14 Days Highlights of Thailand Bhutan Tour

Highlight: Arrive in Bangkok and visit Wat Traimit, and Wat Arun.

Welcome to Thailand!

On your arrival in Bangkok, you will be taken from the airport to your hotel to freshen up before heading out on the first half-day tour of the city.

The first day includes visits to Wat Traimit, known as the “Temple of the Golden Buddha”, as well as to the “Temple of the Dawn” at Wat Arun.

Then, you will also see the oldest temple in ancient Siam, Wat Pho, renowned for its largest single image of Buddha.

Stay overnight in Bangkok.

Visit Wat Traimit(Temple of the Golden Buddha)

Highlight: A full-day city trip in Bangkok to the most popular sites, such as the Grand Palace and the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.

In the morning, you will visit the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, where the fruits and vegetables of the vendors are bought from the boats that they arrive at the market in. A traditional and ancient marketplace, this is the most famous floating market in Thailand, and is a great place to capture photos that reflect the bygone days of ancient Siam.

In the afternoon, you will tour around Bangkok, the most exotic city in Southeast Asia. The Thai capital is one of the most fantastic cities in the world, and has a wealth of amazing things to see and do.

First, you will visit the Grand Palace, one of the most outstanding examples of ancient Siamese buildings, and the former royal court of ancient Siam.

Then, you will visit the home of the revered Emerald Buddha at Wat Phra Kaew.

After that, you will tour around the city’s famous canals, known as “khlongs”, and take a gentle cruise along the Chao Phraya River.

Stay overnight in Bangkok.

Bangkok City Tour

Highlight: Take a morning flight from Bangkok to Paro, Bhutan and visit Tshogang Lhakhang in Paro and the Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu.

Today, you will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight from Bangkok to Paro International Airport in Bhutan.

Upon your arrival at Paro International Airport, your local guide and driver will meet you at the arriving hall of the airport. And they will have a brief introduction about themselves.

Then, you will be transferred to Thimphu (2,350m), the capital city of Bhutan. Covering a total distance of nearly 54 kilometers, it will take you about 1 hour to get to Thimphu from Paro (2,250m).

On the way, you will first encounter a private temple - Tschogang Lhakhang, the temple of the excellent horse. Keep driving to Thimphu, you will have a short stop at Chuzom, a confluence where the Paro Chhu and Wong Chhu meet. It is decorated with three different styles of stupas, namely Tibetan, Nepalese, and Bhutanese.

After arriving in Thimphu, your guide will help you check in at the hotel. You can also take a short rest if needed.

Later, you will visit Tashichho Dzong, the eminent fortress where the national government and central monastic body are located. In addition, here sits the summer residence of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot of Bhutan.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Visit Thimphu Tashichho Dzong

Highlights: Visit National Folk Heritage Museum, Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory, Simtokha Dzong, and Motithang Takin Preserve in Thimphu.

After breakfast, you will first visit the National Folk Heritage Museum. It dedicates itself to connecting people with the rich Bhutanese folk heritage and rural history through exhibits, demonstrations, educational programs, and documentation of Bhutanese rural life. The museum will strive to disseminate the rich cultural heritage across generations by preserving it in different forms.

Next, you will head to visit Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory. The factor is located approximately 1 kilometer from Thimphu city, and uses the bark of two tree species (the Daphne tree, and Dhekap tree) in the manufacture of traditional paper. You can observe the entire process of producing handmade paper using ancient traditional methods that have been practiced for generations. Besides, you are able to try your hand at this ancient craft and make some paper of your own as a souvenir.

Later, you will drive to upper Motithang in Thimphu to visit Motithang Takin Preserve, a wildlife reserve area for takin (Budorcas taxicolor), the national animal of Bhutan. It's worthwhile taking the time to see these oddball mammals here.

You will end today’s sightseeing after visiting Simtokha Dzong. It was built by Zhabdrung to consolidate his domain and subdue the demon in 1629. Nowadays, it is often said to be the first dzong built in Bhutan.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Motithang Takin Nature Preserve

Highlight: Cross Dochula Pass and visit Chimi Lhakhang and Punakha Dzong.

