Bhutan Panorama

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: Lunch & 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, Punakha

Day 04: Hiking and sightseeing in Punakha: After breakfast, set out on a hike to Limbukha. Begin with a short drive to the trailhead, then hike through scenic farmland before gradually ascending through forested slopes toward Dompala Hill. The hike takes approximately three hours and is mostly uphill. Perched on Dompala Hill, Limbukha is one of the most picturesque villages in Punakha, renowned for cultivating red rice known for its medicinal properties. After exploring the village, drive back to Punakha. The afternoon is free for leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Accommodation: Spirit Village Lodge, Punakha
Room category: Seems only one category room available

Day 5 - Drive to Gangtey / Phobjikha Valley (9500ft), approx. 3 ½ hours’ drive: After breakfast, begin your journey with a scenic drive eastward, winding through mountain roads as you ascend to 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, Gangtey

Day 6 - Hiking and sightseeing 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, Gangtey

Day 7 - Drive to Bumthang (9020 ft), approx. 5 hours’ drive: After breakfast, set off on the road to Jakar. The road climbs and crosses the black mountains at Pele-la pass (3420m / 11200ft). From here, on a clear day, you can see Mt. Jumolhari, and other mountains across the valley. After the pass, you are now in the Mangde region and people speak different dialects here. Continue driving to Trongsa, en-route stopping at Chendebji chorten and other places along the way to stretch your legs, enjoy the landscape. Visit Trongsa Dzong (fortress-monastery), which is considered one of the largest and certainly the most impressive of all Dzongs in Bhutan. From Trongsa, the road climbs to another pass, Youtong-la (3425m / 11230ft), then descends to the Bumthang valleys.

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

Day 8 - Hiking and sightseeing in Bumthang: Bumthang is one of the most picturesque regions in Bhutan, widely regarded as the cultural and spiritual heartland of the country. It is home to many ancient Buddhist monasteries and sacred temples.
After breakfast, take a short drive and 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 meanders peacefully through forested terrain, with no steep ascents or descents. Following the hike, visit the sacred Kurjey Lhakhang, believed to be the meditation site of Guru Rinpoche, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism in Bhutan. The temple enshrines a rock bearing the imprint of his body and is considered one of the holiest sites in the country.
In the afternoon, visit Jakar Dzong, also known as the “Castle of the White Bird.” Now serving as the administrative center of Bumthang District and the seat of the regional monastic body, the dzong is perched above the valley and offers sweeping views of the Chokhor and Bumthang Valleys.

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

Day 09 - Hiking and sightseeing in Bumthang: Enjoy one of the most scenic drives in Bhutan, with breathtaking views along a route that winds through farmlands producing rice, buckwheat, potatoes, apples, honey, and dairy products. Stop at Tang Valley to visit Tang Rimochen Lhakhang, a sacred site where Guru Rinpoche is believed to have meditated.
Continue driving to Kizum. After crossing the Kizum Bridge over the Tang River, begin an uphill hike of about 45 to 60 minutes (approximately 1½ hours round trip) to reach Ogyen Choling Palace, a site of great historical and spiritual significance for both Bhutanese and Tibetans.
Ogyen Choling is a heritage home that has preserved ancient artifacts and traditional household items. The descendants of the Choling family transformed their ancestral home into a museum to share their rich history. A visit offers a rare glimpse into Bhutan’s rural life and cultural legacy.

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

Day 10 - 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, Wangdu

Day 11 - 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, Paro
 
Day 12 - Hike to Taktsang Monastery or Tiger's Nest (10240 ft) in Paro: 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, Paro
 
Day 13 - Depart from Paro: Transfer to airport for onward journey.
Meals: Breakfast