Bhutan Highlights Tour

10 days

Duration

Easy

Trip Level

Group Size

Year round

Dates

Bhutan is the best destination for travellers. The Bhutan highlights tour showcases the diverse, beautiful landscapes and abundant of the culture of the nation. Butan is the truly fantastic place with spectacular mountain scenery, and dynamic culture. Hence, it called itself the land of thunder dragon. Bhutan perhaps most mysterious and diverse from all Himalayan kingdom. The centuries a traditional Buddhist culture has thrived and isolation from rest of the earth. Bhutan is the place whereas green forests, valleys, exhilarated monasteries, arts and architectures and holy mountains unique in the nation.

Although the journey begins in Paro, straightforward to Thimpu. The Bhutan highlights tour combine beautiful landmark of Paro, Punakha and experience the hustle and bustle of Thimpu. Besides that, gaining some hiking experience in the countryside including the impressive Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) monastery. Since a journey through the spectacular beauty of the people and landscape. So the culture of Bhutan will have your happiness levels off the scale. During the tour, visit the majestic Punakha Dzong, monasteries and temples extended throughout the kingdom.

Another highlight of the tour is hiking off the beaten track in the Haa valley. It situated north-west in Bhutan bordering with Tibet. The trail goes through the Chelela pass into the perfect trekking place along the river bank since its view out the Tibet’s majestic peaks. But, the people of Bhutan are charming and happy, welcome you to discover the Buddhist culture and traditional lifestyle.

Bhutan Highlights Tour: Highlights

A spiritual Tour visiting some of the most sacred places of Bhutan

Explore Haa valley and breathtaking views from Chelela pass, majestic Tibet’s peaks

Visit Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) monastery hanging on the mountain cliffs

Explore the unique culture and some hiking experience throughout kingdom

DEPARTURE/RETURN

Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu

DEPARTURE TIME

Please enter at least 3 hours before the flight.

INCLUDED

Airfare	Accommodations
Local transportation	Professional guide

NOT INCLUDED

Entrance fees

Tips for Guide & porters

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Day 1: Arrival day (1,300 m)

Upon arrival at Kathmandu, you will greet and welcome by our agency’s representative in front of Arrival gate with Display board of Himalayan Exploration Treks then transfer to your Hotel.

Day 2: Free day and trek preparation.

During the free day in Kathmandu, you may have a chance to visit heritage site of Kathmandu valley, followed by pre-trip departure meeting regarding upcoming trekking peak climbing where you meet trek guide and other team members. They will brief you about the team formation, equipment and nature of peak climbing and others necessary information

Day 3: Fly to Paro 1h00 fly.

As per flight schedule to Bhutan, we can enjoy amazing views of the Himalayas including the sacred Chomolhari and Jichu Drake peaks. At the airport, we will be greeted by a representative from Himalayan Exploration who will take us to our hotel. After lunch, we visit Rinpung Dzong, meaning ‘fortress of the heap of jewels’. Next, visit Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the country. From here we will be taken to the Drugyal Dzong (Bhutan Victory Fort), which was built in 1646 to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over Tibetan invaders during the 1600s. On a clear day, we can see Mount Chomolhari, Bhutan’s second-highest mountain, at 7,314meters. Overnight in Paro.

Day 4: Paro to Haa Valley (2250m): 3h00 drive

In the morning we drive to Haa valley across Chele La pass at 3810m. The pass is dotted with colorful Buddhist prayer flags and offers stunning views of Mount Chomolhari and the valley below. We hike further down the pass to the Kila Gompa Nunnery, which is perched precariously along the rock face. Next, walk for a few miles through coniferous forests before driving downhill towards the picturesque Haa Valley. Overnight in Haa Valley.

Day 5: Haa Valley to Thimphu (2,320m/7,424ft): 4h00 drive

We drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, through beautiful villages and pine forests. It is a pleasurable ride, with many optional stops along the road. After passing Dobji Dzong, our trail descends and joins the main road at Chhuzom. We can stop here and enjoy watching local farmers sitting by the roadside and selling vegetables, apples and dried cheese. Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 6: Sightseeing in Thimpu

In the morning, we visit King’s Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972), the nunnery temple, the mini-zoo to see Takin, the national animal of Bhutan and the radio tower (for a great view of the Thimphu Valley and the Thimphu Dzong). After lunch, we visit other landmarks of Thimphu including the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Bhutanese traditional painting school, folk-heritage museum, the majestic Tashichho Dzong and the traditional paper factory. However, some of the landmarks are closed on the weekends (Saturdays and Sundays). Therefore, if we are in Thimphu during the weekends, we explore the Weekend Market instead. Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 7: Thimphu to Punakha: (1,250m): 3h00 drive

After breakfast, we set out on a scenic drive to Punakha with a stop at Dochu La pass (3,100m), where on a clear day we can get spectacular views of the Himalayas. From the pass, we drive downhill through rhododendron, fir and hemlock forests. We stop at Lobesa and hike through rice paddies to Chimi Lhakhang temple. This temple is dedicated to Drukpa Kuenley, or the ‘Divine Madman’, who is believed to bless women who seek fertility. After reaching Punakha, we visit the Punakha Dzong, which is situated between the male and female rivers like an anchored ship. Overnight in Punakha.

Day 8: Excursion in Punakha

After breakfast, we begin our hike to a village connected by the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan. The views from the bridge of the nearby mountains and the river below are breathtaking! We walk on a leveled trail along the Mo Chu River and come to a local village where we tour farmhouses and meet families who may offer you a cup of butter tea or an “ara” which is a local wine made of wheat or rice. Later in the afternoon, we can hike further to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten, a delightful 3-story chorten that looks down on the upper Punakha Valley. The views of the valley and the surrounding snow-capped mountains are stunning. Overnight in Punakha.

Day 9: Punakha to Paro: 4h00 drive

After breakfast, we drive to Paro via Dochu La pass. There, we visit the new Druk Wangyal Monastery. With elaborate paintings depicting the lineage of the present monarchy and their visionary works, the Druk Wangyal Monastery is the only one of its kind in the country. After the tour of the monastery, we continue our drive with a stop in Thimphu for lunch. Overnight in Paro.

Day 10: Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery

After breakfast, we hike for 4 -5 hours to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan’s most famous monastery situated at 3,180 meters. Guru Rinpoche (spiritual master) is said to have flown on the back of a tigress to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands. Lunch will be served in the Cafeteria Restaurant, located about halfway up the mountain. After having explored the monastery, we hike down to the valley floor and return to Paro. Overnight in Paro.

Day 11: Fly out Kathmandu and sightseeing

Upon our arrival in Kathmandu, a Himalayan Exploration representative will pick us up from the airport. We will then be transferred to our hotel. After freshening up we begin our sightseeing tour of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Patan Durbar Square is rich in ancient art and architecture while Bhaktapur is an irresistible city with an authentic local lifestyle preserved over centuries of isolation from the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu. While in the city square of Bhaktapur, we get to admire the Nyata-Pola Temple, the Golden Gate, water spouts and the 55 Window Palace which merge together to provide an ambiance of a magical outdoor theater to its visitors. We also immerse ourselves in the authentic delicacy of the locals in Bhaktapur. Then we drive to Nagarkot, a village renowned for its sunrise and sunset views of the Himalayas and enjoy spectacular sunset views amidst the Himalayas. Overnight in Nagarkot.

Day 12: Final departure

Drive back to Kathmandu after seeing the stunning view of sunrise over the Himalayas. Nothing to do and rest at the hotel. A representative from Himalayan Exploration Treks will escort you to the airport approximately 3 hours before the scheduled flight.