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10-Day Spiritual and Cultural Heartland Tour

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Overview

This 10-day tour is one of the most satisfying tours covering major tourist sites of Bhutan. Importantly, it passes through Punakha, the ancient capital of Bhutan where kings are still crowned today, and Trongsa, a landmark associated with the Monarchy of Bhutan. The Bhutan tour will also include a visit Bumthang, known as the cultural and spiritual hub of Bhutan as it houses many spiritual and religious sites.

You will visit many important historical, spiritual and cultural monuments dating from the 7th century to the present day and come to understand how Bhutan has been spiritually shaped into the Drukpa state, The Land of the Thunder Dragon and the last bastion of the Vajrayana Kingdom.

At the same time, you will discover Bhutanese art, culture, livelihood activities, and other places of interest. The tour has been designed to enable you to not just see Bhutan but to experience it through every sense to leave you feeling refreshingly different.
Sightseeing
Culture & Arts
Hiking & Trekking
Outdoors & Nature
Wellness
Food & Drink

Itinerary

Day 1

Paro Arrival and Travel to Thimphu

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Paro Arrival and Travel to Thimphu

After meeting you at the Paro International Airport, our guide and driver will take you to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. Once you've checked into the Hotel Riverview, you will visit historical, monumental and cultural sites of significance in Thimphu. These will include Simtokha Dzong, Centenary Farmers Market and Tashichho Dzong. Later, you'll enjoy dinner in the popular ZaSa restaurant in Thimphu.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Riverview3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Simtokha Dzong

    Centenary Farmers Market

    Tashichho Dzong

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    ZaSa Restaurant

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Paro International Airport to Hotel Riverview

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Thimphu

    Semtokha

Day 2

Thimphu Sightseeing

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Thimphu Sightseeing

After breakfast, you'll head out to visit various historical, traditional and natural sites in and around Thimphu. These will include a visit to the National Library of Bhutan, Folk Heritage Museum, Institute of Traditional Arts and Crafts, and the Takin Preserve. After having lunch, you'll visit the Royal Textile Academy, Memorial Chorten, Changangkha Lhakhang and Buddha Point, where the largest Buddha Statue of Bhutan can be seen.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Riverview3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    National Library of Bhutan

    Folk Heritage Museum Kawajangsa

    National Institute for Zorig Chusum

    Motithang Takin Preserve

    Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan

    Memorial Chorten

    Changangkha Lhakhang

    Kuensel Phodrang

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Hotel Riverview Restaurant

    Folk Heritage Museum Kawajangsa

    Bhutan Kitchen

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Thimphu

    Motithang

Day 3

Thimphu to Punakha

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Thimphu to Punakha

After breakfast, you'll continue your Bhutan tour towards Punakha. En-route, you'll visit Dochula pass to take in the views of the Himalayan Mountain Ranges. Further along your journey, you'll make a stop at the Chimi Lhakhang, a divine mad man's temple. After lunch, you'll visit a famous ridgetop nunnery, before reaching the Punakha Residency where you'll stay for the night. Before dinner, you'll be able to visit the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Punakha Residency3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Dochula Pass

    Chimi Lhakhang

    Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery

    Punakha Suspension Bridge

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Hotel Riverview Restaurant

    Divine Cafeteria

    Punakha Residency Restaurant

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Thimphu to Punakha

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Thimphu

    Dochula

    Punakha

    Sopsokha

    Khuruthang

Day 4

Punakha to Trongsa

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Punakha to Trongsa

After breakfast, you'll begin your journey towards Trongsa. On the way, you make a stop at Punakha Dzong, which means a great place of happiness and bliss, and also stop at the village of Nobding for lunch. After lunch, you'll stop to visit the Chendebji Chorten before reaching the Yangkhil Resort in the afternoon. After check-in, you'll have the opportunity to visit Ta Dzong Museum before enjoying dinner in the hotel.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Yangkhil Resort3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Punakha Dzong

    Chendebji Chorten

    Ta Dzong Museum Trongsa

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Punakha Residency Restaurant

