Kingdom of Bhutan Culture & Nature Tour

Kingdom of Bhutan Culture & Nature Tour

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7 Days From

$2365

Kingdom of Bhutan Culture & Nature Tour

7 Days Starting and ending in Paro International Airport

Visiting: Thimphu, Tango Buddist College, Dochula Pass, Punakha, Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Choeten, Phobjikha Valley, Tashigang Gonpa, Paro, Gangtey Monastery, Taktsang Monastery

Tour code:

71355P13

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 12

Physical rating:

Low

Special diets catered:

We respect dietary needs

Tour operated in:

English

Activities:

Hiking, Sightseeing, Walking

Private Available:

Request A Private Tour

From: $2365

NB: Prices correct on 05-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Bhutan is the only carbon negative country in the world with 70% of its land under forest cover. Guided by the development philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH), Bhutan embraces modernization and globalization with utmost care balancing economic development with spiritual and social wellbeing, environmental sustainability and cultural preservation all within the framework of good governance.

On this 7 Days 6 Nights adventures through the hearts of 4 western districts of Bhutan, you will explore rural villages and magnificent fortresses and climb to the most recognized iconic landmark in Bhutan, the Taktsang monastery perched on a sheer 800 meters rock cliff. Delve yourself into the soaring Himalayan peaks and pristine natural environment, gain firsthand experience on its rich ancient Buddhist culture and discover happiness.

You’ll also venture out on nature hikes and appreciate pristine natural environment, explore and ramble through rural villages and gain firsthand experience on its culture and people, explore one of the unique and extraordinary countries in the world.

Highlights

  • Travel to 4 western districts of Bhutan – Paro, Thimphu, Punakha & Wangdue Phodrang (Phobjikha valley).

  • Immerse yourself into the mindful Buddhist way of life, away from the materialistic world, and discover why Bhutan is dubbed as ‘Kingdom of Happiness’.

  • Visit ancient temples and magnificent Dzongs (fortresses) and marvel at the fine wall paintings, exquisite architecture and craftsmanship that still continues to influence the Bhutanese architecture today.

  • Hike to 8th century sacred site where Bhutan’s iconic landmark, 17th century Paro Taktsang or Tiger’s Nest is located, perched on the face of a precarious 800m rock cliff.

  • Hike to the 13th century religious site and visit Tango Monastery built in 1689 on the steep mountain side.

  • Visit Phobjikha, one of the pristine glacial valleys in Bhutan and ramble through isolated farms, quaint villages and picturesque scenery along the way.

  • Visit a beautiful family farmhouse and get insights into the life of Bhutanese farmers and participate in preparing traditional cuisine for dinner.

Places You'll See

A Farmer Harvesting Turnip In Phobjikha Valley

One Of The Largest Monateries In Bhutan, Gangtey Gonpa In Phobjikha Valley

Dinner With Local Family At A Farmhouse

The Famous Paro Taktsang Aka Tiger's Nest In Paro

Trail Leading To Taktsang Monastery

Part Of Capital City Thimphu

Sacred Dochula Pass At 3150M Asl

A Rural Farmhouse In Punakha Valley

A Village Farmhouse

Traditional Home-Cooked Local Cuisine

Bhutan's Longest Suspension Bridge In Punakha Valley

Paddy Harvesting In Rural Bhutan

Guest With Young Novice Monks

Phobjikha Valley At 3000M Asl

Khamsum Yuellay Namgyel Chorten In Punakha Valley

Interior Or Punakha Dzong

Hiking In The Pristine Nature

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Arrive At Paro International Airport & Sightseeing / Transfer To Thimphu (2334M)

Location: Bhutan International Airport - Paro, Thimphu

Accommodation: Hotel, Resort, Overnight at Kuenphen Rabten Resort or Hotel Amodhara

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

You will be received by our guide and driver at the Paro International Airport and then you will be on your way to the first adventure in the Kingdom of Bhutan.

Visit the National Museum housed in the 17th-century watchtower called Ta Dzong. The collection at the National Museum preserves a snapshot of the rich cultural traditions of the country.

From here, transfer to Thimphu (1.5-hours driving time). Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan and is home to approximately 115,000 residents. This bustling little city is the main centre of commerce, religion and government in the country.

On arrival in Thimphu, you will visit the majestic 169ft tall Buddha Dordhenma Statue at Kuensel Phodrang overlooking the Thimphu valley. If time permits, visit Weaving Center to get insights into the art of weaving which is an integral part of Bhutanese culture & tradition. You will see both men and women weaving unique Bhutanese textiles with intricate designs and patterns.

