Best of Bhutan

Day 1 - Arrive in Paro (7200ft) – Drive to Thimpu (7600ft), approx. 1 hour drive: Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be greeted by our representative, who will assist you with your transfer to the hotel. Enjoy a scenic one-hour drive to Thimphu, the world’s smallest capital city. After checking in at the hotel and freshening up, visit the Memorial Chorten, followed by a drive to Buddha Dordenma – a massive statue perched on a hilltop overlooking the Thimphu Valley.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: The Capital Hotel, Thimphu

Day 2 – Sightseeing in Thimphu: Spend the day exploring various sites that offer insight into Bhutanese art, architecture, and culture. Visit the Folk Heritage Museum, Simply Bhutan Museum, and Textile Museum, followed by the National Library and Tashichhodzong – the “Fortress of the Glorious Religion” and the seat of Bhutan’s royal government. If time permits, enjoy a leisurely stroll around the city.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Accommodation: The Capital Hotel, Thimphu

Day 3 - Drive to Punakha (4070ft), approx. 3 hours’ drive: Make your way to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan, enjoying panoramic views from the Dochu La Pass (10,200 ft) en route. After checking in at your hotel, visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong, one of the most spectacular in the country, which also serves as the winter residence of the Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot of Bhutan. Next, explore Ritsa Village, renowned for its rice cultivation, where both red and white rice are grown. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through this traditional village.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Accommodation: Spirit Village Lodge 

Day 4 - Drive to Gangtey / Phobjikha Valley (9500ft), approx. 3 ½ hours’ drive: After breakfast, set off on a scenic drive eastward, climbing along winding mountain roads to reach the glacial valley of Gangtey (Phobjikha). En route, take a short walk to Chimi Lhakhang, also known as the Temple of the Divine Madman, a uniquely adorned 15th-century temple believed to bless visiting couples with fertility. Upon arrival, you'll be greeted by the breathtaking beauty of the valley, a harmonious blend of mountains, forests, wildlife, and open meadows. This tranquil and remote valley is the winter home of the endangered black-necked cranes, which migrate from the arid plains of Tibet to spend the colder months in Bhutan’s milder climate. After checking in at the hotel and enjoying lunch, take a leisurely stroll through the surrounding villages.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Accommodation: Gangtey Tent Resort

Day 4 - In Gangtey: Visit the ancient Gangtey Monastery and the surrounding village, located on a hill ridge overlooking the vast and beautiful Phobjikha Valley. Then, enjoy a pleasant hike along the Gangtey Nature Trail, which offers a chance to experience Phobjikha valley’s rich biodiversity and breathtaking landscapes. The afternoon is free for leisure, allowing you to enjoy an archery demonstration, experience a traditional hot stone bath, or simply relax at the resort.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Accommodation: Gangtey Tent Resort

Day 5 - Drive to Bumthang (9020 ft), approx. 5 hours’ drive: Embark on another exciting drive toward Jakar. The road ascends and crosses the Black Mountains at Pele La Pass (3,420 m / 11,200 ft). On a clear day, you can enjoy sweeping views of Mt. Jumolhari and other distant peaks across the valley. After the pass, you enter the Mangde region, where locals speak different dialects. Continue driving to Trongsa, stopping en route at Chendebji Chorten and other scenic spots to stretch your legs and enjoy the landscape. Visit Trongsa Dzong, one of the largest and most impressive fortress-monasteries in Bhutan. From Trongsa, the road climbs again to Yotong La Pass (11,230 ft) before descending into the beautiful Bumthang valleys.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Accommodation: Jakar Village Lodge

Day 6 - In Bumthang: Bumthang is one of the most picturesque regions in Bhutan, widely regarded as the cultural and spiritual heartland of the country, and home to many ancient Buddhist monasteries and temples.
After breakfast, take a short drive and then enjoy a pleasant 1½-hour hike through the scenic upper Chokhor Valley to Thangbi Lhakhang, an important Buddhist temple founded in 1470 by the 4th Shamar Rinpoche. The trail winds peacefully through forested terrain with no steep ascents or descents.After the hike, visit the sacred Khurje Lhakhang, believed to be the site where Guru Rinpoche (the founder of Tibetan Buddhism in Bhutan) meditated. The temple houses a rock bearing the imprint of his body and is considered one of the holiest sites in Bhutan.
In the afternoon, visit Jakar Dzong, also known as the “Castle of the White Bird.” It now serves as the administrative center of Bumthang District and houses the regional monastic body. Perched above the valley, the dzong offers stunning views of the Chokhor and Bumthang Valleys.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Accommodation: Jakar Village Lodge 

Day 8 - Drive to Wangdu (4300 ft), approx. 6 hours’ drive: Retrace your drive across Yotong La Pass, through Trongsa and Pele La Pass, to Wangdue, home to one of the largest dzongs in the country. With its diverse climate and rich natural resources, Wangdue is a haven for rare and exotic wildlife, including red pandas, tigers, and leopards. The region also hosts a variety of rare bird species such as the black-necked crane, white-bellied heron, and spotted eagle. After checking in at the hotel, enjoy some leisure time to rest and relax.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Accommodation: Wangdu Eco Lodge

Day 9 - Drive to Paro (7200 ft), approx. 4 hours’ drive: Retrace your drive across Dochu La Pass, through Thimphu, and onward to Paro. On the way, stop at the 15th-century iron bridge built by Thangtong Gyalpo (1385 - 1464), a great yogi, physician, blacksmith, and architect. After lunch in Paro, visit Ta Dzong – the National Museum of Bhutan, which showcases the country’s rich culture, art, and natural history. Then, visit Rinpung Dzong, a fortress-monastery overlooking the Paro Valley with a long and storied history. Built in 1644 by Ngawang Namgyal, the dzong served as a stronghold against repeated Tibetan invasion attempts.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Accommodation: Rema Resort

Day 10 - In Paro: Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery (10240 ft): Rise early for the unforgettable hike to the magnificent Tiger’s Nest Monastery. The trail is approximately two miles long and takes about three hours uphill hike to reach the iconic Taktsang Monastery, which clings dramatically to a cliffside 3,000 feet above the valley floor. A sacred pilgrimage site, Tiger’s Nest is believed to be where the great tantric master Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) arrived on the back of a flying tigress. It is here that he meditated and spread the teachings of tantric Buddhism in Bhutan. After exploring the monastery, hike back down, an easy descent that takes around two hours. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Accommodation: Rema Resort

Day 11 - Depart from Paro: Transfer to airport for onward journey.
Meals: Breakfast