    Kuenphen Restuarant

    Yangkhil Resort Restaurant

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Punakha to Trongsa

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Khuruthang

    Punakha

    Nubding

    Trongsa

Day 5

Trongsa to Bumthang

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Trongsa to Bumthang

After breakfast, you'll visit the Trongsa Dzong before heading onwards towards Bumthang. Bumthang is known as the spiritual and cultural heartland of Bhutan. You'll stop to have lunch at a local restaurant in Chumey along the way and also visit the Chumey Yathra Weaving Centre. Once you reach your hotel in Jakar, Bumthang, you'll be able to visit the Jakar Dzong and explore the local arts and crafts shops in Jakar.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Wangdicholing Resort3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Trongsa Dzong

    Chumey Yathra Weaving Centre

    Jakar Dzong

    Local Arts & Crafts

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Yangkhil Resort Restaurant

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Trongsa to Bumthang

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Trongsa

    Bumthang

    Jakar

Day 6

Bumthang Sightseeing

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Bumthang Sightseeing

Known as the cultural and spiritual hub of the country, Bumthang houses many important religious sites. In the morning, you'll visit Jambay Lhakhang, which was built in the 7th century by a Tibetan King. You'll then visit the sacred Kurjey Lhakhang, housing the body imprint of Guru Rinpoche on a rock. After lunch in a local restaurant, you'll visit Tamzhing Lhakhang, Konchogsum Lhakhang, and the Kharchu Monastery before enjoying some Swiss wine and cheese.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Wangdicholing Resort3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Jambey Lhakhang

    Kurjey Lhakhang

    Tamshing Lhakhang

    Konchogsum Lhakhang

    Kharchu Monastery

    Bumthang Swiss Cheese And Wine Shop

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Jakar

    Bumthang

Day 7

Bumthang to Phobjikha

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Bumthang to Phobjikha

You'll be driven from Bumthang to Phobjikha Valley with a stop at Chendebji restaurant for lunch. When you arrive you'll visit Gangtey Goempa and then watch for black-necked cranes which can be seen in the Phobjikha Valley from October until February. After this, you'll take a short refreshing hike in the valley to enjoy the panoramic views of Phobjikha and then spend some time interacting with the locals in the farmhouses.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Dewachen Hotel & Spa3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Black-Necked Crane Information Centre

    Phobjikha Valley

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Bumthang to Phobjikha Valley

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Jakar

    Wangdue Phodrang

Day 8

Phobjikha to Paro

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Phobjikha to Paro

You'll be driven from Phobjikha Valley to Paro and en route, you'll have lunch at Babesa village restaurant. After lunch, you'll visit Tachog Lhakhang founded by Tibetan Saint Thangtong Gyalpo, famous for being the iron chain bridge builder. After checking in to the Rema Resort, you'll enjoy some free time in Paro which could be used to explore the local arts and crafts shops.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Rema Resort3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Tachog Lhakhang

    Local Arts & Crafts

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Babesa Village Restaurant

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Phobjikha Valley to Paro

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Wangdue Phodrang

    Thimphu

    Paro

Day 9

Day Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery

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Day Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery

After breakfast, you'll be driven around 20 minutes to the starting point of the hike to Paro's Taktsang Monastery. Also known as Tiger's Nest Monastery, it is founded on the cliff and is one of the most iconic landmarks of Bhutan. You'll stop at Tiger's Nest Cafeteria for lunch which lies at the midpoint of the hike. Afterwards, you'll visit Ta Dzong National Museum and have a relaxing traditional hot stone bath to rest your tired body after the hike.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Rema Resort3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Hike to Tiger's Nest

    Paro Ta Dzong National Museum

    Hot Stone Baths

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Taktsang Cafeteria

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Rema Resort to Taktsang Trail

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Paro

    Wangdue Phodrang

Day 10

Drop off in Paro International Airport

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Drop off in Paro International Airport

Depending on the flight timing, you will be escorted to the airport and your guide will assist you with formalities before bidding you a safe journey home.

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Local Arts & Crafts

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Rema Resort to Paro International Airport

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Paro

Included in Price

  • 9 nights accommodation
  • 34 activities
  • 9 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 9 dinners
  • Airport transfer
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

Not Included in Price

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits

Notes

There is a sustainable development fee of $65 per night for Bhutan.
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