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11-Day Essence of Bhutan

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Overview

Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, Bhutan has always been an independent kingdom. It remained closed to the outside world for a long time and because of this, its age-old culture, tradition, spiritual heritage and environment are still intact.

The Bhutanese are deeply religious, practicing Mahayana Buddhism. The country is dotted with Buddhist monasteries, chortens, prayer flags and monuments.

A trekker’s paradise and an environmentalist’s dream. With 72.5 per cent of the country is covered by forest, home to rare and endangered flora and fauna.

Enjoy a unique blend of old and new on this Bhutan trip plan. Here is a country that is slowly opening up to the modern world in a fine balance with its ancient traditions. Those fortunate enough to visit Bhutan describe it as a unique, deeply spiritual experience. This kingdom is an adventure like no other.
Sightseeing
Culture & Arts
Hiking & Trekking
Wellness

Itinerary

Day 1

Paro Arrival and Thimphu Sightseeing

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Paro Arrival and Thimphu Sightseeing

Transfer into the city to start your sightseeing immediately, visit the Rinpung Dzong meaning ‘fortress of jewels’, which is the seat of the Paro district built in 1645 by Shadrung Ngawang Namgyal. Then visit a Buddhist monastery and fortress on the northern edge of the city of Thimphu. This has traditionally been the seat of the Druk Desi (or "Dharma Raja"), the head of Bhutan's civil government combined with the kingship since the creation of the monarchy in 1907.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Phuntsho Pelri3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
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    Activities

    Rinpung Dzong

    Kuensel Phodrang

    Tashichho Dzong

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Yue-ling Restaurant

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Paro International Airport to Paro

    Private Driver from Paro to Thimphu

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Paro

    Thimphu

Day 2

Thimphu to Punakha

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Thimphu to Punakha

The drive from Thimphu to Punakha takes us first to the Dochula Mountain Pass looking out to the snow-covered Himalayas. Here there are 108 memorial chortens built by the eldest Queen Mother. Visit to Punakha Dzong, the most beautiful dzong in the country, especially in spring when the lilac-coloured jacaranda trees bring amazing colours to the dzong's towering whitewashed walls. After lunch hike to the Devine Madman’s Monastery, famously known for its fertility shrine.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Meri Puensum Resort3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
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    Activities

    Dochula Pass

    Punakha Dzong

    Chimi Lhakhang

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Thimphu to Punakha

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Thimphu

    Dochula

    Punakha

    Walakha

Day 3

Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel

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Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel

Khamsum Yulley Namgyal stands majestically on a strategic ridge above the Punakha valley. Built over a period of 14 years, Bhutanese craftsmen including carpenters, painters, and sculptors consulted holy scriptures rather than engineering manuals, to construct this 4-storey temple. Today's hike take you along a simple trail to reach the temple and gaze out at the stunning views below.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Meri Puensum Resort3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
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    Activities

    Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten

    Punakha Suspension Bridge

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Walakha

    Punakha

Day 4

Punakha to Phobjikha

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Punakha to Phobjikha

Visit Gangtey Gompa, the seat of the Ngyingmapa Buddhism, one of the religious sects in Bhutan. The present reincarnate is the 9th descendant of Terton Pema Lingpa. This place serves as the wintering place for endangered black-necked cranes migrating from Tibet from November to February to escape harsh weather there. The road to Gangtey passes through dense forests and oak, rhododendron tress and is beautiful.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Dewachen Hotel & Spa3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
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    Activities

    Gangtey Monastery

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    Restaurants

    Gakiling Guesthouse

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Punakha to Phobjikha Valley

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Walakha

    Wangdue Phodrang

Day 5

Phobjikha to Bumthang

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Phobjikha to Bumthang

Bumthang is the general name given to the combination of four valleys: Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura with altitude varying from 2,600 metres to 4,000 metres. It is home to many prominent Buddhist temples and monasteries and was the seat of the government until the reign of the second king. You'll spend most of your day travelling with a few stops to visit some impressive sites along the way.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Yu-Gharling Resort & Spa4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
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    Activities

