12-Day Journey through Western and Central Bhutan from Paro: Tashichhoe Dzong | Ancient Trail Hike | Gangtey Monastery | Nature Trail Hike | Ugyen Chholing Palace | Tiger’s Nest

What you'll experience

Highlights

12 days

Day-by-day itinerary

1. 1

   Day 1 — Arrive Paro International Airport - Paro Sights & Acclimatization Day!

   Embark on a 12-day spiritual journey through Western and Central Bhutan. Explore the enchanting Paro Valley with its iconic Tiger's Nest Monastery. Journey to the tranquil Haa Valley, then visit the majestic Punakha Dzong. In Phobjikha, witness the awe-inspiring Black-necked Crane migration. Delve into the spiritual heartland of Bhutan in Trongsa and Bumthang, where sacred monasteries and temples are nestled amid serene Himalayan landscapes. This tour offers a deep cultural and spiritual immersion into the heart of Bhutan.
   • After enjoying the view from the old-road airport view-point, get blessings at the oldest temple Kichu lhakhang, built in 629 AD by a Tibetan king. • Rinpung Dzong “fortress of the heap of jewels.” • Visit Ta Dzong, an ancient Watch Tower turned into a museum to get the first cultural glimpses of Bhutan. • Optional; hike 45 mins from this point to Uma resort on the northern slope of Paro. The forested trail offers beautiful view of the surrounding Paro valley, rice field, town and the river. • Witness an archery match played by locals with lots of hue and cry! • In evening free to roam around Paro town on your own or with your guide. Overnight Paro (Alt; 2320m).

   

   Ta Dzong

   

   Rinpung Dzong

   Meals: B: Excluded, L: Included, D: IncludedStay: 3 star hotel
2. 2

   Day 2 — Discovering Punakha & Wangdue

   • En route stop by Dochula pass (3150m) to enjoy spectacular views of the eastern Himalayan mountain range. • Stroll around 108 stupas and enter Drukwangyel (Royal temple). • Walk around Royal Botanical Garden at Lamperi. Optional, situated at an altitude range of 2100m to 3800m. • Visit the Punakha Dzong, "Palace of the Great Happiness". This beautiful fortress lies between two rivers, the Pochu and Mochu, male and female river • Walk on the 200m suspension bridge above Phochu river to Gidagom village. • In evening, hike along the Metshina village to Chimi lhakhang, a solitary “fertility temple” where a childless couple who comes to pray is usually blessed with a child. Overnight Punakha & Wangdue (Alt; 1240m) • Evening, time at your leisure. Overnight Wangdue & Punakha (Alt; 1240m)

   

   Punakha Dzong

   

   Chimi Lhakhang

   Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: IncludedStay: 3 star hotel
3. 3

   Day 3 — Trongsa Landscape & the Ancient Trail

   • Drive to Trongsa, stopping for mountain-view at Pele La pass (3,300m). It’s common to spot yaks along this pass. • As you reach Rukubji valley, the houses are clustered amid extensive fields of mustard, potatoes, barley, and wheat. • En route circumambulate Chendebji chorten, a large white stupa beside a stream. • Enjoy full view of Trongsa Dzong from Tangsibji. • Optional- Embark on the Ancient Trail Hike down to the river base and up to the fortress (2.5 hrs walk).Trongsa fortress used to be one of the most powerful Dzong’s of Bhutan and this trail used to be only path for the traveler’s before roads were built. • Visit Trongsa Dzong; a white fortress that appears to grow directly up from the narrow green ridge. • The ancient Watch Tower which is now turned into a historical museum. • Walk around the sloppy town of Trongsa. Overnight Trongsa (Alt; 2180)

   

   Trongsa Dzong

   Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: IncludedStay: 3 star hotel
4. 4

   Day 4 — Bumthang Scenic Tour

   • Drive over one of the most scenically beautiful routes in Bhutan, to Bumthang, the Spiritual Heartland of the Kingdom.It is also called the little Switzerland of Asian by travelers. • Stop along the journey to enjoy scenery, villages and for photography. • As you enter Chumey valley, visit Yathra weaving centre. The hand-woven woolen cloth produced locally. • Visit the Red Panda local beer factory. The manager will show you how beer is brewed followed by a visit to Swiss & local cheese factory in Chumey valley. • Kharchu draktsang (monastery); the biggest Buddhist colleges of the kingdom. • After enjoying the sunset stroll down from the monastery to the river bank and walk around Bumthang’s local town. Overnight Bumthang (Alt; 2600m)

   Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: IncludedStay: 3 star hotel
5. 5

   Day 5 — Bumthang Spiritual Sightseeing

   • Visit Jakar Dzong (fortress of the White-bird). It is one of the biggest Dzongs in Bhutan with the surrounding walls about 1 km in circumference. • Hike along a series of ancient and important sites such as, Jambay lhakhang, Kurjey lhakhang, &Tamshinglhakhang. (These temples have many mythical stories linked to its origin and dates back as early as 7th century. Your guide will unfold its mystery as you visit these sites). Try meditation at the inner shrine room of Tamshing lhakhang, it has a profound energy field. • In evening, stroll around the quite local town of Bumthang and shop for souvenir. Overnight Bumthang

   Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: IncludedStay: 3 star hotel
6. 6

