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9 Days In-depth Tour from Western to Central Bhutan
Paro - Thimphu (1N) - Punakha (1N) - Gangtey (1N) - Trongsa (1N) - Bumthang (1N) - Gangtey (1N) - Paro (2N)
This 8 nights 9 days Bhutan tour is suitable for those tourists who want to explore Bhutan more deeply. This tour involves most of the highlights of western and central Bhutan, such as the Bhutan National Museum, Paro Dzong, Bhutan Textile Museum, King's Memorial Chorten, Punakha Dzong, Trongsa Dzong, etc.
Besides, it allows you to explore the stunning Phobjikha Valley, known for its picturesque landscapes and the winter home of the endangered black-necked cranes. A visit here will leave you with unforgettable memories of Bhutan's natural beauty and rich wildlife.
What’s more, you will embark on a hike to the well-known Tiger's Nest Monastery to take in the eye-catching view of Paro Valley.
- Jan. to Jun and Sept. to Dec.
- Cultural Sightseeing
- Customized Private Tour for One and More
Highlights
- Admire Thimphu’s cultural wonders like National Memorial Chorten and Tashichho Dzong.
- Visit the most beautify Punakha Dzong and Chhimi Lhakhang.
- Explore the cultural heritages of central Bhutan in Trongsa and Bumthang.
- Discover the beautiful Probjikha valley in central Bhutan.
- Visit famous Ta Dzong Museum, Paro Rinpung Dzong.
- Hike toTaksang Lhakhang (Tiger’s Nest), the holiest temple of Bhutan.
Itinerary
Day 1: Paro Arrival and Transfer to Thimphu
Highlight: Arrive in Paro and visit Tschogang Lhakhang on the way to Thimphu; visit Tashichho Dzong and King's Memorial Chorten in Thimphu.
Welcome to Bhutan, the land of the “Thunder Dragon”!
Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, you will meet our 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 Chortern (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
Accommondation in Thimphu
The following local hotels are for your reference. Please feel free to tell us your preferred hotel standard while enquiring about your trip to Bhutan.
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Thimphu Namseling Hotel
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Thimphu Druk Hotel
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Thimphu Six Senses Bhutan
Meals Included
- Lunch and Dinner
Please feel free to tell us any of your food requirement.
Day 2: Thimphu Sightseeing and Driving to Punakha
Highlight: Cross Dochula Pass and visit Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lhakhang.
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).
After arrival in Punakha, 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.
After witnessing the superb Punakha Dzong, you will continue to 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.
Later, you will drive back to Punakha.
Stay overnight in Punakha.
Witnessing the superb Punakha Dzong
Accommodation
The following local hotels are for your reference. Please feel free to tell us your preferred hotel standard while enquiring about your trip to Bhutan.
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Punakha Meri Phuntsum
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Punakha Zhingkham Resort
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Punakha COMO Uma
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Punakha to Phobjikha / Gangtey
Highlight: Drive through Phobjikha Valley and visit Gangtey Monastery and Black-Necked Crane Information Center.
After breakfast, you will start your journey to Gangtey (2,890m), located 80 kilometers from Punakha. Also known as Phobjikha, Gangtey is one of Bhutan’s most stunning destinations and serves as the winter home for a group of endangered black-necked cranes that migrate annually from the Tibetan Plateau.
Upon your arrival, you will visit Gangtey Monastery, generally known as Gangtey Goempa. Situated atop a hill at an altitude of 2800m, the monastery offers a stunning view of Phobjikha Valley.
Then, you will visit the Black-Necked Crane Information Center, located on the edge of the forest and wetlands along the main road in Phobjikha Valley. The center features an observation room with high-powered telescopes and spotting scopes for the best views of the cranes. If you visit between November and January, you'll have the chance to see many black-necked cranes.
Stay overnight in Gangtey.
Gangtey Monastery
Accommodation
The following local hotels are for your reference. Please feel free to tell us your preferred hotel standard while enquiring about your trip to Bhutan.
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Gangtey Dewachen
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Gangtey RKPO Green Resort
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Amankora Gangtey
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Phobjikha to Trongsa
Highlight: Drive to Trongsa and visit Trongsa Dzong and the Tower of Trongsa Museum.
In the morning, you will start a drive to Trongsa (2,220m), the geographical and historical center of Bhutan. The journey from Gangtse to Trongsa covers a distance of approximately 84 kilometers and takes about 3.5 hours.
Upon arrival in Trongsa, you will visit the Trongsa Dzong, the largest dzong fortress in Bhutan. From there, you will enjoy a stunning view overlooking the gorge of the Mangde River.
Then, you will head to the Tower of Trongsa Royal Heritage Museum, a key historical site in Bhutan. The five-story building showcases Buddhist art and royal memorabilia, including treasures like the 500-year-old coat of Ngagi Wangchuk and the football boots worn by the young fourth king.
Stay overnight in Trongsa.
Visit Trongsa Dzong
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Trongsa to Bumthang
Highlight: Cross the Yotong La Pass and visit Yathra Weaving Center and Jambay Lhakhang in Bumthang.
After breakfast, you will start the overland journey eastwards to Bumthang (2,700m), the spiritual heart in central Bhutan. After driving through the zigzag road to Yotong La Pass, you'll see a Tibetan-style Buddhist stupa surrounded by countless colorful prayer flags. As you drive downhill, you'll head to the Yathra Weaving Center in Zugney village, where you can watch locals weaving Yathra textiles.
Upon arrival in Bumthang, you will worship the Jambay Lhakhang, a temple built by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet in 659 AD. It is one of Bhutan’s oldest and most sacred temples, which was renovated by Sindhu Raja after Guru Rinpoche restored his life with his magical powers.
Stay overnight in Bumthang.