In the morning, you will take a drive from Thimphu to Punakha (1,242m). The distance from Thimphu to Punakha is 71 kilometers, and it takes around 3 hours to complete.

On the way, you will have an excellent opportunity to appreciate the panoramic view of the Himalayan Ranges in Bhutan and take photos of the impressive collection of 108 chortens at Dochula Pass (3,140m).

Next, you will continue your journey to Punakha. En route, you will visit Chimi Lhakhang, also known as Chime Monastery. Standing on a small hillock close to the village of Lobesa, it is a beautiful Buddhist monastery that was built in the 14th Drukpa hierarchy, Ngawang Choegyel.

After that, you will head to visit the Punakha Dzong. Standing by the riverside of Pho Chu and Mo Chu, Punakha Dzong is one of the most impressive buildings and one of the top favorite attractions in Bhutan. Moreover, the rectangular-shaped fortress is also an honorable treasury that preserves numerous Buddhist relics and historical legacies.

Stay overnight in Punakha.

Visit Punakha Dzong

Highlight: Drive to Phobjikha Valley via Lawala Pass and visit ancient Gangtey Monastery and the Black-Necked Crane Information Center in Gangtey.

After breakfast, you will drive to Phobjikha Valley (3,000m). The distance between Punakha and Phobjikha is about 80 kilometers and will take you nearly 3 hours to finish this driving journey. On the way to Phobjikha, you will get amazed by the beauty and serenity of the rich flora and fauna. And you may see some Yaks grazing in high altitude bamboo shrub along the road when you arrive at Lawala Pass (3,300m).

After crossing the pass, you will head to visit Gangtey Monastery, generally known as Gangtey Goempa. It is a very important monastery of Nyingmapa school.

Thereafter, you will pay a visit to the Black-Necked Crane Information Center. The center is situated on the edge of the forest and wetland along the main road of Phobjikha Valley. It has an observation room equipped with high power telescope and spotting scopes for catching the best view of the cranes. If you travel to Phobjikha in November to January, you can have a chance to view many black-necked cranes here.

Stay overnight in Gangtey.

Gangtey Monastery

Highlight: Drive back to Paro and visit Simtokha Dzong, Ta Dzong, Paro Rinpung Dzong and Drukgyel Dzong in Paro.

After breakfast, you will drive back to Paro. It will take you about 4 hours 20 minutes for the 125 kilometers. On the way, you will encounter the Simtokha Dzong en route. Built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, Simtokha Dzong is often said to be the first dzong in Bhutan.

After arriving at Paro, you will visit Bhutan National Museum - Ta Dzong. The museum houses a large number of valuable collections. A visit to the National Museum will deepen your understanding of this country in a whole and broaden your eyes with numerous pieces of Bhutan treasures.

Next, you will head to explore Paro Rinpung Dzong (also named as Paro Dzong), a fortress once built to defend the valley from invasions. However, it now serves as an administration center and school for monks.

Then, you will continue to explore the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong in the north of Paro Valley. It was built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the father and unifier of medieval Bhutan. Although it was destroyed by an accident fire, its remains stand as a powerful reminder of Bhutan’s historic victories.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Paro Rinpung Dzong

Highlights: Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery to enjoy spectacular views from it and visit Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro.

After breakfast, you will start your hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery (also known as Taktsang Monastery). Perched on the side of a cliff 900 meters above the Paro Valley, Taktsang Monastery is one of the most famous monasteries in Bhutan. The principal monastery of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. Taktsang was damaged severely by fire in 1998 but has now been fully restored to its former glory. The hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery is about 3 km one way and takes around 5 to 6 hours for the round trip.

After exploring the monastery, you will begin your return tour to Paro.

In the afternoon, you will visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest and most beautiful temples built by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo in the 7th century.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Trek to Taktshang Monastery

Highlight: Take a flight back to Bangkok from Paro and enjoy a half-day trip in Bangkok

In the morning, you will be transferred to the Paro International Airport for your flight back to Bangkok, which takes around three hours.

Upon your arrival in the Thai capital, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

After a short rest, you will head north from Bangkok to visit the former summer palace of the Thai royals, before continuing to the Gothic temple of Wat Niwet Thammaprawat. The only neo-Gothic temple in Thailand, Wat Niwet Thammaprawat, lies on a small island in the Chao Phraya River, and is accessed by a cable car that is strung across the river.

