Bhutan Tour with Day Hikes and Haa Valley - 8 days

You will be greeted by the views of the high hills and mesmerizing Bhutanese Himalayas in the backdrop as you land at Paro. Our representatives waiting at the international terminal will drop you off at your hotel in Paro.

After unpacking, you will take a guided tour in Paro, starting with a visit to the Rinpung Dzong, known popularly as the "Fortress of Heap of Jewels." Witness the 14 shrines and fine paintings. 

From there, visit the 'spiritual heart' and the oldest temple of Bhutan, Kyichu Lakhang, built in the 7th century and holding a 5m high Guru Rinpoche statue.

Late in the evening, you can try some Bhutanese cuisine and interact with the locals.

Overnight stay in Paro.   

Start the day with a scenic drive from Paro to Haa valley in the southwest. On the way, make a stop for a hike to the viewpoint of Chele La Pass. Known to be the highest vehicle-accessible road in Bhutan, views of the distant Jumolhari mountains are visible.

Once you are at Haa, the sightseeing visit will start from the nearby Lhakang Karpo sitting between three tall mountains. Then walk towards Lhakhang Nagpo, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Haa.

Overnight stay in Haa valley. 

Leaving behind the culturally rich Haa Valley, make your way to the capital city of Bhutan, Thimphu. Passing by villages, and pine forests, on the way, make a brief stop to explore the Dobji Dzong, the first model Dzong in Bhutan. Then the road to Chuzom will take you to Thimphu.

Sightseeing begins after you freshen up and have lunch. The guided tour starts from the Royal Textile Museum displaying textiles and artistic weaves.

Then, to witness the Bhutanese culture and heritage, visit the Folk Heritage Museum displaying basic household tools, musical instruments, and more.

Next up for the sightseeing visit is Tashichho Dzong, an architecturally beautiful fortress that hosts the Throne Room of the King. From there, make your way to the hotel for a well-deserved sleep.

Overnight stay in Thimphu.

Before you begin your drive to Punakha, visit the National Memorial Chorten in Thimphu, which was established in honor of the third King Jigme.

Then visit the largest Buddha statue in Bhutan, the 50m high Buddha Dordenma.

Midway through the scenic drive to Punakha, stop at DochuLa Pass (3,150m) to enjoy a cup of tea while witnessing the majestic mountains. The drive continues along the rhododendron and hemlock forests traversing rice fields to Punakha.

Upon settling at the hotel, take a sightseeing tour to the Punakha Dzong, The second largest and second oldest dzongs in Bhutan.

Overnight stay in Punakha.

One of the most adventurous days in the entire tour is your visit to the Gangtey/Phobjikha Valley. The morning starts with a drive from Punakha to Wangdue Phodrang, where you will stop at Wangdue to get a glimpse of the Dzong on ridge. The drive continues via the Lawala Pass to Phobjikha Valley.

The valley is located in the Black Mountain National Park, known for its rich biodiversity. Make sure your hiking boots are ready as you take the Nature Trail hike from Gangtey to Phobjikha valley.

The greenery of the Phobjikha valley with rhododendron, maple, and pines is almost magical. If your hike is in the winter season, you might be lucky to witness the Black Necked Cranes in the valley.

Overnight stay in Phobjikha Valley.

As you drive to Paro, it is time to bid farewell to the Gangtey Monastery and Phobjikha Valley. It is a relatively long drive back, so you can make brief stops in between. Upon reaching Paro, you can head to the hotel to relax or even go on a sightseeing visit to the Ta Dzong, the national museum of Bhutan and the tallest building there.

Overnight stay in Paro.

This is yet another exciting hiking day because you will visit one of the world's most popular monasteries, the Tiger's Nest Monastery, also called Paro Taktsang. As the story goes, the legendary Guru Rimpoche sat on the back of his tigress and flew there to meditate in two of the caves here. In that belief, this monastery was built here in the 16th century.

Start the day with a drive to the base of the hiking point, then begin with an initial steep ascent and follow the Buddhist prayer flags. You can witness panoramic views of the Paro valley and the distant mountains from the monastery. Visit the Pel Phuk and Thulo Phuk caves, and witness the paintings and the large prayer wheel before you hike back.

Overnight stay in Paro.

The amazing Bhutan tour comes to an end on this day. You will be driven to the airport by our representatives to catch your respective flight.

If you want to extend your tour to other western or eastern parts of Bhutan or wish to have a similar tour in the future, feel free to contact us.