   Day 6 — Excursion to Tang Valley

   • Drive up the hill to Tang valley and visit the mystical Ugyen Choling Palace. Ugyen Choling is a national treasure. Its remote location makes it the less frequently visited historical sites in Bhutan. • En route take a short hike to Menbar Tsho (the burning lake). This lake is the holiest lake in the country and is believed to be a wish fulfilling lake. • After lunch at Ugyen Choling Palace, drive down to visit Tang Rimpoche’s temple and Nunnery. • Visit Guru’s Nye , Tang Lhakhang, located below an enormous rock .The monastery is marked as a sacred place because Guru meditated here. The rock has a body print of Guru and his two consorts. Locals also believe it’s the gate way to Zangtopelri ( Heaven ) • Drive back to Bumthang in the evening. Stroll in the town at your leisure. Overnight Bumthang

   Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: IncludedStay: 3 star hotel
7. 7

   Day 7 — Gangtey Rural Expedition

   • Drive on different vegetation of alpine, subtropical and glacial. Phobjikha is a glacial valley on the north western tip of the Black Mountain. It’s also one of the roosting grounds of the Black-necked cranes. • Embark on the Nature trail hike (2hr) across the refreshing Blue-pine forest to Kwewa village (1.5hr hike). Try homemade tea & local snacks at village home. Interact with the monks at Kewa Monastery. • Visit the Crane Info Centre to watch the Black Necked Cranes in their natural inhabitants • Free to walk around village or drive to your hotel for rest. Overnight Phobjikha (2900m)

   Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: IncludedStay: 3 star hotel
8. 8

   Day 8 — Thimphu Happiness Tour

   • At dawn, free to walk out into the green valley to enjoy the sunrise. • After breakfast,visit Gangtey gomba; the largest Nyingma Monastery of the kingdom. Interact with the monks and sit silently in the prayer room. • Stop at Drukwangyel Cafe for hot cup of coffee and mountain-view and head to Thimphu. • After check in your hotel and some rest; drive to Buddha Gang, which offers a spectacular view of Thimphu city. This giant Buddha-statue overlooking Thimphu is one of the biggest in the world. Circumambulate Memorial chorten (huge stupa). This is the favorite spot for the locals of all age to chant mantras, prostrate, pray and practice their devotion. • In evening, time at your leisure. Yoga session, optional if interested. • Dinner in Bhutanese traditional dress at a local restaurant and if interested, you will be joined by some local friends. Overnight Thimphu (Alt; 2320m)

   Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: IncludedStay: 3 star hotel
9. 9

   Day 9 — Thimphu Happiness Tour

   • At dawn, free to walk out into the green valley to enjoy the sunrise. • In morning, visit Gangtey gomba; the largest Nyingma Monastery of the kingdom. Interact with the monks and sit silently in the prayer room. • Stop at Drukwangyel Cafe for hot cup of coffee and mountain-view and head to Thimphu. • After check in your hotel and some rest; drive to Buddha Gang, which offers a spectacular view of Thimphu city. This giant Buddha-statue overlooking Thimphu is one of the biggest in the world. Circumambulate Memorial chorten (huge stupa). This is the favorite spot for the locals of all age to chant mantras, prostrate, pray and practice their devotion. • In evening, time at your leisure. Overnight Thimphu (Alt; 2320m)

   

   Motithang Takin Preserve

   

   Thimphu Memorial Chorten

   

   Tashichho Dzong

   Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: IncludedStay: 3 star hotel
10. 10

    Day 10 — Escape to Kila Gomba & Haa Valley

    • Drive to Chelela pass (3,810m) & enjoy the bird’s eye view of the Mt. Chomolhari (7134m). • Walk on the ancient trail amidst tall Alpine trees to the solitary Kila gomba. The hike to this oldest nunnery takes about 2hrs round trip.(drive via new road to Kila gomba, 0ptional) • After picnic lunch, drive to the pristine Haa valley which was closed to the outsider till 2001. • Visit the remote monasteries below mountain peaks like the temple of Black Dove & White Dove. • In evening, walk in the local town and talk to villagers. Overnight Haa. (Alt; 2670m)

    Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: Included
11. 11

    Day 11 — Excursion to Mystical Taktsang

    • Wholesome breakfast, spend your day hiking up the forested path to Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest, Bhutan’s most famous and scenic icon. Tiger’s Nest clings to sheer cliffs of 900m above Paro valley. The climb is steep and takes about 4-5hrs round trip. • Lunch at the hillside cafe with close Tiger’s Nest view. • We will assist you in tying the wind-horse flags on trees & cliffs for your blessing and protection. We believe this will bring you a smooth trip back home • In evening, if interested, learn the art of cooking some famous Bhutanese delicacies like Ema Datsi, Kewa Datsi and Bjasha Maru at the farmer’s house. • Authentic Bhutanese style farewell dinner at a typical village home with local liquor called “Ara.” • Hot stone bath, optional. River rocks are heated and dunked into a large wooden tub with herbs. This type of bath is considered to have medicinal properties of healing. Overnight Paro

    

    Paro Taktsang

    Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: IncludedStay: 3 star hotel
12. 12

    Day 12 — Depart from Paro International Airport

    Our representative will bid you farewell at the airport.

    Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: Excluded

What's included

Cancellation policy

Tour operator