    Jakar Dzong

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Phobjikha Valley to Bumthang

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Wangdue Phodrang

    Jakar

Day 6

Bumthang Sightseeing

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Bumthang Sightseeing

This region is the religious heartland of the nation and home to some of its oldest Buddhist temples and monasteries in the country which you will visit today. Tales of Guru Padmasambhava and the tertons (“religious treasure-discoverers”) still linger in this sacred region. The valleys are broad and gently carved by the ancient glaciers. The wide and scenic valleys draw a large number of tourists each year.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Yu-Gharling Resort & Spa4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Jambey Lhakhang

    Kurjey Lhakhang

    Tamshing Lhakhang

    Mebar Tsho

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Jakar

    Bumthang

Day 7

Bumthang to Punakha

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Bumthang to Punakha

Pelela pass at 3300 metres is an important dividing range that separates Western Bhutan from Central and Eastern Bhutan. Crossing this important pass, you might enjoy the pastoral atmosphere as you drive deeper into the valley with meadows where sheep and yaks graze. If you are a bird watcher, look out for the indigenous wren babbler taking refuge underneath the bamboo. Trongsa, the sacred and the temporal heart of the country is the first district that you will come across.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Wangdue Ecolodge3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
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    Activities

    Trongsa Dzong

    Chendebji Chorten

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Bumthang to Punakha

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Jakar

    Trongsa

    Wangdue Phodrang

Day 8

Punakha to Thimphu

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Punakha to Thimphu

Start your journey back to Thimphu via a small factory that produces traditional Bhutanese paper from the bark of the daphne bush - you can see the whole process. Visit the prominent National Memorial Chorten, which is predominantly white with spires of gold. It was erected in 1974 in honour of the father of modern Bhutan, the third king of the country. Stop by Kuensel Phodrang - Buddha Point, a gigantic Buddha statue, which houses over one hundred thousand smaller Buddha statues.

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    Accommodation

    City Hotel4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory

    Memorial Chorten

    Changangkha Lhakhang

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Simply Bhutan

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Phobjikha Valley to Thimphu

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Thimphu

Day 9

Thimphu to Paro

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Thimphu to Paro

You'll journey back to Paro for the last leg of your journey. Visit one of the oldest monasteries in the country built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo and the ruins of Drukgyal Dzong. This fortress was built around 1644-49 to commemorate the Bhutanese victory over the Tibetan-Mongol forces. It was later burnt in an accidental fire in 1951.

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    Activities

    Tachog Lhakhang

    Kyichu Lhakhang

    Drukgyel Dzong

    Hot Stone BathsOptional Activity

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Yue-ling Restaurant

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Thimphu to Paro

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Thimphu

    Paro

Day 10

Hike to Tiger's Nest

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Hike to Tiger's Nest

Paro is a valley of religious myth and legend. The most famous landmark, the Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest), stands on a granite cliff about 800 metres above the valley. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche, a famous Buddhist saint, flew to Paro on a tigress and meditated at Taktsang. The monastery is considered as a national treasure of Bhutan. Today is dedicated to hiking to the monastery to see it in its majesty. It will take you most of the day.

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Hike to Tiger's Nest

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Paro

Day 11

Weekend Market and Departure

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Weekend Market and Departure

Visit Paro's weekend market before your departure. This market isn't very large but it has a traditional feel and has some unique local products like organic Tsirang honey, squares of dried jellied cow skin known as khoo (a local snack). Drive to the airport for your departure.

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    Activities

    Paro Market

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Paro to Paro International Airport

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Paro

Included in Price

  • 8 nights accommodation
  • 24 activities
  • 10 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 10 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

Included
- Government Royalty of USD 65 per person/night
- All Government Taxes
- One bottled mineral water/per person/day
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