Explore Bhutan tour - 10 days

As we fly above Himalayas towards Bhutan we will be able to catch the view of snow-clad highest mountains in the world and as we come closer to Bhutan we witness the holy Jumolhari and JIchu Drake peaks of Bhutan. Upon reaching Paro we will drive towards Thimphu for overnight stay. It's a short one hour drive and you will see the emerald landscapes from you vehicle. At Thimpu you can stroll to talk with people and learn their lifestyle.

On this day we visit the memorial chorten. The stupa, built in 1974 to honor the third Druk Gyalpo, Jigne Dorgi Wangchuk (1952–1972), is a prominent landmark in the city with its golden spires and bells. We also visit Nunnery Temple, the National library, folk heritage museum which sheds light on the lifestyle of rural Bhutanese people, the institute of Zorig Chusum (commonly known as painting school), and textile museum which are the repository of ancient textiles made in Bhutan, Tashichhodzong, and the colossal Budda statue lying on the hill overlooking Thimphu which is the largest shakyamuni statue in the world. We will visit National Institute of Traditional medicine and a traditional paper factory. If you like to ramble in streets for shopping you can also buy traditional handicraft items and many more here at Thimphu.

We drive towards Punakha via Dochula pass (3150 m) enjoying the view of small villages and landscapes scenery. If the weather is clear we will stop at Dochula pass to have some tea and admire the spectacular view of mountains. This place is marked by prayer flags and monuments and displays the visionary work of current monarch. After some moments capturing the stunning views we hop into our Jeep to drive downhill crossing forests of pine and rhododendron trees. The aroma and picturesque view of the forest trail are mesmerizing. On our way we stop at Lobesha for lunch from where we hike towards Chimi lhakhang temple. It is believed that the yogi Drukpa Keunly “the divine madman” used to revered in the temple who cured infertility in women. We further continue to drive towards Punakha.

We hike in the village on this day enjoying the stunning countryside view we cross a suspension bridge and walk on a leveled trail alongside Mo Chu river. On our way we visit a local village with welcoming people. They can offer you butter tea, which is the speciality of Bhutan and you can spend some time experiencing their lifestyle and visiting farmhouses. We further hike towards Khamsum valley, Namgyel chorten a delightful 3-story chorten that overlooks the upper punakha valley. You will enjoy the breathtaking scenes of the valley and surrounding mountains. After having a delightful experience and chorten you will hike down towards the road where your vehicle will be waiting for your return. You will be driven to Punakha and transferred to the hotel for overnight stay.

We drive to Bhumtang through Pele la pass (3300m elevation) after breakfast. At Trangsa we will have our lunch and visit Trangsa Dzong, the spectacular masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture. We further drive and on our way we visit Yathra (a textile weaving factory), where the Yathras are designed with a pattern unique to Bhumtang. We drive through lush hill covered with forest to finally arrive at Bhumtang for overnight stay.

Bhumtang is a cultural heartland of Bhutan. Today we will be sightseeing in Bhumtang and visit Jakar Dzong - the administrative center of Bhumtang, Udee wood carving factory, Jambay Lhakhang - one of the oldest monasteries, which is believed to have introduced Buddhism in Bhutan, Kuchey Lhakhang, one of the holy places and it is said that Guru Rimpoche has left the image imprinted on the cave after leaving the body while meditating and Tamsing Lhakhang where we observe the oldest painting.

We mark this day as the start of our return journey. On our way we stop at Chendebji Chorten built in Nepalese style by lama named Zhida. We have our lunch at chorten, further drive towards Punakha for overnight stay.

In the morning after breakfast we visit Punakha. We will retrace our track via Dochi la pass, We have our lunch in Thimphu and arrive at Paro. At Paro we visit Rinpung Dzong meaning fortress of the heap of jewels and Kichu lhakhang, the oldest and most sacred temple in the country. We stay overnight in a hotel at Paro.

This is a special day as we will visit one of the specialities of Bhutan Tiger’s Nest Monastery. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche (spiritual master) have flown on the back of a tigress to meditate on the cave, the place where now the spectacular Monastery Stands. We hike towards Tiger Nest Monastery and have our lunch at a cafeteria Restaurant which is at the halfway up on the mountain. The monastery lies 900m above Paro valley on the edge of a steep cliff. Enjoy some time at the monastery and if you wish you can sit for a short meditation before descending back to the valley floor. Overnight stay at a hotel in Paro.

One hour of drive will lead us to Paro from Thimphu. We will catch an early flight to return to either Kathmandu or if you want to return to your home we can make such arrangements. We will grab some local breakfast at last before leaving this isolated beautiful Himalayan kingdom.