Leisure time in Thimphu town,

Day 2 : Hike To Tango Monastery & Full Day Sightseeing In Thimphu

Location: Tango Buddist College, Thimphu

Accommodation: Hotel, Resort, Overnight at Kuenphen Rabten Resort or Hotel Amodhara

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to the northern outskirts of Thimphu and do the hike to one of the important religious center in Bhutan and spend the rest of the day in Thimphu.

Tango is located on the mountainside north of Thimphu. There is also a monastery called Cheri located on a mountain in the neighbourhood. Hiking to Tango is much easier as most part of the footpath is paved and the uphill ascent is not as steep. Following the trail through the forests, the walk uphill takes about 1.5-hours hour in a slow pace.

After the hike drive back to Thimphu for a traditional lunch at Folk Heritage Restaurant or a similar one.

After lunch, visit the National Institute of Traditional Arts & Crafts where you will see youth learning the 13 arts & crafts of Bhutan and then visit the nearby National Library of Bhutan. The National Library is considered as the national treasure and fundamental source of Bhutanese history, religion, medicine, arts and culture. Both the art school and the national library opens during working weekdays & on Saturdays 10am – noon.

From here, we drive to the Authentic Craft Bazaar along the main Thimphu street (only if you are interested). We then visit the Centenary Farmers’ Market to learn about the food preference and culture in Bhutanese society. Farmers from all over the country bring their farm produce to sell. The market opens from Friday – Sunday.

From here pass by the Changlimithang Archery Range to witness the game of archery if the match is in progress. You will see archers dancing and singing each time they hit the target from a whopping distance of 145 meters. Archery is the national sport of Bhutan.

Leisure time in Thimphu town.

Day 3 : Thimphu / Transfer To Punakha Valley (1200M)

Location: Dochula Pass, Punakha

Accommodation: Hotel, Resort, ResortOvernight at Lobesa or Meri Puensum Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, drive to Punakha valley. (2.5-hours driving time) with few stops along the way.

At about 45 minutes drive from Thimphu en route, we stop briefly at Dochula, a sacred mountain pass at an elevation of 3150m and enjoy a grand view of some of the highest mountains of Bhutan on a clear day. Good opportunity for photos!

From here continue driving towards Punakha and gradually descend to a subtropical valley within an hour. Just about 11km before reaching Punakha town, visit the famous 15th century Chimi Lhakhang popularly known among tourists as “Temple of Fertility”. A gentle walk through the terraced rice fields and traditional farmhouses painted with phalluses will give you a unique experience. Walk and explore the village.

After lunch at a nearby hotel or a traditional homestay, drive to Punakha town and visit the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture, the 17th century Punakha Dzong which displays fine Bhutanese arts and craftsmanship which continues to influence the Bhutanese architecture to this day. You will spend some time appreciating the intricate woodworks and sacred wall paintings. From here walk to Bhutan’s longest suspension bridge if interested.

If time permits, drive to Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Buddhist College for Nuns located on a quiet and peacefull hilltop overlooking partial Punakha Valley. You will have an opportunity to meet and mingle with nuns and spend some peaceful moment.

Day 4 : Hike To Khamsum Yuellay Namgyel Chorten / Transfer To Phobjikha Valley (3000M)

Location: Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Choeten, Phobjikha Valley

Accommodation: Hotel, Overnight at Yueloki Guest House or Dewachen Hotel & Spa

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, hike to the picturesque Khamsum Yuellay Namgyel Chorten on a peaceful hilltop and enjoy a nice view of fertile Punakha valley. After lunch transfer to Phobjikha valley and then venture out on Gangtey Nature Hike through the pristine valley.

Hike to Khamsum Yuellay Namgyel Chorten located on a serene hilltop overlooking the fertile Punakha valley with glacial fed Mochu river meandering through the valley. The hike leads through the terraced rice fields and and a short climb through pine trees before you reach a serene viewpoint. The round trip takes about 2-2.5 hours for most visitors. After visiting the sacred shorten, retrace your footstep back to the road head and drive back to town for lunch.

After lunch, transfer to Phobjikha valley in Gangtey (3-hours driving time). Phobjikha is a vast U-shaped glacial valley at an elevation of about 3,000m/9,840ft and is a winter home for endangered Black Necked Crane from November until they migrate back to Tibetan Plateau by the beginning of spring season. As part of the conservation effort, Phobjikha valley has been declared as a protected area.

Upon arrival in Phobjikha valley, you will go on an exciting Gangtey Nature Hike. The trail is about 5km and takes approximately 3 hours through the woods surrounded by splendid nature all around, wonderful meadows, beautiful traditional village houses, farm lands and crystalline streams. This short nature trail gives you a great feeling of the valley and understanding of the livelihood of the people living there. Lots of opportunities to take beautiful pictures!

