10-Day Western and Central Bhutan Tour with Tiger's Nest Hike

10 Days Duration

Experiences

About This Tour

This 10-day trip through western and central Bhutan combines a hike to Taktsang Monastery with visits to the magnificent Punakha Dzong, the remote beauty of Pho...

Duration: 10 Days · Tour type: Shared · Activity level: Easy · Accommodation: Included · Premium · Transport: Included · Wheelchair access: Not applicable · Cities: Thimphu, Wangdue, Paro, Punakha, Phobjikha, Bumthnag, Trongsa, Gangtey · Languages: English

About Wangdue

Bhutan

Wangdue

The nerve center of Vajrayana Buddhism and one of the most mythical locations in the Himalaya, Wangdue and its great dzong rarely fail to impress. Get a local guide to show you around.

Explore Wangdue Bhutan All destinations

What's Included

3-star to 4-star hotel stay (luxury hotels will be charged differently)
All touring and transfers throughout your journey
English-speaking personal Bhutanese guide and driver with SUV
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus mineral water throughout the tour (excluding alcoholic drinks)
All entrance fees and sightseeing, including monasteries and dzongs
Bhutan government daily royalties, visa fees, and other taxes
Excellent leaders are assigned to each trip. They are highly qualified and certified by the Tourism Council of Bhutan, and they make all the difference to your trip.

Not Included

Alcoholic Drinks

Itinerary

1

Day 01

Arrival in Paro and Cultural Sightseeing

During the flight on a clear day, you can enjoy breathtaking views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Mount Chomolhari and Jitchu Drake. During the flight on a clear day, you can enjoy breathtaking views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Mount Chomolhari and Jitchu Drake. In the afternoon, you will visit the following places:Paro Rinpung Dzong, a Buddhist monastery and fortressThe National Museum (watchtower), a cultural museum in the town of Paro in western Bhutan, established in 1968Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries and a very significant Himalayan Buddhist temple situated in Lango GewogDrukgyal Dzong, the Victory Dzong, whose ruins are located in the upper part of the Paro District In the afternoon, you will visit the following places: Paro Rinpung Dzong, a Buddhist monastery and fortress Paro Rinpung Dzong, a Buddhist monastery and fortress The National Museum (watchtower), a cultural museum in the town of Paro in western Bhutan, established in 1968 The National Museum (watchtower), a cultural museum in the town of Paro in western Bhutan, established in 1968 Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries and a very significant Himalayan Buddhist temple situated in Lango Gewog Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries and a very significant Himalayan Buddhist temple situated in Lango Gewog Drukgyal Dzong, the Victory Dzong, whose ruins are located in the upper part of the Paro District Drukgyal Dzong, the Victory Dzong, whose ruins are located in the upper part of the Paro District In the evening, indulge in a Bhutanese lifestyle by exploring Paro town. In the evening, indulge in a Bhutanese lifestyle by exploring Paro town. Overnight stay in a Paro hotel.
2

Day 02

Tiger's Nest Hike and Drive to Thimphu

After breakfast, hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery, Bhutan's most famous monastery. It is perched on the edge of a steep cliff about 900 meters above Paro Valley. After breakfast, hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery, Bhutan's most famous monastery. It is perched on the edge of a steep cliff about 900 meters above Paro Valley. The hike to the monastery viewpoint makes for a pleasant half-day excursion. The hike to the monastery viewpoint makes for a pleasant half-day excursion. After lunch, drive to Thimphu with your Bhutanese guide. After lunch, drive to Thimphu with your Bhutanese guide. In the evening, you can explore Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, and immerse yourself in the lifestyle of the Bhutanese. You can also visit some interesting handicraft shops. In the evening, you can explore Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, and immerse yourself in the lifestyle of the Bhutanese. You can also visit some interesting handicraft shops. Overnight in Thimphu.
3

Day 03

Thimphu City Sightseeing

After breakfast, you will visit the King's Memorial Chorten, built in memory of the third King of Bhutan, who reigned from 1952 to 1972, Changgangkha Monastery, the radio tower for a great view of Thimphu Valley and the Thimphu Dzong, and the zoo, which has Bhutan's national animal, the takin. After breakfast, you will visit the King's Memorial Chorten, built in memory of the third King of Bhutan, who reigned from 1952 to 1972, Changgangkha Monastery, the radio tower for a great view of Thimphu Valley and the Thimphu Dzong, and the zoo, which has Bhutan's national animal, the takin. From there, you will proceed to the nunnery temple, the National Library, which houses ancient manuscripts, and the School of Arts and Crafts, also known as the painting school. From there, you will proceed to the nunnery temple, the National Library, which houses ancient manuscripts, and the School of Arts and Crafts, also known as the painting school. After a relaxing lunch, you will visit the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, a traditional paper factory, the majestic Tashichodzong, and Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress in the kingdom. After a relaxing lunch, you will visit the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, a traditional paper factory, the majestic Tashichodzong, and Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress in the kingdom. Overnight in Thimphu.
4