Jambay Lhakhang
Accommodation
The following local hotels are for your referrence. Please feel free to tell us your preferred hotel standard while enquring for your trip to Bhutan.
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Bumthang Ugyenling
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Bumthang Jakar Village
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Amankora Bumthang
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Bumthang to Wangdue Phodrang / Gangtey
Highlight: Take a long road trip back to Gangtey.
After breakfast, you will start your journey back to Gangtey (2,890m) via Pele La Pass (3,300m). With a total distance of 190 kilometers, it takes around 7 hours to get to Gangtey in Wangdue Phodrang from Bumthang.
After arriving at Pele La Pass, you can see a brilliant stupa with colorful prayer flags in front of you. Besides, if weather permits, you will get a fantastic view of Mt.Jomolhari and Jichu Drake on the way.
In the late afternoon, you will arrive in Gangtey. Our guide will help you check in at the hotel.
Stay overnight in Gangtey.
Pele La Pass
Accommodation
The following local hotels are for your referrence. Please feel free to tell us your preferred hotel standard while enquring for your trip to Bhutan.
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Gangtey Dewachen
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Gangtey RKPO Green Resort
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Amankora Gangtey
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Gangtey to Paro
Highlight: Visit Wangdue Phodrang Dzong and drive back to Paro to visit Paro Rinpung Dzong.
After breakfast, you will visit Wangdue Phodrang Dzong. It was founded by the Zhabdrung in 1638 atop a high ridge between the Puna Tsang Chhu and the Dang Chhu.
Then, you will spend 3 hours driving back to Paro.
Upon your arrival in Paro, you will visit 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.
Stay overnight in Paro.
Wangdue Phodrang Dzong
Accommodation
The following local hotels are for your referrence. Please feel free to tell us your preferred hotel standard while enquring for your trip to Bhutan.
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Paro Olathang Hotel
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Paro Tashi Namgay Resort
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Paro Le Meridien Hotel
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Taktsang Monastery Hike in Paro
Highlight: Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery to enjoy spectacular views from it.
After breakfast, you will start your hike to Taktsang Monastery (also known as Tiger’s Nest 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 and freely explore Paro to experience its unique lifestyle here.
Stay overnight in Paro.
Special Notice
You're not allowed to take photos inside Taktsang Monastery, but you can take a nice shot on your hiking road to the monastery. At the temple entrance, you have to deposit all belongings, like cameras, phones, other electronic equipment, etc.
Tiger’s Nest Monastery
Accommodation
The following local hotels are for your reference. Please feel free to tell us your preferred hotel standard while enquiring about your trip to Bhutan.
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Paro Olathang Hotel
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Paro Tashi Namgay Resort
-
Paro Le Meridien Hotel
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Tour Price
Add-on Activities
The general travel itineraries in Bhutan are usually leisure and relaxing. To make the most of your time in Bhutan, you can choose to have more activities as you like, such as light hiking around the town or a featured cultural experience.
Here, we offer the most popular activities that many of our travelers choose to add to their Bhutan tours. For more available activities or anything you want to add to your Bhutan trip, just feel free to contact us.
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Bhutan Hot Stone Bath
The popular Hot Stone Bath, a traditional healing process in Bhutan, is a great experience for you to relax and refresh yourself after one day of hiking or trekking. Different from a hot spring, it is a kind of hot water bath offered traditionally with a wooden tub and herbs in the water. You can experience it in a local farmhouse or a resort.
Please notice that you need to pay additional fees for the hot stone bath (usually within 30 minutes).
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Sightseeing Hiking
Even if you don't go on a trekking tour in Bhutan, you can still enjoy pleasant hikes during your trip. In places like Gangtey, Bumthang, and Trongsa in western and central Bhutan, there are easy hiking and trekking trails around the towns. You can take a light hike for 1 to 2 hours after your regular sightseeing. Just feel free to tell your guide if you are interested in an extra hiking experience.
Usually, there's no extra charge for short hikes that only take a few hours.
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Cultural Exploration
Bhutan is a place that is rich in culture and handicraft. If you want to experience more local culture and the real life of the locals, you can ask for more activities, such as a visit to a local weekend market, a class of traditional Bhutan archery, or traditional weaving in Bhutan. Just feel free to let us know what you are looking for and want to experience during your Bhutan tour, we will help you find the best options to do.
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Farmhouse Homestay
All of our tour packages cover the accommodation from 3-star hotels to 5-star hotels and resorts. But if you want to get closer to the local Bhutanese life, it is suggested to take a night stay in a farmhouse. It will be an unforgettable experience to eat ordinary food and dishes and live in the typical Bhutanese house just like a Bhutanese does.
Since the accommodation is required to be arranged in advance, if you are keen on a homestay in Bhutan, please tell us as early as possible.
Food and Drinks
All of our Bhutan tour packages include three meals a day. The local restaurants often provide Bhutanese food. In some hotels, you can have a Western buffet at breakfast and dinner. There are also local markets selling fresh fruits, such as apples, pineapples, and so on. If you have any requirements for food, such as vegetarian, please feel free to tell your travel consultant or your local guide.
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Bhutanese Food
Most of your meals are in local restaurants, which offer typical Bhutanese food. The most popular food among local people is the Chili Cheese.
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Western Buffet
Besides the traditional Bhutan dishes, you can also have a Western buffet in some hotels in Bhutan, which provides more choices for you.
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Western Breakfast
The breakfast offered in Bhutan hotels often includes eggs, toast with butter, honey, and jams. You can choose to have a cup of tea or coffee.
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Water and Drinks
For every day trip, we offer one bottle of water for each tourist. There are also kinds of soft drinks you can buy in restaurants, hotels, or shops in the town in Bhutan. Also, you can taste the local beers if you want.
Bhutan Tour Planning FAQs
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