Explore Bhutan Tour

title

Trip Introduction

Each monastery or dzong holds an annual festival, Tsechu, which instructs onlookers in the Buddhist teachings, gains them merit and acts as an important social occasion. The valleys of Bumthang are the heart of central Bhutan, their incredible beauty highlighted by numerous palaces, ancient temples and monasteries.

Few westerners visit Bhutan's central Bumthang district with its four sacred valleys. Fewer still venture to far eastern Bhutan with its distinctive peoples, culture and its rich natural history. The 21-day tour offers a rare insight of the entire country of Bhutan including Paro, Thimpu, Punakha, the sacred Bumthang valleys and the rarely seen Eastern Bhutan.

After exploring the Paro and Thimpu's craft centers dzongs, and over the Dochu La to top at Bhutan's ancient capital of Punakha where the great Punakha Dzong stands at the confluence of the Pho Chu and Mho Cho Rivers. Contining westwards we visit the alpine the alpine valley of Bhobjika where we will visit the Gangtey Gompa and then on to Trongsa and then to Jakar, Bumthang's main village. This is Bhutan's most sacred valleys, hallowed 1,200 years ago by the visits of Padmashambava the great Buddhist guru also knows as the Guru Rimpoche.

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival Paro International airport / transfer to Thimpu (2300m) - 2 hrs. drive
Day 02: Thimpu sightseeing
Day 03: Thimphu - Punakha (1250m.) - 3/4hrs drive
Day 04: Excursion to Gangtey (2890m.) - Trongsa (2317m.) - 6/7 hrs. drive
Day 05: Trongsa - Bumthang (2600m.) - 3 hrs. drive
Day 06: Bumthang (Jakar valley)
Day 07: Bumthang (Jakar valley)
Day 09: Bumthang - Wangdiphodrang (1350m.) - 7 hrs. drive
Day 10: Wangdiphodrang - Paro (2200m.)
Day 11: Paro - hike to Taksang (Tiger’s Nest Monastery)
Day 12: Departure 

Day 01: Arrival Paro International airport / transfer to Thimpu (2300m) - 2 hrs. drive
During the flight, on a clear day, you can see breathtaking views of the Himalaya Mountains, including the sacred Jumolhari and Jichu Drake Peaks in Bhutan. On arrival you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel.

If time permit in the afternoon you can visit the following places:
- Kyichu Lhakhang
- Paro Dzong

In the evening you can drive to the capital town of Thimphu.

Accommodation: Hotel, Meals: Dinner

Day 02: Thimpu sightseeing
There are a good many things to see in the capital which has a very relaxed, laid-back feel about it. Thimphu is relatively small having a population of approximately 45,000 people and the streets are wide and tree lined. You will almost certainly visit the Late King's Memorial Chorten, the National Library, Drubthob Nunnery, Folk Heritage Museum, the handmade paper factory, the school of arts and crafts where young students learn the traditional arts and crafts (Zo Rig Chusum – the thirteen crafts), Gold and the Silver Smiths workshop, Zangtopelri Lhakhang, and the Handicraft Emporium and the local handicraft centers to see the weavers at work and also varieties of textiles, Thangkha paintings, Masks, Jewellery etc

Accommodation: Hotel, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 03: Thimpu - Punakha (1250m.) - 3/4 hrs. drive
After breakfast you will drive to Punakha, with a stop en route for tea at Dochu La (3,100 meters), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas. After lunch at Wangduephodrong continue to drive to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan, and visit Punakha Dzong, which is noteworthy both for being one of the most beautiful Dzongs in Bhutan and also for having been built by the first Shabdrung in 1636.

Accommodation: Hotel, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 04: Excursion to Gangtey (2890m.) - Trongsa (2317m.) - 6/7 hrs. drive
Today early morning we depart for central Bhutan through the tropical vegetation to Nobding.  Throughout your trip you will come across the beautiful sceneries of rural Bhutan, with scattered settlements far from the road. We drive about an hour towards Pelela pass (11,000ft) and retrace our steps and take a road that heads to Gangtey Gompa over Tashi La pass. Descend about an hour to Phobjikha Valley. It is a wide open valley, where Gangtey Gompa is ideally located on a hill over looking the valley. It is the winter habitat for the Black necked cranes migrating from Tibet early November till mid March. Gangtey Gompa is institute for monks following the Nyingmapa sect in the country. After visiting the monastery we drive back over the Pelela pass. Descend through the open meadows and valley of yak herders and several villages via Chendeji Chorten built in a form of Nepalese style in 15th century.  Picnic lunch will be served enroute or at the restaurant at Chendebji. We drive for another 2 hours passing through several villages like Tsangkha, Tashicholing. Enroute stop at the viewpoint of Trongsa Dzong. Drive for another ½ an hour to your hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 05: Trongsa - Bumthang (2600m.) - 3 hrs. drive
After breakfast we visit one of the most beautiful dzongs (forts) of Bhutan, the Trongsa Dzong that overlooking the Mangde Chhu Valley, where temples, monasteries and retreats of great importance house many sacred images and relics. After lunch we drive to Yotong La Pass at 3425 meters and slowly descend to Zungney passing through fir, blue pine and bamboo forests and reach Jakar. On reaching Jakar late afternoon, dinner and overnight in the hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 06: Bumthang (Jakar valley):
Visit Jakar Dzong and the most important chapels with wonderful paintings and murals; visit Jampey lhakang, built in the 7th century, Chakhar Lhakhang, Kurjey lhakhang and overnight in the hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 07: Bumthang (Jakar valley):
After breakfast drive to the Tang valley visiting the Membartsho/Fire Lake, where Terton Pema Lingpa discovered a hidden treasure, Tang Rimochen Lakhang and Ogyen Chholing Palace. Today if the group prepared, all the visits can be done by trekking, a sort of pilgrimage. Those who cannot walk can be transferred by jeep which is at our disposal all the time. Back to Jakar in the late afternoon, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Hotel, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 08: Bumthang (Jakar valley):
Visit Ura Valley, the most ancient village in Bhutan. Spend some time birding and walking in wilderness areas in the Bumthang Valley. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 09: Bumthang / Wangdiphodrang (1350m.) - 7 hrs. drive
It will take 7-8 hours long drive to Wangdue. Lunch will be served at Chendebji Chorten.

