11-Day Bhutan Highlights Tour with Tiger's Nest and Phobjikha Valley

• On this flight, see breathtaking views of the Great Himalayas. 

• Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be welcomed to the Kingdom by your guide. 

• Eat lunch in Paro. 

• After lunch, drive to Thimphu for 2 – 3 hours. The drive from Paro to Thimphu is spectacularly scenic. Magnificent monasteries and stupas in the valleys and mountaintops. 

Overnight in Thimphu at a hotel located in the center of town.

• Have a full day of sightseeing in Thimphu. Some of the highlights of Thimphu include:
  • Visit the weekly Thimphu market.
  • Change money at the Bhutan National Bank.
  • Purchase the world’s most beautiful postage stamps.
  • Explore the Arts and Crafts school and the Traditional Medicine Institute.
  • Proceed to Memorial Chorten, a multi-storied stupa that will introduce you to the vitality of Tantric Buddhism.
  • Observe traditional paper making from Daphnia and Edgeworthia.
  • Check out the Botanical garden (Zoo), where one can see Yak and Takin, the National wild animal of Bhutan.
  • Drive up to the viewpoint and take a hike beyond to see the clear picture of Thimphu Valley.
  • Downtown Thimphu on foot, visiting Handicrafts Emporium and other Arts & Crafts stores. Buy stunning Kiras, which can be used as bed covers or wall decoration, jewellery and much more.

Overnight in Thimphu.

• After breakfast, drive to Gangtey and Phobjikha valley. It is the winter home to rare and endangered black-necked cranes (Grus Nigricllis). There are lots of other wild animals in the surrounding valleys like wild boar, barking deer, Himalayan black bear, red fox, leopard, and many species of birds.

Overnight in Phobjikha at a hotel.

• In the morning, visit the Nature Education Center, the carpet factory, and the Sacred Gangtey Monastery, which dominates the valley. 
• After lunch, continue your journey towards Central Bhutan. 

Check-in for an overnight stay at the hotel.

• Trongsa or Tongsa is the ancestral home of Bhutan’s Royal Family. Tongsa Dzong (fort) is one of the largest in the country.
• Visit the ancient watchtower, Ta Dzong, which is situated just above the town.
• After lunch, drive to Bumthang. The drive to Bumthang takes 2-3 hrs.
• View the Jakar Dzong - The Castle of White Bird.
• A stop will be made on the way in the Chumey Valley, where one can see girls weaving Yatha, the traditional woollen material used.

Overnight in Bumthang at a hotel.

• Explore the spacious and open Bumthang Valley with the numerous beautiful and important Buddhist monasteries and pilgrimage sites. Commonly known as Jakar valley, you can see a little bit of modern touch with Swiss Influences.
• Visit the important cultural and historic sites in the special valley.

Overnight in Bumthang.

• Go on a full day sightseeing by driving further east towards Ura Valley.
• Visit Ura Village and the Temple. Mingle around with local people and kids and take beautiful pictures.
• Return to Jakar, Bumthang.

Overnight in Bumthang.

• Full day drive to Punakha with sightseeing en-route. 

Overnight in Punakha at a hotel.

• Visit the Punakha Dzong, one of the most impressive Dzongs in the Kingdom. 
• In the afternoon, drive to Paro.

Overnight in Paro at a hotel.

• In the morning, hike up to the viewpoint of “Taktsang”, popularly known as Tiger’s Nest Monastery.
• In the afternoon, go sightseeing in and around Paro Valley, including a visit to the National Museum. 

Overnight Paro.

• After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your trip back home.