10 Days Bhutan Tour with Highlights from the West to East

Highlights: Arrive in Bhutan and visit Tschogang Lhakhang, Tashichho Dzong, and Local Bazaar.

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

Upon your arrival at Paro International Airport, your local guide and driver will meet you at the arrival hall of the airport. 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.Continue driving to Thimphu, where you will have a short stop at Chuzom, a confluence where the Paro Chhu and Wang 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.

Later, you will head to 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.

Then, you will explore 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.

Thimphu National Memorial Chorten

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).

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.

Next, you will continue to visit Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chortern. It sits majestically on a ridge above Punakha Valley with an amazing view of the countryside and the hills below.

Later, you will drive back to Punakha.

Stay overnight in Punakha.

Witnessing the superb Punakha Dzong

Highlights: Visit Chendebji Chorten, Trongsa Dzong, and Tower of Trongsa Museum.

Today, you will be transferred to Trongsa (2,180m) via Wangdue Phodrang. Covering a total distance of nearly 130 kilometers, it will take you about 4 hours to get to Trongsa from Punakha.

En route to Trongsa, you will visit Chendebji Chorten, a large Buddhist Stupa. The Chendebji Chorten is a large white structure built in likeness to the famous Bodhunath Stupa located in Kathmandu, Nepal. Built by Lama Shinda from Tibet in the 19th century AD, the Stupa is believed to have been constructed at a spot where an evil spirit was subdued by the Lama. Another striking feature of the Temple is the eyes painted at the four cardinal points of the temple.

After arriving in Trongsa, you will visit Trongsa Dzong, the largest dzong fortress in Bhutan built on a spur overlooking the gorge of the Mangde River.

Then, you will head to visit the old tower of Trongsa (also called the Royal Heritage Museum), a brilliant historical center of Bhutan. The five stories of showcases center around Buddhist workmanship and imperial memorabilia, including such fluctuated treasures as the 500-year-old coat of Ngagi Wangchuk and the football boots utilized by the teenaged fourth king.

Stay overnight in Trongsa.

Chendebji Chorten

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

Highlight: Explore the cultural heritages in Bumthang, such as Jakar Dzong, Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, and Namkhe Nyingpo Goemba.

In the morning, you will first visit Jakar Dong in Bumthang Valley. With a circumference of more than 1,500 meters, Jakar Dzong is one of the most majestic dzongs in Bhutan and is widely accepted as a wonderful piece of architectural art all over the country.

Then, you are going to 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.

After that, you will continue to visit the nearby Kurjey Lhakhang. It houses the imprint of Guru Rimpoche who meditated in a cave where the monastery was built.

Finally, you will explore Namkhe Nyingpo Goemba, a large Nyingmapa monastery located on a hill to the east of Jakar. Built in the 1970s by Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche, it offers a serene and spiritual experience.

Stay overnight in Bumthang.

Jambay Lhakhang

Highlight: Drive back to Gangtey through Phobjikha Valley and visit Gangtey Monastery.

After breakfast, you will start your journey to Gangtey (2,890m), located 163 kilometers from Bumthang. 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.

In the afternoon, 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 a 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: Back to Paro to visit Simtokha Dzong and Paro Rinpung Dzong.

Getting up early this morning, you will say farewell to the charming Gangtey Valley and take a 5-hour drive back to Paro.

En route, you will visit the Simtokha Dzong. Built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, Simtokha Dzong is often said to be the first dzong in Bhutan.

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.

Paro Rinpung Dzong

Highlights: Enjoy a day trip to Haa Valley and visit Lhakhang Nagpo.

Today, you will drive 2.5 hours from Paro to Haa (2,740m). On the way, you will pass through the Chele La Pass (3,988m), which offers the majestic panorama of the Himalayan Ranges and the valley beyond. If weather permits, you will capture a stunning view of Bhutan's second-highest peak, Mt.Jomolhari (7, 314m) from here.

After arriving at Haa, you will head to visit Lhakhang Nagpo, also called the Black Temple. With a history of 1300 years, it is one of the oldest temples in Haa Valley. It is said that when searching out auspicious locations for two new temples the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo released one black pigeon and one white pigeon. And the black pigeon landed here, the white one at Lhakhang Kharpo (White Chapel).

In the late afternoon, you will drive back to Paro.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Chele La Pass

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.