Nature & Cultural Delight

Paro, Bhutan
13 nights
Easy

A thirteen-night, slow-paced loop through nine valleys of western and central Bhutan — designed for travellers who want depth, not a checklist.

Tour highlights

Fulfill a necessary holiday, a lifetime experience
Personalized attention, all details are taken care
Full insights – cultural & natural aspects of Bhutan
Visits to both popular and less visited sights
Local experience and Interactions
A complete discovery of Western & Central Bhutan
Breathtaking views, wonderful hikes
Happy smiles, unique experiences
Luxuries of time, you have it all

Overview

Nature and Cultural Delight is crafted to ensure travellers are completely immersed in what Bhutan is best known for — its nature and culture. This is a 13-night itinerary that takes you through the valleys of Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Wangdue, Gangtey, Phobjikha, Trongsa, Bumthang and Haa. It is designed to keep you comfortable with shorter travel distances and greater coverage.

The travel through Western and Central Bhutan gives travellers ample opportunity to experience Bhutan at its best — its nature, its culture and its everyday life. The itinerary includes village visits and hikes, local interactions and experiences, sights and monuments and many more.

We are flexible when it comes to our travellers' interests, convenience and requirements, and would be happy to customise this tour with additions, subtractions or combinations.

How demanding is it?

Easy

Mostly driving and gentle sightseeing, with short optional walks. No trekking experience needed, and the pace is yours to set.

Day 1 Paro – Thimphu

Land at Paro Airport, met by your guide with a Tashi Khadar. Drive 1.5 hours to Thimphu (2,300 m) past Tamchog Lhakhang and the three stupas at Chhuzomsa. Evening visit to Tashichho Dzong and a private traditional cultural show before dinner.

Overnight: Thimphu
Day 2 Thimphu

Takin Preserve, Changangkha Lhakhang, lunch at Simply Bhutan (a living museum). Afternoon: National Institute for Zorig Chusum, Kuenselphodrang Buddha Dordenma, National Memorial Chhorten. Evening interaction with a Bhutanese host.

Overnight: Thimphu
Day 3 Thimphu

Hike to Cheri Monastery — 1.5 hr ascent from Dodena. Picnic lunch by the Dodena river. Afternoon: personalised stamps at the Government Post Office, Centenary Farmers' Market, painting studio. Evening with a local family.

Overnight: Thimphu
Day 4 Thimphu – Phobjikha

Drive 140 km (4 hr) through Hongtsho and Yusipang to the 3,150 m Dochula Pass — 108 Druk Wangyel Chhortens. Continue past Lobesa and Wangduephodrang into Gangtey/Phobjikha. Evening visit Gangtey Goemba.

Overnight: Phobjikha
Day 5 Phobjikha / Gangtey

Optional early walk to see mist in the valley. Explore the Phobjikha glacial valley — winter roosting site of the black-necked crane. Village interactions, hikes, photography. Visit nunneries and monasteries.

Overnight: Phobjikha
Day 6 Gangtey – Trongsa

Drive 80 km (3 hr) over the Pelela Pass (3,420 m). Stop at the Chendebji Chhorten — modelled on the Boudhanath stupa. Lunch at Trongsa. Afternoon visit the impressive Trongsa Dzong and the Ta Dzong watch-tower museum.

Overnight: Trongsa
Day 7 Trongsa – Bumthang

Drive 60 km (2 hr) over the Yotong La pass (3,425 m) into the Chhumey valley. Visit the Yathra weaving centre and try the loom. Lunch at Bumthang. Afternoon: Tamshing Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang and Jambay Lhakhang.

Overnight: Bumthang
Day 8 Bumthang

Visit Jakar Dzong (Castle of White Bird, 1667). Drive to the Tang Valley — Ugyenchholing Palace and Museum, Tang Rimochen Lhakhang, the sacred Membar Tsho (Burning Lake). Picnic lunch en route.

Overnight: Bumthang
Day 9 Bumthang – Punakha

Drive 195 km (6 hr) back to Punakha/Wangdue (1,310 m), revisiting any places missed on the way out. Evening free.

Overnight: Punakha
Day 10 Punakha / Wangdue

Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chhorten through paddy fields and pine forest. Afternoon: Punakha Dzong (1637), then a short hike through villages to Chhimi Lhakhang — the temple of fertility.

Overnight: Punakha
Day 11 Punakha – Paro

Drive 130 km (3.5 hr) to Paro. Stop at the Royal Botanical Park at Lamperi and Tamchhog Lhakhang's iron-chain bridge. Afternoon in Paro: National Dress and archery experience, Ta Dzong / National Museum.

