10-day Bhutan Culture Tour To Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, Trongsa, Bumthang

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Paro, Transfer to Thimphu for city exploration

Stop At: Paro, Paro, Paro District
Paro airport is the only international airport in Bhutan, which is around 65 kilometers away from the capital city - Thimphu. Once your flight arrives at the airport, your guide will greet you there and transfer you to the hotel in Thimphu.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Tachogang Lhakhang Bridge, Paro-Thimphu Highway, Paro 12001 Bhutan
On the way, you will see the Tachogang Lhakhang Iron Bridge, which crosses the Paro Chhu River to a small Dzong (fortress). This is the first bridge to have ever been built in Bhutan.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Thimphu Chorten (Memorial Chorten), Thimphu Bhutan
After a short rest at the hotel, you will be escorted to visit the Thimphu Chorten (Memorial Chorten), built in memory of the third King of Bhutan Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. It is actually a stupa, housing many valuable religious paintings and Buddha statues. Over here you will see many local people circumambulating the Chorten throughout the day.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Buddha Dordenma, Kuensel Phodrang Viewing Point, Thimphu 11001 Bhutan
Next visit the Buddha Dordenma Statue. It is 169 feet tall and located high atop a mountain, so it can be viewed from anywhere in the town.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Motithang Takin Preserve, Thimphu Bhutan
After that you will see the national animal Takin at the Sanctuary. Takin is a rare creature with the head of a goat and the body of a cow, which can only be seen in Bhutan.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Thangthong Dewachen Nunnery, Gadhen lam, Thimphu Bhutan
Then you will visit the Thangthong Dewachen Nunnery, also called Zilukha Nunnery. It is located on a hilltop and affords an amazing view back down to the Thimphu Dzong.
Duration: 40 minutes

Stop At: Tashichho Dzong (Thimpu Dzong), Chhagchhen Lam, Thimphu Bhutan
Thimphu Dzong (TashiChho Dzong) is a large fort originally built in the 13th century. Now it houses the government administration, King's office and a temple.
Duration: 45 minutes

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel Tashi Yoedling (3 stars) or simila

Day 2: Thimphu one day cultural tour with Tango Monastery

Stop At: Tango Buddhist Institute, Thimphu Bhutan
This morning, you will spend 1.5 hours hiking to the Tango Monastery, one of top institutes of Buddhist learning in Bhutan.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: National Institute for Zorig Chusum, Thimphu Bhutan
In the afternoon, pay a visit to National Institute for Zorig Chusum or
Thirteen Traditional Arts and Crafts School, a place for youth to learn skills like Knitting and carving.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: National Folk Heritage Museum, Pedzoe Lam, Thimphu 11001 Bhutan
Then proceed to the Folk Heritage Museum, which houses a lot of folk relics.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: National Library and Archives of Bhutan, Pedzoe Lam, Thimphu Bhutan
Conclude today's Bhutan travel package at the National Library before visiting the Traditional Paper Making Factory.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel Tashi Yoedling (3 stars) or similar

Day 3: Drive to Punakha, Punakha sightseeing with hiking to Chimmi Lhakang

Stop At: Punakha, Punakha, Punakha District
After breakfast, you will be taken to Punakha, the ancient capital of Bhutan, Punakha, with an elevation of 1,200 meters above sea level. It takes around 2.5 hours driving.
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

Stop At: Dochula Pass, Thimphu Bhutan
On the way to Punakha, stopover at Dochula Pass, where you can have a coffee break and see the 108 grand stupas. If it is a clear day, you will get great views of the Himalayas mountain ranges.
Duration: 40 minutes

Stop At: Chimi Lhakhang Temple, Punakha Bhutan
Then visit the Chimmi Lhakhang. This small hilly temple is very popular as a lot of couples travel here to be blessed for a child.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Punakha Dzong, Punakha 13001 Bhutan
Located at the confluence of Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers, Punakha Dzong is the second largest Dzong in Bhutan and is also considered as the most beautiful Dzong in terms of history, location and architecture.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Punakha Suspension Bridge, Punakha Dzong, Punakha 13001 Bhutan
Very close to the dzong is the longest suspension bridge in the country. The views from this bridge are outstanding with the rivers flowing below. You will stay overnight in Punakha.
Duration: 40 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Lobesa Lodge (3 stars) or similar