Day 5 : Phobjikha Valley / Transfer Back To Paro (2200M)

Location: Tashigang Gonpa, Paro, Gangtey Monastery

Accommodation: Hotel, Resort, Khangkhu Resort or Bhutan Mandala Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, visit one of the largest monasteries in Bhutan – Gangtey Goenpa and then you will be transferred back to Paro. En route, do a short hike to 18th-century monastery through the pristine forests.

The 17th-century Gangtey Monastery popularly known as Gangtey Goenpa is one of the largest monasteries in Bhutan and of course an important landmark in the valley. Gangtey literally means “Hilltop” and Goenpa “remote place” and is usually a place of religious significance. You will meet peace-loving monks studying Buddhist Philosophy.

We then start our journey back to Paro valley (4.5-5-hours driving time) Lunch will be served on the way, possibly at Dochula Pass.

From Dochulal Pass, if you are interested, we do a short easy hike to Tashigang Gonpa. This wonderful hiking takes you downhill through pristine forests of Juniper, Hemlock, blue pine among many others. It offers a great opportunity to photograph nature and landscapes. You'll also come across different species of birds along the trail. The hike downhill takes about an hour to reach the Gonpa and the best season to do this hike from October to June.

Tashigang Gonpa is a monastery located on top of a mountain below Dochula Pass. It was built in 1768 by the 12th Abbot of Bhutan, Je Kunga Jamtsho. The monastery houses priceless relics and several statues of past Abbots of Bhutan. Today, the monastery serves as a monastic school for dozens of monks. You'll have an opportunity to visit the monastery and get blessings.

The driver will be waiting here at the monastery. From here, continue driving to Paro which will take about 2 hours

Upon arrival in Paro and if time permits, visit one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang which is believed to have been built overnight by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in the year 659 A.D.

Day 6 : Hike To Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest) & Visit Farmhouse For Home-Cooked Local Cuisine (3120M)

Location: Taktsang Monastery, Paro

Accommodation: Hotel, Resort, Khangkhu Resort or Bhutan Mandala Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today after breakfast, you'll hike to the famous and one of the most sacred sites in Bhutan. Paro Taktsang or popularly known as "Tiger’s Nest" is built on the face of a sheer 800-meter rock cliff in Paro. The round-trip hiking normally takes about 4-5 hours for most visitors. You can hike at your own pace but we recommend you start early before the sun gets stronger.

The history of Taktsang is associated with the visit of Guru Padmasambhava (known as Guru Rinpoche), the Indian saint who came to Bhutan and introduced Tantric Buddhism in the 8th century AD. It is believed that Guru Padmasambhava flew into the cave from Kurtoe Khenpajong in eastern Bhutan, riding on a tigress. It is not only considered as one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in Bhutan but also “a must-visit” place for tourists.

Oneway horse riding is available on your way up to the mid-point (Taktsang Viewpoint Cafeteria) for a fee of about USD20 but the hike is best enjoyed on foot.

Lunch will be served at the Taktsang Viewpoint Cafeteria. After lunch, we retrace our footsteps back to the base and drive to Paro town where you will spend some leisure time.

Later, visit one of the beautiful farmhouses for an authentic home-cooked local cuisine. You can participate in preparing some popular local dishes. If interested in a relaxing home span, you can soak in a traditional hot stone bath believed to have therapeutic, revitalizing benefits for an additional fee of about $15 per person, as charged by the owner.

Day 7 : Departure From Paro International Airport

Location: Paro International Airport

Accommodation: No accommodation on the last day

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Paro International Airport depending on your flight departure time.

What's Included

  • 1 bottle of Mineral Water per person per day

    Bottled mineral water in the car

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation at 3star hotels mentioned in the itinerary or similar. We will arrange hotels that are certified by the Tourism Council of Bhutan.

  • Airport Transfers at Destination

    Round trip airport transfers included in the price

  • All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)

    Transport included as per itinerary for the entire duration of your stay in Bhutan

  • Country Entry Visas

    Visa Fee is included in the price. We will also process your visa and send you the approved e-visa letter within 3-4 business days.

  • Free Wi-Fi at Accommodation

    All hotel accommodations have wi-fi internet connections.

  • Fully Guided

    Experienced licensed tour guide included

  • Local Taxes

    All internal taxes are included

  • Meals – Full Board

    Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.

  • Extra experiences like traditional archery and dart throwing

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What's Not Included

  • Drinks with Meals

    All drinks not included except bottled mineral water in the car

  • International Travel

    International flights are not included.

