11-Day Bhutan Highlights Tour with Tiger's Nest and Phobjikha Valley
About This Tour
Explore Bhutan's monasteries perched on mountain peaks, ancient Buddhist art and sculpture, dense forests, and spectacular valleys on this 11-day journey throug...
Duration: 11 Days · Tour type: Shared · Activity level: Easy · Accommodation: Included · Standard · Transport: Included · Wheelchair access: Not applicable · Cities: Thimphu, Paro, Punakha, Phobjikha, Bumthnag, Trongsa, Gangtey · Languages: Cantonese, Dutch, Dzongkha, English, French
Know before you go: This tour is also offered in the languages German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Nepali, Swedish & Thai.
About Trongsa
Trongsa
Home to the breathtaking Trongsa Dzong, this high-perched town in the midst of Bhutan’s regal heartland is a must for any tourist. Unravel its dynastic histories with help from a local guide.
What's Included
- Bhutan Government royalty of US$65 per night per person
- Twin-sharing hotel rooms at 3-star hotels
- All meals at 3-star hotels
- English-speaking Bhutanese tour guides
- Refreshments (tea, coffee, and snacks)
- All transfers and sightseeing/treks/tours within Bhutan
- Riding ponies and pack animals on treks
- Trekking equipment and haulage for trekking tours
- All entrance fees to museums and monuments
- All internal taxes and charges
- Mineral drinking water
Not Included
- Tips & gratuities
- Personal expenses
Itinerary
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1Day 01
Flight to Bhutan
On this flight, see breathtaking views of the Great Himalayas. 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. Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be welcomed to the Kingdom by your guide. Eat lunch in Paro. 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. 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.
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2Day 02
Thimphu (B,L,D)
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. 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.
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3Day 03
Thimphu To Gangtey & Phobjikha Valley (B,L,D)
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.
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4Day 04
Phobjikha to Trongsa
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.
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5Day 05
Trongsa to Bumthang (B,L,D)
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.
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6Day 06
Bumthang (B,L,D)
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.
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7Day 07
Bumthang to Ura to 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.
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8Day 08
Bumthang to Punakha (B,L,D)
Full day drive to Punakha with sightseeing en-route. Overnight in Punakha at a hotel.
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9Day 09
Punakha to Paro (B,L,D)
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.
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10Day 10
Paro (B,L,D)
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.
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11Day 11
Departure Flight from Paro
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your trip back home. After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your trip back home.
Meeting Point
Meeting point: Paro, Bhutan · Tour start: Paro, Bhutan — Tour ends at the same location as the start point.