Overnight: Paro
Day 12 Paro — Tiger's Nest

Morning hike to the Taktshang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery — Guru Rinpoche's meditation cave on a cliff at 3,120 m. Picnic lunch in the woods. Afternoon: Kyichu Lhakhang (7th c.), village house visit, hot stone bath. Optional homestay.

Overnight: Paro
Day 13 Paro – Haa – Paro

Drive 65 km (2.5 hr) over the Chelela Pass (3,810 m) — highest motorable point in Bhutan, with views of Mt. Jumolhari. Lunch in Haa. Visit 7th-century Lhakhang Karpo and Lhakhang Nagpo. Farewell dinner with your Bhutanese hosts.

Overnight: Paro
Day 14 Departure

Transfer to Paro airport for your departure flight.

What is and isn't Included?

Meals and Accommodations

All meals (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Accommodation in tourist-certified 3-star-equivalent hotels

Guide, Transport & Entry Fees

Certified, English speaking guide throughout the tour
Exclusive vehicle for all transfers as per the group size
Entrance fees for museums and monuments

SDF, Visa Fee and Other Taxes

Sustainable development fund
Surcharges and Visa Fee
Other govt taxes applicable

Organizing your Bhutan trip

Manpower, stationeries, phone and internet, time
Other indirect expenses applicable in organizing your trip

All kinds of bank charges
Single room supplement
Personal expenses, such as phone, laundry, etc.
Any form of insurance
Any kinds of bottled drinks
Flights fares – both domestic and international
Gratitude and Tipping
Extra activities such as rafting, cycling, horse ride
(if not included in the inclusion or complimentary)
All kinds of additional expenses due to unforeseen contingencies whether man-made of natural
Anything not mentioned in the cost inclusion

Complimentary with this tour

Assistance with Bhutan Travel Info
Guidance in planning your Bhutan tour
Drinking water during the tour
A traditional cultural show
Hot stone bath in a village house
National dress and Archery experience

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Getting there & when to go

Getting there

Arrive at: Paro international Airport
Depart from: Paro International Airport

We meet you in the arrivals hall and handle every transfer, permit and internal journey from there. Flights to Bhutan →

When it runs

Throughout the year

This is a private tour, so there are no fixed departure dates — we build it around yours. When to visit Bhutan →

Trip facts

Trip Rating: Easy, Comfortable
Travel Type: Nature, Culture, Walks, Hikes, Local Interactions & Experiences, Sights & Monuments
Destinations: Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Wangdue, Gangtey, Phobjikha, Trongsa, Bumthang & Haa

Travel cost details

Travel Cost

The travel cost shall vary for every Bhutan Tour/ trek we organize. It depends of the group size, the hotel categories and other services our guests may choose to include in their Bhutan trip/ trekking in Bhutan. Your Bhutan Travel cost shall also vary with the nationality of the guests as the government SDF is different for Indian Nationals and other nationals.

Kindly write to us at idealtravelcreations@gmail.com in regards to cost for regional travelers as there are a lot of variables in working on the cost for regional travelers.

Discounts available

write to us at idealtravelcreations@gmail.com

Cost Inclusion: Refer above
Complimentary: Refer above

The cost does not include the following:

All kinds of bank charges
Single room supplement
Personal expenses, such as phone, laundry, etc.
Any form of insurance
Any kinds of bottled drinks
Flights fares – both domestic and international
Gratitude and Tipping
Extra activities such as rafting, cycling, horse ride
(if not included in the inclusion or complimentary)
All kinds of additional expenses due to unforeseen contingencies whether man-made of natural
Anything not mentioned in the cost inclusion

Notes & policies

Notes

We reserve the right to change the itinerary or hotels anytime as may be required to, in case of unforeseen contingencies (natural/man made) or unavailability of hotels or any other services such as flights and transport.
Some of the sites to be visited may be closed on government holidays or during breaks. In such cases we shall do other sightseeing in its place.
This itinerary can be tailor made for any duration or within any destination and can be combined with any kind of activities such as trekking, rafting, walking tour, cycling , etc
It is advisable to book tours in Bhutan at least 6 months prior to the travel date because of limited Bhutan tourism infrastructures and inventories.
Except for the planning, guidance and information phase, all bookings are confirmed only after the receipt of the tour payment.

Cancellation Policies

- We shall charge a minimal amount of USD 30 as administrative charges for any bookings cancelled more than a month before the date of travel.
- 25% of the payment shall be charged as cancellation charges for any bookings cancelled within one month to 16 days from date of travel.
- 50% of the payment shall be charged as cancellation charges for any bookings cancelled within 15 days to 7 days from date of travel.
- 100% cancellation charges shall be applicable for any any bookings cancelled within 6 days from date of travel or no show
- Cancellation charges shall also depend upon the policies of the parties from whom we have taken the services such as hotels and airlines.