Tour Overview

Trip Code
DE-B002
Starting Point
Paro
End Point
Paro
Max Altitude
3000m / 9845ft
Duration
9 Days
Country
Bhutan
Trip Grade
Beginner
Activities
Cultural Tour
Best Season
Spring and Autumn

Embark on an unforgettable 9-day journey through Bhutan, “The Crane, the Monk and the Tiger,” where happiness is not just a concept, but a place. This meticulously crafted tour, also known as “The Five Valleys Odyssey,” unveils the spiritual heartland and breathtaking landscapes of this Himalayan kingdom.

Begin your adventure in Paro, with a spectacular flight offering panoramic Himalayan views, followed by a transfer to Thimphu. Explore Thimphu’s blend of tradition and modernity, visiting the Institute for Zorig Chusum, the Textile Museum, and Pangri Zampa monastery.

Continue to Punakha, the ancient winter capital, crossing the Dochula Pass for stunning Himalayan vistas. Discover the Punakha Dzong at the confluence of two rivers, and the Chimi Lhakhang, the Fertility Temple. Journey to Gangtey (Phobjikha), a glacial valley renowned for its natural beauty and the winter home of Black-Necked Cranes.

Immerse yourself in the spiritual heart of Bhutan, Bumthang, a region of sacred valleys and ancient temples. Explore Kurjey Lhakhang and Jambay Lhakhang, and experience the mystical Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake). Conclude your pilgrimage in Paro with a hike to the iconic Tiger’s Nest (Paro Taktsang) and a visit to Kyichu Lhakhang. This grand circuit promises a deep spiritual immersion amidst remote mountain scenery and architectural wonders.

Tour Highlights

  • Enjoy the drive towards Punakha crossing Dochula Pass at 3100m above sea level.
  • Explore Gangtey Valley, a breathtaking wide glacial valley in central Bhutan at approximately 3000m.
  • Explore the historic Chendbji Chorten and Trongsa Ta Dzong.
  • Drive towards Yutongla Pass, one of the highest motorable road passes at 3460m, dividing Trongsa and Bumthang district.
  • Experience the culture and tradition of the people of Bumthang Valley.

Points of Attraction

Itinerary

Elevation:

The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular in the entire Himalayas. After immigration formalities and baggage collection, drive to Thimphu with an enroute stop at Chuzom. On arrival, check into the hotel. Evening: exploratory walk around Thimphu Main Street and the Local Crafts Bazaar.

Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Elevation:

After breakfast, sightseeing in Thimphu valley: the Institute for Zorig Chusum (6-year training in 13 traditional arts); the Textile Museum. After lunch, drive to Pangri Zampa (16th century monastery). King’s Memorial Chorten, completed in 1974, is a monument to peace. Later, visit Trashichhoedzong, housing the throne room of His Majesty the King.

Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Elevation: 3080m (Dochula Pass)

After breakfast, drive to Gangtey (Phobjikha) via Dochula Pass (3080m), offering spectacular Himalayan views. Continue via Wangdue Phodrang through dense forests of oak and rhododendron to the wide, flat valley of Gangtey.

Afternoon: walk around Gangtey village and visit Gangtey Goempa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in this region.

Overnight: Hotel in Gangtey

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Elevation: 3300m (Pele La Pass), 3460m (Yutongla Pass)

After breakfast, drive to Bumthang crossing Pele La Pass (3300m/10830ft) via Trongsa. Stop enroute at Chendbji Chorten, patterned on Kathmandu’s Swayambhunath Stupa, with eyes painted at four cardinal points.

After lunch at Trongsa, visit Trongsa Dzong (built 1648, seat of power over central and eastern Bhutan). Also visit Ta Dzong, a cylindrical stone structure recently restored into a museum blending tradition and modernity.

Continue 68 km across Yutong La Pass (3,400m/11,155ft) to the wide open cultivated Bumthang valley. Bumthang covers four valleys — Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura — and is home to many prominent Buddhist temples and monasteries.

Overnight: Hotel in Bumthang

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Elevation: 2700m

After breakfast, tour of Bumthang valley: visit Kurje Lhakhang (where Padma Sambhava subdued a local demon), Jambey Lhakhang (7th century), Tamshing Lhakhang (oldest wall paintings in Bhutan), and Jakar Dzong (administrative centre). Stroll in the village and visit local handicraft shops.

Afternoon: short hike to Lhodrak Kharchhu Monastery, located 3 km above the main town, founded by Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche in 1984. The monastery is part of an extensive effort to preserve Tibetan culture, with monks studying prayers, dharma dances, mandalas, sacred rituals, grammar, poetry, and tantra.

Overnight: Hotel in Bumthang

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Elevation:

After breakfast, check out and drive to Punakha, the old capital town of Bhutan. After checking into hotel, visit Punakha Dzong, a massive structure built at the junction of two rivers. It was the capital of Bhutan until 1955. Evening can be spent exploring Punakha village on the bank of the river.

Overnight: Hotel in Punakha

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Elevation:

After breakfast, excursion to Chimi Lhakhang (15 minutes’ drive, then 1½-hour walk through paddy fields). The Temple of Fertility is believed to bless childless couples.

Continue drive to Paro, enroute visiting Simtokha Dzong (built 1627). On arrival, check into hotel. After lunch, visit Ta Dzong (National Museum) and Rinpung Dzong.

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 Bhutan’s most sacred sites.

Afternoon drive to Drukgyel Dzong, a ruined fortress where Bhutanese warriors fought Tibetan invaders. Evening, visit the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang, 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$2488

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