Tour Overview

Trip Code
DE-005
Starting Point
Paro
End Point
Paro
Max Altitude
3000m / 9845ft
Duration
7 Days
Country
Bhutan
Trip Grade
Beginner
Activities
Cultural Tour
Best Season
Spring or Autumn

Embark on a captivating 7-day journey through Bhutan’s heartland with “The Crane and The Tiger” tour, an immersive exploration of culture, spirituality, and natural beauty. This meticulously crafted itinerary unveils the diverse landscapes of Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, and Paro, offering a unique perspective on Bhutan’s rich heritage and breathtaking scenery.

Your adventure begins in Thimphu, a capital city unlike any other, where modern life gracefully intertwines with ancient traditions. Explore iconic landmarks such as Buddha Dordenma, offering panoramic valley views, and the National Memorial Chorten. Discover Bhutan’s unique biodiversity at the Motithang Takin Preserve, home to the national animal, the Takin. Immerse yourself in Bhutanese artistry at the Local Crafts Bazaar, showcasing hand-woven textiles, Thangkha paintings, and other traditional crafts.

Journey eastward to Punakha, crossing the Dochula Pass, adorned with 108 memorial stupas and offering stunning Himalayan vistas. Explore Punakha Dzong, the Palace of Great Happiness, strategically located at the confluence of two glacial rivers, and visit Chimi Lhakhang, the Fertility Temple, reached via a scenic walk through rice paddies.

Continue to the glacial valley of Gangtey (Phobjikha), known for its vast, open landscapes and the 17th-century Gangtey Monastery. From late October to mid-March, witness the spectacle of Black-Necked Cranes, migrating from Tibet to this glacial sanctuary. A gentle hike along the Gangtey Nature Trail offers a serene experience amidst pine forests and the open valley floor.

Conclude your journey in Paro, home to the legendary Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Paro Taktsang), a highlight for many visitors. Explore Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest temples, and Rinpung Dzong, a massive fortress with intricate wall paintings depicting Buddhist lore.

Tour Highlights

  • Explore the green valley of Gangtey.
  • Explore 4 valleys under the blue sky and green surroundings.
  • Enjoy the evening view of Tashichho Dzong.
  • Visit Gangtey Goempa, the monastery of the Nyingmapa school of Tibetan Buddhism.
  • Explore the Local Crafts Bazaar to see different varieties of traditional products.

Points of Attraction

Itinerary

Elevation:

The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular in the entire Himalayas. Flying along the Himalayan range from Kathmandu, the journey offers fascinating views and an exciting descent into the Kingdom. After immigration formalities and baggage collection, you will be met by our representative, and driven to Thimphu with an enroute stop at Chuzom, the confluence of Thimphu and Paro rivers.

On arrival in Thimphu, check into the hotel. Evening: an exploratory walk around Thimphu Main Street and market area. Also visit the Local Crafts Bazaar to browse through Bhutan’s fine traditional arts — hand-woven textiles, Thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings, jewellery.

Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Elevation:

After breakfast, sightseeing in Thimphu valley: The National Library, housing an extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts. Visit the Textile Museum, which provides insight into Bhutan’s most distinct art form.

After lunch, short drive (15 km) to Pangri Zampa, a 16th-century monastery just north of Thimphu, where Buddhist student monks learn Lamaism and astrology based on Buddhist philosophy.

Afterwards, visit Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang) for a panoramic overview of the Thimphu valley and a chance to pay obeisance to the largest Buddha statue in the country.

King’s Memorial Chorten is continuously circumambulated by people murmuring mantras. Completed in 1974, it serves as a memorial to the Late King and a monument to peace.

Later, visit Trashichhoedzong, the impressive fortress/monastery housing the Secretariat building, the throne room of His Majesty the King, and various government offices.

Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Elevation: 3080m (Dochula Pass)

After breakfast, drive to Gangtey (Phobjikha), enroute visiting Dochula Pass (3080m). The pass offers spectacular views over the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas on a clear day. Continue via Wangdue Phodrang, famous for its bamboo products, slate and stone carvings, through dense forests of oak and rhododendron.

The valley of Gangtey is one of the most beautiful spots in Bhutan — a wide, flat valley after the hard climb through dense forests, with an impression of vast space that is rare in Bhutan.

After lunch, take a walk around Gangtey village and visit Gangtey Goempa. Perched on a small hill rising from the valley floor, Gangtey Monastery is the only Nyingmapa monastery on the western side of the Black Mountains and the biggest Nyingmapa monastery in Bhutan.

Overnight: Hotel in Gangtey

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Elevation:

After early breakfast, enjoy the Gangtey Nature Trail (5.5 km, approximately 2 hours, easy difficulty). From the hilltop overlooking Gangtey Goemba, head downhill through flower meadows to Semchubara village and through beautiful forests into the open valley. The trail ends at the local community school.

Later, continue drive to Punakha. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. Visit Punakha Dzong, a massive structure built at the junction of two rivers. It was the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and still serves as the winter residence of the monk body.

Overnight: Hotel in Punakha

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Elevation:

After breakfast, proceed for a short walking excursion to Chimi Lhakhang (approximately 15 minutes’ drive from hotel, then 1½ hours walk through paddy fields and villages). Chimi Lhakhang, the Temple of Fertility, is widely believed to bless childless couples. The trail leads across rice fields to the tiny settlement of Pana.

Continue drive to Paro along the scenic highway, enroute visiting Simtokha Dzong, built in 1627, the oldest fortress of the country. On arrival in Paro, check into hotel. After lunch, visit Ta Dzong (National Museum) and Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong), the fortress of the heap of jewels, with its fine wall paintings depicting Buddhist lore.

Overnight: Hotel in Paro

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Elevation: 3120m (Tiger's Nest approach)

After breakfast, excursion to Taktshang Monastery or Tiger’s Nest (approximately 5 hours walk). Perched on a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor, this is one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this site, hence it is called Tiger’s Nest.

Afternoon drive to Drukgyel Dzong, a ruined fortress where Bhutanese warriors fought Tibetan invaders. The snowy dome of sacred Chomolhari can be seen in all her glory from the approach road.

Evening, visit the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo, marking the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan.

Overnight: Hotel in Paro

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Elevation:

After early breakfast at the hotel, drive to the airport for your flight to the onward destination. Our representative will help you with exit formalities and bid you farewell.

Overnight:

Meals: Breakfast

Trek Route

What's included

  • Daily Government Royalties and Taxes ($100 per person per night)
  • Entrance fees and monuments fee
  • All transfers, vehicle, and sightseeing as per itinerary
  • English-speaking accompanying guide
  • Accommodation in 3-star hotels as per itinerary
  • Breakfast and dinner at the hotel; lunch at a local tourist restaurant
  • 1 bottle of water per day during the tour

What's excluded

  • Bhutan visa fee (US$50 fast track)
  • Beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic)
  • Expenses of a personal nature (tipping, laundry, telephone/fax calls, camera/video fees, etc.)
  • Insurance of any kind and medical expenses
  • International air tickets

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Starting From:

US$1866

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