treasure reveller, Terton Pema Lingpa, discovered treasures from the lake in the late 15th century.
Stay overnight in Bumthang.
Visit Ura Lhakhang
Accommodation
The following local hotels are for your referrence. Please feel free to tell us your preferred hotel standard while enquring for your trip to Bhutan.
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Bumthang Ugyenling
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Bumthang Jakar Village
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Amankora Bumthang
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Bumthang to Wangdue Phodrang via Trongsa
Highlights: Head to Wangdue Phodrang via Trongsa and visit Trongsa Dzong and Ta Dzong en route.
This morning you head back to Trongsa at an altitude of 2,200m, the ancestral home of the present Royal Family of Bhutan. Sightseeing today includes a visit to the magnificent Trongsa Dzong where the first two Kings ruled from this dzong and also visit the Ta Dzong (ancient watch tower).
Continue the journey for a distance of 129km for about 4 hours journey to Wangdue Phodrang at an altitude of 1,240m. The evening is at leisure to relax, enjoy and explore the delightful surroundings of Wangdue Phodrang.
Stay overnight in Wangdue Phodrang.
Visit Trongsa Dzong
Accommodation
The following local hotels are for your referrence. Please feel free to tell us your preferred hotel standard while enquring for your trip to Bhutan.
-
Bumthang Ugyenling
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Bumthang Jakar Village
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Amankora Bumthang
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: Wangdue Phodrang to Paro
Highlights: Transfer from Wangdue Phodrang to Paro via Thimphu and visit Simtokha Dzong.
Today, you have a day-long journey heading back to Paro via Thimphu. The journey passes through the awe-inspiring mountains and lush vegetation along the highway and will photo stops during the journey. You will pay a visit to the Simtokha Dzong in Thimphu. 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.
After arriving at Paro, you can enjoy some leisure time in Paro town in the evening, one of the beautiful valleys in Bhutan.
Stay overnight in Paro.
Visit Simtokha Dzong
Accommodation
The following local hotels are for your referrence. Please feel free to tell us your preferred hotel standard while enquring for 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 10: Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery
Highlights: 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
Accommodation
The following local hotels are for your referrence. Please feel free to tell us your preferred hotel standard while enquring for your trip to Bhutan.
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Paro Olathang Hotel
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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 your time in Bhutan, you can choose to have more activities as you like, such as light hiking around the town or a featured culture experience.
Here we offer you the most popular travel ideas that most of our travelers choose to experience as an add-on activity during their trips in Bhutan. For more available activities or anything you want to add on to your trip in Bhutan, 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 hiking or trekking. Different from hot spring, it is a kind of hot water bath offered in a traditional way with a wooden tub and herbs in the water. You can experience it in a local farmhouse or in 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 you don't take the trekking tour in Bhutan, you can also experience pleasant hiking on your travel days. Especially during your trips in western and central Bhutan, like in Gangtey, Bumthang, and Trongsa, there are some easy hiking and trekking trails around the town. You can take light hiking for 1 to 2 hours after general daily sightseeing. Just feel free to tell your guide if you are interested in an extra hiking experience.
Generally, you don't need to pay extra money for the hours' hiking.
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Cultural Exploration
Bhutan is a place that 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 want 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 one 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 also have 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 on 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 offers typicla 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 western buffet in some hotels in Bhutan. There are more choices for you.
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Western Breakfast
The breakfast offered in Bhutan hotels often include the egg, the 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 tourists. There are also kinds of soft drinks you can buy in the restaurant, hotel 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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