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9-Day Bhutan Like a Local Tour

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Overview

On this tour visit Bhutan's more local side, an off-shoot of community-based tourism, that is designed to have a memorable impression while benefiting the local community. It is the best way to experience true tradition, culture, and the Bhutanese way of life. You will be exposed to various farm activities such as feeding animals, milking, making cheese and butter, working on farms,while joining the family for meals.

The Bhutanese people are, by nature, warm and welcoming. They will greet you with traditional hospitality and welcome you into their homes. By choosing to stay in their homestays, you are supporting the upholding of traditions and helping the locals make a sustainable living.

While the traditional farmhouse may not offer the facilities that hotels and resorts do, the experience could not be more unique and memorable for guests. The homestays that are arranged are all certified by the governing body of Bhutan.
Sightseeing
Culture & Arts
Hiking & Trekking
Outdoors & Nature
Wellness

Itinerary

Day 1

Paro Arrival and Travel to Haa

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Paro Arrival and Travel to Haa

After receiving you at the Paro International Airport, our guide and driver will take you to Haa. En route you'll have lunch in a local restaurant in Paro and there will be a stop at Chele La pass between Haa and Paro. Continuing on your journey, the beautiful Haa valley awaits you. You will visit another enchanting mountain pass, before finally reaching your Bhutanese family homestay.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Ugyen Homestay

    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

    Chele La Pass

    Haa Valley

    Tergola Pass

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Paro International Airport to Thimphu

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Paro

    Haa

Day 2

Haa to Thimphu

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Haa to Thimphu

After breakfast, you will travel to Thimphu through the picturesque villages of Jabana, Susuna, and Dogakha, where you will pay a visit to the Dobji Dzong. In Thimphu, you will visit some places of historical, cultural and social importance including the Simtokha Dzong, Centenary Farmers Market, and Tashichho Dzong. You'll enjoy some free time in the evening.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Gyelsa Boutique Inn3 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

    Dobji Dzong

    Simtokha Dzong

    Centenary Farmers Market

    Tashichho Dzong

    Craft Bazaar and Clock Tower Square

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Dechen Wangmo Farmhouse

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Haa to Thimphu

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Haa

    Paro

    Thimphu

    Semtokha

Day 3

Sightseeing in Thimphu

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Sightseeing in Thimphu

You'll visit Bhutan's various historical, traditional, and natural sites in Thimphu including the Royal Textile Academy, the National Library, and Folk Heritage Museum, where you'll also stop for lunch. In the afternoon, you'll visit Changangkha Lhakhang, Memorial Chorten, Royal Takin Preserve, and Buddha Point, which boasts the largest Buddha statue in Bhutan. In the evening, you will enjoy traditional Bhutanese food at the Bhutan Kitchen.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Gyelsa Boutique Inn3 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

    Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan

    National Library of Bhutan

    National Institute for Zorig Chusum

    Folk Heritage Museum Kawajangsa

    Changangkha Lhakhang

    Memorial Chorten

    Motithang Takin Preserve

    Kuensel Phodrang

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Bhutan Kitchen

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Thimphu

    Motithang

Day 4

Thimphu to Punakha

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Thimphu to Punakha

After breakfast, you'll embark on a journey to Punakha. En route, you'll visit Dochula Pass to admire the view of the Himalayan mountain ranges. Further along, you'll make a stop to visit Gakidh village's homestay at Phentekha for lunch. Here, you'll also be able to try your hand at the traditional Bhutanese game of archery. After arriving in Punakha, you will visit the suspension bridge, a nunnery, and a Buddhist institute before settling into your homestay.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Thuji Homestay

    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

    Dochula Pass

    Punakha Suspension Bridge

    Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery

    Nalanda Buddhist Institute

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Thimphu to Punakha

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Thimphu

    Dochula

    Punakha

Day 5

Punakha to Phobjikha

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Punakha to Phobjikha

After breakfast, you'll visit Punakha Dzong, a temple built by the founding father of Bhutan. Afterwards, you'll visit Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten and Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple. After lunch, you'll walk through the villages of Rinchengang opposite Wangdue Phodrang. Once you reach Phobjikha Valley, your homestay host will be waiting to welcome you into their home. In the evening before dinner, you can unwind by having a hot stone bath.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Homestay in Phobjikha

    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

    Punakha Dzong

    Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten

    Chimi Lhakhang

    Rinchengang Village

    Hot Stone Baths

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Divine Cafeteria

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Punakha Dzong to Phobjikha Valley

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Punakha

    Sopsokha

    Wangdue Phodrang

Day 6

Phobjikha Valley

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Phobjikha Valley

You'll explore the Phobjikha Valley starting with the Gantey Monastery followed by a short hike through the villages in the area, giving you a chance to see traditional farming activities and interact with the locals. After lunch at the homestay, you'll visit the black-necked crane information centre to learn about the cranes that use the valley as their winter home. Whilst exploring Phobjikha, you'll visit a majestical chapel and learn more about the local people.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Homestay in Phobjikha

    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

    Gangtey Monastery

    Phobjikha Valley

    Black-Necked Crane Information Centre

    Nyelung Decheling

    Social and Cultural Activities

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Wangdue Phodrang

Day 7

Phobjikha to Paro

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Phobjikha to Paro

After breakfast, you'll drive back to Paro via Wangdue Phodrang, Punakha and Thimphu. You will take a short break at the Royal Botanical Park in Lampelri to stretch out your legs with a short hike around the garden. After refreshments at the park's cafeteria, you'll drive another hour before having lunch at a local restaurant in Thimphu. After arriving in Paro, you will have some free time to go shopping in the arts and crafts markets.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Bhutan Mandala 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.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Royal Botanical Park

    Tachog Lhakhang

    Local Arts & CraftsOptional Activity

  • 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 8

Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery

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Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery

The highlight of the day will be taking a 4-5 hour return hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery, also known as Paro Taktsang; it is associated with Guru Rinpoche. You will have lunch at the Tiger's Nest Cafeteria which is the perfect midpoint for those who do not wish to complete the whole climb. Later on, you'll visit the National Museum, Rinpung Dzong, and Kychu Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan. You'll have dinner in the hotel in the evening.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Bhutan Mandala 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.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Hike to Tiger's Nest

    Paro Ta Dzong National Museum

    Rinpung Dzong

    Kyichu Lhakhang

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Taktsang Cafeteria

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Bhutan Mandala Resort to Tigers Nest

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Paro

Day 9

Drop Off at Paro International Airport

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Drop Off at Paro International Airport

After breakfast in the hotel and depending upon your flight timing, your guide will escort you to the airport, assist you until your departure and bid you a safe onwards journey.

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Bhutan Mandala Resort to Paro International Airport

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Paro

Included in Price

  • 8 nights accommodation
  • 35 activities
  • 8 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 8 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
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