Day 4: Travel to Gangtey by car, Sightseeing tour with Gangtey Monastery

Stop At: Gangtey, Gangtey, Wangdue Phodrang District
Today, drive to Gangtey/Phobjikha to continue your 10 days Bhutan tour package. On the way, you will be guided to visit the Renchengang Village, which is famous for stone works.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Gangtey Monastery, Gangtey Bhutan
Upon arrival, you will visit Gangtey Monastery with beautiful murals.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel Dewachen (3 stars) or similar

Day 5: Hiking across Gangtey Nature Trail, 5-6 hour's scenic drive to Trongsa

Stop At: Gangtey nature trail, Unnamed Road, Bhutan
After a big breakfast, you will escorted to hike across the Gangtery Nature Trail. Then, reach the Crane Information Center and visit the Gangtery primary school to meet up with children and teachers.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Trongsa, Trongsa, Trongsa District
Thereafter, take a 5-6 hour's scenic drive to Trongsa.
Duration: 6 hours

Stop At: Chendebji Chorten, Chendebji, Trongsa Bhutan
On the road, cross Pele La Pass and make a short stop at the Chenbdji Chorten.
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Yangkhil Resort or similar

Day 6: Trongsa exploration with Trongsa Dzong, Private transfer to Bumthang

Stop At: Tongsa Dzong, Trongsa Bhutan
Today's Bhutan tour package starts with a visit to Today's Bhutan tour package starts with a visit to Trongsa Dzong.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Bumthang, Bumthang, Bumthang District
After that, your guide will lead you to Bumthang through a 4 hours' drive. On the way, we will visit the weaving center and shops.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel Valley Resort or similar

Day 7: Bumthang full-day highlights tour

Stop At: Bumthang District, Bumthang District
This morning, explore the charm of Bumthang valley by visiting the grand Kurje Lhakhang, Jambey Lhakang, and Tamshing Lhakhang that has a collection of oldest murals.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Jakar Dzong, Chamkhar Valley, Jakar Bhutan
Later, turn to Jakar Dzong, the administrative center of Bumthang. Then stroll in the nearby village and have a leisure time at a local handicraft shop. In the afternoon, continue to visit Lhodrak Kharchhu Monastery.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel Valley Resort or similar

Day 8: Fly from Bumthang to Paro, Half-day Paro sightseeing

Stop At: Paro, Paro, Paro District
This morning your guide will see you off at the airport for a 25 minutes' flight to Paro. Upon arrival, your local guide will transfer you to the hotel.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: National Museum, Tag-Dzong Rinpung Dzong, Paro 12001 Bhutan
After a short break, you will be escorted to visit Ta Dzong, used as the National Museum at present.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Rinpung Dzong, Paro Bhutan
Later, turn to Paro Dzong. It is an ancient fortress, also called Rinpung Dzong. You will see numerous beautiful paintings, murals, artifacts and statues of Buddha in this colorful traditional Bhutanese wooden architecture. Now it is the administration office, so dressing up adequately is well respected.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Tashi Namgay Resort (3 stars) or similar

Day 9: Paro one day tour with Taktsang

Stop At: Paro Taktsang, Taktsang Trail BT, Paro Bhutan
Taktsang, Tiger's Nest in English, is the most famous and sacred monastery in Bhutan. It is located in a cliff side over 900 meters above the Paro Valley.
Duration: 5 hours

Stop At: Kyichu Lhakhang, Lamgong Gewog, Paro 12001 Bhutan
Then you will visit the Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. It was built in the 7th century by Tibetan Emperor Songtsan Gampo.

After that, you will visit a typical local farmhouse. Chatting with the family members is a good way to know how they live in the land of happiness.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Tashi Namgay Resort (3 stars) or similar

Day 10: Departure from Paro, Airport see-off

Stop At: Paro, Paro, Paro District
This Bhutan holiday packages ends today. Your guide will see you off at the airport.
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.