Day 04

Dochula Pass, Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lhakhang

After breakfast, you will drive to Wangdue Phodrang, with a stop en route for tea at Dochu La (3,100 meters), where on a clear day you can enjoy spectacular views of the Himalayas. After breakfast, you will drive to Wangdue Phodrang, with a stop en route for tea at Dochu La (3,100 meters), where on a clear day you can enjoy spectacular views of the Himalayas. After lunch, you will drive to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan, and visit Punakha Dzong, noteworthy both for being one of the most beautiful dzongs in Bhutan and for having been built by the first Shabdrung in 1637. After lunch, you will drive to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan, and visit Punakha Dzong, noteworthy both for being one of the most beautiful dzongs in Bhutan and for having been built by the first Shabdrung in 1637. On the way back from Punakha, you will stop at Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, a fertility temple where you may receive a special fertility blessing if you wish. On the way back from Punakha, you will stop at Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, a fertility temple where you may receive a special fertility blessing if you wish. Overnight in Wangduephodrang.
5

Day 05

Gangtey Excursion and Journey to Trongsa

Begin the day by driving to Gantey. You will pass through dense forests of oak trees and rhododendrons and arrive at Gantey village, where you will visit Gantey Gompa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan. Begin the day by driving to Gantey. You will pass through dense forests of oak trees and rhododendrons and arrive at Gantey village, where you will visit Gantey Gompa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan. From Gantey, you can see the picturesque Black Mountain range as well as Phobjika Valley, the winter habitat of the black-necked cranes. From Gantey, you can see the picturesque Black Mountain range as well as Phobjika Valley, the winter habitat of the black-necked cranes. From there, you will head to Trongsa, the ancestral home of the royal family. The route follows a spectacular winding road, crossing the 3,300-meter-high Pele La, and at certain times of the year, it is possible to see yaks. From there, you will head to Trongsa, the ancestral home of the royal family. The route follows a spectacular winding road, crossing the 3,300-meter-high Pele La, and at certain times of the year, it is possible to see yaks. Browse through the Trongsa shops and town in the afternoon. Browse through the Trongsa shops and town in the afternoon. Overnight in Trongsa.
6

Day 06

Trongsa Heritage and Drive to Bumthang

In the morning, you will visit Trongsa Dzong, a masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture, and Ta Dzong, the watchtower built to defend this dzong. In the morning, you will visit Trongsa Dzong, a masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture, and Ta Dzong, the watchtower built to defend this dzong. After lunch, you will proceed to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation, known for its lush valleys and hilly forests. After lunch, you will proceed to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation, known for its lush valleys and hilly forests. Along the way, you will stop at a Yathra textile weaving factory, where Yathras are designed with patterns unique to Bumthang, and you can even watch some of the weavers at their looms. Along the way, you will stop at a Yathra textile weaving factory, where Yathras are designed with patterns unique to Bumthang, and you can even watch some of the weavers at their looms. Spend the evening strolling through Bumthang town. Spend the evening strolling through Bumthang town. Overnight in Bumthang.
7

Day 07

Bumthang Temples and Local Sights

After breakfast, you will visit the following places:Jakar Dzong, a fortressJambey Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries in BhutanKurjey Lhakhang, the temple of Guru Rinpoche's body printTamshing Lhakhang, to see the old Buddhist paintingsA short hike to Thangbi MonasteryMebar Tsho, also known as the Burning LakeThe Swiss Cheese Factory After breakfast, you will visit the following places: Jakar Dzong, a fortress Jakar Dzong, a fortress Jambey Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan Jambey Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan Kurjey Lhakhang, the temple of Guru Rinpoche's body print Kurjey Lhakhang, the temple of Guru Rinpoche's body print Tamshing Lhakhang, to see the old Buddhist paintings Tamshing Lhakhang, to see the old Buddhist paintings A short hike to Thangbi Monastery A short hike to Thangbi Monastery Mebar Tsho, also known as the Burning Lake Mebar Tsho, also known as the Burning Lake The Swiss Cheese Factory The Swiss Cheese Factory Spend the evening exploring Bumthang town. Spend the evening exploring Bumthang town. Overnight in Bumthang.
8

Day 08

Bumthang Market and Return to Wangduephodrang

Begin the day at the Bumthang market and then drive to Wangduephodrang, where you can stroll through the town and visit the shops. The nearby villages are known for their slate and stone carvings and bamboo work. Begin the day at the Bumthang market and then drive to Wangduephodrang, where you can stroll through the town and visit the shops. The nearby villages are known for their slate and stone carvings and bamboo work. Overnight in Wangduephodrang.
9

Day 09

Return to Paro via Thimphu

Set out for Paro with a stop in Thimphu for lunch and a visit to the Folk Heritage Museum. Set out for Paro with a stop in Thimphu for lunch and a visit to the Folk Heritage Museum. In the afternoon, you will continue the drive to Paro. In the afternoon, you will continue the drive to Paro. In the evening, you can visit a traditional farmhouse and, if you wish, enjoy a typical Bhutanese dinner. In the evening, you can visit a traditional farmhouse and, if you wish, enjoy a typical Bhutanese dinner. Overnight in Paro.
10

Day 10

Departure from Paro

Transfer to Paro Airport for your flight home. Hope to see you again. Tashi Delek! Transfer to Paro Airport for your flight home. Hope to see you again. Tashi Delek!