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8-Day Culture Tour To Thimphu, Punakha & Paro
  • Tour Category

    Private Tour

  • Tour Types

    Trekking, Culture, Sightseeing

  • Duration

    8 Days

  • Activity Level

    Easy

  • Language

    English

Description

During this 8-day tour, traverse Western Bhutan on a guided tour. See major attractions such as Tashichho Dzong, Punakha Dzong, Haa Valley and Phobjikha Valley. Try out Bhutanese attire and hike up to Tiger's Nest Monastery.

Highlights
  • Visit Tashichho Dzong and Punakha Dzong
  • See the Haa Valley and Phobjikha Valley
  • Hike up to Tiger's Nest Monastery
  • Day 1: Paro to Thimphu expand_more
    • Meet your tour guide at the Paro International Airport. 

    • Drive to Thimphu, the capital city. It is a one-and-a-half-hour drive. On the way, visit the Tamchog Lhakhang.

    • Reach Thimphu and check in to the hotel.

    • Enjoy lunch, then visit the National Memorial Chorten, where we see elderly people pray and circumambulate the stupa.

    • Visit the Post Office to get a personalized stamp of your picture and postal museum.

    • See the Tashichho Dzong (Fortress), known as the “Fortress of the Glorious Religion."  Stay overnight in Thimphu.

  • Day 2: Sightseeing in Thimphu expand_more
    • Enjoy your breakfast. Visit the Kuensel Phodrang, where the Big Buddha statue is built. 

    • Walk inside the Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park. From there, you get the best view of Thimphu Valley with the mountain behind.

    • Visit the Motithang Takin Preserve, also known as the Mini Zoo and see Bhutan’s typical national animal.

    • See the Folk Heritage Museum, dedicated to connecting people to the Bhutanese rural past through exhibitions. 

    • Eat your lunch. Visit the Handmade Paper Factory to see the process of making Bhutanese traditional handmade paper.

    • Go to the Crafts Bazaar for authentic Bhutanese-made crafts.

    • Walk along the Norzin Lam, the main Thimphu downtown. Stay overnight in Thimphu.

  • Day 3: Thimphu to Gangtey expand_more
    • Drive to Gangtey, which is around 3 – 4 hours. 

    • Stop at the Dochu-La pass (3,100 meters), which offers an incredible view of the Himalayan peaks on a clear day. The beauty of this place is further enhanced by the Druk Wangyel Chorten – 108 stupas.

    • Drive further to Phobjikha Valley via Punakha/Wangdue.

    • On arrival at Gangtey, visit the Crane Information Center, where you get information about the valley.  Stay overnight in Gangtey.

  • Day 4: Gangtey to Punakha expand_more
    • Enjoy your breakfast, then hike across Gangtey Nature Trail, which is one and a half hours and enjoy the breathtaking view of Phobjikha valley. Visit Gangtey Gompa, dating back to the 17th century.

    • Drive back to Punakha.

    • Visit Chimi Lhakhang, a temple of Fertility blessed by Lam Drukpa Kuenley, who is known as the Divine Madman for his eccentric behaviours. He is also considered a symbol of fertility, and many childless couples go to his temple for blessing. Stay overnight in Punakha.

  • Day 5: Punakha to Paro expand_more
    • Eat your breakfast, then go for a 45-minute hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten, with picturesque views of the rice terraces along the river.

    • Visit the Punakha Dzong, a majestic fortress located between Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). Punakha was the ancient capital of Bhutan. See the longest suspension bridge across the Dzong.

    • Enjoy your lunch, then drive back to Paro.

    • Walk around Paro street with a traditional look. Stay overnight in Paro.

  • Day 6: Sightseeing in Paro expand_more
    • Eat your breakfast and hike to Taktsang Monastery, the wooden structure stands bravely on a cliff in the upper Paro Valley. The walk will be of approximately 2 to 2.5 hours one way. It is said that the great Guru Rinpoche flew here on the back of a tigress and set up this monastery when he brought the teachings of the Buddhist Dharma to Bhutan in the 8th Century.

    • Enjoy your lunch, then visit the Paro National Museum.

    • See the Paro Rinpung Dzong.

    • Visit a Farmhouse to experience traditional Bhutan, taste Bhutanese cuisines, and dip in a traditional hot stone bath. Stay overnight in Paro.

  • Day 7: Day Excursion to Haa expand_more
    • Drive to Haa via Chelela Pass (3988m) on the visit to Kila Nunnery.

    • In Haa, visit Lhakhang Karpo and walk around Haa town.

    • Drive back to Paro. Stay overnight in Paro.

  • Day 8: Departure expand_more
    • Drive to the airport for a flight to your onward destination. 

What's Included
  • A minimum of 3-star accommodation is certified by the Tourism Council of Bhutan
  • All Meals

  • Bottle of water in the car

  • Monument Fees (Dzongs & Temples) and Museum Fees

  • A licensed Bhutanese English-speaking tour guide for the extent of your stay

  • All transport (transfer & sightseeing)

  • Sustainable Development Fee & Visa Fee

  • Travel Insurance

What's Excluded
  • Air Transport/Flight

  • Personal Expenses such as Laundry, Tips, etc.

  • Drinks & beverages

  • Bank transfer charges

Know before you go
  • We can provide hotel and air ticket booking assistance.
Meeting Point

Paro International Airport, Paro, Bhutan

Cancellation Policy

For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -

Refund of 80% of the tour price.
Price Details
Persons
1 To 1 USD 2800 Per Person
2 To 3 USD 2250 Per Person
4 To 9 USD 2000 Per Person

This is a private tour

Starting From

Fromss

see details
USD 2800 / person