11 Days Bhutan Scenic Tour with Gasa Hot Spring Trekking

Highlights: Arrive in Bhutan and visit the National Memorial Chorten, Tashichho Dzong, and Buddha Dordenma Statue.

Welcome to Bhutan, the land of the “Thunder Dragon”.

Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, you will meet your local travel guide and driver at the airport’s Arriving Hall.

Then, you will be transferred to Thimphu (2,350m), the capital city of Bhutan. Covering a total distance of around 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.

After that, you will visit the King’s Memorial Chorten (National Memorial Chorten), a stupa built in memory of the third king in 1974. The display inside shows good statues of tantric Buddhist and its philosophy.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Thimphu National Memorial Chorten

Highlights: Visit the 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.

Visit the Takin Preserve

Highlights: 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).

Then, 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 honoraable treasury that preserves numerous Buddhist relics and historical legacies.

Stay overnight in Punakha.

Punakha Dzong

Highlights: Start the trek at Tashithang and camp at Geon Damji.

After an early breakfast, you will drive through the valley of Punakha on the Mo-chu side to Tashithang. It takes about 1.5 hours to drive 18 kilometers.

Upon arrival in Tashithang (1,840m), you will start the trek along the trail that gradually climbs up above the Mo-chu into the lush semi-tropical forest. You will trek through the forest filled with banana trees, creepers, and different kinds of orchids.

If luck favours, you can see “Takin”, the national animal, on the other bank of Mo-chu.

Finally, you will arrive in Geon Damji, a large village with rice terraces alongside.

Stay overnight at camp.

Camping at Geon Damji village

Highlights: Continue trekking to Gasa Hot Spring.

Today, you will pass through oak forests and enjoy different varieties of orchids along the way.

Before reaching Gasa, you will reach a viewpoint, where you can see a Dzong.

Then, you will continue trekking along the trail to Gasa Hot Spring, which is to descend through quite thick forest and mini bamboo.

Stay overnight at camp.

Gasa Hot Spring

Highlights: Have a rest at Gasa Hot Spring or trek to Gasa Dzong.

Today is free for you. You can try the hot spring located by the bank of a stream. There are cement pools to dip into.

Or, you can also hike up to Gasa Dzong at an elevation of 2,770m. It is a tough climb that takes about 2 hours up to the Gasa Dzong.

Stay overnight at camp.

Gasa Dzong

Highlights: Trek from Gasa Tsachu back to Geon Damji.

After breakfast, you will trek back to Geon Damji. The trail winds through rolling hillsides with vistas of fields, villages, and Oak and Pine forests. Gasa Dzong will be visible behind, glued to the valley wall as the trek proceeds ahead.

The route goes through small settlements and finally to the camp of Geon Damji, the large village with rice terraces on the hillsides.

Stay overnight at camp.

Highlights: Trek to Tashithang and drive back to Punakha.

Today, you will start your trek from Geon Damji and end at the vehicle point at Tashithang.

Then, you will take a drive to Punakha.

Upon arrival in Punakha, you will check into the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day as you like.

Stay overnight in Punakha.

Punakha Dzong

Highlights: Drive to Paro and visit Drukkgyel Dzong and Paro Rinpung Dzong.

After breakfast, you will have a 4.5 hours’ journey heading back to Paro, the home to Mount Jomolhari (7, 300m) situated at the northern end of the valley.

Upon your arrival in Paro, you will drive up to the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, the glorious fortress and Buddhist monastery in ancient time.

Then, you will visit the famous Paro Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong), a fortress once built to defend the valley from invasions. Nowadays, it serves as an administration center and school for monks.

After that, you will visit Ta Dzong, the national museum located on the hill behind the Paro Dzong. It houses many fine arts, religious relics, handicrafts, textiles, jewelry, etc. You can get a glimpse of Bhutan’s rich history, culture, and religion.

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.

Tiger’s Nest Monastery

After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to Paro International Airport for your next destination.

The tour services end.