    There are only two airlines (Drukair & Bhutan Airlines) operating in and out of Bhutan and so securing air tickets can be difficult especially during the months of high season.

    Currently, Bhutan is connected with these cities - Bagdogra, Bangkok, Delhi, Dhaka, Guwahati, Kathmandu, Kolkata, Singapore.

    We recommend you to book a few months in advance especially if you plan to visit during the high season months of March - May and September - November.

    If you need help in arranging flights to/from Bhutan, please let us know much in advance.

  • Tipping and Gratuities

  • Any other expenditure of personal nature

  • Entry Fees

    All entry fees to museums, monuments and sacred sites are not included.

Check out our Q&As

  • Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?

    Yes

  • What is the tipping policy?

    Tipping is optional but our guide and driver work hard to offer the best experience. You may tip them if you feel satisfied with their services.

  • Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?

    You will have some leisure time during the tour but you must follow the time schedule set by the guide. At the end of the day, you can explore the places on your own in consultation with the guide.

  • Do you require a visa for this holiday?

    Except for the holders of Indian, Bangladeshi and Maldivian passport holders, all other nationals are required to have a visa to enter Bhutan in advance.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    We have been in the business since the beginning of 2016.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Visitors are required to provide a COVID vaccine certificate and negative PCR test taken not more than 72 hours before the date of entry. Facemasks are mandatory at all places. Our guides and drivers will maintain a high degree of COVID-19 safety protocols. Vehicles are regularly sanitized.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    No, you may not join the tour that has already departed. In case you have booked that particular tour, you may join but you will not receive any refund for the portion you have missed. You also have to pay the airport pickup charges because separate transport has to be arranged.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    All of our hotels are certified by the Tourism Council of Bhutan and are regularly inspected by the authority for health and COVID-19 safety regulations.

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    You can always change the date of the confirmed booking. We highly recommend you let us know a few months before the original date of arrival to ensure the flights and hotels are available on the new dates especially during the high season. A trip once booked can be postponed to any future date.

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    You'll receive a copy of your BHUTAN e-Visa and an outline of the itinerary with the list of hotels where you will stay before you travel. We always let our guests know in advance the hotels they will stay in. No surprises and disappointments! If you are coming for a trekking adventure, we will send you a suggested packing list.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

Manuela & Ingrid, Netherlands  

Marvelous Trip

27-Nov-2019

The trip was just marvelous, dream come true! The country is just beautiful and breath-taking and the tour was very well organized with a knowledgeable and helpful guide. We were lucky that the weather was good. The Bhutanese people were very friendly and chatty all around. I would recommend Bhutan as your next travel destination. Thank you, Bhutan Acorn, for your excellent hospitality and for taking good care of us!

M Escobar, Spain  

Above Expectations!

06-Feb-2020

We have been very fortunate to select Bhutan Acorn to organize our long overdue visit to the magical Kingdom of Bhutan. The guide and driver were very professional, punctual and always proactive. They made our stay very comfortable keeping the itinerary flexible each day. We must thank Mr. Karma who has been prompt and very helpful in planning our trip right from the beginning till the end. We definitely recommend Bhutan Acorn Tours & Travel!

Thorsten, The Netherlands  

Highly Satisfied

22-Dec-2019

Highly satisfied with the services of Bhutan Acorn. I booked Bhutan only 1 week before actually going there but Visa was handled most professional and obtained within 3 days. My personal guide Sonam provided lots of valuable stories and background information about country, people, buddhism and other aspects. I enjoyed a trip that consisted of hiking, culture, religion, good bhutanese food and a good portion of flexibility. An incredible experience and I will be back - with Bhutan Acorn again. Thanks a lot!

Yuxin Ze, Singapore  

Excellent Service - Thanks Bhutan Acorn

13-Dec-2019

Excellent service and the trip was very well planned! The tour organizer, Mr Karma had customized the tour package to our liking and our visa and air tickets were settled promptly just approximately 2 weeks before the trip. As this was our first time contacting a local tour agency from another country, the trip was very memorable that it sure won't be the last. Our female tour guide Lhamo is very knowledgeable. In addition, she took care of our well being and ensured that we are always comfortable during the trips, especially during hikes and treks. Highly recommend this tour agency for those who would love to visit this beautiful country!

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Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Bhutan Acorn Tours & Travel allows you to make 3 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 30 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Bhutan Acorn Tours & Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform bhutan acorn tours & travel, 30 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Bhutan Acorn Tours & Travel requires a minimum deposit of 50% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of bhutan acorn tours & travel charges.

    Up to 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 0% of booking price.

    At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 20% of booking price.

    At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.