Then, you will continue to the royal temple of the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Sri Sanphet. Next to this major, significant temple of the Ayutthaya period of Thai history lies the rebuilt hall of Viharn Phra Mongkolbopit, with its large image of the seated Buddha.

Later, you will visit the temple of Wat Mahathat, the ruined temple that is famous for the huge Buddha head that sits in the midst of the roots of a Bodhi tree, and Wat Ratchaburana, before heading back to Bangkok.

Stay overnight in Bangkok.

Bangkok Wat Phra Sri Sanphet

Highlight: Visit the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in Bangkok and take a domestic flight from Bangkok to Chiang Rai.

In the morning, you will visit the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, where the fruits and vegetables of the vendors are bought from the boats that they arrive at the market in. A traditional and ancient marketplace, this is the most famous floating market in Thailand, and is a great place to capture photos that reflect the bygone days of ancient Siam.

In the afternoon, you will board a flight to Chiang Rai, in northern Thailand. Located near the borders with Laos and Myanmar, Chiang Rai is the largest city in Northern Thailand, and is renowned as the “Capital of the North”. Founded in 1262, the city was the ancient capital of the Mangrai Dynasty, and is the place where the famous Emerald Buddha, which now sits in the Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok, was discovered.

Stay overnight in Chiang Rai.

Visit Chiang Rai

Highlight: Visit the essential parts of the Golden Triangle, such as the Long Neck Karen Village and Doi Tung.

Today, you will visit the very heart of the Golden Triangle, the mysterious region of Indochina where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Burma meet at the confluence of the Ruak River and the mighty Mekong River.

First, you will take a trip to the Long Neck Karen Village, where the local tribal people are made famous around the world for their long necks, stretched by the addition of gold rings as they grow from children. The locals believe that the longer the neck, the more beautiful the woman.

Then, you will continue to visit Mount Doi Mae Salong and the small Chinese village at the top of the mountain.

In the afternoon, you will travel to Doi Tung, the highest mountain in northern Thailand near the Myanmar border. The scenic journey takes you through traditional Lahu and Akha villages and past picturesque terraced rice fields. Upon reaching the summit, you will visit the centuries-old Doi Tung Temple, where stunning mountain vistas, exquisite Buddhist artwork, and impressive architecture offer a memorable glimpse into the region’s rich cultural heritage.

Stay overnight in Chiang Rai.

Chiang Rai long neck karen village

Highlight: Visit the White Temple in Chiang Rai and the temples of Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai.

In the morning, you will visit the iconic White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) in Chiang Rai, one of Thailand’s most remarkable landmarks. Designed and funded by renowned Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, this extraordinary temple has been transformed from a former ruin into a stunning work of art, blending traditional Buddhist symbolism with contemporary design.

Then, you will travel to Chiang Mai, a scenic three-hour drive through northern Thailand.

Upon arrival, you will explore some of the city’s most revered temples, including Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang, and the hilltop Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. From Doi Suthep, you will enjoy spectacular panoramic views over Chiang Mai and the surrounding countryside.

Stay overnight in Chiang Mai.

Visit the White Temple in Chiang Rai

Highlight: Elephant Safari through the jungles in Chiang Mai

Today, you will enjoy an unforgettable elephant experience in the lush countryside surrounding Chiang Mai. Beginning at Mae Taman Camp, you will learn about the care and handling of these gentle giants before setting off on a scenic elephant ride through the jungle, crossing rivers and passing through beautiful rural landscapes.

After the safari, you will return to the village by traditional ox cart and savor a delicious local lunch.

In the afternoon, continue your adventure with a relaxing bamboo rafting experience along the river. As you drift through the tranquil scenery, enjoy a unique perspective of northern Thailand’s natural beauty. After the rafting excursion, visit a local orchid farm to discover the cultivation of Thailand’s world-famous orchids and admire the vibrant displays of exotic blooms.

Later, you will return to Chiang Mai and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Stay overnight in Chiang Mai.

Chiang Mai Elephant safari

After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to the local airport for your next destination.

The tour services end.