Visit the Wangdi Phodrang Dzong, built in 1750, the market place, and overnight in the hotel after dinner. (Approximately 3 hours drive and 70km distance).

Accommodation: Hotel, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 10: Wangdiphodrang - Paro (2200m.) - 3/4 hrs. drive
Today we drive along the winding mountain road to Paro. Afternoon, visit Bhutan's national museum, a fascinating place housed in an old watchtower above the huge Paro Dzong (monastery/fortress). The museum holds a fantastic collection of Bhutanese national treasures ranging from ancient armour to textiles and thangkha paintings. Then, we drive to the head of the valley and visit Drukgyel Dzong built in a location that was chosen for its control over the route to Tibet. A spectacular view of Mount Jumolhari (23,996ft /7314m) can be seen from here. Also visit Rinpung Dzong and a typical Bhutanese farm house.

Accommodation: Hotel, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 11: Paro - hike to Taksang (Tiger’s Nest Monastery)
After breakfast hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, Bhutan’s most famous monastery. It is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. The hike to reach the viewpoint to the monastery makes for a nice half-day excursion. After lunch you can visit other important site which you could not complete previous days.

Accommodation: Hotel, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 12: Departure
Drive to the airport to connect flight for onward destination. Or Fly to Kathmandu for Nepal Tours.

Meals: Breakfast

Dates & Prices

Please contact us for your own tour date as we offer tour on any dates that is suitable for you. And also please note that this is tailor-made tour, you can add or reduce the days & places in tour program as per your time availability.

For the price please contact us at: sales@friendshiptravels.com

Explore Bhutan Tour

Chris Wells & Stephene Goodrich

United States

2009-05-06

My sister and I traveled in Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan for 2 weeks with Friendship Tours. The trip, including all the internal airflights, visas and accommodations was arranged by Roka, the manager of Friendship Tours.  He certainly did his very best to make this an enjoyable adventure.  Our hotel in Kathmandu, Yak and Yeti was first rate with a great outdoor swimming pool, health spa and beautiful gardens.  The Potala Palace tour was the highlight of our 3 days in Tibet.  However, the accommodations at the Manasarovar Hotel in Lhasa left a lot to be desired.  We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in the kingdom of Bhutan, our guide and driver were exceptionally friendly and informative about their country's culture. 
 
The last stop on our adjenda was the Royal Chitwan National Park.  Although the accommodations at the Machan Paradise View were rather spartan, we enjoyed the elephant safari ride, looking for rhinos and other big game. Roka and his staff of guides and drivers made this an exciting and enjoyable trip to be remembered. 

Load More

What is Included in the Cost

    • All arrival and departure transfers using private vehicle
    • Twin share hotel accommodation at respective hotels on BB (Bed & Breakfast) basis
    • Lunch & Dinner
    • All sightseeing tour with local English speaking guide
    • All transfer by private vehicle; it is depend on group size
    • Necessary entrance fee as per itinerary

What is Excluded in the Cost

    • International flight ticket.
    • Bhutan visa fee US$ 40.00 and TDF US$ 10 per person
    • Beverage and expenses of personal nature.
    • Any Optional Sightseeing Tours and extension of tours, hotel accommodation etc.
    • Tips to guide, porters, drivers etc.
    • Personal Insurance.

personal information

  • Mr.
  • Ms.
  • Dr.

trips information

  • Mt. Everest Flight
  • Air Ticket
  • Airport Pickup

Trip Facts

  • Trip Code: ftb006
  • Trip duration: 12 Days
  • Grade: Easy to Moderate
  • Group size: 2-12
  • Max-Altitude: 3425m.
  • Activity: Sightseeing tours
  • Starts in: Paro
  • Ends in: Paro
  • Accomodation: Hotel
  • Transportation: Private as per group size
  • Best Time: Around the year
Post a Review

Please rate the package.

For Quick Enquiry

Please feel free to contact us. We will get back to you soon.

Cell: +9779851081841 (Wechat/Whatsapp/Viber etc.).

E-Mail: sales@friendshiptravels.com or tournepal@gmail.com