At a Glance
Duration: 15 days
Group Size: Starting 2 persons to a maximum of 15 persons
Tour Grading: Moderate and Adventure
Activity: Cultural, Heritage & Excursion, Leisure hikes
Sights: Tiger’s Nest monastery, Punakha Dzong, Paro Dzong, Phobjikha Valley, Thimphu Centenary Market, Kuenselphordang (Buddha Dordenma), Painting School of Arts and Crafts, Textile Museum, National Museum, Madman’s Temple, Yathra Weaving Center, Maebar Tso (the Burning Lake), Textile Village, Chorten Kora, Gom Kora, Trashigang Dzong.
Best Season: January through December
Trip Route: Paro – Thimphu – Punakha – Phobjikha – Trongsa – Bumthang – Mongar – Trashigang – Tashiyangtse – Samdrup Jongkhar – exit to Guwahati (India)
The 15-day visit will cover all the valleys of Bhutan, which will give you a mixture of immense experiences in between the unique tradition and the modern era. Facilities such as accommodation, food, and shopping may be vast in Thimphu, Paro, and Punakha while they may be limited and basic in other places. As you drive along the way, you will come across lots of school-going children and locals wishing you merrily. These would be recommendable for nice pictures. Bhutanese people are usually friendly and always happy, with warm, open hearts. Locals believe it to be auspicious and lucky if you are blessed by a phallus – a wooden effigy that you could find while taking a leisurely walk to the Divine Madman’s temple in Punakha. You may also find the roads very narrow and rocky once you cross Wangduephodrang, but with our professional drivers, that would be the least you would have to think about. Bumthang in the central region is blessed with most of the auspicious temples. If you love Buddhism, you should not miss the religious sites here. The eastern region of Mongar and Trashigang is filled with beautiful textile weavers.
Trip Highlights
- The only Capital in the world without traffic lights
- Bhutan Postal Museum, Evolution of Communication Systems in Bhutan
- Phobjikha, the valley of the sacred Black-Necked Cranes
- Stunning views from the passes of Pele-la and Yotong-la
- The Vanguard of the Warriors, Trongsa Dzong, Ta Dzong—Watchtower
- Bumthang – a place filled with maximum religious sites
- Chimi Lhakhang – the temple of fertility
- Tiger’s Nest – an exhilarating task of 2 hrs climbing and another 1.5 hrs retrieving steps
- Textile Village (Khoma)
Day 1: Arrive Paro, and Sightseeing
Upon arrival in Paro, a scenic drive takes you to the town center. Stroll to Paro Dzong, a historic fortress showcasing Bhutanese culture. Explore Dungtse Lhankhang and wander around town.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 2: Paro Valley Exploration
Explore Paro Valley with a visit to Dzongdrakha cave temples, followed by a tour of local farmhouses and Bondey village. Discover Kichu Lhakhang temple, Satsam Chorten, and Drugyal Dzong ruins.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 3: Thimphu
For those inclined, embark on the iconic hike to Takstang (Tiger’s Nest monastery). Alternatively, explore Paro valley before driving to Thimphu.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 4: Thimphu Sightseeing
A comprehensive day in the capital might entail visits to Memorial Chorten, Takin sanctuary, Zilukha nunnery, Textile Museum, and Tashicho Dzong.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 5 & 6: Punakha and Wangdue
On Day 5, we explore Thimphu in the morning, then head east across Dochula Pass to Punakha and Wangdue valley, exploring en route. We visit Chimi Lhakhang temple in the evening. Day 6 includes a visit to Khamsum Yuley Namgay Chorten followed by Punakha Dzong and other nearby sites.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 7: Phobjikha Valley
In the morning, journey to Phobjikha valley from Wangdue Phodrang (2-3hr). Explore Gangtey Gompa monastery and take a leisurely walk in the valley. Observe black-necked cranes if present.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 8, 9 & 10: Trongsa & Bumthang
On Day 8, drive to Trongsa and explore Trongsa Dzong. Proceed to Jakar, stopping at Chumey valley en route. Spend two full days in Bumthang, exploring its cultural richness and possibly attending local festivals. Bumthang, renowned as Bhutan's cultural heartland, embraces Buddhism's roots introduced by Padmasambhava in A.D. 746. Its picturesque valleys, adorned with buckwheat fields and apple orchards, nestled amidst pine forests, offer unparalleled beauty.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 11: Mongar
The journey from Jakar to Mongar encompasses diverse landscapes, passing through Ura village, Thrumshing La pass (3800m) offering panoramic mountain vistas, and Sengor village. Descending through shifting vegetation, the road reaches Kuri Zampa at 570m above sea level, followed by a climb of over 1100m to Mongar town. Despite its length, the drive is scenic, showcasing a range of flora and fauna.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 12: Trashigang
Explore Mongar Dzong before embarking on a scenic 3-hour drive to Trashigang, punctuated by village visits and potential school stops. Upon reaching, delve into Trashigang Dzong and the vibrant town.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 13: Tashiyangtse
Embark on a day excursion to Tashiyangtse, stopping by Gomkora temple and Doksum village en route. Explore Trashiyantse, visiting the Traditional Art School, Chorten Kora, and wandering through the quaint town.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 14 — Samdrup Jonkhar
Samdrup Jonkhar
Drive from Tashigang to Samdrup Jongkhar and along the way; stop at some of the villages and small towns of eastern Bhutan, such as Kanglung, Khaling, Wamrong, and Deothang. The drive is a long one, but very interesting as we descend down hills and pass through several villages.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 15 — Exit Bhutan
After breakfast, commence the journey to India, requiring an Indian Visa. Transfer to Guwahati airport (Approx. 3 hrs. drive) for your departure flight.
