6-Day Bhutan Cultural Tour of Paro, Thimphu and Punakha with Haa

6 Days Duration

Experiences

About This Tour

Visit Bhutan's western valleys as you explore Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, and Haa Valley over 6 days. See important cultural and spiritual landmarks such as Paro Ri...

Duration: 6 Days · Tour type: Shared · Activity level: Easy · Accommodation: Included · Standard · Transport: Included · Wheelchair access: Not applicable · Cities: Thimphu, Paro, Punakha, Haa Valley · Languages: English

Know before you go: Trip Name: Western Bhutan Tour.; Trip Duration: 06 Days.; Max. Altitude: 3,120m/10,240 ft (The Tiger Nest Monastery).; Best Season: March to May and September to November.; Meal: Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner).; Accommodation in 3, 4, or 5-star accommodation as per your requirements.; Transportation: Private car, van, or bus (depends on group size).; The itinerary can also be modified as per your needs.; Prices may go down in the off-season.

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What's Included

Airport pick-up and drop-off by private vehicle
Accommodation: government-approved 3-star and above
Bhutan visa fee, including all necessary processing
Route permit
Three meals per day during your stay in Bhutan
A licensed Bhutanese tour guide
All land transportation by private vehicle
Camping equipment and haulage for trekking tours
Sightseeing as per itinerary
Monument entrance fees where applicable
Drinking water
All internal taxes and charges
A sustainable development fee of $65 (this sustainable development fee goes towards free education, free healthcare, poverty alleviation, along with the building of infrastructure)

Not Included

Airfare and travel insurance
Expenses of a personal nature
Tips to guides and drivers
Expenses incurred due to unavoidable events like roadblocks, flight delays, etc.

Itinerary

1

Day 01

Arrival in Paro and Transfer to Thimphu

Arrive in Paro (2250m) by Bhutan's national carrier plane. Arrive in Paro (2250m) by Bhutan's national carrier plane. After clearing customs and visa formalities, meet your Paro tour guide or representative and transfer to Paro for lunch. After clearing customs and visa formalities, meet your Paro tour guide or representative and transfer to Paro for lunch. Afterwards, visit Paro Rinpung Dzong, built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, Bhutan's first spiritual and temporal ruler. The southern approach to the Dzong has a traditional roofed cantilever bridge called Nemi Zam. Afterwards, visit Paro Rinpung Dzong, built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, Bhutan's first spiritual and temporal ruler. The southern approach to the Dzong has a traditional roofed cantilever bridge called Nemi Zam. Drive to Thimphu, about an hour away. Drive to Thimphu, about an hour away. Overnight at hotel (Lunch/Dinner included)
2

Day 02

Thimphu Sightseeing and Drive to Punakha

After breakfast, visit the National Memorial Chorten, with its golden spires and tinkling bells, built in honour of the third King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Continue to the Institute of Traditional Medicine, where old healing arts such as acupuncture and herbal remedies are still practised. After breakfast, visit the National Memorial Chorten, with its golden spires and tinkling bells, built in honour of the third King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Continue to the Institute of Traditional Medicine, where old healing arts such as acupuncture and herbal remedies are still practised. Explore the Folk Heritage Museum, dedicated to Bhutan's rural past with its exhibition of items and artefacts used in rural households, and the Textile Museum, where the art of traditional weaving is kept alive through its exhibitions. Explore the Folk Heritage Museum, dedicated to Bhutan's rural past with its exhibition of items and artefacts used in rural households, and the Textile Museum, where the art of traditional weaving is kept alive through its exhibitions. Afterwards, drive to Punakha (1310m) from Thimphu for about 1 and a half hours. First, the road climbs steeply through the pine and cedar forests near Dochula Pass (3,050m), where panoramic Himalayan views can often be seen. After stopping for tea, the road descends along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha. Afterwards, drive to Punakha (1310m) from Thimphu for about 1 and a half hours. First, the road climbs steeply through the pine and cedar forests near Dochula Pass (3,050m), where panoramic Himalayan views can often be seen. After stopping for tea, the road descends along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha. Overnight at Hotel (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)
3

Day 03

Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lhakhang Hike

Visit Punakha Dzong after breakfast, crossing the bridge. It is the ancient capital of Bhutan and stands at the meeting point of the Mo Chu and Pho Chu Rivers. Visit Punakha Dzong after breakfast, crossing the bridge. It is the ancient capital of Bhutan and stands at the meeting point of the Mo Chu and Pho Chu Rivers. Afterwards, drive to Lobeysa for lunch. Afterwards, drive to Lobeysa for lunch. Hike another 20 minutes to Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of the 'Divine Madman', built in 1499 and also known as the temple of fertility. Hike another 20 minutes to Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of the 'Divine Madman', built in 1499 and also known as the temple of fertility. Afterwards, drive to Thimphu. Afterwards, drive to Thimphu. Overnight at Hotel (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)
4

Day 04

Chelela Pass Excursion to Haa Valley and Paro

Cross Chelela Pass (3899m) after breakfast. From the pass, see the Himalayan ranges and the valley beyond. Cross Chelela Pass (3899m) after breakfast. From the pass, see the Himalayan ranges and the valley beyond. Continue the drive towards Haa (2740m). Continue the drive towards Haa (2740m). In Haa Valley, visit Wangchucklo Dzong, Lhakhang Nakpo (Black Temple), and Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple). In Haa Valley, visit Wangchucklo Dzong, Lhakhang Nakpo (Black Temple), and Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple). Drive to Paro. Drive to Paro. Overnight at Hotel (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)
5

Day 05

Hike to Taktsang Monastery and Visit Kyichu Lhakhang

After breakfast, drive towards the base camp of Taktsang for the hike up to Taktsang Monastery - Tiger's Nest (3120m). It is about a two-hour hike up to the cafeteria. From this point, enjoy the spectacular view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in the 8th century. After breakfast, drive towards the base camp of Taktsang for the hike up to Taktsang Monastery - Tiger's Nest (3120m). It is about a two-hour hike up to the cafeteria. From this point, enjoy the spectacular view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in the 8th century. Visit Taktsang Monastery and hike back to the road point, then drive to Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest and most sacred shrines. Visit Taktsang Monastery and hike back to the road point, then drive to Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest and most sacred shrines. Drive back to the hotel. Drive back to the hotel. Overnight at hotel (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)
6

Day 06

Departure from Paro

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to catch your onward flight. After breakfast, transfer to the airport to catch your onward flight. (Breakfast only included)

Meeting Point

Meeting point: Paro International Airport, Paro, Bhutan · Tour start: Airport Road Paro, Paro 12001, Bhutan — Tour ends at the same location as the start point.