travee+7N/8D Bhutan Cultural Circuit: Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey and Paro - Dzongs, a Crane Valley and the Tiger Nest
Thimphu, Punakha, Phobjikha, Paro · 7 nights / 8 days · Bhutan
From ₹29,441 per person
Dzongs, a Crane Valley and the Tiger Nest. Stay plan: Thimphu (2N) – Punakha (2N) – Phobjikha (1N) – Paro (2N). Arrive Paro International Airport, depart Paro International Airport.
Where the nights are
Thimphu (2N) → Punakha (2N) → Phobjikha (1N) → Paro (2N)
Day by day
- Day 1 — Arrival and transfer to Thimphu
Arrive at Paro International Airport. Clear immigration and baggage, meet our representative and transfer to your hotel in Thimphu — a 55 km, ninety-minute drive up the Wang Chhu valley. The capital, and the only one in the world without a traffic light — a valley of dzongs, weaving studios and a very large seated Buddha. The rest of the day is free to settle in. Overnight in Thimphu.
Overnight: Thimphu
- Day 2 — Thimphu: Buddha Dordenma statue over the valley
Breakfast at the hotel. A full day in Thimphu — the Buddha Dordenma statue over the valley; the Tashichho Dzong, seat of the government and the Je Khenpo; and the National Memorial Chorten and its circumambulating crowd. The evening is free for dinner and a walk on your own. Overnight in Thimphu.
Overnight: Thimphu
- Day 3 — Thimphu to Punakha
Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Leave for Punakha — a 75 km, three-hour drive over the Dochula pass and its 108 chortens. The old winter capital at 1,200 m, warm enough for rice and oranges, with the finest dzong in the country at the meeting of two rivers. Check in on arrival and, as the day allows, the Punakha Dzong at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu. Overnight in Punakha.
Overnight: Punakha
- Day 4 — Punakha: Chimi Lhakhang fertility temple across the rice fields
Breakfast at the hotel. A full day in Punakha — the Chimi Lhakhang fertility temple across the rice fields; the Punakha suspension bridge, one of the longest in Bhutan; and the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten and its valley walk. The evening is free for dinner and a walk on your own. Overnight in Punakha.
Overnight: Punakha
- Day 5 — Punakha to Phobjikha
Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Leave for Phobjikha — a 75 km, three-hour drive over the Pele pass. A glacial valley at 3,000 m where the black-necked cranes come down from Tibet to winter, and where the Gangtey monastery looks over the whole bowl. Check in on arrival and, as the day allows, the black-necked cranes, from late October to mid-February. Overnight in Phobjikha.
Overnight: Phobjikha
- Day 6 — Phobjikha to Paro
Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Leave for Paro — a 200 km, six-hour drive west over two passes. The valley the only international airport sits in — a fortress over the river, the oldest temple in Bhutan and the Tiger Nest on the cliff above. Check in on arrival and, as the day allows, the Taktsang Tiger Nest monastery, a five-hour return climb. Overnight in Paro.
Overnight: Paro
- Day 7 — Paro: Rinpung Dzong and its cantilever bridge
Breakfast at the hotel. A full day in Paro — the Rinpung Dzong and its cantilever bridge; the Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan; and the National Museum in the old watchtower. The evening is free for dinner and a walk on your own. Overnight in Paro.
Overnight: Paro
- Day 8 — Paro — departure
Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Time for any last shopping before your transfer to Paro International Airport for the onward flight. The tour ends here, and we hope it is not your last visit to Bhutan.
Inclusions
- Accommodation in Tourism Council of Bhutan approved hotels on double sharing basis.
- All meals — breakfast, lunch and dinner — for the whole tour, as the Bhutan tariff requires.
- A licensed English-speaking Bhutanese guide throughout, and a private vehicle with driver.
- All monument, dzong and museum entrance fees named in the programme.
- Bhutan entry permit and route permits processed before arrival.
- Mineral water in the vehicle and a hot stone bath where the programme names one.
- 24x7 on-tour coordination and a dedicated Bhutan destination desk.
Exclusions
- Airfare to Paro or to the entry gateway, and airport taxes on it.
- The Sustainable Development Fee levied by the Royal Government of Bhutan, quoted separately because it is a government charge and it changes by nationality.
- Travel insurance, which is compulsory for entry.
- Optional activities not named in the programme — rafting, mountain biking, archery, a helicopter transfer or a festival photography permit.
- Alcoholic and bottled beverages, laundry, telephone, tips and personal expenses.
- Peak-season and festival-period hotel supplements, and any Gala Dinner supplement.
- Anything arising from circumstances outside our control — road block, landslide, a cancelled Paro flight or a change of government levy.