Top Menu

Bhutan Discovered

Bhutan is the little secret of Asia. Overshadowed and nestled between China and India, it is a relatively new travel spot, with many undiscovered secrets in its natural scenery and quiet townships. The land is dotted with red-clothed monks, ancient Buddhist temples and friendly smiles. It is one calm country, where gross national happiness is more important than money, where chillies are used as a vegetable rather than for spice, and the thunder dragon, Druk, is emblazoned on the national flag, symbolising the people of Bhutan: loyal, patriotic and living with a total sense of belonging within the kingdom.

From $2,740 

Take the first step in your adventure now!

Enquire now
StartsThimphu, Bhutan
EndsParo, Bhutan
RegionBhutan
Duration7 days
Tour OperatorIntrepid Travel
Tour Map
View Dates

Itinerary

Day 1 - Starting: Paro - Thimphu & Finishing: Paro - Thimphu

After arrival at Paro airport and sailing through immigration and custom formalities, you will be greeted by your guide and driver and warmly welcomed to the enchanting Land of the Thunder Dragon. Drive for two hours alongside mountains, rivers, and fields of red rice to Thimphu, Bhutan's capital city. After lunchl visit Nado, Bhutan’s famous traditional incense maker and the colorful Gagyel Lhendup weaving center. Later in the evening, you may wander and explore the fascinating streets of Thimphu, the world’s only capital city without a traffic light! Bhutan Visas & Additional Accommodation Travel in Bhutan is strictly controlled and to do any independent travel outside of a group tour is extremely difficult and expensive to arrange. We provide a group visa for travellers on our tours in Bhutan, which stipulates that all travellers must arrive and depart on the same days that our tour program starts and finishes. For this reason we are generally not able to provide additional accommodation outside of our tour dates and advise all travellers to book flights in and out of Bhutan that correspond with the start and finish day of the tour. In the rare case that no flights are available and you need to arrive earlier or depart later we are only able to book additional accommodation for you in conjunction with a special individual visa which can add around AUD1000 to the cost of your tour, to be paid at the time of booking.

Day 2 - Starting: Thimphu & Finishing: Thimphu

Today begins with a pleasant rural walk that meanders gently up the valley through paddy fields, pristine woodlands and a Tibetan village. We’ll walk along a trail to Pangri Zampa Gompa. Spot Bhutanese chortens on the riverside route and pass through the villages of Choku and Begana. Cross a cantilevered bridge, and climb uphill for around an hour uphill to the monastery. Cheri Dorji Dhen was built in 1620 by Shabdrung, the first ruler of Bhutan, who also established the first order of monks here. At the bottom of the hill, a picnic lunch will be waiting for us along the riverside. Drive back to Thimphu for an afternoon of sightseeing. There is much to see! We will visit the Memorial Chorten, a shrine built in the memory of the 3rd King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Many Thimphu residents consider this to be the heart and soul of Thimphu and gather here every day to pray and walk clockwise around the chorten. Afterwards, visit Dubthob nunnery, and then the School of Arts and Crafts where students follow an eight-year program in traditional arts, such as drawing, painting, woodcarving, and sculpture. No tour of Thimphu is complete without a visit to the incredible Textile Museum. Some shopping time if you wish is available at the Thimphu Handicraft Emporium which offers high quality traditional goods, and a small family-run enterprise which manufactures paper and paper products using traditional methods.

