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Bhutan · Culture
The journey
Discover Bhutan over 9 days as you travel through Paro, Thimphu, Bumthang, Trongsa, and Punakha, visiting some of the kingdom's most important cultural, spiritual, and historic landmarks. Explore medieval dzongs, sacred monasteries, traditional museums, and revered temples including Tashichho Dzong, Trongsa Dzong, Tamshing Monastery, Jakar Dzong, Wangdiphodrang Dzong, and Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. Along the way, experience Bhutanese towns, valleys, handicrafts, and living traditions while enjoying a comprehensive journey through the country's heritage.
Discover Bhutan over 9 days as you travel through Paro, Thimphu, Bumthang, Trongsa, and Punakha, visiting some of the kingdom's most important cultural, spiritual, and historic landmarks.
From the itinerary
At a glance
Day by day
Meet your tour guide at the airport in Paro.
Complete the airport formalities.
Drive for two hours to Thimphu, the modern capital of Bhutan.
Stay overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Enjoy breakfast before heading out for sightseeing in Thimphu.
Visit Tashichho Dzong, the beautiful medieval fortress-monastery that houses most of the government's offices and the king's throne room. It is also the summer residence of Je-Khenpo, the Chief Abbot.
Explore the National Library, which has a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts.
Drive to the Painting School, famous for traditional Thangka paintings, and experience young children learning Bhutanese arts and crafts.
See the Traditional Medicine Institute, where centuries-old healing arts are practised.
Continue to the Textile and Folk Heritage Museum, a fascinating testimony to Bhutanese material culture and living traditions.
Enjoy lunch.
Visit the Handicraft Emporium, which displays a wide assortment of beautifully hand-woven and crafted products.
Drive to the Memorial Chorten, the stupa built in memory of Bhutan's third king, Lt. Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
Take an exploratory walk along the main street of Thimphu town. Stay overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
After breakfast, take a walk by Trongsa Dzong, a remarkable fortress in the history of Bhutan built by Zhabdrung in 1647, and visit Ta-Dzong (Watch Tower), dedicated to the Buddhist epic hero King Gesar of Ling.
Drive towards Bumthang, 29 km from Trongsa, and reach the Yutong La Pass (3400 m). From there, the road enters a wide-open cultivated valley known as Chumey Valley.
Enjoy lunch in Bumthang.
Visit Kurje Lhakhang, Jambey Lhakhang, a 7th-century temple, Tamshing Monastery, one of the oldest monastic bodies, Jakar Dzong, the administrative centre of the region, and the Swiss Farm House.
Walk along Chamkhar main street in the evening, where you can buy handicraft products from various handicraft shops. Stay overnight at the hotel in Bumthang.
After breakfast, spend the whole day exploring Bumthang Valley, sometimes called the second Switzerland by tourists.
Visit Mebertsho (The Burning Lake), stroll through the village, and stop by the little local handicraft shops.
Enjoy leisure time in the evening.
Stay overnight at a hotel in Bumthang.
Eat your breakfast.
See other attractions of Bumthang Valley. Bumthang is the general name given to the combination of four valleys - Chumey, Choekhor, Tang, and Ura - with altitudes varying from 2600 m to 4000 m. It has many prominent Buddhist temples and monasteries. Stay overnight at a hotel in Bumthang.
After breakfast, explore the fascinating valley of Bumthang.
Proceed to Trongsa, where lunch will be served in a local restaurant famous for its traditional cuisine.
Continue towards Punakha and, en route, visit the impressive Wangdiphodrang Dzong and Bajo town.
Enjoy leisure time in the evening. Stay overnight at a hotel in Punakha.
Enjoy breakfast before visiting Punakha Dzong, the 7th-century fortress that plays an important role in the building of modern Bhutan.
Walk through the local markets and visit Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, a newly built stupa for the wellbeing of all Bhutanese people.
Enjoy lunch.
Proceed to Paro.
Visit Chimi Lhakhang, one of the most sacred shrines for fertility. It is said that those who are barren and wish to have a child must visit this temple for blessings. Check in to the hotel in Paro in the evening for an overnight stay.
Eat breakfast at the hotel before visiting Drukgyel Dzong, a ruined fortress from where Bhutanese warriors fought Tibetan invaders centuries ago.
Enjoy the view of the famous fortress Tak-Tshang (Tiger Nest).
See Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by Tibetan King Songtsen Gembo in the 7th century.
Enjoy lunch.
Continue to Ta-Dzong, initially built as a watchtower and now the National Museum of Bhutan. There, you will see antique traditional items, textiles, weapons and armour, and a rich assortment of natural and historical artefacts.
Walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong), the Heap of Jewels Fortress, which has a long and fascinating history.
Take an exploratory walk along the main street of Paro town before dinner. Stay overnight at a hotel in Paro.
Enjoy breakfast, then drive to the airport to catch your flight.
Where this trip takes you
Paro Taktsang, National Museum of Bhutan, Punakha Dzong, Bumthang Valley
The route
The fine print
Japanese-, Spanish-, German-, or English-speaking tour guide
Accommodation in 3-star hotels
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Transportation
Refreshments and snacks
All museum and monument entry fees
Visa processing fee
Air fares
Insurance premiums
Costs incurred due to weather, strikes, etc.
Tips and bellboy charges
Personal expenses such as beverages and tips
Any foreign national travelling to Bhutan requires a valid visa and passport. Upon confirmation of your tour to Bhutan, we will process your visa, which will be ready within one working week.
Carrying tobacco products is a punishable offence in Bhutan.
All tourists visiting dzongs and temples must be dressed appropriately. Half pants, sleeveless shirts, floaters, and similar clothing are not allowed.
All tourists must be reminded by the guide that there are certain areas where visitors cannot take photographs.
Indian Rupee banknotes of denomination 500 and above are not accepted in Bhutan. In the case of tourists visiting Bhutan, these banknotes shall be retained on entry and returned upon exit.
Accommodation in 4-star and 5-star hotels is available at an additional charge.
Meals can be customized according to your willingness.
Pricing:
2250 USD per adult (* $60 for visa, one-time only)
Logistics
Your 9 days finish where they began, in Paro.
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