Day 3 - Starting: Punakha & Finishing: Punakha

Leave Thimpu this morning and drive to Punakha (approx. 4 hours) the ancient winter capital of Bhutan. En-route stop at Dochu-La pass (10,000ft/3,048m) for a breathtaking view the eastern Himalayas, including Bhutan's highest mountain, the majestic Gangkar Punsum (24,770ft/7,550m.) The road descends through varied and ever-changing forest, emerging into the highly cultivated Punakha valley. Take a short walk to visit Chimi Lhakhang, a fertility temple built in 1499 by lama Drukpa Kunley (charmingly known as “The Divine Madman.”) On this site, The Divine Madman subdued the Demoness of the Dochu-La using his “magic thunderbolt of wisdom,” (also known as “his phallus.”) A wooden effigy of the Lama’s “thunderbolt” is preserved in the Lhakhang. Traditionally, childless women have visited this temple to receive a wang (blessing) from the saint. Our trail leads across rice fields to the tiny settlement of Pana. There are few young monks at the temple, which is surrounded by a row of prayer wheels and some very beautiful slate carvings. In Punakha, we’ll visit the impressive Punakha Dzong. With its three towers, and wonderful location at the confluence of two rivers, it is considered by many to be the most beautiful of Bhutan’s 21 Dzongs.

Day 4 - Starting: Punakha & Finishing: Punakha

After breakfast, Explore this small town with your leader on an orientation walk. Head down to the convergence of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu Rivers, two of the main rivers of Bhutan. There are lovely views of the majestic Punakha Dzong. This fine Dzong was constructed around 1639 and due to its location the Dzong has flooded several times in its history and also partially destroyed by fire in the 1980's. Be sure to keep an eye out for the cantilever brdige spanning the river. After lunch undertake an optional hike (approx. 1 hour) to visit the Khamsum Yulley Monastery. Its an uphill climb but the views from the top make it worthwhile. As with many monasteries in Bhutan, our leader will need to hunt around for the caretaker with the keys to have a look inside.

Day 5 - Starting: Paro & Finishing: Paro

This morning head back over the Dochu-La and continue to Thimphu. (approx. 4 hrs) This is a good chance to relax and refresh. The roads in Bhutan are narrow and whilst the distances are not great, due to the nature of the roads and the many valleys they pass through travelling can take some time. After lunch in Thimpu, continue by vehicle into the Paro Valley. Its a long day of driving. This evening experience a local homestay in Paro with home cooked meals and a friendly local atmosphere.

Day 6 - Starting: Tiger's Nest Monastery - Paro & Finishing: Tiger's Nest Monastery - Paro

After an early breakfast we drive up to the starting point and prepare for our hike to the legendary Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) - a magnificent monastery, clinging on a rock cliff 900 meters above the valley floor. The legend dating back to 747 AD has it that the Great Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhawa) flew here from northeast Bhutan on the back of a tigress to subdue the demons of Paro Valley. The guru then meditated in the holy cave that is the site of the Pelphug Lhakhang today. According to Tantric Buddhist mythology, the vanquished local deities became the protectors of the dharma and one of them, Singey Samdrup, is recognised today as the guardian deity of Taktsang. Guru Rinpoche is also believed to have concealed among the rocks of Taktsang various forms of Dharma treasures known as Ters, which were destined to be discovered later by Tertons (treasure discoverers) for the propagation of Dharma. Taktsang was severely damaged by fire on Sunday 19th April 1998. The king commanded its immediate restoration soon after the fire. The royal command dictated that the original aura, authenticity and architectural splendor must be preserved at all costs. This project has been widely seen as an act of devotion involving all sections of Bhutanese society and as homage to the nation's cultural heritage. It also proved to be an opportunity for Bhutan's traditional artists and craftsmen to hone the skills inherited from their forefathers down the ages. In order to facilitate the restoration work, a road was built to the base of the mountain facing the temple. We drive to the end of this road and begin our hike up the mountain for a closer view of the temple. After approximately an hour walking uphill, we reach a small teahouse that has a wonderful panoramic view of the temple. Its the ideal place to enjoy lunch. For those interested, it is possible to get a closer view by hiking another 45 minutes to an hour (each direction) to reach the small chorten directly across from the temple. Anyone not interested in hiking any further can relax at the teahouse and enjoy the view. It total it will about 5 to 6 hours to get back to the car including all stops if you choose to walk the full way. Its quite a challenging hike and good quality, comfortable shoes/sneakers are required. Please remember to drink lots of water and wear layers as it gets quite cold. Also remember that you are at 3120 metres above sea level so take your time.

Day 7 - Starting: Paro & Finishing: Paro

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel before a departure transfer to Paro airport for your flight out of Bhutan. Due to group visa requirements, all travellers are required to leave Bhutan on the same day.

View Dates

More Information

Highlights

  • View ancient Buddhist texts in Thimphu
  • Explore the picturesque Punakha Valley
  • Hike to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery
  • Visit the mighty Paro Dzong

Bhutan is the little secret of Asia. Overshadowed and nestled between China and India, it is a relatively new travel spot, with many undiscovered secrets in its natural scenery and quiet townships. The land is dotted with red-clothed monks, ancient Buddhist temples and friendly smiles. It is one calm country, where gross national happiness is more important than money, where chillies are used as a vegetable rather than for spice, and the thunder dragon, Druk, is emblazoned on the national flag, symbolising the people of Bhutan: loyal, patriotic and living with a total sense of belonging within the kingdom.

Day 1 Included Activities

  • Thimpu - National Library

Day 1 Accommodation

Hotel (1 nights)

Day 2 Included Activities

  • Folk and Heritage Museum
  • National Chorten
  • Takin Reserve

Day 2 Accommodation

Hotel (1 nights)

Day 3 Included Activities

  • Punakha - Chimmi Lhakhang
  • Punakha - Dzong tour
  • Punakha - Punakha Dzong

Day 3 Accommodation

Hotel (1 nights)

Day 4 Accommodation

Hotel (1 nights)

Day 5 Included Activities

  • Paro - Tadzong Museum & Trongsa Dzong

Day 5 Accommodation

Hotel (1 nights)

Day 6 Included Activities

  • Paro - Tiger's Nest Monastery

Day 6 Accommodation

Hotel (1 nights)

Included Meals

Breakfast: 6

Lunch: 6

Dinner: 6

Updating availability

Departs onEnds onPricePassengersReservation
Oct 07, 2016Oct 13, 2016from USD2848
6 spaces left
Enquire now
Nov 04, 2016Nov 10, 2016from USD2740
0 spaces left
Enquire now
Dec 16, 2016Dec 22, 2016from USD3045
6 spaces left
Enquire now

Get Inspired

Chile’s Atacama Desert

The Atacama Desert is one of the world’s most spectacular deserts, with fields of steaming geysers, massive smoking conical volcanoes, craggy mountains and flamingo-dotted turquoise lagoons.

Read More

Learn something new on your next journey

There are thousands of learning holidays to choose from in all corners of the globe, but we’ve rounded up a list of some of our favourites to get you inspired.

Read More

Hot air ballooning around the world

There is nothing as perfect as seeing the world from a bird’s eye view in a hot air balloon. Here are a few places we recommend you go to where you can float above the clouds and feel on top of the world.

Read More

Summer Cruise around Svalbard in Norway

A journey through the fjords, glaciers and islands aboard a cruise ship in Norway.

Read More

Download PDF

We'll send you your PDF link straight to your email address!

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

  Ask a Question

If you have any questions about this tour, please don't hesitate to contact us 24/7 and we will get back to you!

  Speak to a consultant

We are there for you! Our expert consultants have the knowledge and expertise to guide you – get in touch with us!

from $2,740

Take the first step in your adventure now!

Enquire now

from$2,740  


*Currency conversion is estimate only

COMPARE TOURS

  • No products to compare
Clear all Compare

Why choose Tour Ninjas?

Best Price Guaranteed
No Booking or Card Fees
Wide Range of Tours
We're here to Help

Tour Ninjas

Read more about us

Enquire now


Hold my seat for 48 hours

  • How long do you have? Do you have particular must see?
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Download PDF

We'll send you your PDF link straight to your email address

Tour PDF Request

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This